2023 Annual Meeting

January 25, 2023

Save The Date!

October 19, 2022

2023 WWPA Annual Meeting April 16 - 18, 2023
The 2023 WWPA Annual Meeting will be held April 16 through 18 in Portland Oregon at the Embassy Suites PDX - Portland Airport.

The 2023 event will include the (Welcome Reception and Exchange Show), Quality Standards & Technical Services Committee Meeting, Master Lumberman & Safety Awards, Speakers Session and (Chairman's Reception and Exchange Show). 

A complete schedule of events will be made available in the coming weeks.

For questions about the WWPA Annual Meeting email WWPA at info@wwpa.org.

WWPA Is Moving!

July 7, 2022

After 58 years in the Portland downtown area, WWPA will be moving its office to Lake Oswego, Oregon (9 miles south of downtown Portland). 

Beginning July 22, 2022, the new WWPA address will be:

2 Centerpointe Drive, STE 360
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 

In preparation for the move, WWPA will be closed Friday July 22. (Be aware there may be some intermittent email downtime starting Thursday evening July 21 and Friday morning July 22.) 

For further information on WWPA's upcoming move, please send inquiries to info@wwpa.org.

Eric Schooler TP&EE Person of the Year Award

Another reason to attend the Expo is the presentation of the Timber Processing Person of the Year award. Eric Schooler will receive the award for 2022. Schooler is the former president & CEO of Collins, former vice president of manufacturing at Hampton Lumber, and past WWPA Chairman. Spanning six decades in the industry, Eric Schooler's remarkable career tracks the development of modern North America sawmilling.

Visit the Timber Processing and Energy Exhibit website to register for the event.

Master Lumbermen Honored at 2022 Annual Meeting

Six veteran lumber industry professionals were added to the WWPA Master Lumberman roster on May 25 during the 2022 Annual Meeting in Stevenson Washington. Quality Standards Director Pete Austin presented the awards at the Industry Luncheon. Austin noted the Master Lumberman award was a prestigious honor with only 431 individuals receiving the award in the past 54 years.

"One of the great honors for me today is in announcing the newest class of WWPA Master Lumbermen." Austin said. "Since 1968, WWPA has recognized these select individuals with the Master Lumberman award. Today, we will induct six more into this exclusive class of lumber professionals."

The six Master Lumbermen are:

Ezequiel Barajas (Idaho Forest Group, LLC)

Adam J. Bauer (PotlatchDeltic Corporation)

Steven E. Coalman (Stimson Lumber Company)

Everett W. Easley III (Collins)

Jose Armando Lavalle (Sierra Pacific Industries)

Gordon R. Watts (Mendocino Forest Products)

(Photo Courtesy Taras & Alla snappr.com)

From left to right: Gordon Watts (Mendocino Forest Products), Armando Lavalle (Sierra Pacific Industries), Steve Coalman (Stimson Lumber Company), Everett Easley (Collins), Adam Bauer (PotlatchDeltic), Ezequiel Barajas (Idaho Forest Group), Pete Austin (WWPA Director of Quality Standards).

To qualify for the award, candidates must be Certified Graders for at least 20 year, have extensive experience in lumber manufacturing, hold supervisory responsibilities and must be nominated by their companies. Nominations for the 2023 Master Lumberman awards are due by November 30, 2022. For more information contact Dyanne Martin in Quality Standards at dmartin@wwpa.org.

Safety Awards

In addition to the Master Lumberman Awards, three Western mills were honored for outstanding safety records at their operations during the ceremonies. The Safety Awards were presented by Todd Payne.

"Western lumber mills take great pride in assuring safe working environments. Keeping employees safe while at work can provide significant, bottom-line results for every operation." Payne said. "Today, we recognize companies that have achieved the highest level of safety within their facilities."

Chairman's Awards for best five-year safety records (2017-2021) in three categories based on annual employee hours were presented.

Hampton Lumber Mills - Tillamook, OR

Interfor U.S. Inc. - Molalla, OR

Western Forest Products US LLC - Vancouver, WA

Best one-year safety records (2021) were recognized with the District Awards.

