In the August 2015 edition of Southern Stumpin’, Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Managing Editor David Abbott discusses the ever-changing logging business. Abbott writes, “Have you seen the Buick commercials in recent months in which no one can find the Buick because the newer model doesn’t look like they expect a Buick to look? The underlying message of these ads reminds me very much of a marketing campaign for a different brand of sedan nearly 30 years ago: “This isn’t your father’s Oldsmobile.” I always thought it was a pretty clever, and memorable, line, because it said in very simple language exactly what they wanted it to say. So, I was a bit surprised to learn that it’s actually considered one of the more disastrous slogans in the history of advertising, one that contributed to the eventual discontinuation of the product it was supposed to help sell.”

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Managing Editor David Abbott travels to Cleveland, North Carolina to visit Select Timber, Inc. One of the earliest and fondest memories for Zack Myers is going to logging equipment shows with his dad, uncle and grandfather. It was a formative experience that left a lasting impression. Now 25, Myers is the owner of Select Timber, Inc., and says he can’t see himself in any other life. “It’s in the blood,” he explains. “Once you get the sawdust in your veins, you can’t get away from it.” Myers is a fourth generation logger. His grandfather, Gilbert—Zack calls him “pop”—started the business with a small hardwood sawmill in Cleveland, NC in the 1970s. Gilbert later bought two logging crews to supply the mill, Myers Forest Products, Inc. Gilbert’s two sons, Butch and Craig Myers—Zack’s father—grew up working in the mill.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Associate Editor Jay Donnell has the opportunity to visit Dooley Logging in Toccoa, Georgia. When Bud Dooley started Dooley Logging in 1982 he had no idea where his company or the logging industry would be in 33 years, but he suspected he would still be going at it. Today, he and his son Jay are working hard and diligently in order to maintain a stable business in an industry that has seen its share of ups and downs. “My daddy logged and I guess you could say my granddad was a logger, but I started this business on my own with a little help from my dad,” Bud explains. While Bud, 55, has had his own business for more than 30 years, he has been working in the woods for most of his life. “I actually started cutting wood when I was 17 years old, hand loading with a short truck,” he says. Jay, 25, has worked for the company full-time for seven years.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Associate Editor Jessica Johnson visits Creel Logging located in Eoline, Alabama. Just when you think you have figured out Bobby Creel, 60, he throws you for a loop, showing you another facet of his personality. His granddaughter describes him best: “He's real funny, he just never laughs.” And it's true. During the visit with Southern Loggin' Times, Creel cracked plenty of jokes and smiled the entire time, but never outright laughed. The father of four is proud of the family legacy he helped to build with his father in the 1970s. Creel remembers that when the business was first started, his father put his house up at the bank for a $9,000 loan so he could buy the equipment necessary to start Creel Logging. “We just purchased a piece from B&G [Equipment] for $275,000. We've come a long way,” he says sagely.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Associate Editor Jessica Johnson attends the B&G Equipment grand opening in Moundville, Alabama. Tigercat dealer B&G Equipment recently expanded into Moundville, Ala. adding to four other established dealerships in Mississippi. Debbie Webb, President of B&G, says the new location is exciting for the company, as well as the Bates family, who started the dealership over 39 years ago. The new facility has a 10,000 sq. ft. administrative area as well as three shop bays with five and ten-ton overhead cranes—the service department in total is 4,800 sq. ft. The Moundville location, under the leadership of David Long, offers the full Tigercat line-up, and Webb says the company is committed to deliver the best possible sales, service and parts support, as well as a better value.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Associate Editor Jay Donnell attends the Vermeer media summit in Pella, Iowa. Vermeer held its 2015 media summit on July 8-9 and emphasized its FT300 and FT100 forestry tractors with mulcher heads. Mike Byram, vice president of environmental solutions for Vermeer, welcomed media members during an opening dinner. On July 9, editors traveled to the Vermeer headquarters in Pella and heard presentations from Byram and Jason Andringa, president and COO of Vermeer. Andringa will become president and CEO later this year. He represents the third generation of family leadership at Vermeer. Jeff Bradley, recycling and forestry product manager, and Jon Heinen, pipeline corporate accounts manager, gave overviews of the forestry and pipeline markets, respectively.

Remember When; Hope; Gems To Live By; Effective Training Program; Creative Writing Classic; Beretta Jetfire Testimonial; Only In The South…

As We See It: Endangered Species Act-Second Take; ALC Members To Gather In California; Memorial Service For Warren DuBose; Momentum Building For Mid-Atlantic Expo; SWPA Honors Barber, Loggers Of The Year; Weyerhaeuser To Build New Sawmill; Enviva’s Marine Terminal Takes Shape; Virginia Loggers Assn. Plans Annual Meeting; USDA Restarts BCAP For Renewable Energy; Morbark Serves Wood Pellet Market; Logger Billy Brady Eulogized July 19; Jordan Companies Increases Output; GreenWood Resources Will Manage New Firm; Tigercat Dealer Shift In Eastern NC

Caterpillar Upgrades; Rotochopper Shredders; Olofsfors ECO-Wheel; Forest Fire Detection; Mesera CTL Cranes; Thunder Creek Trailers

At The Margins is designed to help loggers manage and/or operate their business better. Each month an expert provides information, tips or advice on how to maximize profitability, enhance efficiency or increase business knowledge. This month’s column is provided by Tom Trone with John Deere Forestry. The article is titled, “The Secret To Better Business Management – Never Stop Learning.” Click here to view the full article.