A Peek into the Past!

The first Jackson Lumber Harvester sawing at the Frank  Kothbauer farm near Mondovi, WI.  (May 1935)

As we think of Thanksgiving coming up, we are reminded of the heritage we have right in this Company, and of how God has blessed us through the years.

Many of you know that Jackson Lumber Harvester Company was started by Clint Jackson, back in the 1930's, with his idea of the portable sawmill, which was patented, and trademarked as the "Lumber Harvester."

The second individual to become President of the Company was Howard Fimreite, husband of Clint's daughter, Rosalie.  Howard was a Mondovi boy, who joined the U.S. Marines Corp. as a young man.

After enlisting in the Marines in 1943, he finished Avation School at Navy Pier in Chicago and attended the Navy's Advance Hydraulic Training School there.  Then he was assigned to the VMB-612 Rocket Squadron in the South Pacific.

He saw action in such places as Okinawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and the Philippines, receiving seven battle stars for service in World War II.  When the war was over, he returned and headed up Jackson Lumber Harvester Company.  About this time, the Company's manufacturing facilities, which had been in Wisconsin, were moved to Brewton, Alabama.

As a direct result of Howard Fimreite's hydraulic schooling and experience with Marine VMB-612, he had the training necessary to design and build the first hydraulic feed portable "Lumber Harvester."

September Machinery Shows

The summer is winding down and several machinery shows are gearing up.

63rd Annual Lake States Logging Congress will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Thursday - Saturday, September 4-6, 2008.  

The Logging Congress highlights the forest industry of Wisconsin and Michigan and is the Midwest's largest trade show.  The activities start at 12:00 noon on Thursday and wrap up at 1:00 PM on Saturday.  Jackson's has attended the Logging Congress since the mid 1960's. 

Our booth for this year is #46 inside the Shopko Hall, there also are outdoor exhibits in the Lambeau Field parking lot.  Admission to the show is $10.00.

For more information, here is the link to Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association  who hosts the show.

The North Star Expo in Bemidji, MN is coming up on Friday & Saturday, September 12 & 13, 2008 at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds in Bemidji.  

The show is sponsored by the Minnesota Timber Producers Association.  

Parking is $3.00.  Admission is Free.  Visit Jackson's at booth # 43 inside.  

For more information about the show call 218-722-5013 or for additional information about the area, here is a link to Bemidji, MN.

Shavings used for bedding severely injured horse

Due to the graphic nature of the pictures and also to devote more room to Lady's story, Naomi has provided a link to her blog about Lady horse.

Updates on Lady

On May 27, Jackson employee, Naomi Jensen, heard her daughter, Mandy scream for help. Lady, Mandy's 20-year old-Arabian mare, had run into a steel fence post and severely cut her left front leg.  A quick call soon brought the veterinarian, Beth Smith, who sutured the cut. Lady had to be confined to a small corral to keep her as stationary as possible so the stitches would not tear out.

It was natural for Jensen to think of wood shavings as the ideal bedding. Veterinarian Smith also recommended wood shavings as the best choice. Jensen explained, "I have been able to haul bales of shavings in the trunk or back seat of the car without making a mess.  They are dry, sanitary and very absorbent.  They also help keep the flies and gnats away.  We have been sleeping close to Lady and bales of shavings even make a nice bed."

In the month or so that has passed, Naomi Jensen and daughter Mandy have gone through countless bags of shavings.  Every day or so, after dressing the wound, all the bedding has to be replaced.  In between times, shavings are added as needed.

Naomi said, "Lady has healed to the point that now she needs to move around to exercise her leg.  The shavings are better than straw because they don't wind up around her hoof as she tries to move.  She cannot lift her leg very well yet."

"I have grown up using shavings for various animal projects.  I even sold shavings when working at a pet supply store while going to college, but I never fully understood all the benefits of shavings until now."

Usually working behind the scenes, taking care of maintenance and safety at Jackson, Naomi Jensen has always had an appreciation for the timber industry.  Her grandfather, Clint Jackson, founded Jackson Lumber Harvester Company, Inc., and her father, Tom Meis, invented the Jackson Wood Shaving Mill.  