2021 Lowest 1-year incidence rate awards by district:

District 1: Interfor U.S. Inc. - Longview, WA

District 2: : Interfor U.S., Inc. - Molalla, OR

District 3: Woodgrain Lumber - Pilot Rock, OR

District 4: Montrose Forest Products - Montrose, CO

District 5: Stimson Lumber Co. - St. Maries, ID

Hi-Q Mill Awards

Each year WWPA identifies individual certified graders with high grading proficiency over a yearlong performance schedule and provides this information to participating mills. The Association recognizes that such achievements reflect a commitment the entire mill made to improve the quality of the lumber produced. This is the foundation for the WWPA Hi-Q Mill Awards. The 2021 Hi-Q Mills recognized at the meeting are listed below.

1. C & D LUMBER COMPANY - Riddle, OR

2. HAMPTON LUMBER MILLS - COWLITZ DIV. - Morton, WA

3. IDAHO FOREST GROUP, LLC - Moyie Springs, ID

4. INTERFOR U.S. INC.- Longview, WA

5. INTERFOR U.S. INC. - Molalla, OR

6. SIERRA PACIFIC INDUSTRIES - Corning, CA

7. STIMSON LUMBER COMPANY - Plummer, ID

8. STIMSON LUMBER COMPANY - St. Maries, ID

9. STIMSON LUMBER COMPANY - Gaston, OR

10. STIMSON LUMBER COMPANY - Tillamook, OR

11. WARRENTON LUMBER COMPANY - Warrenton, OR

For more information on the WWPA Hi-Q program, contact WWPA at info@wwpa.org.

Registration Open for 2022 Annual Meeting

Registration for the 2022 WWPA Annual Meeting is now open. To register online CLICK HERE.

The 2022 WWPA Annual Meeting will convene May 24-26, 2022 at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson Washington. The WWPA meeting will run concurrently with the Softwood Lumber Board meeting at the lodge during these dates.

Group rate for Skamania Lodge reservations ends April 23, 2022. To reserve a room call Skamania Lodge at 844-432-4748. Be sure to mention the WWPA Annual Meeting for the group rate. To reserve a room online visit the Skamania Lodge website at www.skamania.com. Use group code 1YK0DT. (Resort fees and Washington tax will be apply!)

Note: WWPA registrants are invited to attend most SLB events. See agenda below. Please mark on your registration form which SLB events you wish to attend. Those interested in attending the SLB Dinner May 25, must register by May 11, 2022 to attend the dinner.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!

AGENDA

Tuesday, May 24

Registration Open - 12:00 PM

Welcome Reception & Exchange Show - 6:00 PM

Wednesday, May 25

Registration Open - 6:30AM

Buffet Breakfast - 7:00 AM

Quality Standards/Technical Services Committee Meeting - 8:30 AM

WWPA Members Meeting & Awards Luncheon - 11:30AM

SLB Reception - 5:30PM

SLB Dinner - 6:30PM
(You must register by May 11, 2022 to attend this function!)

SLB After Dinner Reception - 8:30PM

Thursday, May 26

Board of Directors - 8:00AM

SLB Working Lunch & Speaker Session - 11:30AM

For questions about the Annual Meeting, email Dyanne Martin at dmartin@wwpa.org

2022 WWPA Annual Meeting - Save The Date!

Oct. 27, 2021

The 2022 WWPA Annual Meeting will convene May 24-26, 2022 at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson Washington. The WWPA meeting will run concurrently with the Softwood Lumber Board meeting at the lodge during these dates. 

Overlooking the Columbia River and located in the Gorge National Scenic Area, Skamania Lodge hosts an onsite spa, 18-hole golf course and hiking and bicycle trails. Guests are only moments away from a variety of area attractions, including whitewater rafting, boat cruises and more. 

The 2022 agenda starts with the Welcome Reception & Exchange Show Tuesday evening May 24. The following day events include Quality Standards/Technical Services Committee Meeting and the prestigious Master Lumberman Awards. WWPA members are also invited to attend the Wednesday reception and dinner hosted by the Softwood Lumber Board. The meeting will conclude Thursday May 26 with the Board of Directors meeting and Speaker Session.

 Registration and hotel accommodations will be made available in the coming weeks. 

For more information about the WWPA Annual Meeting, email WWPA at info@wwpa.org.

2021 Annual Meeting Awards

March 23, 2021

The WWPA 2021 Annual Meeting was conducted via Zoom due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Quality Standards/Techncial Services Committee convened Tuesday March 16 and the Members Meeting and Board of Directors were held Wednesday March 17.

