Learn to Grade Eastern White Pine at NELMA’s Online Grader Academy

Do you work in the lumber industry, or wish you did? You can up your skills without leaving your home with NELMA’s Online Grader Academy. 

This training resource makes it easy (and dare we say, fun) to learn more about the intricacies of lumber grading, especially when it comes to the two most prominent species in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, Eastern White Pine and the Spruce-Pine-Fir grouping.

There are two major components of the Grader Academy website: grader training, which is online instruction courses, and two grader games. “Above Board” is an interactive game that simulates real-time lumber grading at a mill, with variable lug speeds from beginner level to more advanced settings, and “Build-A-Board” tests your Eastern White Pine knowledge to create a Premium or Standard grade board from a clear 1”x8”x8’ image using the maximum number of allowable defects provided in an image gallery.

“The courseware developed for NELMA’s Grader Training follows a natural, visual-learning approach to learning the intricacies of how to identify the grade of lumber.  Each level of training will guide an individual in steps through the education process, beginning with basic identification of wood characteristics to more advanced grading concepts. Each topic within each level of courseware ends with a quiz.  Students must pass the quiz for each topic in sequence to be able to take the next course level quiz.  Once registered, a student’s Profile page will track their progress, in addition to their Above Board game scores by level.”

“When we launched the NELMA Grader Academy six years ago, our hope was that the industry would embrace the opportunity to learn more about lumber grading in a fun format,” said NELMA president Jeff Easterling. “The goal was to take what was previously a laborious learning process and offer educational opportunities in a multifaceted, online, visual education program. We’ve done that, and the number of industry members taking the classes shows how much it was needed.”

The program is accessible 24/7, so you can learn on your own time. Check it out at GraderAcademy.com, and consider checking out all of the job opportunities available at NELMA’s Job Board, too.

The Industry is Hiring! Check Out These 10 Jobs

If you’re feeling the crunch of the current job market and looking for a change, the forest products industry is a great place to start. Positions are currently open for a wide variety of skilled and unskilled jobs including sales, foresters, lumber yard laborers, engineers, scientists and mill equipment operators. Check out these 10 great jobs located throughout Maine and the Northeastern United States.

Lumber Yard Manager, Harwich, Massachusetts

“Our Lumber Yard Manager controls the flow of our lumber yard and products. You will be responsible for our lumber sales building, shipping/receiving of all product, inventory control and employee development. The right candidate will be customer and product driven with a passion for bringing new products to the market.”

Learn more and apply at Nelma’s job board.

Forester, LandVest, Newport, Vermont

“LandVest is looking for an energetic and dedicated individual for a Forester position for its growing business in its Newport, Vermont Office. The position will primarily involve field work focusing on timber marking, forest inventory and silvicultural operations. LandVest offers the opportunity to work with an experienced and well-respected staff. “

Learn more and apply at ForestryUSA.com.

Licensed Boiler Operator, Searsmont, Maine

“We have a full time opening for a Licensed Boiler Operator to run a new bio-mass fueled high pressure 8.5 MW steam turbine. Georges River Energy is a subsidiary of Robbins Lumber, Inc. It is co-located on a 40 acre site. Robbins Lumber is a high tech Eastern White Pine Lumber Mill.”

Learn more and apply at Nelma’s job board.

Mid-Level Environmental Scientist, Portland, Maine

“Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions’ Portland, Maine Office is seeking a Mid-level Environmental Scientist / Geologist / Hydrogeologist to support environmental assessment and remedial investigation projects including proposal and work plan development, field operations and staff management, project delivery and report preparation. The Portland, Maine Office is a multi-disciplinary science/engineering/architecture team of 130+ staff that offers the opportunity to work on technically challenging projects for a wide range of clients throughout the US. “

Learn more and apply at Wood.

Field Representative, American Lumber Standard Committee

“Primary responsibilities of a field inspector are to conduct spot audits of randomly selected mills and facilities who are subscribers of accredited agencies.  The audit is a check on the performance of the accredited agencies and their compliance with ALSC program enforcement regulations.  Every field representative is given a geographic region for which they are responsible.”

Learn more and apply at Nelma’s job board.

Project Manager, New York, New York

“This is a stable and growing company willing to pay bonuses, benefits, and more to the right people for this opportunity.

Currently Searching for strong Project Manager with Project experience $500K-$5m+ in high-end architectural millwork experience.