Jensen explained, "I was taught that trees are a renewable resource.  In this day and age where depleting natural resources are a concern, the fact that trees can be harvested and reforested becomes of utmost importance.  Future generations can reap the benefits of the wise stewardship of our timber today."   

Bill Becker honored for 30 years with Jackson

William C. "Bill" Becker, Executive Vice President of Jackson Lumber Harvester Company Inc., of Mondovi, WI, has been with the corporation for 30 years.

Employees honored Becker on Thursday, June 19, with a noon pizza party and program. Retired Jackson employees, George Moats and Howard Peterson, were also on hand for the celebration. Another retired employee, Vern Snider, dropped by later in the day to congratulate Bill.

Becker became actively involved in sales during the 1980's, and has been the top salesman in the company for many years. He came to Jackson from Presto Industries, and started as a Purchasing Agent. He was promoted to Assistant Manager in 1986, elected Vice President in 1990, and Executive Vice President in 1991, a post he currently holds.

Tom Meis, Chairman of the Board, presented Becker with a plaque commemorating 30 years with Jackson. As a part of the program, remimiscences were shared by current and retired employees, and Bill shared highlights of the 1978-2008 period.

Becker continues to be heavily involved in the sales negotiations end of the business at the present time. He has traveled on behalf of Jackson throughout the United States and in numerous countries around the world.

Veronica's 20th Anniversary

Veronica Wick, Administrative Assistant at Jackson, has been with the company 20 years. Employees joined in helping her celebrate with a pizza party in her honor.

Veronica started with the company in 1988 after graduating from Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, WI. She is from the Mondovi area and has a farming background. Corporate Secretary, Margi Meis said, "She came with the highest of recommendations from the Tech. It helped to be a 'farm girl' too, because she understood nuts and bolts. Veronica does an all-around great job. Her experience gained over the years in handling the various aspects of foreign business transactions alone, has made her invaluable." Tom Meis praised her secretarial abilities. Veronica was presented with a plaque commemorating her 20 years with Jackson Lumber Harvester by Dan Meis.

Former employee passes away

Muriel A. Smith, 91 of Wausau, WI and formerly of Mondovi, WI, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2008.  Muriel was the secretary at Jackson's in 1970 and 1971.  Her husband, the late Ralph W. Smith, was a Jackson Lumber Harvester Co. stockholder on the Board of Directors, and served as Vice President of the corporation from February 19, 1963 until February 21, 1989, when he retired.  At which time, Bill Becker was elected Vice President. 

During her career, Muriel worked as a teacher, band and chorus director at the Gilmanton High School and also directed choir groups at the Evangelical United Brethren Church and Central Lutheran Church.  

She had worked as the secretary to the president of Dolly Madison Dairies in Eau Claire, WI.  Because of her talented and vivacious personality, she did the Dolly Madison ice cream commercials for TV.  Back then, in the 1950's, commercials were done "live", so it was crucial that the ice cream was the right consistency for easy scooping when the cameras were rolling.  There were no "retakes" in those days! 

When Muriel and her family lived in Kansas City, she worked as a secretary to the president of Stinson-Mag Law Firm.  One of their clients was Bess Truman, an elderly lady at the time and widow of President Harry Truman.  Mrs. Truman was so impressed with Muriel's charming personality that she called the law firm and requested Muriel to come and have tea with her on a regular basis.

In later years, she had a desire to learn to fly, so took flying lessons and received her solo certificate.  She lived a full life and will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who knew her.

     

Expo Richmond 2008 ~ coming soon ~ May 16 & 17

We are looking forward to seeing all of you who will be able to come to the 'Richmond Show'. Our booth is #12 inside the Commonwealth Building. The Expo Richmond 2008 will be held Friday and Saturday, May 16 & 17 in Richmond, VA at the Richmond Raceway Complex.

For more information on the show, here is a link to the Expo Richmond 2008 Show web site.

Looks like Christmas in Wisconsin....again!

