Brian Bond

Quality Measurement in the Wood Products Supply Chain

In this article we report the first in-depth investigation of quality measurement practices from a supply chain perspective. Quality measurement in a wood products supply chain was studied in great detail with the objective of increasing the understanding of quality performance measurement practices in a secondary wood products supply chain. Opportunities for improvement were also identified. A single-case study was used as the main research approach, with 30 interviews and observation as major data collection methods. Findings revealed a high degree of internal integration in the focal company, made possible in great part by a continuous improvement effort that expands all of its facilities. Opportunities for improvement were found in external integration, particularly regarding supplier quality management. A disconnect was identified between supply chain members in regard to quality information; particularly, there was a lack of true supply chain quality measures reflecting the contribution of each enti...

Supply Chain Measures of Performance for Wood Products Manufacturing

This article reports the results from a supply chain study in which a performance measurement system for a wood products value stream was developed. We build on findings from a previous study in which the need for supply chain metrics of performance was identified. A five-step method to develop performance measures is suggested as an improvement alternative. Examples of specific metrics for quality and time performance are provided. This approach facilitates collaboration between supply chain partners and provides information that allows a more efficient focus on improvement projects. Supply chain measures of performance are important for seeing beyond a single entity and aligning strategy in the supply chain. Companies that want to integrate their suppliers and customers in their improvement efforts can benefit from the information presented here, because a common set of performance measures is essential in evaluating progress toward a goal.

Perceptions of Virginia's Primary Forest Products Manufacturers regarding Forest Certification

Abstract Some forest products companies have enrolled in forest certification and chain-of-custody certification programs due to a perceived increase in demand for certified products. The results of studies on certification conflict in regard to whether certification provides a competitive advantage and enhances market access. There is a lack of information regarding forest industry perceptions of forest certification, including potential barriers and challenges. To address these shortcomings, a survey was mailed to forest products manufacturers in Virginia to study their opinions about forest certification. The majority of respondents believed there were few benefits to certification programs; in particular, a majority perceived limited to no benefit with regard to market share, exports, future demand, and gaining a competitive edge. A similar number also reported that they associate little to no environmental benefits or improvements to company image associated with certification. The top barriers to ce...

Changes in the Chemical Composition and Decay Resistance of Thermally-Modified Hevea brasiliensis Wood

In this study the effect of thermal treatment on the equilibrium moisture content, chemical composition and biological resistance to decay fungi of juvenile and mature Hevea brasiliensis wood (rubber wood) was evaluated. Samples were taken from a 53-year-old rubber wood plantation located in Tabapuã, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The samples were thermally-modified at 180°C, 200°C and 220°C. Results indicate that the thermal modification caused: (1) a significant increase in the extractive content and proportional increase in the lignin content at 220°C; (2) a significant decrease in the equilibrium moisture content, holocelluloses, arabinose, galactose and xylose content, but no change in glucose content; and (3) a significant increase in wood decay resistance against both Pycnoporus sanguineus (L.) Murrill and Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.) Murrill decay fungi. The greatest decay resistance was achieved from treatment at 220°C which resulted in a change in wood decay resistance class from moderately resistant to resistant. Finally, this study also demonstrated that the influence of thermal treatment in mature wood was lower than in juvenile wood.

What Is “Urban Wood Waste”?

Abstract Researchers, governing agencies, and other stakeholders frequently use the term “urban wood waste” to describe either waste from wood products, municipal trees, or some combination. The ma...

Educational Needs of the Forest Products Industry in Minnesota and Virginia in 2012

ABSTRACT The forest products industry has been greatly impacted by the Great Recession, with many firms reducing output or closing operations to remain competitive. Educational training has also be...

A Decade of Improved Lumber Drying Technology

In this paper, we comprehensively review the relevant literature published from 2005 to 2016, focused on lumber drying and provide a summary of where we feel future research will focus. Drying is a critical part of most wood products manufacturing process, and the methods used and proper control are key to achieving the appropriate production level, quality, and costs. While a combination of drying methods may be used, most lumber is dried in a kiln at some point in the process. The most common commercial kilns can be classified as conventional, high temperature, and vacuum; however, there continues to be some interest in solar and compression drying. While no new drying technologies have been proposed, work has continued on improving the existing methods. Control of the drying process varies with the type of kiln used, the species being dried and the temperatures used in the process; however, it usually involves some type of measurement of the moisture content of the wood being dried. The development of new methods for controlling the drying process focuses on new ways to measure moisture content or moisture content variation, temperature drop across the load, and drying stresses. While wood quality can be defined differently by its various users, for example, industrial or end users, certain aspects of quality remain constant across these groups, such as minimizing warp, checks, and splits, and discoloration, and maintaining or enhancing mechanical properties. New schedules have been proposed to increase drying rate and improve drying quality. Methods to reduce drying defects and improve its quality have focused mainly on mechanical restraint to prevent warp, better understanding of defect formation, and pre-treatments to speed up the drying process or reduce final moisture content variation. Finally, concerns regarding the environmental impacts of wood drying, most importantly the high energy demands and emissions, have increased in importance as concerns about sustainability and health issues become more mainstream.

Review of wood properties of Acacia koa A. Gray (koa)

Koa wood is highly valued primarily because it has unique color, figure, and favorable working characteristics; however, little is known about its properties. Current information is inconsistent and is limited to few sources. Understanding the properties of diminishing old growth koa is important so that comparisons to planted koa can be made. Planted koa will serve as a substitute only if the value adding properties are present. This review reveals how difficult it is to characterize old growth and potentially plantation grown wood.

Comparison of the Economic Feasibility between Conventional and Vacuum Drying for 4/4 Red Oak

Abstract Vacuum drying of wood is a method to reduce drying time and inventory; however, there is limited information regarding the economic feasibility for vacuum drying 4/4 red oak compared with ...

Vacuum Drying of Wood—State of the Art

In this paper, we review the literature published on vacuum drying of wood. Vacuum drying is not a new technology, and its use for drying wood has been suggested since the early 1900s. Technologies for vacuum drying of wood can be classified by the heating method used. In this paper, we define vacuum-drying methods in four groups: conductive heating vacuum, cyclic vacuum, superheated steam vacuum, and dielectric vacuum. Advantages of drying wood below atmospheric pressure are the ability to dry at lower temperatures (and thus lower the probability of developing some drying defects), greatly reduced drying times, color preservation, greater energy efficiency, better control of volatile organic compound emissions, and the ability to dry very large cross sections. Some characteristics that differentiate vacuum from conventional drying are that in vacuum the primary driving force is the total pressure difference, the prevailing moisture transfer mechanism is water vapor bulk flow, and there is greater water migration in the longitudinal direction. While past research has focused on increasing the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms for vacuum drying and applications to specific industries and species, more recent efforts have concentrated on improving existing methods, for example, by improving moisture control and the use of pretreatments to improve drying quality.