Dick McGee celebrates 20 years

Dick McGee celebrated 20 years at Jackson Lumber Harvester Company, Inc., on Monday, January 26.  He has been a sales consultant for us since he was hired in 1989.

Dick has been responsible mainly for sales in the U.S., with a concentration on the north-central states.  Upon occasion, he has gotten involved in foreign business as well.

We had a pizza party for all employees, who helped Dick celebrate.  Retired employees were also invited as special guests and Vern Snider was in attendance.  Dan Meis, president of the corporation, presented Dick with a plaque commemorating his 20 years with the company.

Tom Meis & Dick McGee reminisced at the employee party about specific jobs back when Dick started.  Commenting on Dick's achievements over the years, Margi Meis said, "Dick has natural God-given talents in the area of salesmanship.  These gifts he has successfully put to use here at Jackson, which has benefited all of us."

Dick considers Mondovi his "home town," having been reared in this area.  He & his wife, Gail, also raised in Mondovi, currently reside in Eau Claire.  They are the parents of two grown daughters.

Looking Forward....

The holidays are over and we are in "the depths of winter" here in Wisconsin.  The temperature at the time of this writing is -18F to -20F.  In spite of the cold & snow, we are preparing for several up-coming shows.  

International Poultry Expo - Atlanta, GA

Wed. - Fri., January 28, 29 & 30, 2009

Considered to be the largest poultry & egg industry show, it is to be held at the Georgia World Congress Center.  We have been exhibitors at this show for a number of years.  It is always a pleasure to see each of you who stop by our booth. We are located at Booth 3472 in Exhibit Hall B between Entrances B4/B5 and B3/B4 on the Eleventh Ave. side.  For more information about the show, chick HERE.

Midwest Poultry Federation Convention - Saint Paul, MN

Wed. & Thurs., March 18 & 19, 2009

The convention will be at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.  Last year's show was said to be the largest regional poultry show in the U.S., drawing participants from 29 states and 6 Canadian provinces.  We are in the same location as last year, Booth 506.  For registration info, click HERE.  For more information about the Midwest Poultry Show, click HERE to visit their website.  

Forest Products Machinery Equipment Expo - New Orleans, LA

Thursday - Saturday, June 11, 12 & 13, 2009

The 30th Biennial Exposition will be hosted by the Southern Forest Products Association at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans this year.  The show boasts such forest product categories as:  Sawmilling, Engineered Wood, Forestry & Biomass.  We will be located at Booth # 2115.  Click HERE for a map of our booth location.  For more information about the show click HERE.

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.