Machinery Row
Blount to Produce Cat Branded Forest Products
Blount International, Inc. announced in February that it is in
the process of amending its marketing and supply agreements
with Caterpillar Inc. to change the alliance brand of forestry
equipment from “Timberking” to “Caterpillar” and “Cat”.
Under these arrangements, Blount will continue to be
solely responsible for marketing as well as providing product
support to Caterpillar dealers. Blount expects shipment
of the first Cat branded products to begin in February with
track feller bunchers/harvesters. The full line of Cat branded
products will be available at Caterpillar dealerships worldwide
within the next several months.
Blount will continue to sell its market-leading brands of
forestry equipment under the Prentice, Hydro-Ax, Fabtek
and CTR brand names through its separate network of
Blount dealers.
McCracken Leaves Us
Robert "Bob" McCracken, retired president and chairman
of the board of Patrick Lumber Co. in Portland, Ore., died
January 18 due to complications resulting from a recent
surgery. He was 71.
New CDF Director
Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Ruben Grijalva as
the Interim Director of the Department of Forestry, replacing
retiring Dale Geldert. Grijalva was serving at the State
Fire Marshal. At this time it looks likely that he will get the
permanent appointment at some future date.
Positive News for Potlatch
The Potlatch Corp. reported fourth-quarter earnings of
$9.9 million, or 34 cents per share, compared to a loss of $9.7
million during the fourth quarter of 2004. In 2005, net earnings
totaled $33.0 million, compared with net earnings of
$15.4 million in 2004.
The company is also building a sawmill to manufacture
hardwood lumber products from poplar trees harvested on
the company's 17,000-acre poplar plantation near Boardman,
Ore. The new $8.1 million mill is expected to be operational
by December 2006 and to produce 30 million board feet of
green hardwood lumber annually.
Deere Announces Senior Mngmt. Changes
In January, Deere & Company announced the appointment
of two new senior officers and new assignments for three members
of its senior management team to further develop its global
leadership group.
The two new senior officer assignments include James A.
Israel appointed President, John Deere Credit, and Michael
J. Mack, Jr. appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer.
The new assignments for three current senior officers include:
David C. Everitt appointed President, Agricultural Division;
Nathan J. Jones appointed President, Worldwide
Commercial & Consumer; and H.J. Markley appointed President,
Agricultural Equipment Division.
Titan Opens in Grants Pass
Titan Studs opened a new office in Grants Pass, Ore., selling
production for Lewis County Forest Products and Mason
County Forest Products. The sales manager is Josh Dean. Also handling sales at the new facility is Faith Dimmick and
Crista Yonker. The sales coordinator is Remy Morris. Mandy
Clark is in sales support.
Bright Wood Consolidates
Bright Wood Corp. is shutting down its facility in Bend,
Ore., and consolidating those operations into companyowned
plants in Madras and Redmond, Ore. The reorganization
should be completed by May 5.
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