Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/713205
14 PalletCentral • March-April 2016 palletcentral.com available from some machinery manufacturers or some customers may elect to build their own machines. In today's market, even high volume standard size pallet manufacturers can wind up in the custom pallet business. Chase Warner, Wood-Mizer, LLC Minimizing wood dust in the pallet manufacturing environment is an important challenge to the industry. NWPCA Associate member Wood-Mizer reports success with a dust-removal bandsaw blade. It was developed for sawmillers and pallet producers who need boards as free from excess sawdust as possible. The newly engineered blade profile is designed to remove dust while sawing in order to minimize or eliminate the need for sawdust removal after the lumber is processed. As reported to PalletCentral, one pallet producer, Jeff Coomer of Indiana-based Coomer & Sons Sawmill, tested the blade and says, "The new blade was getting 98 to 99% of the dust off, so it was impressive on how much dust it took off [compared to] a typical saw blade. We deal a lot with a filter company where if the dust is on the pallet, the dust gets in the filters and then it's a major issue. Our goal is to get 100% of the dust off." Currently, Coomer & Sons takes multiple measures to ensure dust-free pallets for their clients including using a dedusting machine and also brushing off the final product when assembled. Ken Butler, SMETCO, Inc. Speaking to Ken Butler, sales manager of SMETCO, Inc. from Aurora, Oregon, the market has somewhat softened for pallet recycling. "We are still doing a healthy business in bandsaws, notchers and other equipment. The demand is just not overwhelming us, as it was a year ago," added Butler. Br yan Thornton, Viking Engineering and Development Nails: Trends, Pricing: When asked by PalletCentral to talk about the steel market, I can say for certain that what China does in terms of steel production affects the price you pay for nails; regardless of whom you're sourcing your nails through. The most important driver of nail pricing for the pallet industry is Chinese production – bar none – and their levels of domestic production and continued ability to supply the export market will continue to be the main driver that influences pricing. As we enter Q3, one important thing to note is that historically the Chinese have slowed construction during this period due to the summer heat and excessive rain(s) which limit construction opportunities. That's not to say construction or steel production stops, it surely does not, but in each of the last three years, production has declined in Q3. This has occurred because there is a slowdown in demand for finished steel products for the months of July and August which results in short-term overcapacity. I expect that trend to continue in Q3 2016 as well. PC LEADERS As we enter Q3, one impor tant thing to note is that historically the Chinese have slowed construction during this period due to the summer heat and excessive rain(s) which limit construction oppor tunities. — Br yan Thornton