BACKING _
INDEPENDENT
BUSINESS

2

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TARRYS WOODCRAFT LTD.
Site 13, C18, R.R. No. 2,
Costiegor Ph. 399-4357

“We're still here,” said Forgaard. ‘back in 1984 it
was touch and go whether or not to close the doors
altogether,

“We’ ¢ had the fastest turnaround in the province,
bar none,” he said. “Soon we'll be one of the best mills in
the province.” {

Forgaard said two things have lead to SWP’s
dramatic. turnaround — modernization and improved
communication with the company employees.

“We just provide a bit of the direction and they go
with it,” said Forgaard. He explained that the major
thrust of the production increase and reduced cost of
production over the past two years was a “direct result of
the employees on the floor.”

Forgaard said the communication process meant
bringing all employees “out of the dark” by outlining, in
detail, the realities of the lumber market and discussing
with employees precise short term and long term

This generally ‘involves daily meetings

“The right hand must know what the left hand i
doing,” said Forgaard. “Everyone here wants to wil

‘And as each old productivity record falls, the reason
for continued communication between employees and
company becomes clear.

In 1982, Westar produced an average of approxi-
mately 436,000 board feet a day for the year.

In 1986, that figure was crushed by a new average of
720,000 board feet a day and the projection for 1987 is
expected to reach a new total of 825,000 board feet a day.

Production costs over that time/period were
reduced by about 25 per cent but, on the other hand,
company investment has started to increase dramati-
cally.

Westar spent some $5.5 million on modernization last
year, and is expecting to spend another $13 to $15 million
within the next 18 month:

But modernization is an intricate process, not merely
a matter of dumping a lump sum for a new piece of
equipment, but rather, it involves an intricate decision
making process that Westar knows it must repeat on
many occasions over the next several months.

Forgaard pointed to the installation of the mill's new
edger/optimizer as the quintessential example of all the
factors involved in the purchase of a modern and
relatively unfamiliar piece of equiment.

Originally, Westar operated with one manual edger.
‘The edger simply takes an unfinished slab of wood,
previously sawed from a log, and cuts away the outer,
rough edges, creating a sharp, right angle edge — hence
the name.

In 1986 we broke

“We have good operaters here,” Forgaard stressed.
“There is no doubt in my mind. | 5
“But when it eomes to making human decisions,
ssanel dedoiene, 3 wey cet ONO NOPEPR ard

So Westar chose to replace one of

After a lengthy process of weighing
choosing the most suitable type of equipment for log size ,
and species and determining a reputable,
manufacturer, a new edger was finally purchased for
$1.5. ,

The edger/optimizer has a 97 per cent wood
recovery rate compared to the old best of 85 per cent. The
slabs are lit up with infrared for clarity and a series of
cameras scan the slab, sending the informatiog to a
computer link-up. The best cut solution is determined and
the answer is fed back to the edger which then positions
the piece for optimum recovery.

“The job is now made a lot easier for the operator,”
Forgaard explains. “Rather than making 4,000 decisions
on a piece to be edged, he just has to run 4t through
correctly.”

But Forgaard emphasizes that his people are fully
trained in the operation and maintenance of the new
equipment.

All those employees who must work with the new
equipment are fully trained in its operation and
maintenance.

Forgaard emphasizes that the modernized equip-
ment is also safer for his employees to work with. Less
“hands-on” manual labor generally means less “sprains
and strains” type injuries, which are typical in the
sawmill. .

“Money is not a factor when it comes to safety, said
Forgaard. “Making sure they get home to their families
every night is what's important to me.”

Westar will continue to modernize with six major
equipment installations expected to take place in the next
24 months.

“In order to insufe a long term business we have to
be competitive,” said Forgaard. “And in order to be
competitive we have to modernize.

“The unfortunate part of the modernization is
that some jobs are eliminated,” he said. “I believe our

understand that.

e're obviously cost-driven,” Forgaard explains.
“Our foeus is to reduce costs to ensure operations
through all market conditions.” !

RUNNING SMOOTHLY « . . Westar keeps. the timber
flowing with a temporary combination of older and
modern equipment. (Top left) Danny Dias operates
othe new -edger/optimizer, @emachine he -claims

s the job; (top right) production manager

implif
wee ta from the edger's

Rick Forgaard reviews the
scanners; (bottom) it's business as usual for the two
older model edgers. os el ia

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every single record in the history of

Southern Wood Products. Listed below are just a few
hits that went gold

v os nitio®

oot

With continuing achievements by each
and every individual at Southern Wood

Products, we will continue

7 to strive for excellence.

Westar Timber

Southern Wood Products
WE SET THE STANDARD