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Rules Corner – January/February 2020
The Definition of Sound Cutting Explained -By NHLA Chief Inspector, Dana Spessert As seasoned hardwood lumber inspectors, sometimes we can forget the complexity of how the NHLA Rules are written. When I have the opportunity to work with the Inspector Training School students and other seasoned inspectors, it brings to light some of the more confusing […]
Member Spotlight: Smith Sawmill Service
Most of us are familiar with the story of a rock band starting in their parent’s garage and going on to be a massive success in the music industry. Smith Sawmill Service is like those rock bands. Officially, Smith Sawmill Service began 30 years ago, in 1990. But in reality, it started much sooner. Founder […]
Cotton-Hanlon – Celebrating 100 Years
Join us in celebrating NHLA member, Cotton-Hanlon, as they mark 100 years in business. A. Hanlon was the son of a 3rd generation lumberman operating in Chemung Valley, New York. B. J. Cotton was a merchant and lumberman of Tioga County, New York. In 1921 Hanlon and Cotton formed a partnership that is still fruitful […]
The Passing of Thomas Robert Imm
WHEELERSBURG-Thomas Robert Imm, 54, of Wheelersburg passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at The University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, KY. Tom was born October 6, 1966, in New London, Ohio the son of Nancy Maxwell Imm and the late Robert Ray Imm. Tom is preceded in death by his father and grandparents. […]
Member Spotlight: MO PAC Lumber
For many companies, a flood equals the end of their business. But, for Mo Pac Lumber Company, it was the catalyst they needed to grow. Mo Pac’s history begins in the 1930s, when Louis Pescaglia realized he could make more money cutting mine timbers than delivering coal. In 1960, Jim Pescaglia joined his father in […]
Rules Corner – December 2020
A Margin of Error When Tallying Random Length Lumber -By NHLA Chief Inspector, Dana Spessert Inspecting hardwood lumber correctly comes down to two things, knowing the Rules and identifying defects. In this month’s article, I want to discuss the defect, Incipient Decay. NHLA defines “Incipient Decay” on page 85, under Definitions in the Rules Book as: “The early stage […]
The Passing of Milt Cole
It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Milt Cole, 85, of Cole Hardwood. Mr. Cole passed away peacefully at his home on Thanksgiving Day. Mr. Cole was a longtime member of NHLA, served on the NHLA Board of Directors, and contributed $100,000 to the NHLA Inspector Training School Education Foundation. Dave Bramlage, […]
Graduation of the 193rd Class of NHLA Inspector Training School
MEMPHIS, TN. – The National Hardwood Lumber Association celebrated the graduation of the 193rd class of the Inspector Training School on Friday, November 20, 2020. Four students completed the 12-week traditional program. Dana Spessert, NHLA Chief Inspector and ITS Dean of Education, welcomed and thanked the families, friends, and employers who supported the students during […]
Member Spotlight: Froedge Machine and Supply Company
When you think about the machinery that sawmills use to turn logs into lumber, you probably don’t associate it with the delicate intricacies of a wristwatch. But for Froedge Machine and Supply Company, the wristwatch is part of the foundation of their company. In 1962, Wendell Froedge opened a watch repair shop. Wendell was an […]
Rules Corner – November 2020
Clarifying Surfacing to Standard Rough Thickness -By NHLA Chief Inspector, Dana Spessert The NHLA Inspector Training School is currently holding its 193rd Class for lumber inspectors. The students, at the time of this article, are in the 6th week of class. They are currently learning that hardwood grading is all about mathematics and defect identification. One of the things that […]
NHLA Inspector Training School Format Change
The National Hardwood Lumber Association has announced a format change for the NHLA Inspector Training School. The traditional 12-week program will now be offered as a NEW, 8-week course, scheduled to begin on January 5, 2021. This is a permanent format change for the program. The decision to make the format change came after careful […]
Member Spotlight: The Horton Group
Founded in 1971 in Orland Park, IL, the Horton Group began as a small, eight-person family-owned insurance agency specializing in auto and home insurance for individuals. Since then, it has expanded into commercial insurance, employee benefits, and consulting services. Today, the Horton Group is ranked as the country’s 37th largest insurance brokerage by Insurance Journal, […]
Member Spotlight: Mountain Top Floors
Knowing when to change course is a key component to success for any business. Mountain Top Floors provides a great example of a company with the keen insight to know when to refocus the direction of its business. Mountain Top Floors, a company based in Naperville, Illinois, began in 2015, suppling wholesalers (such as Home […]
Member Spotlight: DMSI
Chances are, you’ve heard the old saying, “work smarter, not harder.” While hard work is essential to success, there comes a point when you have to look for ways to make it easier to grow. Melissa Gratias, a workplace productivity coach, says, “working smarter is the pursuit of productivity coupled with a respect for downtime […]
Webinar Series: Improving Log-to-Lumber Production
As COVID-19 continues to restrict our face-to-learning opportunities, NHLA continues to meet the educational needs of the hardwood industry. Last month, NHLA hosted a 4-part Kiln Drying webinar series presented by Dr. Gene Wengert. The series was a great success, and we are happy to announce that we will be continuing our partnership with Dr. […]
Announcing 2020 NHLA On Demand!
NHLA is pleased to announce the 2020 NHLA On Demand Conference & Exhibition. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase in Louisville, Kentucky, NHLA will be providing members with educational and networking opportunities virtually. The 2020 NHLA On Demand will take place September 22, 23, and 24. The event […]
PPP Application Deadline Extended to August 8th
On Saturday, July 4th President Trump signed legislation to extend the deadline for small businesses to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to Saturday, August 8th. The original deadline for application was Tuesday, June 30th, however, with more than $130 billion in funds still available of the $660 billion originally allocated, Congress approved the […]
Paycheck Protection Program Extension Signed Into Law
According to the Hardwood Federation, on Friday, June 5th President Trump signed into law the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act (PPFA), which extends and expands the previous Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Thus far the Small Business Administration (SBA) has worked with more than 5,000 lenders to approve 4.5 million loans totaling $510.2 billion of the program’s $659 […]
Update: Paycheck Protection Program & Safety Measures
Our friends at the Hardwood Federation have announced that this week the federal government issued updates to guidance in two areas important to the hardwood industry: The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and safety measures for ongoing facility operations. Paycheck Protection Program The IRS has issued clarifying guidance regarding the PPP. Questions have been raised recently […]
NEW 7-Week Inspector Training School Class
The NHLA Inspector Training School is offering a NEW, 7-week course, scheduled to begin on June 15, 2020. The Members Only course is limited to 15 students. The goal of the NHLA Inspector Training School’s new model is to educate more students and get them back to work sooner while increasing the students’ value to […]