Soaring lumber prices are adding thousands of dollars to the cost of a new home, pricing out millions of potential home buyers and impeding the residential construction sector from moving the economy forward, according to NAHB.

“According to Random Lengths, the price of lumber hit a record high this week and is up more than 170% over the past 10 months,” said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke, a custom home builder from Tampa, Fla. “NAHB is urging President Biden and Congress to help mitigate this growing threat to housing and the economy by urging domestic lumber producers to ramp up production to ease growing shortages and to make it a priority to end tariffs on Canadian lumber shipments into the U.S. that are exacerbating unprecedented price volatility in the lumber market.”

Lumber price spikes are not only sidelining buyers during a period of high demand, they are causing many sales to fall through and forcing builders to put projects on hold at a time when home inventories are already at a record low.

Impact in Local Markets

“The increase in lumber prices is forcing our company to delay construction starts, which will only exacerbate the lack of supply in our market,” said NAHB First Vice Chairman Jerry Konter, a home builder and developer from Savannah, Ga.

Alicia Huey, a high-end custom home builder from Birmingham, Ala., and second vice chairman of NAHB, said that the price of her lumber framing package on an identically-sized home has more than doubled over the past year from $35,000 to $71,000. “This increase has definitely hurt my business,” she said. “I’ve had to absorb much of this added cost and even put some construction on hold because I would be losing money by moving forward.”

“Appraisers are not taking rising lumber costs into account, which is disrupting home sales and preventing closings,” added NAHB Third Vice Chairman Carl Harris, a custom builder from Wichita, Kan.

Access to Building Materials Top Concern

Housing has been an economic bright spot amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but the industry’s potential to lead the economy forward is limited as long as lumber remains expensive and scarce. A recent survey of NAHB members reveals that 96 percent said that inconsistent access to building materials are their most urgent concern. In turn, supply shortages are leading to soaring prices. And it’s not just skyrocketing lumber prices that builders are dealing with. The price of oriented strand board has more than tripled since last April.

“Clearly these price increases are unsustainable, particularly in light of a continued housing affordability crisis,” said Fowke. “Given this ongoing period of high demand, the Commerce Department should be investigating why output from lumber producers and lumber mills are at such low levels.”

For more information on how NAHB is addressing the lumber crisis, visit nahb.org.

Photo: NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke 

Ponsse launches the next generation PONSSE Scorpion harvester. Date: Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 10.00 (EET) in Finnish and at 15.00 (EET) in English.

Ponsse’s flagship product, PONSSE Scorpion harvester, was first introduced to the general public in 2013. Immediately after its launch, the Scorpion became a global sales success and a national symbol of responsible forestry.

Now, eight years later, the Scorpion has shed its skin. Ponsse introduces a new, extensively modernised Scorpion harvester that meets all the requirements of forestry today; from cab stability allowing for increasingly better work ergonomics to more holistic consideration of the environment and from advanced OPTI 5G technology to unobstructed visibility.It is with great pleasure and pride that Ponsse invites you to the unique launch event of the new Scorpion. This event is guaranteed to be unforgettable and can be experienced via live streaming on 24 February 2021 at 10.00 (EET) in Finnish and at 15.00 (EET) in English.

Register and save the event to your calendar: https://www.ponsse.com/ponsse-studio-live#/

You are warmly welcome to join us!

Ponsse Plc

Marko Mattila
Sales, Service and Marketing Director

Ponsse is responding to the need for the development of training by modernising its simulator product range. The new PONSSE Full Simulator is a full-range training system. Its realistic forest environment and detailed graphics create a perfect platform for professional training.

In addition to the new PONSSE Full Simulator, the product range consists of the PONSSE Basic and PONSSE Compact simulators. All three offer a modern learning environment for harvester, forwarder and PONSSE Opti information system training. A simulator is a cost-effective and safe environment for training new operators, forest machine professionals and service mechanics. A simulator also acts as an excellent tool in the research and development of work because individual situations can be repeated, and different harvesting methods can be compared, for example.

“The new PONSSE Full Simulator represents completely new digital technology, which makes simulator training smooth and enjoyable. Its detailed and realistic graphics make the training environment feel like actually being in a forest”, says Jussi Jurvanen, Simulator Specialist at Ponsse Plc. “Sim Trainer, the simulator’s training management system, consists of different levels for advancement as new skills are acquired, and teaches safe, effective and productive ways of operating a forest machine, even during the first training steps”, Jurvanen continues.

