The Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) has unveiled its roster of speakers and conference agenda for the upcoming 2024 cross-laminated timber (CLT) conference to be held this October in Auburn, Ala.

Known in the southeast as the premier mass timber conference, “The Sustainable Future of CLT in the South: Grow. Design. Build.” will be held at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center, October 7-9. The three-day event will feature renowned experts in forestry, building science, engineering and architecture and design from across the U.S. who will share the latest research, trends and developments impacting sustainable mass timber construction.

Experts from Jamestown, L.P., AXA XL, Auburn University, ResourceWise, KPFF and the TallWood Design Institute are leading plenary and concurrent sessions focusing on wood quality, wood products and silviculture and risk management and insurability of mass timber projects.

Janaki Alavalapati, the Emmett F. Thompson Dean of Auburn’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, will welcome attendees before introducing Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts and former U.S. Attorney General and Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, who will provide opening remarks that will explore the role of the university to advance mass timber as a new market for the region’s diverse industry stakeholders.

Following their welcome, the conference’s first keynote address will take attendees step-by-step through Auburn’s latest mass timber project in the presentation titled “From Design to Build: The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center’s CLT Project Unveiled.”

The keynote speakers include:

• Janaki Alavalapati, Auburn’s Emmett F. Thompson Dean of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment
• Tom Chung, FAIA LEED AP BD+C, principal at Leers Weinzapfel Associate and professor of practice in Auburn’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC)
• Derek Ratchford, CEO of SmartLam North America

The second keynote address will be given by Judith Sheine, DPACSA, who is a professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Oregon and is an Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture Distinguished Professor. Sheine is the director of Oregon’s TallWood Design Institute, a collaboration between the University of Oregon’s College of Design and Oregon State University’s Colleges of Forestry and Engineering, which focuses on advancing timber manufacturing and design. She will share how the TallWood Design Institute came into being, the partnerships that support it, and the role that TallWood Design Institute has within the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition.

Expanding on the role of academia to lead innovation in mass timber production, design, engineering and construction, expert panelists will highlight research advancements led by the Carnegie-rated R1 institutions: Auburn University, Clemson University, the University of Arkansas and the University of Oregon. Richard Vlosky, director of the Louisiana Forest Products Development Center at Louisiana State University, will be the moderator. Faculty experts participating in the panel discussion include: David Hinson, FAIA, associate dean of the College of Architecture, Design & Construction at Auburn University; Pat Layton, director of the Wood Utilization + Design Institute at Clemson University; Peter MacKeith, dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture at University of Arkansas; and Judith Sheine, DPACSA, professor in the School of Architecture and Environment in the College of Design at University of Oregon and the director of design at the TallWood Design Institute.

Additionally, a panel discussion featuring representatives of SmartLam North America, Alabama Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) and local economic development agencies from Auburn, Dothan and Montgomery, Alabama, will provide insights about the economic development initiatives undertaken to encourage the use of mass timber, building parameter needs, potential building applications for mass timber projects, impact of mass timber projects on economic development and more.

Closing remarks will be provided by Brian Luoma, newly retired president and CEO of The Westervelt Co. and Softwood Lumber Board, and Steve Taylor, senior vice president for research and economic development at Auburn University.

At the close of the meeting, attendees will tour the Auburn Kreher Preserve Nature Center’s CLT project, anticipated to be completed this fall, and will visit Auburn’s Advanced Structural Engineering Lab, the Forest Products Development Center and CADC’s Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab.

Early bird conference registration is currently open until Aug. 31, and attendees can choose packages to include full attendance or partial dates. Discounted accommodations will also be available at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center through Aug. 31.

For more information about registration, sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, visit cfwe.auburn.edu.

West Salem Machinery (WSM) has announced the launch of its newly redesigned website, www.westsalem.com, aimed at modernizing the user interface and making valuable information more intuitive and accessible. The updated website reflects WSM’s commitment to providing customers with streamlined access to product details, timber industry insights, and expert knowledge.

 The new website features a modern design that improves navigation, allowing users to quickly find the information they need. Whether searching for equipment specifications, service options, or industry solutions, visitors will experience a more intuitive journey through the site. This redesign aligns with WSM’s dedication to enhancing the customer experience by making it easier to discover and leverage WSM’s extensive process knowledge.

 “Our goal with the new website is to provide a resource that not only showcases our innovative equipment but also serves as a comprehensive hub of information for our customers,” says Matson Hardie of West Salem Machinery. “We’ve focused on creating a user-friendly interface that makes it simple for visitors to find the precise information they need, whether it’s detailed equipment specs or insights from our decades of industry expertise.”

 Key features of the new website include:

• Enhanced Navigation: Simplified menus and clear categories help users find information quickly.
• Modern Design: A fresh, clean design that reflects WSM’s commitment to innovation and quality.
• Comprehensive Product Information: Detailed pages for each product, complete with specifications and application insights.
• Resource Hub: Easy access to white papers, case studies, and articles that share WSM’s industry knowledge.
• Responsive Design: Optimized for all devices, ensuring a seamless experience whether on a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone.

The launch of this website marks a significant step forward in WSM’s mission to make industry-leading equipment and expertise accessible to all its customers.

Con-Vey, a leader in industrial automation and manufacturing solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new brand and website. This exciting transformation reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and its focus on bringing its clients, team, and community into a future full of possibilities. Con-Vey’s evolved brand is centered around the company’s mission of “velocity,” which is prominently represented in the website’s engaging content and visuals. Their core values—Own It, Stay Curious, and Build Connection—guide every aspect of the business, from cutting-edge solutions to unique project approaches and lasting relationships. The new visual identity and company voice emphasizes a swift and thoughtful approach to client collaborations and market leadership, highlighting the durable partnerships built with clients over the years. It also demonstrates the latest advancements and technologies in Con-Vey’s offerings, and showcases a unique way of guiding projects that prioritizes client goals and successful outcomes.

“Since our inception in 1946, Con-Vey has continually evolved to better serve our clients and drive innovation in the industry. While our brand is new, our commitment to building lasting solutions with our clients remains unchanged,” says Dave Larecy, President & CEO, Con-Vey.

The new website offers a comprehensive look at who Con-Vey is, what the team values, and the solutions that make them a trusted partner in the manufacturing industry. Visitors can explore detailed information on Con-Vey’s services, projects, and the company’s approach to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Pinomatic is delivering a glulam line and sorting line infeed to the Element5 mass timber facility in St. Thomas, Ontario. The project delivery in North American market represents yet another big step for Pinomatic, which has customers in 21 countries.

Pinomatic Oy manufactures turnkey production lines and equipment with over 35 years of experience. Customers are sawn timber processors such as glulam, CLT, LVL and plywood mills, as well as door, window, panel and molding factories. The family business employs 53.

Austria-based Hasslacher Group recently acquired a stake in Element5. Expansion at the facility will result in more than 350,000 sq. ft. of floor space. The new glulam line is scheduled to go into full operation in the first half of 2025. Once completed, the facility will have a mass timber production capacity of 100,000 m3 annually.

Founded in 2015, Element5 is a mass timber producer specialized in the design, fabrication and assembly of contemporary timber structures. The new factory began producing CLT in 2020.