USNR Acquires Ventek
Officials with major panel industry vendor USNR have announced the acquisition of Ventek, Inc., an industry leader in veneer scanning, grading and handling systems for the plywood industry.
Based in Eugene, Ore., Ventek has designed and built vision-based and moisture-based grading solutions for veneer since the company was founded in 1991. From the very start, Ventek developed a reputation for having some of the best technology in the industry, and for many years the company has been the go-to choice for veneer scanning and grading solutions. Building on its expertise, Ventek formed an internal group to design and build green and dry veneer handling systems, and the group’s patented multi-point diverter is now the flagship product of Ventek’s veneer handling product catalog.
Chris Blomquist, USNR Senior Vice President for Sales and Engineering, commented, “Our customers on the lumber side of our business have long recognized the value of tightly integrated mechanical and optimization technology. With the addition of Ventek’s veneer scanning, grading, and handling solutions to USNR’s lathe, dryer, and downstream product portfolio, we now have an opportunity to bring this integration benefit to our customers on the plywood side of our business as well.”
Rodger Van Voorhis, formerly President of Ventek and one of its founders who has now joined USNR as Director of Sales for Veneer Systems, added, “I am thrilled to join the USNR team, and I am excited to see what we can do with our veneer scanning, grading, and handling products as part of a larger organization. I think there are going to be a lot of great opportunities to learn from each other—such as taking our plywood technology and applying it to lumber grading, and vice versa.”
“I am tremendously pleased that Rodger and the rest of the Ventek team have decided to join USNR to help us build the next generation of products for the plywood industry,” commented Alan Knokey, Vice President responsible for USNR’s plywood and panel business. “The people—the engineers, service technicians and guys who actually build the systems and everyone who supports them—they are the most important part of this transaction.”
RELATED ARTICLES
GRUEN-WALD LAMINATES ORDERS USNR RF TECHNOLOGY
Latest News
CalPlant I Regroups, Sale Is Possible
CalPlant I, LLC, which took 25 years to develop and build a rice straw-based medium density fiberboard plant and produce its first board late last year in Willows, Calif., has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and intends to conduct a court-supervised sale process…
NewLife Gains Full Production
NewLife Forest Restoration has ramped up production at its new engineered wood products plant in Bellemont, Ariz., while also increasing forest restoration work in service of its 4 Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) Phase 1 Forest Service stewardship contract that seeks to thin and treat more than 300,000 acres at risk of…
Labor, Materials Issues Cause Project Delays
The same labor availability issues that have plagued forest products manufacturers since the COVID pandemic began are also plaguing builders as the economy seeks to rebound. According to a survey of more than 2,000 construction companies, both hourly and salaried employees are…
Roseburg To Shut Down Dillard P’board
Roseburg Forest Products (RFP) announced on August 25 that it will shut down its particleboard plant in Dillard, Ore. The plant has been in operation since 1965, and will continue running as the plant prepares for shut down in the next 60 days…
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!