The 2024 version of the Timber Processing & Energy Expo (TP&EE) was one of the best yet, as 1,126 attendees joined up with 825 exhibitor personnel at the biennial event held September 25-27 at the Portland Exposition Center in Portland, Ore

It marked the sixth TP&EE produced by Hatton-Brown Expositions, an affiliate of Hatton-Brown Publishers and Timber Processing, Panel World and Wood Bioenergy magazines.

Seventy-five wood producer companies, representing hundreds of lumber and panel mill operations, sent personnel to comb the aisles of 180 exhibitor companies who displayed machinery and supplies on 45,000 square feet of booth space.

“It was the most impressive show floor we’ve ever had,” commented Rich Donnell, TP&EE Show Director and Editor-in-Chief at Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. “Many exhibitors put up big machinery and all of the exhibitor booths were first rate. I can’t express enough my appreciation for their time and efforts.”

Donnell also expressed his appreciation for the numerous wood products producer companies and their personnel. “There have been numerous mill closures in the Northwest in recent years, but if you attended the expo you saw that the wood products industry out here is anything but going away,” Donnell said

Long Lines Moving Fast

The first two mornings saw long lines of registrants getting their badges, but the lines moved briskly thanks to the top-notch registration team. Not even Portland rains kept them away on the first day. Several wood products companies sent dozens of personnel, enjoying a little time away from the mill while enjoying the latest technologies on the show floor.

Person Of The Year

Andy Pollard of Pollard Lumber in Appling, Ga. received the 36th annual Timber Processing Magazine Person of the Year award at a special ceremony on the first day of the show. Pollard co-invented the curve-sawing gang and invented the dual path continuous dry kiln, while along with his family managing a stellar southern yellow pine sawmill and timberlands operation. Several Pollard family members were in attendance as well. A reception hosted by Carbotech followed the presentation and acceptance speeches.

World Famous Indeed

Nelson Brothers Sawmill String Band performed on the show floor stage during lunch on Thursday. The three-piece bluegrass and country group featured Uncle Tony Fuentes and Jeff Nelson of Nelson Brothers Engineering and Joey Nelson, founder of JoeScan. Several listeners informed show organizers that they, too, were in bands, and there’s much discussion already about a multi-band, mini-concert for the 2026 event.

Educational Sessions

The Sawmill Productivity & Efficiency Conference and the Panel Manufacturing Today Conference featured nine speakers. A hot topic was the implementation of Artificial Intelligence throughout mill operations, and the benefits and results seen in process flow, product quality, and safety dynamics. Conference speakers included representatives from Comact, MicCROTEC, Valutec, Carbotech, Biomass Engineering & Equipment, Grenzebach, Evergreen Engineering, Raute and Westmill.

To read previous TP&EE posts click here.

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Tigercat releases lower weight class 544 harvesting head for track carriers.

The new 544 is Tigercat’s lowest weight class harvesting head for track harvesters. Based on the proven 534 design, the 544 is a three-wheel drive head with triangulated wheel arm geometry. The chassis, covers and tilt frame are designed to handle the rigors of track carrier operating conditions. Four cast steel knife arms, and fixed front and back knives provide excellent delimbing quality.

Targeting trees in the 15-50 cm (6-20 in) diameter range, the 544 has a maximum main cut capacity of 790 mm (31 in) along with a 790 mm (31 in) feed wheel opening, and 760 mm (30 in) maximum knife arm opening to handle the occasional larger tree.

Available with an optional 560 mm (22 in) cut capacity top saw , the 544 is a great match for selective harvesting applications in mixed diameter hardwood and conifer stands. Operating weight ranges from 1 700 kg (3,760 lb) with standard rotator and link up to 2 140 kg (4,720 lb), allowing the head to be mated to Tigercat H822 and H855 series carriers with standard or telescopic boom sets.

