November 2005        Volume 79, Number 10

INOVEC, Taking Optimization To A New Level

By Wayne Miller

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“With over 150 systems installed, StereoScan is the best selling 3-D log scanning system in the industry,” according to Wilson. “Its laser sensors accurately measure the contours of the log’s surface.”

With the firm’s YieldMaster headrig optimizer, a mill’s sawyer now has the technology tools to complement their experience and to gain the maximum value from each log.

Shown here is INOVEC’s new production facility where each optimization system is designed, manufactured, programmed and extensively tested to ensure that installation and start-up progresses smoothly with minimal downtime.

When it comes to Hardwoods, Mark Crossler, INOVEC’s marketing specialist, said the manufacturer adopted a different approach to optimization than that of its competitors.

“Focusing on the Hardwood industry really gives us a leg up on the competition,” said Crossler. “We have optimizers that are truly Hardwood-based or can mix softwood and Hardwood optimization together.

"We went in and built Hardwood optimization products specifically for Hardwoods, while many others just adapted their softwood optimizers to Hardwoods. As a result, we truly understand the Hardwood industry’s optimization process, and that’s really fueled our success.”

As the dominant player in the Hardwood optimization industry, INOVEC has installed over 750 systems worldwide. Its optimization equipment, which can pull up to 15 percent or more lumber from each log and also improves the average grade of a mill’s production, is used by sawmills as far away as Australia, New Zealand, South America and Europe.

Along the way, Wilson said INOVEC’s team of experienced, customer-service oriented employees have played a key role in the manufacturer’s success. In looking at INOVEC’s industry experience, for example, you’ll find that 30 to 40 percent of its technical engineering staff has put in 15 or more years with INOVEC, with some in place for 20 years or more.

“Many of our staff ‘grew up’ in the sawmill business, and three out of four salespeople have experience managing grade-oriented sawmills,” Crossler said. “We have experience not only in optimization as it applies to appearance-grade products, but in mill operations as well.”

INOVEC, headquartered in Eugene, Ore., has installed over 750 optimization systems worldwide, enhancing profitability in mills from the headrig to the trimmer.

Recently, INOVEC stepped up its business development efforts in both Hardwood and Eastern Canadian white pine applications, by hiring a Montreal-based employee who is fluent in both English and French, and who works closely with customers based north of the border. Wilson said the efforts are beginning to payoff: the company has installed nearly 20 systems in Canada.

“These mills are seeing our technology in use, and calling on us,” said Wilson. “We understand it’s all about improving the mill’s grade, yield and profits. We believe the Hardwood industry has very good growth potential now and well into the future.”

As a result, Wilson sees more research and development money going toward producing even more solutions to mill owners' problems.

“We’re heavily focused on ongoing product development, and looking to expand the capabilities of our 3-D scanning applications,” Wilson, who sees other such capability expansions – such as grade-based technologies – in INOVEC’s future, said. “These are key development efforts, and the primary direction of our company going forward.”

(c) Copyright 2005, Miller Publishing Corporation, reproduced here by permission. No part may be reproduced without special permission from Miller Publishing Corporation 1235 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, TN 38134 Phone: 800-844-1280 or FAX 901-373-6180.