Northwest Panel Industry Comes Together
The 2024 version of the Timber Processing & Energy Expo (TP&EE), held September 25-27 at the Portland Expo Center in Portland, Ore., while as usual heavier to lumber manufacturing, once again drew significant players from the veneer, plywood and engineered wood products industries.
Nearly 1,200 attendees (non-exhibitors) registered for the event, which featured 180 exhibitors on 45,000 sq. ft. of booth space. The biennial event was the sixth TP&EE produced by Hatton-Brown Expositions, an affiliate of Panel World magazine, which served as a media host along with Timber Processing and Wood Bioenergy magazines.
The event included a mini-conference on “Panel Manufacturing Today.”
“Making Wood Matter: Automation Advancements Driving the Mill of the Future” was presented by Connor Eaton, account manager at Raute. Eaton reviewed the company’s versatile R-Series technologies integrated into Raute’s compact layup line and panel repairing stations, with customized options.
How do EWP producers gain an edge? “The answer is clear: embrace automation, AI, and deep data analytics to increase speed, efficiency, output and unit cost,” Eaton said, adding that AI solves two key pressure points for mills—data and manpower.
Eaton said the mill of the future is happening today, and pointed to Raute’s $93 million (Euro) contract for the technology delivery to a new LVL mill for Metsä Wood in Aänekoski, Finland.
George Harmati, Technical Sales Manager, Westmill, spoke on “Advancements in Dryer Technology,” and noted that recent projects for Westmill included the installation last summer of the world’s longest jet dryer at Roseburg in Coquille, Ore., and two new jet dryers for Hood Industries in Beaumont, Miss. with “dual heat” technology; and a new 400 ft. long, 10-deck fiberboard dryer for Huebert Fiberboard in Missouri.
Harmati reviewed the evolution of dryer technology, and pointed to more recent Westmill innovations in dryer design and material handling, including Westmill’s WestVac capture technology, now standard on new Westmill dryers; humidity control enhancements; and Westmill’s electrically actuated tipple.
The next TP&EE is scheduled for September 23-25, 2026 at the Portland Expo Center.
Latest News
Grenzebach Optimizes Veneer Drying Line
Grenzebach Optimizes Veneer Drying LineDespite the limited space available, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the extremely tight schedule, Grenzebach was able to successfully repair a veneer dryer that had been damaged in a fire, and upgrade it into a production line of its...
Boise Cascade Goes With Con-Vey For I-Joist Assembly Line In Alabama
Boise Cascade Goes With Con-Vey For I-Joist Assembly Line In AlabamaCon-Vey, a leading provider of innovative material handling and automated solutions, has announced its new partnership with Boise Cascade Co. to develop and implement a cutting-edge I-Joist assembly...
West Salem Unveils New Website
West Salem Unveils New WebsiteWest Salem Machinery (WSM) has announced the launch of its newly redesigned website, www.westsalem.com, aimed at modernizing the user interface and making valuable information more intuitive and accessible. The updated website reflects...
Besse Forest Products Closes Three Veneer, Lumber Operations
Officials with Michigan-based Besse Forest Products recently announced the closure of three plants in Wisconsin that will result in more than 130 employees being laid off.
Con-Vey Unveils New Brand, Website
Con-Vey Unveils New Brand, WebsiteCon-Vey, a leader in industrial automation and manufacturing solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new brand and website. This exciting transformation reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and its focus on...
Tolko Announces Pino Pucci New President/CEO
After 14 years as president and CEO (CEO) of Tolko, and more than 40 years with the company founded by his grandfather Harold, Brad Thorlakson has transitioned to the role of executive chair of the board. Further to this transition, Pino Pucci has assumed the role of president and CEO.
New Combi-CLL Container
Following the launch of five new models in its 25th anniversary year in 2023, Irish material handling specialist Combilift has announced the launch of the new Combi-CLL (Container Log-Loader), a customer-led solution for the timber industry.
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Panel World Industry Newsletter reaches over 3,000 who represent primary panel production operations.
Subscribe/Renew
Panel World is delivered six times per year to North American and international professionals, who represent primary panel production operations. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative. Contact us today!