A review of the technical interventions and research work carried out over the past ten years by Forintek’s Lumber Manufacturing Technology Department was undertaken to determine the level of performance of the various technologies and processes used in eastern Canadian softwood lumber mills. The goal was to prioritize the improvement of activities that offer an attractive monetary return and to more accurately focus the efforts of process engineers who are responsible for continuous improvement.
The level of performance of the various technologies and manufacturing processes varies greatly. Losses or gains associated with their use can be significant. This is why it is critical to focus on interventions that generate benefits quickly and at lower cost.