Although the Association was unable to recognize Annual Meeting award recepients in person, awards will be recognized in this newsletter and the WWPA website. The 2021 WWPA Annual Meeting Awards are listed as follows:

Master Lumberman
Two lumbermen have been approved by the review committee to receive the Master Lumberman Award for 2021. These two gentlemen will bring to 427 the number of recipients of the award since the program was inaugurated in 1968.

Through their many years of experience and commitment to the highest ideals of the Western lumber industry, the following are awarded the title of Master Lumberman.

Jose Armando Lavalle
Sierra Pacific Industries

Gordon R. Watts
Mendocino Forest Products

Chairman's Award

WWPA provides two major safety awards. The Chairman's Award spotlights mills with the best five-year safety records. The District Awards honor mills for the best safety performance over the past year in their respective districts. The Chairman's Awards listed are for the best records for 2016 through 2020.

Lowest 5-year incidence rate (2016-2020)

Hampton Lumber Mills - Darrington, WA
(More than 340,000 employee hours annually)

Georgia-Pacific Wood Products NW LLC - Philomath, OR
(220,000 to 340,000 employee hours annually)

Interfor US Inc - Longview, WA
(Less than 220,000 employee hours annually)

District Safety Awards

2020 Lowest 1-year incidence rate awards by district:
 
District 1: Western Forest Products US, LLC - Vancouver, WA
District 2: Stimson Lumber Co. - Forest Grove, OR
District 3: Woodgrain Lumber - Pilot Rock, OR
District 4: Montrose Forest Products - Montrose, CO
District 5: Stimson Lumber Co. - St. Maries, ID

Hi-Q Mill Awards

C&D Lumber Company - Riddle, OR
Stimpson Lumber Company - St. Maries, ID
Stimpson Lumber Company - Priest River, ID
Western Forest Products US LLC - Vancouver, WA
Hampton Lumber Mills - Willamina, OR
Sierra Forest Products -Terra Bella, CA
Hampton Lumber Mills - Darrington, WA
F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber - Columbia Falls, MT
Hampton Lumber Mills - Warrenton, OR
Boise Cascade Company - Kettle Falls, WA

Service Awards

5 Years
Big Creek Lumber - Davenport, CA
Blanca Forestry Products, Inc. - Blanca , CO
Bright Wood Corporation - Madras, OR
Hampton Lumber Mills - Banks, OR

10 Years
Warrenton Lumber Company - Warrenton, OR

15 Years
Sierra Pacific Industries - Mt. Vernon, WA
Sierra Pacific Industries - Sonora, CA
Swanson Group Mfg. - Roseburg, OR

20 Years
C&D Lumber Company - Riddle, OR
Hampton Lumber Mills - Darrington, WA
Stimson Lumber Company - Plummer, ID
Thompson River Lumber Company - Thompson Falls, MT

40 Years
Spearfish Forest Products - Spearfish, SD

2021 WWPA Grading Rules Book Now Available !

March 3, 2021

The 2021 Western Lumber Grading Rules is now available in both perfect bound (standard pocket book) and coil bound binding.  For Douglas Fir, Engelmann Spruce, Hemlock-True Firs, Idaho White Pine, Incense Cedar, Lodgepole Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Sugar Pine, Western Larch and Western Red Cedar.

Books can be purchased online at the WWPA Online Store. WWPA Members can order directly by contacting Von Porter at 503-306-3497 or vporter@wwpa.org.

Deadline for WWPA Prop65 Notification Program, January 12, 2021!

October 2, 2020

California Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide a clear and reasonable warning before knowingly and intentionally exposing anyone to chemicals that are known to the state to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Western Wood Products Association offers a Prop 65 notification service for the wood products industry. The service has been in operation since 2011 and is available to both member and non-member companies. WWPA handles annual Prop 65 customer notifications and provides a notification receipt summary report each year.

The deadline for subscribing to the service and providing customer lists for the 2021 compliance year is: January 12, 2021.

For a full description of the program and WWPA contacts, click here.

2021 Annual Meeting Update

September 21, 2020

Due to the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, Western Wood Products Association has found it necessary to cancel the WWPA Annual Meeting originally scheduled for March 2021.

Protecting the health, safety, and well-being of WWPA members and attendees is paramount and serves as the reason for the decision to cancel the WWPA Annual Meeting for the first time in its 56-year history.

Although WWPA will not hold its traditional meeting, much of the Annual Meeting business will be fulfilled using alternative methods.

