NELMA’s 9th Annual Dimension Graders’ Competition was hosted on Saturday, June 4 by Pleasant River Lumber Company at their Dover-Foxcroft, Maine lumber mill location.  A total of 20 graders from 4 of the Association’s dimension lumber manufacturing facilities were represented at the competition.  The Top 5 finishers shared $650.00 in prize money, with the top team adding their name to the traveling Bronze Hammer trophy.

This year’s event continued the tradition of using 50 sample boards for competitors to grade, all pre-graded by NELMA’s Competition Inspection Team, using a 5 minute time limit.

Taking top honors in the Individual Grader event was Chris Lowery of Pleasant River Lumber, in a time tie-breaker over Josh Farnsworth of Stratton Lumber.  Rounding out the Top 5: Ruben Campbell of Stratton Lumber in 3rd Place, Jonathan Brault of Fontaine Inc. in 4th Place, and Donnie Beedy of Stratton Lumber finishing in 5th Place.

In the Team event, Stratton Lumber outpointed Pleasant River, 67-63, to take home the Bronze Hammer trophy, their third win since the competition began in 2003.

NELMA would like to thank Pleasant River Lumber Company for their generous hospitality and supportive staff, which included a tour of their new equipment installation and a hearty cookout meal enjoyed by all!  The 2012 Dimension Graders’ Competition will be held next Spring at a location to be announced.