Ponsse simulators enable the training of different work stages within the entire machine chain
The simulator’s harvester section allows actual harvesting tasks to be practised, different thematic exercises to be performed, and the operation of a machine’s control and measuring system to be studied. In the forwarder section, it is possible to practise how to operate and load a forwarder and control a crane in realistic conditions. The PONSSE Full and PONSSE Compact simulators are also ideal for training maintenance employees.

New digital technology in a simulator environment
– 3 × 55” upright screens
– PONSSE Opti information system, familiar from forest machines
– Ergonomics that make learning enjoyable
– The measuring device’s touchscreen is identical to that equipped in a genuine forest machine
– Can be converted for excavator-based harvester training simply by replacing the handles and pedals.

Ponsse Academy
The continuous development of competence is one of Ponsse’s success factors. Every year, Ponsse Academy’s global training network allocates thousands of hours for training Ponsse’s employees, partners (retailers and educational institutes) and customers. Continuous training and its development ensure the safe and cost-effective use of PONSSE products across the world.

Further information

Jussi Jurvanen
Ponsse Plc, Specialist, PONSSE simulators
+358 40 575 1334, jussi.jurvanen@ponsse.com

Harri Savonen
Ponsse Plc, Training manager, international training
+358 40 486 5773, harri.savonen@ponsse.com

The last six months’ sales to Germany and Austria amount to an order value of just over EUR 24,7 million for Valutec, which supplies kilns to the sawmill industry. The company has sold a total of ten duct dryers to the markets during the period, which is a fourfold increase compared to the annual average over the last five years.

Low lumber prices, together with high demand for wood products, mean that sawmills in Central Europe are on the offensive and are investing in increased capacity. A major reason for the increased demand is the shift to increased construction in wood. For example, refined wood products such as construction parts in CLT and glulam have taken market shares from steel and concrete. This in turn has meant higher quality requirements from customers.

“The increased quality requirements in these markets have created openings for our duct dryers. Our long-term strategy and technological development has been based on the idea that we should be the market’s best choice when it comes to optimizing both quality, capacity and energy consumption,” says Robert Larsson, CEO at Valutec.

The higher quality requirements have also led to higher volumes of lumber needing to be dried in modern plants.

“This means that more sawmills need to invest and many have chosen our duct dryers when they have expanded. It is a nice acknowledgement for us and the result of long-term work to introduce the products to the market.” For many sawmills in Central Europe, the duct dryers are a new way of working and for us it has been important to lower the thresholds by offering training and close collaborations.

Valutec is a world leader in the channel dryer segment and has a comprehensive offering with several proprietary models. Common to duct dryers is high capacity and quality and that a steady flow of wood provides a very competitive energy consumption per cubic meter / MBF.

Valutec’s customers are both large groups and privately owned sawmills and in total ten duct dryers have been sold in the markets in the last six months.

“Both in Central Europe and in the rest of the world, our TC duct dryers have opened doors. It is a model that takes advantage of the capacity advantages of the duct dryer while offering full flexibility to mix dimensions and types of wood,” says Larsson.

Valutec built the first modern TC duct dryer in Sweden ten years ago. Since then, the model has been sold to Both Russia, Central Europe and North America and in total there are more than 20 TC ducts that are now in operation around the world.

More information
Robert Larsson, CEO
Valutec
+46 910 879 50
robert.larsson@valutec.se

There is high pressure on the world’s lumber markets and growth continues to look strong. To meet the growing needs, the wood industry company Derome is investing EUR 29,6 million to increase production capacity. The first step in the investment program consists of two Valutec lumber kilns.

“The new drying plant is the first step in a program where we will eventually increase our production to over 500,000 cubic meters (211 890 MBF) per year in Derome. Our customers and their businesses are growing and we are now making major investments to secure access to lumber in the coming years. It benefits customers while ensuring the long-term jobs for our employees in Derome,” says Gunnar Jakobsson, CEO Derome.

“It feels fun, exciting and interesting to be part of Derome’s venture. Derome is an enthusiastic customer with an aggressive plan for the future and I look forward to continued good cooperation,” says Joakim Berglund, sales representative at Valutec.

