News 
NELMA Inspectors Provide Training at Timber Framers Guild Meeting in Maryland
At the request of the Timber Framers Guild, Marc Moore, NELMA’s Director of Inspection Services, and NELMA Inspector, Pete Pitrat, provided instruction in the grading of timbers for timber framers who were attending the organization’s annual “Rendezvous”, held at Camp Letts, Maryland near Annapolis.
The September Sirex Woodwasp “Town Hall” Meeting Cancelled by USDA APHIS
The following notification was sent by Lynn Evans-Goldner (National Program Director for the Sirex woodwasp) on August 21, alerting the regional organizers that the September meetings would NOT take place and includes their rationale behind the decision by USDA APHIS
Irving Saw Mill in Aroostook County is closing for good
Irving Forest Product’s Pinkham Saw Mill in Aroostook County is being permanently closed, resulting in the loss of 64 jobs.
NELMA Partners with Habitat for Humanity and SFI® on Minnesota Project
What happens when a couple of tree farmers, a troop of Girl Scouts, a lumber grading agency, and dozens of volunteers get together?
Grading Rules Now Online in Full-Size Format
The online version of NELMA’s 2006 Standard Grading Rules for Northeastern Lumber has been re-formatted to full-page size PDF files to maximize viewing and printing of the book.
Proposed Removal of the Exemption of ISPM No. 15 for Wood Packaging Material Moving Between the United States and Canada
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are considering enforcing a standard for wood packaging to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species between the two countries.
Supplement No. 1 to Standard Grading Rules for Northeastern Lumber Now Available
Supplement No. 1 has been published by the Association and available free of charge from NELMA.
New Digitized Version of 1940's Industry Film - The Story of Wood in the Northeast - now available for purchase.
In the late 1940’s, NELMA produced a short documentary on lumber. Titled “Story of Wood in the Northeast”, this 25 minute film shows
Hancock Lumber's Pittsfield Mill Graders Sweep NELMA's 2008 Competition
NELMA’s 5th annual Eastern White Pine Grader’s Competition was held Saturday, February 9, hosted by Hancock Lumber Company’s Pittsfield, Maine sawmill facility.
US-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement News
Recent articles & local news broadcast regarding the US-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement and its enforcement failure impact on lumber industry.
Maine Forest Service Summary of 2007 Quarantine Changes
2007 has been a busy year for changes in Maine’s quarantines. As we head into the New Year, a summary of those changes is in order.
Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports Comments On 1st Anniversary of U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement
The Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports today commented on the status of the U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement on the one-year anniversary of it taking effect.
Building Products Digest Spotlights Eastern White Pine
A Spotlight on Eastern White Pine has become a fall tradition and regular feature in the September issue of Building Products Digest since 2004, but this year’s issue tops them all!
NELMA Welcomes 10th Inspector
The Association is proud to announce the addition of Jason Ostrem of Cochrane, Wisconsin to the NELMA staff as Inspector, effective September 10.
Pleasant River Lumber Takes Dimension Graders Competition
For the first time in the five-year history of the NELMA Dimension Graders Competition, Pleasant River Lumber of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine takes top team and individual winner awards.
What is ALSC and why are they visiting my facility?
Many of NELMA’s Export Wood Packaging facilities may have already been visited one or more times by a representative of the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) since subscribing to our services. Those who haven’t likely will be in the future as part of the random inspection procedures established by ALSC for the program.
Loggers Association Honors Outstanding Sawmill Operator
During their annual Loggers Expo iin May, 2007, the Northeastern Loggers' Association of Old Forge, NY
NAWLA Elects Riley 2007 Chairman
Gregg Riley, President of Bloch Lumber Company, Chicago, IL, was recently elected Chairman of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association
PROTECT YOUR IPPC & HT QUALITY MARK STAMPS!
The importance of protecting your individual IPPC and/or HT quality mark stamps cannot be over emphasized.
NELMA Safety Program Dividend Announced
NELMA and Acadia Insurance are pleased to announce the first Dividend payment to members of the Association that participate in the NELMA -sponsored Insurance Safety Group Program through Acadia.
Eastern White Pine Grade Rules Change Approved; New Patterns Also Added
NELMA was notified on May 23, 2007 that the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) Board of Review has approved the Association's request to amend its rules for Eastern White Pine.
Industry Obituary: Phil Lavalley
Phillip Albert Lavalley, 71, of Sanford, passed away Friday, April 27, 2007, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine.