Board of Directors
WWPA Board of Directors will meet on a co-located property with the Softwood Lumber Board. Here the WWPA Members Meeting will be conducted and all Board business will be addressed.

Quality Standards/Technical Services Committee Meeting
The Quality Standards/Technical Services Committee Meeting will be conducted in either a virtual environment or via teleconference call. Master Lumberman recipients, WWPA Members and Associate Members will be able to follow committee meeting business either by virtual environment or teleconference call.

Master Lumberman & Safety Awards
Master Lumberman Nominations for 2021 are moving forward. Those inducted into the 2021 class of Master Lumbermen will be invited to the 2022 WWPA Annual Meeting where they will be recognized with the 2022 recipients. Those receiving the Chairman's Award (Safety Award for best 5 year record) will also be invited to the 2022 Annual Meeting to be recognized. All 2021 awards will be recognized in the WWPA News and WWPA website.

Hi-Q & Service Awards
These awards are moving forward as scheduled. Recipients will be recognized in the WWPA News and WWPA website. Hi-Q Awards will be shipped to award winning mills in March 2021.

Associate Member Recognition
Although table tops will not be available for 2021, WWPA will invite Associate Members to submit written material about their company and services that can be featured in the WWPA News and website.

WWPA will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation. Revisions to the above plan may be necessary depending on future conditions.

Master Lumbermen Honored at 2020 Annual Meeting

April 16, 2020

Four veteran lumber industry professionals were added to the WWPA Master Lumberman roster on March 9 during the 2020 Annual Meeting in Palm Desert, California. Quality Standards Director Pete Austin presented the awards at the Industry Luncheon. Austin noted the Master Lumberman award was a prestigious honor with only 425 individuals receiving the award in the past 52 years.

"One of the great honors for me today is in announcing the newest class of WWPA Master Lumbermen." Austin said. "Since 1968, WWPA has recognized these select individuals with the Master Lumberman award. Today, we will induct four more into this exclusive class of lumber professionals."

The four Master Lumbermen are:

To qualify for the award, candidates must be Certified Graders for at least 20 year, have extensive experience in lumber manufacturing, hold supervisory responsibilities and must be nominated by their companies. Nominations for the 2021 Master Lumberman awards are due by October 31, 2020. For more information contact Dyanne Martin in Quality Standards Department at dmartin@wwpa.org.

(Photo Courtesy Patrick Adams, 526 Media Group, Inc.)

From left to right: Ray Barbee (WWPA President), Richard Fuller (PotlatchDeltic), Brian Hawe (Georgia-Pacific), Jed Drennan (Idaho Forest Group), Chris Acheson (Idaho Forest Group), Pete Austin (WWPA Director of Quality Standards).

Safety Awards

In addition to the Master Lumberman Awards, three Western mills were honored for outstanding safety records at their operations during the ceremonies. The Safety Awards were presented by WWPA Chairman Chuck Roady.

"Western lumber mills take great pride in assuring safe working environments. Keeping employees safe while at work can provide significant, bottom-line results for every operation." Roady said. "Today, we recognize companies that have achieved the highest level of safety within their facilities."

Chairman's Awards for best five-year safety records (2015-2019) in three categories based on mill size were presented.

Best one-year safety records (2019) were recognized with the District Awards.

Hi-Q Mill Awards

Each year WWPA identifies individual certified graders with high grading proficiency over a yearlong performance schedule and provides this information to participating mills. The Association recognizes that such achievements reflect a commitment the entire mill made to improve the quality of the lumber produced. This is the foundation for the WWPA Hi-Q Mill Awards. The 2019 Hi-Q Mills recognized at the meeting are listed below.

1. Stimson Lumber Company, Plummer, ID

2. Stimson Lumber Company, Tillamook, OR

3. Idaho Forest Group, LLC , St. Regis, MT

4. Willamina Lumber Co., Willamina, OR

5. Hampton Lumber, Randle, WA

6. Stimson Lumber Company, St. Maries, ID

7. Hampton Lumber, Morton, WA

8. Interfor U.S. Inc., Molalla, OR

9. Blanca Forestry Products, Inc., Blanca, CO

10. Sierra Forest Products, Terra Bella, CA

11. Tillamook Lumber Co., Tillamook, OR

12. Boise Cascade Co., Kettle Falls, WA

13. PotlatchDeltic Corp, St. Maries, ID

14. Idaho Forest Group, LLC , Athol, ID

WWPA Inspector Featured in SCANTLINGS

December 11, 2019


Rick Hicks, WWPA Inspector (second from left) discusses knot-measurement diagrams with Don Davis (left), Bert Soyka (right), and Lance Slyman (second from right).

WWPA Inspector Rick Hicks is featured in the November issue of SCANTLINGS produced by the Timber Frame Engineering Council. “Expanding Horizons at the Timber Grading Course” examines the education event through the eyes of an attendee (Mike Westward) as Rick guides the class through the steps of grading lumber. Click Here to download the article!

Annual Meeting Registration Now Open!

Register Today for the WWPA Annual Meeting

Register now for the WWPA Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the NAWLA Leadership Summit March 8-10, at the JW Marriott Desert Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. Join fellow industry leaders for education sessions on relevant management topics and key trends, and multiple networking events where you can connect with peers and business partners.

The WWPA Quality Standards and Technical Committee Meetings will be held on Sunday March 8 and Board of Directors on Monday, March 9. The Industry Luncheon will be Monday afternoon where this year's Master Lumberman will be recognized. A full schedule of events is available on the NAWLA website.

The Annual Meeting and Leadership Summit are open to all decision makers within the forest products industry, including those from retailers, buying groups, jobbers, and all other segments across the supply chain.

Registration, Hotel Reservations and Schedule of Events are hosted on the NAWLA website.

Meeting Sponsorships!

Connect with lumber wholesalers by sponsoring at the 2020 NAWLA + WWPA Meeting in Palm Desert, CA March 8-10. Your company logo or advertisement can be on display among several meeting events. Below is a list of just some of the events available for sponsorship.

Welcome Reception
Chairman's Reception
Ice Breaker Reception
Industry Luncheon (Master Lumberman Awards)
Jeep Tour
Bike Tour
Hotel Keycards
Lanyards
And more!

Download the full sponsorship application here. Contact Robb Shrader, Sales Coordinator, at 312-673-5581 - rshrader@nawla.org.

Table Tops Available!

Connect with lumber industry leaders at the 2020 NAWLA + WWPA Meeting in Palm Desert, CA March 8-10. Your company goods and sevices will be on display among hundreds meeting attendees including the industries top decision makers.

Download the table top application here. Contact Robb Shrader, Sales Coordinator, at 312-673-5581 - rshrader@nawla.org.

Hampton Lumber Featured In Two Oregon Business Articles

August 20, 2019

The Oregon Business website has two articles featuring WWPA Member Hampton Lumber. “Beyond the Timber Wars” features Steve Zika, CEO of Hampton Lumber, giving his insights on trade tariffs and how they effect the Western lumber industry. The site also features a photo essay: “Inside an Automated Sawmill” takes the viewer through the lumber manufacturing process with high definition photos of the workers and machinery that produce the mill's lumber.

Redwood Empire & Vaagen Timbers Join WWPA

June 21, 2019

Redwood Empire and Vaagen Timbers have signed on as members of Western Wood Products Association. Both companies will join an elite group of lumber producers that carry the WWPA grade stamp on their products. Their new membership gives them access to a variety of exclusive WWPA services designed to deliver the highest possible value to their company needs.

Redwood Empire operates three facilities in Cloverdale, California - medium to large log sawmill, small log fencing sawmill and remanufacturing plant. Each facility is designed to recover the greatest value from the redwood logs - from lumber to residual products. They have over 200 dedicated employees that are committed to bringing their customers exceptional value.

Vaagen Timbers is building a mass timber company using the latest technology to produce cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated beams (Glulam). New uses of these products will allow Vaagen to build structures that are beautiful and inviting as well as eco-friendly and luxurious. WWPA welcomes Redwood Empire and Vaagen Timbers to the association.

Marc Brinkmeyer Honored by University of Idaho

May 31, 2019

WWPA Past Chairman, Marc Brinkmeyer, owner and chairman of the board of Idaho Forest Group, has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Idaho. The university recognized Brinkmeyer for his contributions to the forestry and wood products industry and awarded him the Doctor of Natural Resources degree. U of I awards honorary degrees to individuals deserving of honor by virtue of scholarly distinction, noteworthy public service or significant contributions to Idaho.

Ray Barbee, WWPA President, offered his thoughts on Brinkmeyer's achievement: "It is gratifying to see this honor bestowed upon Marc for all the time and effort he has invested in the forest products industry, as well as his many humanitarian contributions."

A full description of Mr. Brinkmeyer's honorary doctorate can be found on the University of Idaho website. https://www.uidaho.edu/events/commencement/honors

California Proposition 65 - WWPA Notification Service

The 2019 cycle of WWPA Notification Service for the targeted compliance date of February 28, 2019 has been completed. 38 companies subscribed. Delivery status will be sent out in the coming weeks. WWPA's Prop 65 Wood Dust Notification Program is available to all Lumber & Wood products manufacturers and distributors; membership with WWPA is not required. As a subscriber, all that you have to do is to provide WWPA with your customer lists, which are kept confidential.

Once we have a signed agreement and receive your customer data we will:
Provide each customer on the subscribing company's list with the safe harbor warning information and signage necessary to comply with the new regulations. A durable warning sign covering exposures to wood dust and other chemicals is sent to each California address.
Compile confirmations of receipt of the warning materials Provide a delivery confirmation status report upon completion of the annual notification cycle to each service subscriber.
Retain customer confirmation of receipt data for the subscribing company, making it available if it is ever needed.

WWPA has been offering this service since 2011 and it has been cost effective and successful for our subscribers. For the 2020 Cycle Notification Service, new subscribers need to sign-up by December 2019. More information is at https://www.wwpa.org/about-wwpa/services/prop-65-notification-service. For questions and more information, contact Dyanne Martin at dmartin@wwpa.org or Kevin Cheung at kcheung@wwpa.org

Eleven New Master Lumbermen Honored at Annual Meeting

March 20, 2019

Eleven veteran lumber industry professionals were added to the WWPA Master Lumberman roster during the 2019 Annual Meeting in Tucson, Arizona. Quality Standards Director Russ Tuvey presented the awards at the Industry Luncheon. Tuvey noted the Master Lumberman award was a prestigious honor with only 421 individuals receiving the award in the past 51 years.

"One of the great honors for me today is in announcing the newest class of WWPA Master Lumbermen." Tuvey said. "Since 1968, WWPA has recognized these select individuals with the Master Lumberman award. Today, we will induct eleven more into this exclusive class of lumber professionals."

The new Master Lumbermen are:

To qualify for the award, candidates must be Certified Graders for at least 20 year, have extensive experience in lumber manufacturing, hold supervisory responsibilities and must be nominated by their companies.

Nominations for the 2020 Master Lumberman awards are due by October 31, 2019. For more information contact Dyanne Martin in Quality Standards Department at dmartin@wwpa.org.

Photo by Patrick S. Adams (526 Media Group, Inc.)
Left to right: Charlie Phillips (WWPA QS Field Manager), Steve Berry (Hampton), Jeff Hurd (Hampton), Mark Morris (Hampton), Bruce Burson (Bright Wood), Kelly Dutton (F.H. Stoltze), Robert Gillen (Collins), Bruce Berglund (F.H. Stoltze), Kevin Hawley (Idaho Forest Group), Rodney Trammel (Hampton), Donnie Shove (Idaho Forest Group), Russ Tuvey (WWPA Director of Quality Standards)

Chairman's Safety Awards

Nine Western mills were honored for outstanding safety records at their operations during ceremonies at the 2019 WWPA Annual Meeting in Tucson Arizona, March 11. The awards were presented by WWPA Second Vice Chairman Todd Payne.

"Western lumber mills take great pride in assuring safe working environments. Keeping employees safe while at work can provide significant, bottom-line results for every operation." Payne said. "Today, we recognize companies that have achieved the highest level of safety within their facilities."

Chairman's Awards for best five-year safety records (2014-2018) in three categories based on mill size were presented. Idaho Forest Group, LLC. won for mills with 340,000 or more employee hours a year. Georgia-Pacific NW, LLC captured top honors for mills with 220,000 to 340,000 employee hours a year. Stimson Lumber Co., received a Chairman's Award for mills with less than 220,000 hours annually.