The lumber kilns that Derome is investing in are duct dryers of type FB. They are built in stainless steel and have an annual capacity of approximately 110,000 cubic metres (46 400MBF)/dryer. The continuous kilns, which are made of stainless steel, will be equipped with pressure frames for minimal deformation of the top lumber layers, as well as Valutec’s heat recovery system. The delivery also includes the 4.0 Valmatic control system.

“We have good experience of previous collaborations with Valutec. This, of course, played a part when evaluating and choosing a drying supplier,” says Per Andersson, Development Manager Derome.

Upgrading drying control throughout the Group
In connection with the investment, Derome is upgrading all lumber drying control systems to Valmatic’s 4.0. In total, there are 21 control systems. Valmatics 4.0 is the only control system to combine simulator technology with adaptive control, enabling the simultaneous optimization of capacity, quality and energy consumption.

The installation of the new kilns and the upgrade of the control systems will begin in the autumn.

“It’s an honor to continue deliveries to Derome. I see this as a great testimonial to our collaboration and we’re looking forward to getting started on this project,” says Robert Larsson CEO, Valutec.

More information
Jon Lindberg, Sales manager
Valutec
+46 910 879 50
jon.lindberg@valutec.se

Per Andersson, Development Manager
Derome
+46 340 66 65 60
per.andersson@derome.se

Timberlink Australia is to partner with Hans Hundegger AG who will supply the key CNC machining equipment for the new Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) plant being built in Tarpeena, South Australia. The decision to commission Hundegger Australasia Pty Ltd comes following an extensive international review to find the best Computer Numerical Control (CNC) panel machining technology for Timberlink’s state-of-the-art plant.

“Timberlink is building a AU$60m CLT & GLT facility to be opened in 2023, creating 50 full-time permanent jobs at full output” said Timberlink CEO Ian Tyson. “The significant investment will see the construction of Australia’s first combined softwood CLT & GLT manufacturing plant.”

The initial phase of the CNC machinery supply includes a Hundegger PBA Industry machine, that will be able to process the full range of CLT products for the emerging residential and commercial solid timber market in Australia. The machine will be the first Hundegger PBA Industry CNC line delivered to the Southern Hemisphere and will use the latest in CNC automation technology to precisely custom cut CLT pieces to order.

Hans Hundegger AG in Bavaria, Germany are one of the world leaders in building multi-axis CNC machines for solid timber processing with a proven track record with local support, industry expertise with mass timber processing. Along with the specialised Hundegger CAMBIUM software, these were influential factors in the decision to choose Hundegger as the CNC machinery partner.

Source: Timberlink Australia

OneFortyOne joined in the global celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February 2021. It’s a great opportunity to acknowledge the leading professionals who are contributing their expertise to the success of the forestry and timber industries.

OneFortyOne hopes that by sharing the stories of remarkable women in the industry, girls and young women are inspired to pursue one or more of the varied and satisfying careers on offer.

OneFortyOne wants to be part of the movement that promotes full and equal access to, and participation in, science for women and girls. The day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened.

OneFortyOne is celebrating leading science professionals who are contributing their expertise to the industry. By exploring innovative and creative solutions our professionals are developing solutions for industry, ensuring that this climate friendly resource continues to produce everyday products for society.

Marion Hughes, Manager – Resource Planning and Analytics for OneFortyOne New Zealand is one such woman. “There are no barriers any more for women wanting to get into any of the fields available in forestry,” says Hughes. “Often the only thing that gets in the way is perception.”

Hughes still recalls a career advisor at school telling her that forestry wasn’t for women, which made her all the more committed to following her passion, combining her love of the outdoors and data, and studying forestry at university. The ability to start working during her final year of studies was a boost. “I got to visit small forest owners, measure their trees and tell them how much they were worth and advise them on the best time to harvest them.”

Hughes says that the forestry industry and OneFortyOne really value the perspective that new graduates can offer. “People who are new to the industry give us the most insight. They question why we are doing things. The rest of us just think it’s normal because it’s been done like that in the past.”

After obtaining a Bachelor of Forestry Science, Marion spent several years as a forestry consultant, working on projects in countries within Asia setting up GPS and GIS systems for forest measurement, providing information on wood availability to set up new pulp mills. She then worked as part of a forestry resources team in the Central North Island before joining OneFortyOne 19 years ago.

