Neiman Enterprises, Inc. of Hulett, Wyoming is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement to purchase Interfor Corporation’s specialty sawmill located in Gilchrist, Oregon.

Completion of the transaction is expected to be completed early in the fourth quarter of 2020

“This transaction represents a significant step for the Neiman group of companies,” said Jim Neiman, President and CEO of Neiman Enterprises, Inc. “We anticipate restarting the mill in short order. Interfor’s continued support of their employees throughout this transition should be commended and we look forward to partnering with the employees and community to ensure the long-term success of this historic operation.”

Neiman Enterprises, Inc. is a leading producer of Ponderosa Pine boards, pattern and industrial (shop) lumber at facilities in the Black Hills; Devil’s Tower Forest Products in Hulett, Wyoming, Rushmore Forest Products in Hill City, South Dakota and Spearfish Forest Products in Spearfish, South Dakota. Neiman Enterprises, Inc. also operates a premium stud sawmill in Montrose, CO.

Neiman said the Gilchrist location will complement his existing sawmills and allow them to further expand their customer base for high quality Ponderosa Pine lumber products.

For more information contact: Jim D. Neiman, President & CEO Tom Shaffer, GM & COO 307-467-5252

The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) has announced a new associate member, LINCK Holzverarbeitungstechnik.

With over 180 years of sawmill machinery experience, LINCK develops customized lumber production systems to achieve overall solutions for large production volume mills as well as for small specialty mills. Many of the largest lumber producers in Europe have partnered with LINCK as their preferred machinery supplier.

The Southern Forest Products Association is a non-profit trade association benefiting the Southern Yellow Pine industry.

The company Minusa Trator Pecas Ltda is no longer Logset dealer in Santa Catarina state in Brazil.

Brazilian partner Pesa CAT will take over all Logset sales and customer support operations, also in the state of Santa Catarina. Pesa CAT is Logset’s primary partner in Brazil.

Logset Oy is a Finnish forest machine manufacturer located in Koivulahti, near Vaasa.

PONSSE Opti 8 is a state-of-the-art touchscreen computer designed for PONSSE forest machines. User-friendliness, a large high-resolution display, high ergonomics in the cabin and responsiveness form the basis of the technical and visual design of the PONSSE Opti 8 computer: all factors that improve the working conditions of forest machine operators.

The new Opti 8 computer offers more power and memory than the previous version, experienced by users in faster and smoother operations. The storage capacity of the hard disk has been doubled to ensure the operation of future applications.

“The design of PONSSE Opti 8 computer focuses, above all, on its use in a demanding forest machine environment. The computer is developed by Ponsse, together with the Group’s technology company Epec. Opti 8 computers are manufactured at Epec´s production facility in Seinäjoki”, says Markku Savolainen, Ponsse Plc´s Product Manager, equipment automation. “Opti 8 allows us to make the control systems of PONSSE forest machines more user-friendly than before”, Savolainen says.

The Opti 8 computer will come as standard in PONSSE harvesters and forwarders from the beginning of 2021.

The best properties for demanding conditions

• Enables the research and development of machine information systems far into the future.
• Designed to meet the high-quality requirements of PONSSE forest machines and forest companies.
• Larger 15.6” display with first-rate brightness, resolution and viewing angle.
• Capacitive touchscreen used as on mobile devices.
• Starts immediately, also in extreme cold.
• Windows 10 operating system

Ponsse is an active developer of information systems for forest machines. The PONSSE Opti product range consists of machine control and measuring device systems for harvesters, forwarders and track-based applications.

Epec Oy is a system supplier that specialises in smart machine control systems and advanced electronics for electric machines. Epec Oy is responsible for the production planning and manufacturing of the Opti 8 computer. Epec Oy is a subsidiary of Ponsse Plc.

