In the June 2015 edition of Southern Stumpin’, Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Managing Editor David Abbott discusses ways for loggers to connect on social media. Abbott writes, “I’m going to assume most if not all of you know about Facebook, and it’s probably a very safe bet that quite a few of you are on it…even the older set. The social media giant has become, and for now remains, that prevalent a part of modern culture. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend that you check out the Eastern Loggers page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/579336005465865/). You should be able to find it just by typing “eastern loggers” into the blank line next to the magnifying glass symbol and click on that to search for it. When I was young and would ride around with my dad as he took care of business, I saw how he and other loggers would gather around places of common interest, maybe once a week, and “shoot the breeze” as they’d say.”

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Associate Editor Jessica Johnson visits Jenkins Logging located in Many, Louisiana. Johnny Jenkins, 62, is the kind of guy you can feel like you know everything about after five minutes and nothing about at the same time. But one thing really prevails after a discussion with him: he’s just a really good dude. He cares about his family, and his crew, and when you ask him about either, the lines seem a little blurred. “We’re like brothers,” he says, “They don’t have the same name I’ve got but we’re like brothers.” In business for over 30 years, Jenkins Logging has crewmembers that have been with the logger from the beginning. Several have been with him over 20 years, and quite a few others have more than 10 years on the job. Unsurprisingly, he cites his crew as his reason for success.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Managing Editor David Abbott travels to Tanner Williams, Alabama to visit Pearce Timber Company and Legacy Logging, LLC. James Pearce, 38, is the owner of timber dealer Pearce Timber Co. and, more recently, also of Legacy Logging, LLC. Pearce believes in focusing on quality over quantity. In the eight years since starting his company, he’s been bigger and he’s been smaller, and the experiences have persuaded him that bigger is not necessarily better. “My papaw told me years ago when I was milking cows, he wasn’t worried about how fast I did it, as long as I did a good job.” Whether it’s milking cows or harvesting timber, Pearce notes, agricultural work is always a feast or famine proposition. “You have good years and bad years, but my grandparents and parents all taught me hard work. I saw it growing up. My dad was never in the agricultural industry, but he knew hard work, and so did my mom, and they instilled that in me.”

Overheard…; “Turn Off The Radio”; Grand Rules To Live By; Interesting Observation; Pumping Out The Slogans; An Old Geezer Prevails; JD’s 7600 Loader Series, Circa 1975

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Managing Editor David Abbott has the opportunity to visit Robert W. Wall, Inc. and Wall Timber in Osyka, Mississippi. There are all kinds of logging outfits working the Southern woods, from two-man operations, father-son teams and family companies to massive corporation-like entities fielding dozens of crews. The Wall family has built something that incorporates a little of all of that into the mix. The company is officially Robert W. Wall, Inc., but it does business as Wall Timber, and Wall Timber does business big—nine crews, 29 trucks and 70 employees, all using the latest technology and the best administrative practices. But behind all that, Wall Timber is still very much what it’s always been: a tight-knit family business. At the core of it all are the owners and founders: Bob Wall, 56, and his wife Kim, married almost 34 years.

Set for June 18-20 near Hot Springs, Ark., the fourth InWoodsExpo (IWE) is shaping up as the year’s largest action-packed forestry equipment demo-display west of the Mississippi River. As of mid May more than 50 exhibitors, ranging from big machine heavyweights to attachment providers to tire companies to insurance providers, had signed up to participate. At least 100 manufacturers, dealers, product brands, agencies, associations and other interests will be represented during the 2-½ day event, according to Larry Boccarossa, Executive Director of the Arkansas Timber Producers Assn. (ATPA) and Expo Manager. Noting that interest is high and pre-registration numbers are very encouraging, he expects attendance to be the highest since the expo’s benchmark performance of 2007. The event was last held in 2011.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Associate Editor Jay Donnell has the opportunity to attend Beard Equipment’s John Deere demo event in Cottondale, Florida. John Deere and Beard Equipment enlightened customers about its new L and M series machines, referred to as “Game Changers,” at a seminar and demo event here April 28. John Deere’s manager of forestry product engineering, Greg Miller, introduced the M-Series tracked feller-bunchers, L-Series wheel-type feller-buncher and skidders with an extensive presentation of all of the new features, including Tier 4f engines on the skidders and bunchers. Several Deere officials gave product presentations and answered questions from the loggers and machine operators in attendance.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Associate Editor Jessica Johnson highlights the Southern Loggers Cooperative and their recent milestone of 2,000 members. The Southern Loggers Cooperative, like many of its members, looks a little different than it did 10 years ago. Back then it was just a group of nine guys with the idea that unifying their buying power of diesel fuel might save them a few dollars a week. Now, the Co-Op still operates under the same guiding principle, save loggers as much money on diesel fuel as possible, the office set up has moved from a kitchen table to a six person team in Pineville, La. The membership has grown from those first nine guys to 2,000, and continues to climb every single day. Why? Because of that guiding principle in action. Earlier this year, Executive Director Todd Martin and COO Jason Slatten report their diesel prices were between 50 and 70 cents lower than the average convenience store.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Managing Editor David Abbott heads to Huntland, Tennessee to spend some time with Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods, Inc. Nordeck Thompson, President, CEO and founder of Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods, Inc. is at his core a family man, and his business reflects that fact. He grew up at his father’s company, Thompson Hardwoods, Inc. in Hazlehurst, Ga. (that mill was purchased by Nordeck’s sister and brother-in-law Phyllis and Steve Johnson and later sold to the Beasley group). “That’s where I was trained and where I toiled and labored through many a long hot summer day in my teenage years, in college and for about 12 years after,” Thompson, now 55, recalls. By his early 30s, Nordeck felt the need to start something of his own. His wife, Mary, had family in Tennessee, so they relocated there.

As Wee See It – American Loggers Council: Help Wanted; B&G Equipment Expands With Alabama Facility; Terex Purchases Continental Biomass; Wood Resource Recovery Sues GREC; Interfor Buys Sawmill From Price Co.; Dale Greene Named Dean At UGA Warnell; Jenkins, Taylor Receive WSRI Awards; Portucel Soporcel Pellet Mill Ceremony; Thompson Machinery Hosts Open House; FRA Honors Britt Moulton

Del Fab Announces The DF 703 – Return Of The 3-Wheel Feller-Buncher; CSI New Delimber

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, “Should Loggers Be On Facebook?” Click here to view the full article.