She now supports the OneFortyOne business in Australia and New Zealand to accurately measure and value its forest estate, ensuring the forests are harvested sustainably and that the company knows the volume of wood by quality class it has available for its customers.

Hughes and her colleagues use a range of modelling and coding software to undertake repetitive or complex tasks more efficiently and effectively. This allows them to work out key information such as how fast trees are growing, how much wood is in the estate, and how much can be cut whilst maintaining a sustainable harvesting regime. A current focus for Hughes is developing a better way to work out how much high-quality wood is within the forest resource before it is harvested.

“We want to work out how much of the high-quality wood we have within our current resource. It’s about working out the best ways that we can predict it going forward to make sure that our customers will have plenty of that wood, and also how we can grow more of that type of wood.”

Hughes lights up when she describes one of the highlights of working in the forest industry. “One of my favourite things to do is trials, either out in the forest or at the sawmills, trying to adopt new technologies. We normally get an expert in, they show us how it works, then we do the trials, and then I get to analyse the results!”

A current trial of a Resi tool (Resistograph) in the Green Triangle within OneFortyOne’s Australian operation is exciting, says Hughes, and if successful may lead to the technology being used within OneFortyOne New Zealand too. “The tool helps predict how much high-quality wood you have in your stand before you cut it down. It works by using a small drill, to capture details of a tree’s wood variability and quality. Trials like this provide a way for us to take ideas from other parts of our business and make both of our operations better.

“I love finding better ways to do things – ways that are easier or faster and provide a better outcome. We’re always striving to improve. I love that about our business.” Hughes hopes that the International Day of Women and Girls in Science encourages young people who might not have considered a career in forestry to find out more about the sector.

She says that it’s a great option given the number of scholarships that are available to support students during their studies and with work placements during university holidays and the wide range of roles in the industry. “Mapping, flying drones, photography, tree measurement, computer modelling – there are so many options for a career in forestry that most people aren’t aware of.”

Photo: Marion Hughes, Manager – Resource Planning and Analytics

With a couple of exhibition spaces becoming available, two new exhibitors have just been added to the record turnout that’s expected in Rotorua in a few months as part of this year’ s major log transport and wood harvesting event, HarvestTECH 2021. It runs in Rotorua, New Zealand on 13-14 April 2021. Full details can be found on the event website HarvestTECH 2021.

That’s a full house, 33 in-door and 15 outdoor spaces with all manner of new equipment and technology best suited to the felling and cartage of logs as well as forest safety around the region. So, it’s going to be another huge turnout. With the two recent additions to the already impressive line-up, exhibitors include;

McFall Fuel, Cookes, Eagle Technology, BOA, Duxson Donaldson, Randalls Equipment, AGrowQuip/John Deere, Tracplus Global, WorkSafe NZ, Porter Equipment, Southstar Equipment, Lubricants NZ, Ensign, Komatsu Forest, West-Trak Equipment, Finance NZ

DC Equipment, Remsoft, FISC, TDDA, TerraCat, Bene Footwear, NZ EMS, Husqvarna, Rearsense Warning Systems, Trimble Forestry, Waratah, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Seeing Machines (Autosense), C3, Hydraulink, Beattys, Transdiesel, Shaws, Chainsaw & Outdoor Power, Safe T Works Taupo

As well as a venue jam-packed with equipment, extras for those attending the events this year include;

1. As an added bonus, the very popular forestry safety event run by the Forest Industry Engineering Association, Forest Safety & Technology 2021, is also being held at the same venue on the first day, Tuesday 13 April. Details can be found on the event website, www.forestsafety.events. This is going to enable delegates from both events to network during the breaks and to capitalise on the large number of trade exhibitions that will be present in Rotorua.

2. For the first time, live links from the New Zealand event will be set up for those unable to travel into Rotorua. It can be viewed in real time or for those working out in the bush, it can be seen later as a recorded event.

3. Two key themes this year. As well as mechanised harvesting on steeper slopes, the integration of automation & robotics into wood harvesting operations and best practices around ensuring environmental sustainability (roading, stream crossings and harvest residues management) in felling and in extracting wood from the forest, log scaling and measurement technologies and wood transport innovations have been built into the two-day programme.

4. A pre-conference workshop on developing road and harvest planning has been set up for the afternoon before the event, on 12 April. Details can be found here

Note: Space, like 2019 is expected to be limited. If keen on registering, the discounted early-bird registrations finish in just two weeks’ time on Friday 26 February.

