February 13, 2007

Hello, Sawmiller:

We all know the industry had been going through tough times lately. It’s not been easy for us at Cone Machinery, Inc. either.  But, thanks to a lot of you out there, we have not been sitting on our hands.  Here’s what we’ve been up to:

1. We have been very productive and continue to grow and develop upgrades and new machinery to enhance the performance and operation of Sawmills throughout the Southeast as well as select mills in other parts of the country.

2. We recently did a project for the Rayonier mill in Swainsboro, GA. We converted it from a large log mill to a small log mill.  Their production changed from processing 560 logs per hour to 960 logs per hour increasing both production and recovery.  We have now completed a similar modification to their Baxley, GA mill. Both projects were done “turn-key” (Cone handled the mechanical, electronics, and electrical phases). Both mills started production ahead of schedule.

3. We have replaced all the edger systems in the Gilman mills (6 total) and converted them to optimized systems. We have also completed 3-D Opitimized conversions at Jasper, AL and Brookhaven, MS plus other locations.

4. Cone Machinery, Inc. has installed a number of Saw Sections in the last couple of years.  Some feature shifting saws, while other models use fixed saws.  Some of these replace other Saw Sections and/or Band Mills.

5. We have also introduced a process of extending existing Mark II CNS Infeeds to allow the use of Three-D Optimization to greatly improve the recovery of older mills. We have infeed extensions running all over the southeast, and also in Michigan and Wisconsin.

6. We have several systems up and running that feature automatic log rotation. Mills are benefiting from accurately positioning logs for primary breakdown purposes. Lots of recovery to be gained. Tree-D Optimization (Tallahassee, FL) is providing the laser scanning and log turning software.

7. We have developed, in conjunction with Omega Solutions, a Sharp Chain Infeed System that automatically rotates the log and hands it off to the Sharp Chain almost immediately.  This is done using a “split” chain system that allows the Sharp Chain to fit in-between the “V” chains.  This eliminates the transition problems of handing the log from the Infeed chain to the Sharp Chain.
 
8. We just installed a new Optimized Chipping Edger and OSI Sharp Chain System with Canter and Band Mills for Beadles Lumber Company (Moultrie, GA). Optimization was provided by Perceptron.

9. Balfour Lumber Company (Thomasville, GA) is presently installing a Cone Machinery Three-Saw Edger System. Baxley Equipment is providing the optimization.

10. We are currently working on a project for Sheppard Lumber Company (Brooklet, GA) consisting of a log haul conveyor with scanner mounts, Auto-Rotation Log Turner, and a NEW CNS Extended Infeed Section Tree-D Optimization will provide the solutions.

11. We have developed a unique Optimized Horizontal Gang Infeed that skews and positions to produce timbers, 5/4’, 4/4”, 7/4” lumber, without moving a saw. Two of these are in operation in central Alabama.

12. We recently installed a replacement cant transfer system and vertical edger infeed for I-P in Citronelle, AL.

We expect our next project will be a new Optimized dual-axis Gang Infeed with Baxley Equipment optimization, and possibly a completely new small log mill with Log handling and primary breakdown by Cone Machinery; Primary log breakdown by Tree-D Optimization; Optimized Trimmer and sorter system by Morris/Softac.

We continue to provide replacement parts for all brands of machinery, and specialize in smaller upgrade projects such as Hydraulic to electric drive conversions for VSA’s and VDA’s; AC drive and control modifications and upgrades; Universal drive conversions; and THK lineal shifting arrangements for machines and infeed systems.

Our Service Technicians provide alignment and installation supervision on weekends or whenever mills are not operating. Contact Phil Clay (extension # 105, or pclay@conemachinery.com) if you want to schedule service work.

We appreciate your support in the past, and look forward to working with you on any future projects.  Your comments and suggestions are welcome …. Feel free to let us know what we need to do to improve our service to you.

David Cone
President
Cone Machinery, Inc.