International Forest Industries

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, NOVEMBER 1, 2024 — After more than 10 years of transformational leadership and as part of a planned succession strategy, Comact President & CEO Alistair Cook announced he will take on a new role to help prepare the next generation of Comact leadership and usher in a new era of growth for the company.

On November 1, 2024, Cook will become Executive Chairman of Comact and Simon Potvin, currently President of the company’s Wood Processing unit, will become President & CEO of Comact.

Throughout his tenure, Cook has been instrumental in driving growth and fostering a culture of innovation in pursuit of increasing aftermarket products and services to support Comact’s valued customer base for the long term. His commitment to people and his ability to inspire and develop talent within the organization has been key to Comact’s sustained success and resilience in a competitive landscape.

“It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to lead Comact through a period of remarkable growth and innovation,” said Cook. “I am immensely proud of what our team has accomplished, and I have complete confidence that Simon is the right leader to guide Comact forward. With his deep expertise and commitment to our customers, I know he will build on our legacy and drive the next chapter of success for the company.”

Potvin joined Comact in 1990 as an aspiring mechanical engineer and held various roles of increasing responsibility throughout his esteemed career, most recently with his appointment as President of the Wood Processing unit in 2021. Simon and his talented team are responsible for developing industry changing technologies, value engineered solutions and differentiated aftermarket services for the Wood Processing industry.

“I am very proud to become the new President & CEO of Comact and honoured by this appointment,” said Potvin. “We recently commemorated our 100th anniversary as a company where we celebrated our history of customer commitment and innovation. With this new role, I am excited to pursue our mission and help drive our company forward into its next 100 years. Together with our dedicated team, we will help our customers achieve unprecedented efficiency and keep their businesses thriving.”

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USNR’s Catech-brand edgers are known for their high speed and accurate volume recovery. Now, with the addition of full-color vision, they will also be offered with value optimization. Several systems have found their way to the market and Millwide Insider has visited one of them, at Moelven Mjøsbruket in Norway.

The Swedish range of Catech edgers originates from the mid-seventies, when the first computerized edger optimizers were designed. Since then, Catech has been the leading brand in high-speed edging and more than 600 systems have been installed. Catech also pioneered the technology for unmanned operation, and even today most competitors need a dedicated edger operator to run the systems.

Today’s edger optimizers are highly developed precision machines. The geometric scanning and optimization match the speed and accuracy of the mechanical entities, such as the infeed table and edger saw box. In other words, the speed and volume recovery are at the very limit of what is possible for today’s technology.

While European-style edgers traditionally have relied on geometric scanning and optimization for maximum volume, USNR’s North American operations have utilized vision scanning and value optimization since 2009, when the first system was installed in the US.

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Indexator – In today’s globalized economy, manufacturers face a wide range of choices when it comes to sourcing components and products. While cost-efficiency often drives decisions, the importance of quality, reliability, and local production cannot be overstated, especially in industries like forestry, recycling, and transport, where equipment performance and longevity are critical. This is where the rotator manufacturer Indexator stands apart.

“- At Indexator, we take pride in the fact that all our rotators and key components are manufactured in Sweden. Our commitment to local production allows us to maintain stringent control over every step of the manufacturing process. From design to assembly, each part is crafted with precision and care, ensuring that our products not only meet but exceed the demanding standards of the industries we serve.” Mattias Edin, Production Manager at Indexator.

In contrast, many competitors have opted to source components or even entire products from low-cost countries in Asia. While these imports may come with a lower price tag, they often lack the same level of durability and performance. This is particularly concerning when it comes to equipment that must withstand the harsh conditions and heavy loads typical in forestry and recycling operations.

Furthermore, some manufacturers in the region are branding imported rotators as their own, which can lead to misconceptions about product origin and quality. Customers may assume they are buying locally-made, high-quality products, when in reality, they are purchasing imported goods that may not adhere to the same rigorous standards.

“- At Indexator, we believe that true quality cannot be compromised. By keeping our manufacturing local, we support not only the Swedish economy and workforce but also the environment, through reduced transport emissions and a more sustainable production process. More importantly, it enables us to ensure that every rotator leaving our factory is built to last, offering superior performance and reliability to our customers.” Mattias Edin, Production Manager at Indexator.

In the end, quality speaks for itself. Companies that invest in high-quality components experience fewer breakdowns, longer service life, and ultimately, better value over time. As the industry continues to evolve, Indexator remains committed to upholding the principles of quality, innovation, and local manufacturing that have made them a trusted name in forestry, recycling, and transport technology.

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Opticom Tech proudly announces the 20th anniversary of Heidi Schmidt, a seasoned leader in the video technology industry. With two decades of expertise, Heidi has made significant contributions to the fields of CCTV, industrial video applications, product development, and video network solutions. As a sales leader at Opticom Tech, she has been instrumental in helping customers implement solution-driven video monitoring in some of the most unique and harsh industrial environments.

Since joining the industry, Heidi has continuously pushed the boundaries regarding the different uses of video technology, staying ahead of trends and driving innovation in industrial monitoring. Her dedication to providing reliable, robust solutions has earned her the trust of clients and colleagues alike. From designing custom systems to managing complex integration into existing systems, Heidi has a deep understanding of the technical challenges and solutions that the industrial sector demands.

“Reaching 20 years in a tech-related field is an exciting milestone,” says Schmidt. “The technology has changed dramatically, but the core objective remains the same—ensuring that businesses have the most reliable, secure, and effective video monitoring systems to protect their operations and improve efficiency.”

At Opticom Tech, Heidi’s leadership continues to make a lasting impact as she works closely with clients to solve the unique challenges posed by harsh and hazardous environments. Her passion for innovation and excellence in service has made her a key figure in the industry, and her contributions are expected to shape the future of industrial video technology for years to come.

Click here for more information about Heidi Schmidt’s work and Opticom Tech’s video monitoring solutions.

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USNR’s new Compact Shape Saw (CSS) system is comprised of multiple modules that work to provide unprecedented performance. This includes the CSS Canter, feed modules, and the CSS Gang.

The centering infeed system has a short lineal footprint that accommodates up to three scan zones and can be fed from either the left, right, or both sides. It operates at speeds up to 650 feet per minute (200 mpm) which is faster than the gang itself, ensuring the infeed will not be a choke point in production.

It centers a cant to the line and then secures it against the sharp-top chain using overhead press rolls. Cants then travel through the scan zones and the optimal solution is determined while the cant travels down the Quickscan Bridge. This bridge can vary in length to fit an existing mill. An overhead anti-roll shoe prevents cants from rolling when entering the Quickscan table.

The press rolls are all hydraulic and feature position and force control which improves overall contact with the piece. This ensures that cants are secured against the bed rolls with a consistent pressure, improving lumber quality.

USNR engineers worked with service experts extensively to ensure the CSS would be built with maintenance in mind. Quick-change press roll and bed roll assemblies allow for spare assemblies to be inserted while the damaged or worn assemblies are removed for maintenance offline, decreasing downtime and increasing the overall reliability of the system. The intermediate and infeed modules can also slide out for easy and safe saw change and maintenance. All cutting tools are easily accessible from either side of the line in the same open area in the center of the line.

To learn more about the feed modules and the entire CSS system, contact your USNR representative.

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