Russia exported 15 million m³ of logs in 2020, which accounted for almost 12% of globally traded roundwood. Much of this trade may come to a halt next year when a new law proposed by Russia’s president will ban the exportation of softwood logs and high-value hardwood logs as of January 1, 2022. The Russian government is also considering new regulations aimed at reducing the exportation of green softwood lumber. This regulation is loosely planned to also commence in 2022 and is intended to incentivize investments in dry-kilns to produced dried lumber for exports. Reducing log and green lumber exports will likely stimulate further value-added processing within Russia and better control illegal logging.

While the proposed ban is not yet law, it is widely expected to be implemented and passed into law in the second quarter of this year. If enacted, the law will most significantly impact Eastern Russia, where an estimated 10% of the timber harvest is exported in log form. In the short-term, the Chinese lumber industry will be most directly impacted, as exports of softwood logs mainly from Russia Far East are likely to be prohibited. According to a just-released study, Russian Log Export Ban in 2022 – Implications for the Global Forest Industry, China will probably look to source more sawlogs from other regions of the world, such as Oceania, Europe, and the US. The increased competition for logs in those markets will likely put upward pressure on sawlog prices. Mid-term, the study expects that China will evolve from importation of roundwood to importation of lumber. This shift will allow lumber manufacturers in Europe and Russia to increase shipments to China.

Although it is expected that the export ban will drive Russian investment in new lumber capacity, there might also be some impact on other forest industry sectors, for example those planning to co-locate pellet plants with sawmills. In addition, the possibility of restrictions in the exportation of green lumber will encourage more investments in kiln drying capacity, thus improving access to markets in Europe and the US.

The excerpt above is from the just-released Focus Report “Russia Log Export Ban in 2022 – Implications to the Global Forest Industry”, published by Wood Resources International LLC and O’Kelly Acumen. For more information about the study or to inquire about purchasing the 60-page report in easy-to read slide format, please contact either Hakan Ekstrom (hakan@woodprices.com) or Glen O’Kelly (glen.okelly@okelly.se).
A Table of Contents of the report is available on our website.

CONTACT: Wood Resources International LLC
Hakan Ekstrom
info@woodprices.com

Goldeneye technology combines with Lucidyne 900 for unparalleled solutions

Microtec’s recent acquisition of Lucidyne has created a global lumber scanning powerhouse. Worldwide, Microtec has demonstrated success across a range of scanning solutions, and Lucidyne’s GradeScan is the gold standard for lineal scanning in North America. GradeScan’s patented software platform, Perceptive Sight uses deep learning artificial intelligence techniques to grade lumber.

Lucidyne is now offering a transverse scanning solution to North America using Microtec’s scanning technology, and Lucidyne’s patented deep learning software platform. Using the Goldeneye 900 series at its core, the new Lucidyne 900 will deliver unparalleled grading solutions to transverse applications in planer mills, sawmills and studmills throughout North America. The Lucidyne 900 will be sold, installed, and maintained from Lucidyne’s US headquarters in Corvallis, Oregon.

As the Microtec and Lucidyne teams continue to combine their technologies, additional Microtec scanners will be added to the Lucidyne product line. Frank Jost, CEO of Microtec states: “Together with Lucidyne, we will continue to invest in R&D to develop and implement leading-edge scanning solutions for the North American market.”

Meanwhile, FH Stoltze Land and Lumber purchased a GradeScan with Perceptive Sight 2.0 from Lucidyne for installation in their Columbia Falls, MT planer mill.  FH Stoltze chose the Lucidyne GradeScan after researching scanning systems over the last couple years.  According to Trevor Kjensrud, plant manager at FH Stoltze: “Lucidyne’s knowledge, professionalism, customer service, and being the leader in the auto grader industry are the reasons they chose Lucidyne over the competition.”

All new Lucidyne GradeScan units come standard with the Perceptive Sight Intelligent Grading platform, using deep learning artificial intelligence for unmatched defect detection and grading results. The GradeScan system will be installed at FH Stoltze in April 2021.

Photo: Using the Goldeneye 900 series at its core, the new Lucidyne 900 will deliver unparalleled grading solutions to transverse applications in planer mills, sawmills and studmills throughout North America.