The hydraulically actuated measuring wheel promotes positive contact and reduces component wear. Diameter measuring on the wheel arms and front knife arms provides accurate measurement. An efficient high-flow hydraulic system matched to Tigercat carriers provides excellent performance and outstanding fuel economy.

Optional 360 degree continuous rotation with through-tip hose routing and robust, stable wireless communication is available on select carriers. Various rotator, feed motor, feed wheel, knife arm, and wheel arm choices are available to tailor the 544 for specific applications.

For maximum productivity and performance in eucalyptus processing applications, the 544 debarking package includes several features to increase productivity and performance. The feed wheels and the wheel arm geometry are designed for debarking, spiraling the trees during feeding for better performance. The feed motor sizes are tuned for high demand and productivity. Unique front and back knife geometry provides comprehensive tree coverage.

To read previous Tigercat posts click here.

To read posts about Harvester heads click here.

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Join us as our special guest and witness this exciting moment for yourself at our booth #711. We’ll be unveiling our newest product solution at the Timber Processing & Energy Expo in Portland, OR. It’s shaping up to be an event to remember and we want you to be there!

You can also see our other displays, including new advances in optimization and panel technology and offerings from our parts and upgrades teams.

See you there!

To read previous Timber Processing & Energy Expo posts click here.

To read previous USNR posts click here.

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The 2024 edition of the Sawmill Productivity & Efficiency will co-locate with the Timber Processing & Energy Expo to be held in Portland, Oregon on Thursday, September 26. And in the afternoon, it’s all about AI.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Dane Floyd, BE&E
• Anne-Marie Levesque, BID Group
• Gilles Gauvin, Carbotech Group
• Karl Aicher, Grenzebach
• Norvin Laudon, MiCROTEC
• Robert Weithofer, Valutec

Conference registration is now open as part of TP&EE show registration—add it to your TP&EE plans today!

To read other Timber Processing & Energy Expo posts click here.

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Combilift gains further global recognition as it secures awards in 2 categories at the recent UK Materials Handling Association Awards in Birmingham on Saturday the 14th of September. Up against some of the biggest names in Material handling, they walked away with the coveted ‘Ergonomic Innovation of the Year’ and the ‘Manufacturer Product Innovation of the Year’.

The Combi-CB70E was celebrated for its groundbreaking ergonomic design. The 7-ton electric-powered, multidirectional counterbalance forklift is the shortest 7-ton capacity truck on the market, making it highly efficient with long loads in tight spaces. The truck’s surprisingly spacious cab, with floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass, provides operators with excellent visibility and enhanced safety.

One of its standout features is the Auto Swivel Seat, which automatically swivels 15 degrees to the left or right, depending on the direction of travel. This feature significantly reduces driver strain, particularly when reversing.

The CB70E also incorporates a gas strut suspension system, typically found in larger industrial machinery. This advanced suspension and large super-elastic tyres ensure a smooth ride, even across rough or uneven terrain or during extended shifts. Combilift’s independent electric traction system -previous Red Dot award winner- provides 100% traction control for all front and rear drive wheels. This system eliminates the need for a differential lock on slippery surfaces, reduces load swing, and enhances safety and precision when transporting long, heavy loads particularly when navigating sideways, regardless of ground conditions.

Combilift’s second award, the ‘Manufacturer Product Innovation of the Year’, went to the Combi LC Blade, a cutting-edge machine designed specifically to address the growing challenges of transporting offshore wind turbine blades from the manufacturing plant to storage or transportation facilities.

These blades, which can reach up to 115 metres in length and weigh up to 70 tonnes, have long posed logistical challenges due to their size, fragility and complexity.

Combilift’s Heavy Equipment Design Team, known for developing pioneering solutions like the Combi-SC Straddle Carrier and Combi-MG Mobile Gantry worked hand in hand with Siemens Gamesa, a leading supplier of offshore wind turbines, the LC Blade ensures unparalleled stability and safety during transport.

Now implemented in manufacturing sites across the world, Combilift has transformed the logistics of handling wind turbine blades and set a new industry standard.