We received 6 inches of wet, heavy snow near Jackson's factory on Sunday night, April 27 and thought we would share some Wisconsin winter pictures.

Even though it usually doesn't snow this late in the spring here, the snow was beautiful and made every branch and twig stand out. We have had an unusually long and cold winter. Thankfully, the snow melted the next day and now everything is greening up and beginning to look more like spring.

Celebrating an Anniversary!

Employee Anniversary

Andrew Meier has been with Jackson's for over five years. He works as a welder and also paints equipment. Employees joined in helping him celebrate with cake and ice cream. Andrew is a faithful and dedicated employee and we are happy that he is a part of the "Jackson" team.

Expo Richmond - May 16-17, 2008

Come and see us at the Expo Richmond 2008 machinery show. The show is scheduled for May 16 & 17, 2008. It will be held at the Richmond Raceway Complex in Richmond, VA. This is the 31st Annual East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Exposition and is the largest show in the Eastern United States. They have both indoor and outdoor areas for companies to display sawmill, logging, pallet and related equipment.

Poultry Show

The Midwest Poultry Federation Convention was held in St Paul, MN at the River Centre on March 18 - 20, 2008. Tom Meis and Dick McGee manned our display booth there. This is the second largest poultry show in the U.S., and growing. This year the show was bigger and better than the last. It is always a pleasure to see our customers.

Panel World Magazine

The March 2008 issue of Panel World Magazine had a nice three-page article on Ken Eldredge and Corinth Wood Pellet Company.  Ken's pellet operation in Corinth, Maine uses a 20mm BTU/hr. Webb Burner as a source of heat in the manufacturing of wood pellets.  

SOUTHERN LUMBERMAN MAGAZINE

The front cover of the March 2008, Southern Lumberman magazine had a picture of a Jackson Lumber Harvester sawmill in a snowstorm -- you could see the snow coming down -- and the logs on the deck were covered with snow.  The photo was taken at Dunn's Sawmill & Logging in Honesdale, PA.  Apparently the snowy picture was to capture the attention of the subscribers to Southern Lumberman magazine, which usually features operations in Alabama, Florida, or Georiga.

There was a nice three-page article in the magazine, showing John Dunn operating his Jackson Lumber Harvester portable sawmill.  Currently, John has his portable mill set up as a stationary mill.  John and his brother, Bill, come from a family of logging and lumber sawing.

Installations abound.

We are doing many installations for people!
Jackson technicians have been working on:

• Webb Biomass Burners.
• Entire Wood Shaving Plants ---Including dryers, log decks, & conveyors for the whole operation.
• Heating systems for pellet manufacturers.
• Sawmills & related equipment.

Jim McGee Celebrates 20 years!

Production supervisor Jim McGee has been with Jackson for over 20 years. A pizza party was held in his honor with employees joining in to help him celebrate this momentous occasion.



McGee started working for the company in 1988 as a welder. He became production supervisor in 1996, upon the retirement of Howard Peterson who had been with the company since 1959. McGee worked on, and has been in charge of, the metal fabrication of Jackson-brand sawmills, wood shaving mills, and related forestry equipment. He has been instrumental in the production of machinery shipped to destinations throughout the United States and foreign countries; such as Canada, Korea, Bahamas, Colombia, Russia, Puerto Rico, England, Portugal, South Africa, Thailand, Iceland, Chile, Lithuania, Brunei, and Trinidad in the West Indies."

Jackson Lumber Harvester on YouTube

About four months ago we started posting videos of our machines online via YouTube. The response has been pleasantly surprising and a boost to inquiries. Here is our most popular video to date. Enjoy.



Check out all our videos at: www.youtube.com\JacksonLumber

Enter New Territory

We at Jackson Lumber Harvester have decided to reformat a newsletter that we once did called the "Jackson Journal". This publication was informative to past and current customers as well as employees concerning many things taking place at Jackson. The newsletter included new business, upcoming trade shows, history, "spotlight" on employees, sales, and other interesting happenings at Jackson. This blog is an attempt to provide similar information in a easy to access medium. Enjoy.