In the October 2013 edition of Southern Stumpin’, Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Managing Editor David Abbott highlights an Arkansas logger who is coming up on his 70th anniversary in the woods. Abbott writes, “We’ve said it many times in this magazine in recent years, and we all know it’s generally true: the average age of the logging business owner is tilting towards the chronologically advanced end of the curve. Occasionally we even run into guys who have been in business for 50 years or more—I can think of two right off hand that I’ve personally interviewed this year. These are usually guys in their late 60s or maybe early 70s who are in the process of passing the business on to a son and taking a back seat, if not retiring completely. We’ve already mentioned our intention to spotlight those who have been around a while in one section of our 500th issue next spring. So it isn’t that uncommon to find a logger pushing 50 years in the woods. But how about looking at his 70th anniversary? That’s a feat worth noting, and for Floyd Green, it has indeed been close to 70 years since he first set boot in the woods.”

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Managing Editor David Abbott travels to Beech Island, South Carolina to spend some time with Beech Island Timber and Construction, Inc. Beech Island Timber and Construction, Inc. owner, Josh Key, 55, has been in logging since 1983 but made the switch to focus primarily on fuel wood chipping in 2010. “We love it,” he says of chipping. “The first three years, it’s been a nightmare but a blessing at the same time.” Key and his youngest daughter, Shelley Bowman began researching the emerging biomass markets and how they could get involved. For years, Key had discussed the emergence of the biomass market with his friend Tracy Burttram, head forester for Elliott Sawmilling, one of his current roundwood markets. Both men knew they wanted to be a part of it from the ground floor. With encouragement from Shelley and Burttram, Key started chipping in January 2010, when BCAP was still in place.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Contributing Editor May Lamar has the opportunity to visit Hanna Brothers Logging in Abbeville, South Carolina. Abbeville natives Ben and Daniel Hanna endured the wettest summer of their eight years in the logging/trucking business, but you won’t hear them complaining much. The two 30-something-year-old brothers are too busy for that. When a sustained break in the rains came in mid-August, they moved 80 loads in five days off their own job, and half as much as contract haulers for a growing number of other logging outfits. The two men operate Hanna Bros. in a lake rich and densely forested region referred to as “Upstate” by people who live in the Carolinas. Ben, the younger of the two, is philosophical about their decision to join the forest industry in 2005, which was just about the time the wheels were starting to come off the economy. “It was bad when we got in and it’s been tough ever since, but we manage.” They manage by managing the bottom lines of two different operations.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Associate Editor Jessica Johnson travels to Mount Pleasant, Michigan to join Bandit Industries in celebrating their 30th anniversary. During 2013 Bandit Industries celebrates its 30th anniversary. Breaking with tradition, Bandit held its dealer meeting, normally scheduled every three years, after two years this time. The meeting was organized early as a special point of recognition due to the milestone anniversary as well as exponential growth and considerable product development for the company. In fact, Bandit introduced four new pieces of equipment and technologies during the event. Over 250 dealer representatives from 19 countries assembled for the Bandit Industries 2013 Dealer Meeting, held August 13-15 at Bandit’s headquarters near Mount Pleasant, Mich. President Jerry Morey said the event was about celebrating not only Bandit’s past, present and future, but also the dealers and customers.

Idiomatic Expressions; From A College Teacher; Answering Machine Message; On Women Over 50 (Andy Rooney Commentary); Farmer Versus Lawyer; Walmart In The Will; Unrest In The Forest; Peerless Log Loader; Looking For A New Home

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine reports on the 2013 Virginia Loggers Association Annual Meeting. A record 156 members, affiliates, associates and guests took part in the annual meeting of the Virginia Loggers Assn. (VLA) August 25–26 at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center in Virginia Beach, Va. Judd Smith, VLA president, presided. His wife, Carman, headed an active committee in planning and implementing the event. On Friday morning attendees boarded a double-decker bus and traveled across town to the Stihl manufacturing facility, where they were greeted by Bob Hynick, Stihl’s Vice President of Operations. The group was divided into parties of 10 and escorted through the manufacturing facility to view the manufacture of blowers, trimmers and chain saws. The facility had expanded greatly since the VLA group first toured it in 2006.

Southern Loggin’ Times magazine covers the 2013 Southwest Forest Products Expo. The mood was upbeat at the Southwest Forest Products Expo, staged August 23-24 at the Hot Springs Convention Center, where loggers, foresters, landowners and equipment and service representatives gathered to talk shop, reconnect and/or make new relationships, support Log-A-Load for Kids, and have a little fun. According to Larry Boccarossa, Executive Director of the Arkansas Timber Producers Assn. (ATPA), which has sponsored the event since founding it in 1999, this year’s show attracted 50 exhibitors and some 1600 attendees, up slightly from the most recent expo (2009). ATPA dovetailed a board meeting with the expo and also offered training sessions for loggers. In a post-expo evaluation, exhibitors indicated the show was either successful or very successful for them.

As We See It: Loggers-The “Invisible” Workforce; Numerous Repercussions Of Courtland Closing; Pilot Project Successful In Winnfield, Louisiana; Enviva Considers Two Pellet Mill Sites; Mississippi’s Kitchens Selling Three Sawmills; Government Allies With Bioenergy Groups; China Opens Doors To Hardwood Logs

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 Sarah Clausen, the Global HR Director for John Deere Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division. The article is titled, “Succession Planning: Passing It On.” Click here to view the full article.