Every year, Ponsse rewards the most merited companies from among the Group’s 32 PONSSE retailers. In 2019 Brazilian Timber Forest, a company with a strong focus on customer service, was recognised as the retailer of the year.
Timber Forest, the PONSSE retailer of 2019, has been Ponsse’s retailer since 2015. It operates in Southern Brazil, in the regions of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. “The company has very quickly achieved the leading market position in its sales region, and the sale of PONSSE products has developed significantly from the previous year”, said Marko Mattila, Ponsse’s Sales, Service and Marketing Director. The jury stated that the well-run company is disciplined in its development activities, aiming to work for the best of its customers in all situations. The company also possesses excellent training and marketing expertise which helps to make the cut-to-length method more widely known in Brazil.
The retailer of the year shares Ponsse’s values
Timber Forest Equipamentos, part of Rodoparana Group, is a family-owned company, which currently employs 360 people. The company sells, maintains and installs harvesting technology and, since its establishment in 2001, has been a significant driver in the spread of mechanical harvesting in Southern Brazil.

Cooperation with Ponsse started in 2015 when Timber Forest was looking for a new partner as a supplier of CTL technology. Ponsse’s subsidiary Ponsse Latin America Ltda had operated in Brazil since 2005 and was aiming to increase its market share. “Ponsse gave us a warm welcome, and we immediately recognised ourselves in the company. Both companies were firmly customer-driven and had long-term partnerships. In just a month, we were already in Vieremä, Finland, signing a retail agreement with Ponsse”, says Jober Fonseca, General Director of Timber Forest.

Tailored for customers’ needs
Southern Brazil is home to large eucalyptus plantations, from which wood is harvested for pulp and paper production. In addition to eucalyptus, pine trees are grown in the region to meet the needs of the sawmill industry. Customers range from corporations that own dozens of machines and harvest more than 400,000 tons per month to small forest owners with a single machine chain. Both need services that support their operations, from machine selections to training and customised maintenance services.

Brazil’s forestry markets are among the most competitive in the world, while mechanisation is still in progress. “Timber Forest specialises in improving the competitiveness of forest companies. We not only sell technology, but, above all, provide our customers with strong support, so that they can have access to the best possible technology and so that the selected technology is as productive as possible. Customer relationships are partnerships, success in which is the most important driver in our operations. None of this would be possible if it were not for the support we receive from Ponsse’s factory”, Jober Fonseca says.

“Because there is a shortage of skilled employees, and exchange rates make machines and spare parts expensive, our customer relationships are a little different than in many other markets. Harvesting companies not only buy machines, but they also select a partner that they can trust when selecting technologies and that support their operations by ensuring a high level of training, machine performance and maintenance services”, Fonseca says.

Proud of the Team
The availability of spare parts is one of the cornerstones of customer service. However, a broad range of spare parts is not the company’s most important investment – its employees are. Technical expertise is what makes the company proud and, together with effective spare parts services, has enabled rapid customer support. Currently, the company mainly sells PONSSE harvester heads. As a business area, this calls for special expertise due to different base machine solutions. According to Jober Fonseca, the most important factor in harvester head operations is the ability to understand customer needs from top to bottom.

“We define the correct harvester head and forwarder for each customer’s base machine solution and install harvester heads so that everything works perfectly together. Mechanics who adjust and calibrate machines must know what they are doing, and there is no room for failure. This is why a professional and committed installation team is a key success factor alongside our other services. We are grateful for having long-standing employees and excellent people who lead our company forward”, says Jober Fonseca, thanking his employees.

A new logo and corporate image to face future challenges

FAE GROUP, an Italian company, leader in the production of forestry, agricultural and road construction equipment is starting a new chapter in its story. Founded in 1989 in Fondo, Trentino, Italy, FAE GROUP now has more than 250 employees, with subsidiaries in the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Russia and Australia and four manufacturing facilities in Northern Italy. Revenues, which have increased consistently over the years, will exceed € 90 million in 2020.

Drawing on the strength of consolidated success in its key world markets, FAE GROUP has undertaken a corporate restructuring process in recent months that has led to the launch of a new logo and corporate image created by the branding agency, Robilant e Associati, in Milan.

This wind of change extends beyond the group’s image to also involve business operations. The PrimeTech brand, which identified the range of multi-purpose tracked vehicles for forestry and road maintenance and the self-propelled vehicles for clearing landmines will be discontinued. These machines will now be produced under the FAE name and will be part of FAE’s Land Clearing line (mulchers, tillers and special vehicles for agricultural and forestry work) and the new FAE Demining line (radio-controlled tracked equipment carriers for the removal of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines) that will join the FAE Construction line (tillers and multi-purpose machines for road construction). “We have decided to join forces to create economies of scale that enable us to be even more competitive in the market,” said Diego Scanzoni, Chairman of the FAE GROUP. “PrimeTech, already fully owned by us, can now count on a strong and successful brand as well as shared investments in advertising.”

