Russ Vaagen, CEO and founder of cross-laminated timber and glulam producer Vaagen Timbers in Colville, Wash., reports on his podcast Forest to Frame that he and the minority shareholders have entered into an agreement to sell Vaagen Timbers to Vaagen Brothers Lumber of Colville.

Vaagen Brothers Lumber is the longtime Vaagen family sawmill operation, for which Russ Vaagen served as vice president until forming Vaagen Timbers seven years ago.

“The market for mass timber and construction in general has been very poor and I think all of us in the construction space are struggling,” Vaagen comments. “Our mass timber orders were down significantly and we were focused more on making glulam work but even that market was down.”

Referring to the sale, Vaagen says the glulam business aligns very well with the dimension lumber business. It’s Vaagen’s understanding that Vaagen Brothers Lumber will manage the business and continue to support the mass timber projects Vaagen Timber has under contract and will take a closer look at mass timber in general.

“I think there’s some opportunity in single family mass timber where a plant like the one we have here in Colville can compete,” Vaagen says. “We delivered some incredible buildings, and some incredible products, and we feel like we were producing as good or better product than anybody in the industry. So Vaagen Timbers will still have that know-how and bring that to the market.”

Vaagen adds, however, that it’s going to take the construction market to turn around, with interest rates coming down down to incentivize projects to go forward both in construction as a whole and with mass timber.

“Once we have a strong market we’re going to see more and more mass timber and we know this because there continues to be the pace of design of projects,” Vaagen says.

“I’m grateful that Vaagen Brothers is able to step in and I think having the integrated approach is going to make them successful in particular in glulam and potentially in mass timber.”

Vaagen says he won’t be staying on with the realigned Vaagen Timbers, but anticipates his team will stay in place, with some possible restructuring, to make the business financially viable.

Meanwhile Vaagen says he will be providing some exciting news soon as to his work moving forward, dealing with forest restoration and building significantly more infrastructure near federal forests.

The 2025 International Conference on Wood Adhesives (ICWA), produced by the Forest Products Society (FPS) was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, bringing together researchers, manufacturers, and industry professionals from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in wood bonding technology.

Hosted at the University of British Columbia, the three-day event featured more than 50 technical presentations, a poster session, and two panel discussions featuring both academic research and industry applications covering a range of topics such as bio-based adhesives, durability testing, sustainable resin systems, and innovative applications of engineered wood manufacturing.

“The technical level of the presentations remains unmatched, showcasing all major innovations. It is where the minds that shaped our science—and those shaping its future—converge. ICWA offers a rare chance to exchange ideas with both pioneers and rising stars. All major global industry players were there, ready to discuss applications and collaborations. For me, ICWA 2025 is where science, vision, and business opportunities meet.,” says Charles Markessini, Vice President of Research & Development, Chimar, and member of the International Conference on Wood Adhesives Organizing Committee. 

The Conference sponsors included gold sponsors Arclin, Hexion, Willamette Valley Co. Silver level sponsors included Chimar, Henkel, Silvteam, and Vinivil; with Borregaard at the bronze level. EcoSynthenix and Polymer Synergies served as the Conference’s student scholarship benefactors. 

The International Conference on Wood Adhesives has been recognized for more than three decades as the premier global event dedicated to adhesive technology in the wood industry. This year’s program drew over 200 attendees from over 101 organizations, representing academia, government, and private industry. Wood products production companies Arauco, Boise Cascade, Georgia-Pacific, IKEA, LP Building Solutions, Plummer Forest Products, Roseburg, Weaver Brothers Pallets, and West Fraser all sent representative to the event. 

The next International Conference on Wood Adhesives is scheduled for 2028 and information will be released on woodadhesives.org in the coming months.

Westmill has named Karl Kenny as Vice President. With more than 30 years of international leadership and engineering management, Kenny has successfully guided teams across diverse industries, spearheading projects that drive efficiency, innovation, and long-term sustainability. 

In his new role, Kenny will play a key part in shaping Westmill’s strategic direction, strengthening customer partnerships, and advancing the company’s focus on delivering industry-leading innovations. His proven track record of fostering innovation and operational excellence reinforces Westmill’s commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable growth.

League of Oregon Cities’ (LOC) prestigious Mark O. Hatfield Statesmanship Award was presented to Sherwood City Councilor Keith Mays at the LOC’s 100th Annual Conference in Portland. The award is presented to a deserving statesman who has provided lasting benefits to the quality of life for Oregon citizens.

Mays is the president and owner of Electronic Wood Systems (EWS) North America.

Over his 28 years in public service, Mays has demonstrated the highest standards of ethical leadership, unwavering commitment to community, and a deep compassion for human needs. His legacy in Sherwood features countless impactful projects, including a new city center, clean water infrastructure, and funding for major transportation projects.

Mays served as mayor Sherwood, Ore. for 13 years, as council president for five years and as councilor for three years.

He has also served as president of the Oregon Mayors Assn., LOC, and Sherwood Chamber of Commerce.

Serving as LOC President during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mays was a tireless advocate for cities across the state. He worked closely with the Governor’s office, ensuring that local leaders had the resources and guidance they needed to navigate the crisis effectively.

Hatfield began his political career in 1950 as a member of the Oregon Legislature, and in 1956 became the state’s youngest Secretary of State at age 34. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1966 and became the longest-serving Senator from Oregon in 1993.

Previous Hatfield Award winners include: former Independence Mayor John McArdle (2024); Redmond Mayor George Endicott (2022); former Pendleton Mayor Philip Houk (2017); former Nehalem Mayor Shirley Kalkhoven (2015); former Oregon Senator Betsy Johnson (2013); former U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (2011); former Oregon Senator Brady Adams (2007); former Oregon Senator Cliff Trow (2001), former Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt (1997); and former Oregon and U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield (1996).

Founded in 1925, the LOC is a voluntary association representing all 241 of Oregon’s incorporated cities. The League helps city governments serve their citizens by providing legislative services, policy setting, intergovernmental relations, conferences and training, technical assistance, and publications.