-Reading of architectural drawings

-Leadership and good interpersonal communications

-Can work under pressure and handle stressful situations

-Will consider 12-15+ years’ AWI/QCP industry specific experience.”

Learn more and apply at WoodJobs.com.

Sales & Business Development, East Coast

Responsibilities

-Building a network of customers by acquisition and finding new uses of the material.

-Structured follow up of customer visits, comments, requirements by using SAP system

-Sales of variety of species of LVL for standardized applications and larger end users or distributors of standardized LVL.

Requirements

-In depth market knowledge, clear understanding how current successful LVL sales and marketing programs are configured in the US in terms of products, pricing and the corresponding certifications. 

-Basic knowledge on logistics while logistics in general will be handled from home office”

Learn more and apply at WoodJobs.com.

Lumber Handler, Portage, Maine

“The lumber handlers will stack and unstack board lumber according to grade and sort, strap stacked lumber, cross train on the tilt hoist and fork lift and keep up with mill production. All individuals must maintain housekeeping and cleaning, work cooperatively with other employees in a team environment, follow haz-com and all other safety procedures, support other areas of the department as needed and follow safe work practices.”

Learn more and apply at Indeed.com.

Architectural Millworkers & Cabinetmakers, Upstate New York

“Custom Millwork company is looking for a minimum of 10 years’ experience

-Highly skilled is all aspects of woodworking with more than general knowledge of AWI standards and practices 

-Examples of arch. Millwork bars, reception desks, wall paneling, doors, banquettes, window seating, conference tables, furniture pieces

-Ability to assemble cabinets, size lumber, work from shop drawing, identify material defects, assemble doors and other hardwood components, and apply laminates. 

-Ability to work from shop drawing to completion of architectural millwork items ready for finishing by finishing dept.”

Learn more and apply at WoodJobs.com.

Laborers and Machine Operators, Ashland, Maine

“Irving Forest Products, Inc. is a growing company on the leading edge of technology in the sawmill industry. Are you:

  • Looking for current or future work in Northern Maine?
  • A hard working and motivated individual, interested in a dynamic career with opportunities for growth?
  • An Operations Professional with a background in:
    • Manufacturing & Production
    • Forestry / Agriculture
    • Quality Control
    • Heavy Equipment Operation

We are currently accepting applications for Laborers and Machine Operators. We are looking for safety-oriented, energetic individuals to join our team!”

Learn more and apply at Indeed.com.

Top image via Simplicity Hunter Flickr CC by 2.0

Pleasant River Pine’s Sanford Mill Takes Bronze Hammer @ 2019 Competition

The 16th Annual Eastern White Pine Graders Competition, sponsored by NELMA, was held Saturday, September 28. Hosted by Madison Lumber Mill in West Ossipee, New Hampshire, 46 graders representing 8 sawmills participated in this year’s event.

The individual grader championship winner had to successfully make their way through 3 rounds of grading selected boards of various grades and sizes to emerge as the overall winner. Taking 1st Place was Devon Dunnels of DiPrizio Pine Sales with a score of 15 out of 20. Following closely in 2nd Place was veteran grader, Rick Johnston of Pleasant River Lumber’s Hancock Mill. Bill Badger of Hancock Lumber Company’s Pittsfield Mill finished in 3rd Place. Rounding out the Top 5: Chris Joy of DiPrizio Pine Sales and Paul Angelone of host mill, Madison Lumber Mill.

In a close battle for the Team Championship and Bronze Hammer trophy, Pleasant River Pine’s Sanford, Maine mill took their first, top honor in a one-point win over the next 3 Team competitors from Hancock Lumber Company’s Pittsfield mill, Hancock Lumber Company’s Bethel mill, and Madison Lumber. Limington Lumber rounded out the Top 5

NELMA would to thank Madison Lumber Mill personnel for hosting the 2019 Eastern White Pine Competition which included serving a hearty barbeque lunch to participants and NELMA Inspection Staff!

Bronze Hammer Team Champions – Pleasant River Pine – Sanford

1st Place Individual – Devon Dunnels of DiPrizio PIne Sales

2nd Place Individual – Rick Johnsston of Pleasant River Pine – Hancock Mill

3rd Place – Bill Badger – Hancock Lumber – Pittsfield Mill

4th Place Individual – Chris Joy – DiPrizio Pine Sales

5th Place Individual – Paul Angelone – Madison Lumber Mill

Consolation Round Winner – Nathan Edwards – Hancock Lumber – Casco

 

Celebrating 85 Years of NELMA & Over a Century of Promoting White Pine

White Pine Historic Monographs

The Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA) celebrated its 85th birthday this year with a gathering in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, bringing together over 140 members and guests to play golf, network and learn about the latest technology. Founded in 1933 to administer and monitor the provisions of the newly-founded Lumber Code Authority in the Northeast following President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, NELMA quickly became a voluntary trade organization after support for the Recovery Act waned, and it has provided essential support for the Northeastern lumber industry ever since.