Combilift CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar; “We are more than delighted to have won not just one, but two prestigious accolades at this years Archies 2024, making this our 12th Archies to date. Competing against such high-calibre competitors highlights what a fantastic team we have, which are willing to push the boundaries of the material handling industry.”

These awards solidify Combilift’s winning momentum after taking home ‘Design Team of the Year’ for the LC Blade and the ‘Industry Leader Award’ – recognising McVicar’s transformative leadership at the UK EMA Awards in London, bringing a total of 4 awards for the Irish manufacture within two weeks!

As Archimedes once said, “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.” Combilift embodies this spirit of innovation, continuously pushing the boundaries of material handling solutions.

To read previous Combilift related posts click here.

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Gatineau, Quebec – The Canadian Woodlands Forum’s flagship event, DEMO International®, is set to take place in the Venosta, Quebec forest region from September 19 to 21, 2024. This renowned event is one of North America’s largest LIVE in-woods forest equipment expos, with this year marking its 14th edition.

DEMO International promises excellent photo and video opportunities, featuring hundreds of pieces of live-action forestry equipment in operation. Attendees can witness cutting-edge technology and innovative machinery in action over a 3.2 km route, showcasing equipment for forest harvesting, forwarding, biomass processing, and more. Interactive Site Map

The event will showcase over $100 million worth of forestry machinery from top global manufacturers. In addition, visitors can watch or participate in the Log Loader Competition, presented by Barko and Équipments Marquis, which will run throughout the 3-day event.

Public Registration: Available online. Pre-registration is $40+tax for a one-day pass. Tickets at the door will be $60 for a one-day pass, or $80 for a three-day pass.

This event promises to offer some of the most impressive forest machinery demonstrations and exclusive insight into the future of forestry technology. Don’t miss this unique opportunity!

To read about previous Demo International® events click here.

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Norra Timber recently announced a three-phase upgrade of its Hissmofors, Sweden, sawmill with an investment of up to SEK 150 million (US$14.8 million). Approximately 70 people are currently employed at the sawmill and the associated planning mill.

Henrik Jönsson, Industrial Manager at Norra Timber, said, “The sawmill contributes to both local jobs and smart climate products. For us, it is important to invest here and thus balance the technical degree and competitiveness of our sawmills.”

Norra Skog’s Board of Directors has previously made a policy decision regarding the investments in Hissmofors. The planned investments will take place in three stages and will begin with new post-processing along the saw line. The new machine equipment will have significantly higher capacity than the previous one and therefore enable production increases.

The sawmill in Hissmofors currently has an annual production of approximately 170,000 m³, with the goal of increasing production to 200,000 m³ within the next two years. The mill currently produces spruce and pine rough sawn and planned into boards and planks, and the wood products are sent on to customers both in Sweden and abroad.

The investment in the new machine equipment amounts to approximately SEK 40 million (US$3.9 million) and will mean a production increase of 10,000 m³sv annually. The next two investment steps that are planned involve upgrades in the sawmill line and comprise approximately SEK 100 million ($9.8 million).

“Of course, the investments feel great for us at Hissmofors. We secure jobs and get a receipt that Norra Skog believes in us here in Jämtland. This announcement inspires confidence in the future,” says Thomas Haiduga, sawmill manager in Hissmofors.

Facts Hissmofors saw

The sawmill in Hissmofors currently has an annual production of approximately 170,000 cubic meters, with the goal of increasing production to 200,000 cubic meters within the next two years. Here, spruce and pine are sawn and planed into boards and planks, and the wooden products are sent on to customers both in Sweden and abroad. To make use of all parts of the forest’s raw material, Stallströ and Agricultural litter are made from the chippings from the planer. It becomes a litter product that is clean and free of dust, which creates a healthy environment for both animals and people. Today, around 70 people work at the saw and planer, which is located just outside Krokom.

To read previous Norra Timber posts click here.

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