Photo by Patrick S. Adams (526 Media Group, Inc.)
Left: WWPA Second Vice Chairman Todd Payne & Rick Northrup (Idaho Forest Group, LLC)
Right: WWPA Chairman Fritz Mason & Second Vice Chairman Todd Payne

Best one-year safety records were recognized with the District Awards. The 2019 winners are:

District 1: Hampton Lumber Mills (Darrington, Washington)
District 2: Hampton Lumber Mills (Warrenton, Oregon)
District 3: Interfor U.S., Inc. (Gilchrist, Oregon)
District 4: Blanca Forestry Products, Inc. (Blanca, Colorado)
District 5: Idaho Forest Group (Lewiston, Idaho)

Hi-Q honors go to 6 Western mills for 2019

WWPA has announced that 6 mills in 2018 set the standard for lumber grading accuracy and were named as Hi-Q mills for the year. The Association's exclusive Hi-Q program recognizes graders who have reached the top level in accurately grading lumber. In 2005, the program was expanded to cover mills that have at least 75 percent of the lumber graded by a certified Hi-Q grader. Awards are presented based on annual production for large (more than 75 million BF), medium (75 million to 25 million BF) and small (under 25 million BF).

The 2019 winners are:

Large Mills
Hampton Lumber Mills (Randle, Washington)
Stimson Lumber Company (Tillamook, Oregon)
Willamina Lumber Company (Willamina, Oregon)

Medium Mills
Stimson Lumber Company (Plummer, Idaho)
Idaho Forest Group, LLC (St. Regis, Idaho)
Pyramid Mountain Lumber, Inc. (Seeley Lake, Montana)

Revised Grading Interpretations for the National Grading Rule

A revised book for Grading Interpretations for the National Grading Rule is available for WWPA Member mills. Updates include a number of editorial changes, reorganized topics in Compression Wood, Breaks, definition for Checks, revised graphics for 3 & 4 Face Knots, proportional increase knot rule, adding additional Grain Deviation explanation, adding clarification language for Shake and editing the Splits section.

Books can be ordered by calling Von Porter at 503-306-3497 or email vporter@wwpa.org

2019 Annual Meeting Registration Now Open

October 23, 2018

2019 WWPA Annual Meeting

- NAWLA Leadership Summit 

March 10-12, 2019

Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa | Tucson, AZ

Decision-makers from across the forest products industry will build knowledge on relevant management topics and key trends in education sessions and connect with peers through multiple networking events. 

The Annual Meeting & Leadership Summit is open to all decision makers within the forest products industry, including those from retailers, buying groups, and all other segments across the supply chain.

Full agenda has been posted online. 
Online Annual Meeting registration and hotel reservations are hosted on the NAWLA website.

For questions about the Annual Meeting, please email us at info@wwpa.org

New WWPA Grading Rules eBook!

March 9, 2018

In April, 2018 WWPA launched the Western Lumber Grading Rules 2017 for Amazon Kindle and Apple iBooks. The ebook can be downloaded onto a smartphone using the Kindle Phone App or using the Kindle Desktop App. The eBook allows easy access and navigation to Grading Rules definitions, whether at home on a computer or in the field on the move.



To purchase the book for Kindle visit the Amazon Kindle store. For those using a Macintosh, the book can be purchased by launching the iBooks App from the Mac and entering WWPA Grading Rules into the search field.

Using the WWPA Western Lumber Grading Rules book has just gotten easier!

WWPA to assume RIS’ function as the rules-writing agency for Redwood lumber

December 28, 2017

In January, 2017 the Redwood Inspection Service (RIS) and Western Wood Products Association entered into an agreement for WWPA to assume RIS’ function as the rules-writing agency for Redwood lumber and provide mill supervisory services and grading and inspection of Redwood lumber previously provided by RIS. WWPA is granted the exclusive license to use RIS grade marks and to issue RIS grade stamps to Redwood producers who enter into agreements to use WWPA inspection services.

https://www.wwpa.org/about-wwpa/redwood-inspection-service

New 2017 Grade Rule Books

January 20, 2017
WWPA’s newest edition of the Western Lumber Grading Rules 2017 is now available in both English and Spanish language versions. Both editions can be ordered in either the traditional pocket version or a spiral-bound, laminated cover, desk top edition. The Spanish language edition also contains metric equivalents of U.S. customary units for measurement of characteristics and net sizes.



Pricing for both the English and Spanish books is $25.00 for the pocket edition and the spiral-bound version is $27.00. Members can place orders by emailing Von Porter at vporter@wwpa.org or calling 503-306-3497. Those who don't need PO numbers with their purchase, can order using the WWPA Online Store.