But what features will the new brand have? Dynamism and innovation, in the name of tradition. In fact, the logo is still recognizable but profoundly changed at the same time. The triangle, which distinguishes the FAE GROUP across the world, comes to life and becomes a fan, symbolizing the movement of a rotor, while the lettering moves around in a dynamic play on perspectives that represents the company’s path towards the future.

The slogan, “Make the Difference”, summarizes the spirit that brings the FAE GROUP to life. The desire to do our utmost to make a difference, in every area and at every level, in product quality, technology, company procedures, workplace and also in society and in the world.

“We are also revamping our website and our social media channels,” adds Davide Baratta, Sales Director of FAE GROUP, “and we are strengthening the marketing department in order to communicate even more effectively in all markets. Drawing on an innovative business strategy and these crucial new digital tools, we are ready to consolidate and create FAE GROUP’s success in the years to come.”

The new Cat D9 lowers overall costs per unit of material moved by up to 3%. Efficiencies gained through a new torque converter with stator clutch reduce fuel consumption by as much as 5%, and the new dozer reduces maintenance and repair costs by as much as 4%. The new dozer features a Cat C18 engine, which has a range of exhaust aftertreatment solutions available, including configurations to meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/EU Stage V regulations and configurations equivalent to U.S. EPA Tier 2 and Tier 3.

The D9 also features differential steering for a tight turning radius and the ability to maintain ground speed while turning—to keep productivity high. The suspended undercarriage delivers more track contact with the ground for less slippage and greater productivity. The D9 can be equipped with any of a wide range of blades and attachments, enabling it to work efficiently in a variety of applications, including production dozing, site maintenance, fleet support and ripping. Companies engaged in heavy construction, quarry and aggregates, landfill, bulk materials handling and forestry applications have found the D9 Dozer an important tool for delivering the lowest owning and operating costs while maintaining high productivity.

Featuring a frame that absorbs and withstands high-impact shock loads encountered in severe applications, the new D9 offers design improvements that reduce maintenance and repair costs. The newly integrated AutoLube system results in fewer grease points to limit daily maintenance procedures. Extended filter change intervals, simple component removal and continuous fluid level monitoring also aid in further lowering operating costs.

A new ground-level service centre provides convenient access to the engine shutdown switch, access/egress lighting and optional powered ladder operation. With standard rearview mirrors, the new D9 affords the operator clear lines of sight to front and rear working areas. The optional four-camera system offers a 360-degree view around the machine and ripper to further enhance operating safety. Adding bottom guard retention pins and eliminating lift cylinder grease points also bolster safety.

A new design with advanced ergonomics, the cab features intuitive controls that are easy to access and operate. Its cloth air-suspension seat provides operator comfort throughout the entire shift. The suspended undercarriage reduces shock load transfer by as much as 50% to the undercarriage, resulting in a smoother and more comfortable ride. The new operator station comes fully equipped with large, high-definition touchscreen displays and new electronic architecture that is scalable to meet the customer’s technology needs.

Sensors integrated into the new Cat D9 provide access to advanced operating technology for increased machine productivity. Standard Product Link™ Elite and Vital Information Management System (VIMS™) are powerful machine management tools that provide customers with crucial dozer information like location, operating hours and machine condition as well as production information.

Available Automated Blade Assist makes use of preset blade pitch positions for load, carry and spread tasks to increase efficiency and reduce operator workload. The Cat AutoCarry™ option automates blade lift to maintain desired blade load to improve load consistency, reduce track slippage and increase productivity. Optional Automatic Ripper Control maintains ripper depth to limit track slip and allow the operator to focus on the job.

Weyerhaeuser Company has entered into two distinct agreements to purchase timberlands from and sell timberlands to funds managed by Hancock Natural Resource Group (HNRG), a Manulife Investment Management company.

The company is purchasing approximately 85,000 acres of timberlands in mid-coastal Oregon in one transaction, and selling 149,000 acres of timberlands in southern Oregon in a second transaction. The net cost of these two separate transactions is approximately $40 million in cash.

“These two agreements represent a unique opportunity to further enhance Weyerhaeuser’s Western timberlands portfolio with exceptional land that is contiguous with our existing ownership,” said Devin W. Stockfish, president and CEO. “Through these transactions, we are acquiring highly productive timberland with low operating costs and strong access to key domestic and export markets, and we expect them to deliver immediate and long-term value for our shareholders.”

The transactions are subject to customary closing conditions and are expected to close in the 4Q 2020.

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. The company owns or controls approximately 11 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada.

Tschopp Holzindustrie to build a new sawmill in Switzerland. This will replace the existing plant, which has been operating at full capacity in three shifts for years. The building permit is expected in January 2021, after which construction work will start immediately.

All machines and systems have already been ordered. The company Springer from Austria supplies the log yard, the sawing line comes from USNR AB from Sweden, the sorting and stacking systems come from TC Maschinenbau from Austria and the disposal technology is supplied by Vecoplan from Germany. After a two-year construction phase for the 123 meter long and 20 meter high hall, as well as for the assembly of the machine and conveyor technology, commissioning is scheduled for spring 2023.

The heart of the new plant is high-performance Quadro band saws from USNR AB. A Quadro band saw consists of a unit of four band saws. Two Quadro units are installed, making eight band saws available. This innovative saw technology enables a very high cutting performance, flexibility in the cutting patterns and at the same time a large yield.

The new sawmill is vital for the future development of Tschopp Holzindustrie AG. The cutting capacity is so generously dimensioned that in addition to the requirements of the shuttering panel plant, sawn timber can be produced for new products without any problems. After a phase of commissioning, the cutting volume will be 135,000 m3 per year.

Komatsu Forest is introducing a brand-new thinning concept, Thinning Experts (TX), which includes the Komatsu 835TX and the all-new Komatsu 825TX. The new TX machines have several new features that enable them to easily navigate dense stands while maintaining high production, making them particularly well suited to thinning. The standout features include a new tracking frame and an optimised load area.

One eagerly awaited announcement is the introduction of the brand-new Komatsu 825TX, an agile 9-tonne forwarder with good tracking characteristics aimed at the market segment for the smallest machines. It also fills the gap left by Komatsu Forest’s former bestseller, the Komatsu 830.

Previously our smallest offering at 11 tonnes, the Komatsu 835 is making a comeback with an upgraded spec boasting new features that make it an even more specialised thinning machine. The 835TX is described as an agile forwarder with high ground clearance and good tracking characteristics.

“Our original plan was to present the new machine at FinnMetko this September, but due to current circumstances, we’ve had to change our plans and will instead embark on a demo tour throughout the autumn”, says Daniel Grabbe, Product Manager at Komatsu Forest.

Minimal impact and agility in focus

With the Thinning Xperts, we introduce an all-new tracking frame that more than halves the tracking – the difference between the front and rear wheel tracks – to less than 200 mm.
“A machine with the smallest possible tracking is more agile and has less impact, which reduces the risk of damage to standing trees”, Grabbe explains.

The lengths of the tracking frame components have been optimised for the best possible tracking – all without impacting the overall frame length or the length of the load area. The steering coupling has also been moved further back so that the rear wheels better follow the front wheels, to further reduce tracking.

“Naturally, not only do thinning machines need to be agile, they also need to be productive. This means a spacious load area, a powerful crane and high traction. In short, the same demands placed on the large machines but in a more compact package”, says Grabbe.

The load space of the TX machines has been optimised for thinning with a special gate (Thinning Gate) and special bunks (Thinning Bunks). Both the gate and the bunks are angled 5 degrees inwards at the top to be as agile as possible in tight spaces. This reduces the risk of hitting standing trees when the machine sways from side to side in uneven terrain. As on other Komatsu forwarders, the load area is otherwise flexible with many options to choose from.

Both the 825TX and the 835TX feature a new upgraded design, the latest engine installation and a new control system. Visibility is excellent in all directions – over the hood and down towards the wheels as well as over the load area and towards the treetops. The good visibility combined with the TX machines’ powerful crane with its long reach and minimalist design with few protruding parts enables the operator to feel confident in not damaging any standing trees while thinning.