News
| Hancock Lumber's Pittsfield Mill Graders Sweep NELMA's 2008 Competition | 2008-02-28 |
NELMA’s 5th annual Eastern White Pine Grader’s Competition was held Saturday, February 9, hosted by Hancock Lumber Company’s Pittsfield, Maine sawmill facility. A total of 52 graders representing 10 mills from Maine and New Hampshire participated in this year’s event. Aside from testing their skills at correctly grading 50 sample boards within a 5-minute time limit, the graders enjoyed a lively “Lumber Quiz Time”, a tour of the Pittsfield mill, and an in-depth discussion with the NELMA experts on the correct grade of the sample lumber pieces after the individual competition portion of the day.
“This four-hour session offers graders from around New England a unique opportunity to join others in their profession for a fun time, mixed with important continuing education activities” according to Marc Moore, NELMA’s Director of Inspection Services. “The Association is proud to continue sponsoring this event as a beneficial service to the lumber industry in the Northeast.” Cash awards totaling $1,475 were given to the Top Ten individual high scores. The winner of the 2008 individual grader award went to first-time participant, Mike Keister of Hancock Lumber’s Pittsfield, Maine mill, followed by Mike Rafuse of Irving Forestr Product’s Dixfield, Maine mill in second place. Cory Price of Hancock Lumber’s Pittsfield, Maine mill finished in third place.
By taking 2 of the top 3 individual spots, the team from Hancock Lumber’s Pittsfield, Maine mill retained the coveted “Bronze Hammer” traveling trophy for the second year in a row. Pittsfield’s score of 80 placed them ahead of second place Irving Forest Product's Dixfield, Maine mill and Hancock Lumber’s Casco, Maine mill teams, who tied for second with 72 points. Rounding out the top 5 teams: Limington Lumber of East Baldwin, Maine (71 points), and DiPrizio Pine Sales of Middleton, New Hampshire with 65 points.
NELMA would like to extend a special thanks to the management and staff of Hancock Lumber’s Pittsfield mill for their generous hospitality and to all the Association member mills that participated in this annual event.
 Hancock Lumber - Pittsfield, Maine
2008 Team Champion
 Mile Keister
Hancock Lumber - Pittsfield, Maine
1st Place - Individual
 Mike Rafuse
Irving Forest Products - Dixfield, Maine
2nd Place - Individual
 Cory Price
Hancock Lumber - Pittsfield, Maine
3rd Place - Individual
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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.
