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Rules Corner Clarification on Side Bend
– Dana Spessert, NHLA Chief Inspector This month, I would like to take the opportunity to discuss an all too recurring subject: SIDE BEND. Side bend is mainly created by poor sawing practices and logs with growth stresses. The drying process aggravates side bend through shrinkage at different rates within the boards. When sawing a […]
NHLA Board of Managers Announces Appointment of Executive Director
The Board of Managers of the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dallin Brooks as the organization’s Executive Director. Since June of last year, the Search Committee has been on a quest to find the right Executive Director to help NHLA reach its full potential. “With the help of […]
Rules Corner
The 2023 version of the NHLA Rules Book with the Rules changes that were voted on in November of 2021 will be produced later this year and distributed to our members before the end of 2022. The approved 2023 Rules changes were listed and discussed in last month’s Rules Corner, but this month I want […]
Graduation of the 197th Class at NHLA Inspector Training School
The National Hardwood Lumber Association celebrated the graduation of the 197th class of the Inspector Training School on March 4, 2022. Twelve students received the certificate of completion. Dana Spessert, NHLA Chief Inspector and ITS Dean of Education, welcomed and thanked the families, friends, and employers who supported the students during their time away from […]
Quick updates from the Hardwood Federation!
The Hardwood Federation sent us some quick updates on what they are doing to advocate for you. Check it out! What’s Congress up to this week? Congress has left Washington and gone home for a week-long “work period” in the various states. Unfinished business includes finalizing spending bills to fund all the federal agencies for […]
The Rules Ballots Have Been Counted and the Results are in!
Every four years, NHLA accepts proposals for changing the NHLA Hardwood Lumber Grading Rules. Step one of the process; the NHLA Rules Committee meets to discuss all proposals and decides which proposals to put forward to the membership. Step two; the membership then has the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the proposals at the […]
The Rules Voting Ballot is in the Mail!
-by NHLA Chief Inspector, Mr. Dana Spessert Before the formation of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, the wood industry was very unorganized and fractured. The goal and purpose of NHLA were to create and maintain a consistent, meaningful way of trading hardwood lumber by creating a standard grading system. The wood industry has two distinct […]
Another Step Forward for NHLA Inspector Training School
The NHLA Inspector Training School has been accepted into the Apprenticeship, TN program. Atlanta Hardwood Group of Clarksville, TN has agreed to join us as a Tennessee partner to provide the one year on the job training, post-graduation from the Inspector Training School. NHLA recognizes the challenges our industry is facing with finding qualified candidates to […]
NHLA Inspection Services Department Carries On Despite Challenges
The hardwood industry has undergone significant changes over the past two years, and NHLA is no exception. We have had to make some tough decisions, and through this, we have managed to carry on our mission, which is to “serve NHLA Members engaged in the commerce of North American hardwood lumber by maintaining order, structure, […]
Member Spotlight: JoeScan
Scanning hardware for sawmills has been around for decades, but have you ever thought about how it came to be? Joey Nelson thought about it throughout his childhood. As he grew up, he learned everything he could about sawmill optimization through his father’s business. Early scanning hardware could provide tremendous returns for mills, but the […]
NHLA National Inspectors Training Around the Globe
NHLA National Inspectors share their knowledge and train people around the world. Mark Bear traveled to Maputo, Mozambique to assist with the lumber used to build a new U.S. embassy, which is designed to last 100 years or more. So, long after we are gone, the building will still stand. Mark inspected every piece of wood […]
NHLA Inspector Training School Alumni: Josh Van Dyke
Today we celebrate Josh Van Dyke, ITS Alumni of Class #192. Josh graduated from the Inspector Training School on July 31, 2020. Josh was President of his class and encouraged his classmates to strive to do their best, and always offered to help fellow classmates any way he could. Josh was hired immediately after graduation […]
Rules Corner – Rules Change Proposals
Rules Corner – Rules Change Proposals 2023 Rules Change Proposals Listed below are the Rules change proposals submitted to NHLA for consideration by the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee will discuss these proposals at a meeting to be held at NHLA Headquarters in Memphis, TN, and via Zoom call on the 8th of June beginning […]
The Real American Hardwood™ Logo is Now Available!
NHLA is happy to share some very exciting news with you. As you are aware, NHLA has been an active participant in the Real American Hardwood Coalition since its launch in 2019. The purpose of the RAHC is to meet the imperative goals of increasing markets and sales of Real American Hardwood, celebrating the […]
Member Spotlight: JoeScan
Scanning hardware for sawmills has been around for decades, but have you ever thought about how it came to be? Joey Nelson thought about it throughout his childhood. As he grew up, he learned everything he could about sawmill optimization through his father’s business. Early scanning hardware could provide tremendous returns for mills, but the […]
NHLA Inspector Training School Alumni: Nate Jones
Today we are celebrating the success of ITS Alumni, Nate Jones. Nate graduated with the 192nd class of NHLA Inspector Training School on July 31st, 2020. Nate works for Ron Jones Hardwood Sales, Inc. in Purchasing and Sales. Upon graduation from the ITS, Nate began his new career by grading green and kiln-dried lumber. He […]
Rules Corner – Close is Never Good Enough
May 2021 By Mr. Dana Spessert As NHLA Chief Inspector, I am lucky to have the opportunity to meet and speak with so many people in the hardwood industry. As you can imagine, meeting so many different people allows me to hear many differing opinions and understand various ways of doing things, especially when it […]
NHLA Inspector Training School Alumni: Parker Dukas and Andrew Brown
We love hearing student success stories, and today we have an update on two students from Class #190! Parker Dukas and Andrew Brown graduated from the NHLA Inspector Training School on November 22, 2019. Both are employed by Abenaki Timber Corporation. After graduation, Parker was promoted to the sales team, and Andrew is grading all […]
The Passing of Walter Richardson
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Walter Richardson. Walter Lee Richardson was born March 3, 1935, in Monticello, Kentucky, and departed this life peacefully on February 22, 2021, reaching the age of 85. Left to mourn his passing are his wife of 64 years, Virginia Kennett Richardson, his daughter Robin […]
Breaking Trade News Alert from NHLA
Bundle Tag Requirements for Vietnam “Made in the USA” Yesterday, NHLA received word from our friends at the American Hardwood Export Council of issues with shipments to Vietnam concerning the exact requirements for bundle tags. It appears there have been no major changes in the actual requirements themselves since 2017, but a new decree on […]