Meanwhile, the White Pine Bureau formed in 1915 to represent two trade organizations: the Northern Pine Manufacturers Association of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan as well as The Associated White Pine Manufacturers of Idaho. Carrying out advertising campaigns on behalf of the White Pine manufacturing industry, the Bureau began publishing the White Pine Series of Architectural Monographs 3 to 6 times each year. The issues focused on highlighting early American buildings made of white pine, exploring different architectural styles or structures in specific towns.

White Pine Historic Monographs

White Pine Historic Monographs

After 10 years, the White Pine Bureau passed the publication of the White Pine Monographs on to its editor, Russell F. Whitehead with the support of Weyerhaeuser Forest Products Company. The original series lasted 27 years, and after a long break, NELMA resurrected it in a new form. 2006 saw the start of a new era for the Monographs, maintaining their original look and feel while highlighting modern trends and examples. Today, NELMA provides access to the entire run of the publication at the Eastern White Pine Monograph Library.

All 98 of the original historic booklets and 10 contemporary issues are available to be read and printed, and they give us a fascinating look at the history of white pine in the United States. Not only are they packed with articles and photographs, they offer a glimpse at historic conditions like the challenge of advertising during World War I as well as a fun range of old advertisements.

Check out the whole collection here.

Read more about the history of NELMA

Celebrating 85 Years of NELMA & Over a Century of Promoting White Pine

White Pine Historic Monographs

The Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA) celebrated its 85th birthday this year with a gathering in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, bringing together over 140 members and guests to play golf, network and learn about the latest technology. Founded in 1933 to administer and monitor the provisions of the newly-founded Lumber Code Authority in the Northeast following President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, NELMA quickly became a voluntary trade organization after support for the Recovery Act waned, and it has provided essential support for the Northeastern lumber industry ever since.

Meanwhile, the White Pine Bureau formed in 1915 to represent two trade organizations: the Northern Pine Manufacturers Association of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan as well as The Associated White Pine Manufacturers of Idaho. Carrying out advertising campaigns on behalf of the White Pine manufacturing industry, the Bureau began publishing the White Pine Series of Architectural Monographs 3 to 6 times each year. The issues focused on highlighting early American buildings made of white pine, exploring different architectural styles or structures in specific towns.

White Pine Historic Monographs

White Pine Historic Monographs

After 10 years, the White Pine Bureau passed the publication of the White Pine Monographs on to its editor, Russell F. Whitehead with the support of Weyerhaeuser Forest Products Company. The original series lasted 27 years, and after a long break, NELMA resurrected it in a new form. 2006 saw the start of a new era for the Monographs, maintaining their original look and feel while highlighting modern trends and examples. Today, NELMA provides access to the entire run of the publication at the Eastern White Pine Monograph Library.

All 98 of the original historic booklets and 10 contemporary issues are available to be read and printed, and they give us a fascinating look at the history of white pine in the United States. Not only are they packed with articles and photographs, they offer a glimpse at historic conditions like the challenge of advertising during World War I as well as a fun range of old advertisements.

Check out the whole collection here.

Read more about the history of NELMA

NELMA Member Mill Shipments Continue on Record Pace

Total shipments of Dimension and Eastern White Pine lumber through the Third Quarter of 2017 (January to September) continue on their record pace levels overall for the year.  Dimension lumber from the Northeast, primarily construction grades stamped SPFs, recorded shipments during the first 9 months totaling 429.7 million board feet, some 12% above the same period in 2016.  Eastern White Pine lumber shipments added another 328.6 million board feet, about even when compared to same three quarters of the previous year.  The Great Lakes region recorded shipments of 399.5 million board feet, slightly down in comparison with same time in 2016 by 2.2%.

For all regions of NELMA, a total of 1.16 billion board feet was shipped to the marketplace from January through September, a 3.1% increase from 2016.  Graphics of shipments by month for Dimension, Eastern White Pine, and the Great Lakes are provided below: