MACHINERY ROW

PL Closes Carlotta and Opens Scotia
The Pacific Lumber company (PL) is closing its large mill in Carlotta, Calif. and working its operations into its Scotia facility for small-diameter lumber. The company says it is trying to make itself more competitive, cost-effective and long lasting. The $25 million mill will start processing logs up to 24" diameter in September. Large log milling at the Scotia mill will begin in early 2005. Although 119 employees will be given notices at the Carlotta mill, approximately 90 will be hired at the Scotia mill in connection with the small logs.

Timber Graders Earn Awards
The Western Wood Products Association presented Alfred Simmons, Michael Graham and Jonathan Smith of the Warm Springs, Ore. mill with the "Hi-Q Award" for their exceptional job of consistent and accurate judgment of wood quality. There are 59 mills in the Hi-Q program.

Simpson Changes Name
Seattle-based timber company Simpson Resource Co. has changed its name to Green Diamond Resource Co. The company changed its name to better distinguish it from its corporate family. Simple Resource Co. split from Simpson Investment Co. two years ago when it was decided to put the two divisions under different leadership.

Volvo Rental Franchise in Washington State
Volvo Construction Equipment Rents, Inc., (Volvo CE Rents) has announced the signing of a franchise agreement for a new Volvo equipment rental center in Everett, Wash. The Phoinix Corporation, has entered into a Volvo CE Rents franchise agreement to own and operate independent Volvo CE Rents centers in Everett. All Volvo CE Rents centers are independently owned and operated franchises within the Volvo Construction Equipment rental program. The new Washington rental center will carry, in addition to Volvo construction equipment — compact excavators and wheel loaders and the company’s backhoe and skid steer loaders — a line of essential equipment and tools for the construction, commercial, industrial, and homeowner markets.

Forestry Equipment Names New Vice-President of Sales
Brian Joiner, President of Forestry Equipment, Inc. is pleased to announce that Craig Tharp has joined the company as Vice-President Sales. Based in the Vancouver, Washington head office, Craig brings 30 years of senior management sales and marketing experience in the forest products industry to his new position. Forestry Equipment, Inc. sells, services and supports Keto harvester/processors in the western U.S. Keto is a world leader in harvester/processors. Craig can be reached at: (360)687-5557 and on cel at: (360)606-0413.

New Sales Manager for Ponsse USA, Inc.
Pat Koskinen was appointed as Sales Manager for Ponsse this past March. Pat has been in forestry equipment sales since 1980, most recently with Nortrax Inc. His long experience and knowledge of the industry will help strengthen and expand Ponsse's position.

Blount Appoints New Director
Blount, Inc. announced the appointment of Mr. Greg Terjesen to the position of Director, International Sales. "Greg has excellent experience in international sales," said Dick Hemmelgarn, Vice President, Sales for Blount. "In addition to holding this position with Blount from 1997 to 1999, he has held various worldwide sales and marketing management positions with Cedarapids, Ingersoll Rand and Woods Equipment."

Deer Lodge Sawmill has New Owner
In early March, Louisana-Pacific Corp. sold its sawmill and finger-jointer operation in Deer Lodge Montana to Sun Mountain Lumber Inc., owned by Sherman Anderson. The mill is one of the largest employers in the area. Anderson said he was motivated to buy the mill because of the uncertainty of its future, and the impact that would have on Deer Lodge, Butte, Anaconda and the area. The Deer Lodge sawmill has an annual production capacity of 125 million board feet of two-by-four and two-bysix studs. The finger-jointer plant has an annual production capacity of 110 million board feet. If lumber markets remain strong, it will give Sun Mountain Lumber the jump-start it needs.

Harad Elected Chairman of AF&PA
George J. Harad, Chairman and CEO of Boise Cascade Corp., has been elected Chairman of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). Harad began his career at Boise in 1971 as administrative assistant in the housing group. He was elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer in April 1995. Prior to joining Boise, Harad was a consultant for the Boston Consulting Group and a teaching fellow at Harvard University.

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