"Swatch" of Eastern White Pine Lumber Grades Available from NELMA
NELMA has just introduced its latest marketing tool for Eastern White Pine, a "Swatch" book of the five primary grades of Eastern White Pine.
NELMA’s 2007 Fall Board of Directors Meeting &Golf Tournament Set
The fall meeting of NELMA’s Board of Directors is set for Friday morning, September 21, 2007 in York, Maine.
NELMA Convention Held March 29-31 in Boston
The 74th annual convention of the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association was held March 29-31
Outstanding Safety Performances honored at NeLMA Convention
An accident free year or outstanding safety performance is the direct result of the close and harmonious work among productions employees,
The 2007 Standard Grading Rules of the Northern Softwood Lumber Bureau (NSLB) are now available
The 2007 Standard Grading Rules of the Northern Softwood Lumber Bureau (NSLB) are now available from NELMA. These rules, effective April 1, 2007, incorporate a significant number of changes since the 1993 printing of the book.
New Recommendations for Cleaning Stamps and Stencils
Stamps and Mylar Stencils should be cleaned frequently with isopropyl alcohol
ANSI and SFI, Inc. Unite Behind Sustainable Forestry Accreditation
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Inc. recently announced the official launch of a new accreditation service that will support forest management practices by authenticating the traceability of wood products.
RoHS and Wood Packaging
NELMA is often asked about the implications of a packaging requirement known as “RoHS” versus the IPPC ISPM 15 Standard. As many exporters are aware, RoHS compliance is being requested by overseas customers, both in Europe and now China.
NELMA at Residential Design Convention
NELMA exhibits for the first time at the 2007 Convention.
Softwood Buyer features NELMA in it's March issue
This month’s issue of the Softwood Buyer will feature information regarding the Association
NELMA Pine Subcommittee Chairman Appointed
NELMA Chairman, Luke Brochu, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alden Robbins, Robbins Lumber Co. in Searsmont, Maine, to fill the Chairman’s role for NELMA’s Pine Subcommittee, effective immediately.
Ayotte Leaves NRLA
Jim Ayotte, after six exemplary years of service, has left the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA)
NELMA 2007 CONVENTION
NELMA’s 2007 convention will be held March 29-31 in Boston at the beautiful Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel and should prove to be an informative and timely event for the Industry
NELMA at NRLA's LBM Expo
This year’s NRLA Expo is slated for Wednesday, January 31st through Friday, February 2nd
Australia Rules Alert for Plywood Used in Export Wood Packaging
Please note that shipments to Australia from the U.S. utilizing wood packaging that include plywood require a “Newly Manufactured Plywood Products Certificate”.
Welcome Floyd Corbin to NELMA Staff
NELMA is pleased to announce further growth in our Association staff with the hiring of Floyd K. Corbin of Skowhegan, Maine to fill our ninth Inspector position, effective November 6, 2006.
New Look for NELMA at Build Boston
For the fifth year in a row, NELMA participated as an exhibitor at Build Boston, this the 22nd annual convention held November 14-16 at the Seaport World Trade Center.
Meet the New NELMA Staff
The Association is pleased to introduce and welcome Mike Cornelius and Scott Roper as the newest additions to the NELMA inspection staff, both effective October 15.
New Pine Shoot Beetle Quarantine Proposed for Maine
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, proposes to amend Maine’s Pine Shoot Beetle (PSB) Quarantine to include all counties except Aroostook and Washington under quarantine.
U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab Announces Entry into Force of U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement
U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab today announced that the U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement will enter into force tonight (Thursday, October 12). As a result, both the United States and Canada will begin to implement their obligations under the agreement.
Softwood Deal to Take Effect Oct. 12
The Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement will come into force on Thursday after the two countries agreed to amendments that will sidestep diehard opposition within the Canadian lumber industry.
September Issue of BUILDING PRODUCTS DIGEST Spotlights NELMA and Eastern White Pine
For the third consecutive year, Building Products Digest has featured a special feature on the Association and Eastern White Pine in their September issue.
Insulation of Thermocouples
The following important information is applicable to NELMA-certified facilities that utilize thermocouples to record and verify the heat treatment requirements to meet the ISPM 15 Standard:
Marc Moore to Lead NELMA’s Inspection Services Program
NELMA is pleased to announce the promotion of Marc Moore to the position of Director of Inspection Services for the Association, effective September 14, 2006.
