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Logging expo connects industry pros

By R. R. Branstrom 4 min read

GREEN BAY -- The 80th annual September exposition for the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) took place at the Resch Complex on Thursday and Friday, bringing members from logging-related industries and interested attendees to the 125,000-square-foot exhibition space that stands immediately adjacent to Lambeau Field.

Formerly the Timber Producers Association of Michigan and Wisconsin, the GLTPA exists to represent the interests of timber professionals in the region, including by lobbying at the national level. First formed in 1945, the organization holds a show each year to promote and introduce heavy machinery alongside competitions and vendors. The GLTPA Loggin and Heavy Equipment Expo, previously known as the Logging Congress, is held in Escanaba and Green Bay in alternating years.

The event largely serves as a way for equipment manufacturers to get their newest models in front of the loggers who use them. To add some excitement, activities also feature during the GLTPA expo. The event in Green Bay last week invited people to participate in a loader skills contest conducted by BARKO, a forwarder operator challenge overseen by Komatsu and Roland, a bowling pin toss, and a tug-of-war between Michigan and Wisconsin.

Though the expo is somewhat of a celebration and attendees often have a good time, the reason for the GLTPA’s formation in the first place and continued gathering is to bring attention to difficulties the industry faces.

"Nearly every large consuming mill in Michigan said they are concerned about a shortage of loggers and that more capacity is needed," wrote GLTPA President Mike Elenz last month, citing a recent meeting with the Department of Natural Resources. However, there's a disconnect: "Small and large (logging) operations alike say they can produce more wood. The real question is why they would," Elenz mused. "Mill prices have not kept pace with rising costs for parts and equipment, and fuel price increases since spring have only compounded the problem. Many mills say they raised delivery prices, but those increases do not cover the costs loggers face in the woods."

However, it is a generally accepted position that the may, in the future, become a greater shortage of loggers if the barriers to entry and downfalls of the profession remain. Fortunately, organizations and brands and educational institutions in the Great Lakes region are working together to bridge the gap between different players in the industry and encourage young people to start considering careers in forestry.

"The public does not distinguish between loggers, foresters, truckers, landowners, and mill owners. To most people, we are simply the forest industry," Elenz wrote. "For our region to compete globally and to keep our forests healthy, every part of the industry must be strong. The smoke we have all been dealing with across the lake states is a powerful reminder that forest health affects every one of us, and that the work loggers do each day plays a direct role in protecting our communities."

Though the GLTPA and its annual expo began as a means for Michigan and Wisconsin timber producers to get on the same page, its reach has grown. Now, exhibitors from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Ontario regularly participate. Loggers from Maine have traveled to participate in the forwarder operator challenge.

Major sponsors of 80th GLTPA Expo were Fabick Cat, Ponsse, Roland Machinery Co., CrossTrac Equipment, McCoy Construction and Forestry, Forest Industry Safety & Training Alliance, Forest Insurance Center / Loggers Insurance Agency / Mauck Insurance Agency, Scandinavian Forestry Equipment, Komatsu, Timber Producers Service Bureau, Mid-States Equipment, Compeer Financial and TimberPro.

In total, there were 126 different companies represented with over 860 exhibitors manning the booths, said Event Coordinator Laurie Schienebeck.

Attendance on Thursday and Friday were about on par with previous years in Green Bay, she reported.

“The weather was beautiful, and the kickoff party at Stadium View Event Center was well attended, where a delicious meal was served of broasted chicken and beef tender tips. It was a wonderful event celebrating the 80th anniversary of the annual Logging and Heavy Equipment Expo,” Schienebeck wrote in an email.

Exhibitors from the U.P. included Applied Industrial Technologies of Kingsford, Bark River Machine of Bark River, Bekkala's Diesel Repair of Calumet, CJ Graphics of Kingsford, Farm Bureau Insurance's Veeser/Wery Agency of Escanaba, Michigan Association of Timbermen Self-insurers’ Fund (MATSIF) of Newberry, Medart Engine of Menominee, Nelson Paint Company of Kingsford, Roland Machinery from Escanaba, U.P. Truck Center of Quinnesec and Waldo of Chassell.

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