News
| Irving Forest Products Takes Top Honors in EWP Grader Competition | 2009-10-01 |
A total of 45 lumber graders from around New England took part in NELMA’s 6th annual Eastern White Pine Graders Competition, hosted by Hancock Lumber Company’s Ryefield, Maine mill on September 26. Grading education and fun activities were combined throughout the half-day event, that included a mill tour, quiz time for “scratch-offs”, and of course the opportunity to win cash awards by correctly grading 50 boards within a 5 minute time limit. This year’s Top 8 individual winners took home a combined total of $1,270. This year’s individual winner of the Eastern White Pine competition was Mike Rafuse of Irving Forest Products, Dixfield, Maine. Mike improved from his second place finish last year to take the top honor in 2009. The Top 8 winners were: 1. Mike Rafuse, Irving Forest Products – Dixfield, Maine The “Bronze-Hammer” trophy was up for grabs once again as the award for the top team winner. This year, Irving Forest Products took the team championship, ending a 5-year winning streak by Hancock Lumber Company’s mills (Bethel – 2004 & 2005, Ryefield – 2006, and Pittsfield 2007 & 2008). The Top 3 mills in the team event, with final score, were: 1. Irving Forest Products – Dixfield, Maine (84 points) Congratulations to everyone that participated in this year’s event. “These annual competitions are always a win-win situation for each and every participant, for the company they represent, and to NELMA”, according to Marc Moore, the Association’s Director of Inspection Services. Jeff Easterling, President of the Association added, “It’s one of the few opportunities that individuals in the grading profession have to get together as a group for continuing education and basic camaraderie”. NELMA wishes to extend a special thank you to Hancock Lumber Company and their employees at the Ryefield mill as this year’s host. Great lunch, wonderful weather, and a good time had by all! The 2009 NELMA-sponsored grading competitions will conclude with the Dimension Graders annual event, October 10, 2009 at Moose River Lumber Company in Jackman, Maine.
Competitor Analyzing Board with NELMA Inspector Recording Answer
Quiz Time for Scratch-Offs with NELMA Inspector
Review of Board Grades with NELMA's Director of Inspection Services
Winning Team - Irving Forest Products - with Bronze Hammer Trophy. Mike Rafuse, Individual Winner, holding Trophy.
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Eastern White Pine VS. Radiata Pine. Learn about these two species in a side by side comparison. Who will be victorious?
Founded in 1933, the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturer's Association (NELMA) is one of seven lumber rules writing agencies in the U.S. accredited by the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) to write grade rules that are certified as conforming to the American Softwood Lumber Standard PS20. NELMA is the official author and administrator of the grading rules for Eastern White Pine, in particular.
In addition to the quality control inspection audits we conduct at lumber manufacturers to ensure that on-grade Eastern White Pine products are meeting the needs of consumers, NELMA develops and distributes an array of technical information and unique promotional materials via our member-driven marketing program. We encourage you to browse through the pages of this website and discover why Eastern White Pine is the very best choice when wood is considered, both environmentally sustainable and application versatile.
