New equipment
improves efficiency at Huber
Photo courtesy of Huber Engineered Woods, LLC
A NEW LOG LOADER has been installed at Huber Engineered Woods, LLC, in Easton. The $1 million-plus piece of equipment is used to load tree-length logs onto the chain conveyor that transports the logs to be cut into 8-foot lengths. Technicians were recently on hand to help train employees and set up the loader which company officials say will help the smooth flow of raw material into the plant.
EASTON — A new $1 million-plus log loader is improving the efficiency at Huber Engineered Woods, LLC, in Easton.
According to Galen O’Leary, human resources manager, the newly installed Liebherr E 934 E log loader is used to load tree-length logs onto the chain conveyor that transports the logs to be cut into 8-foot lengths, which is used in the manufacturing process.
“The weight of the loader is 100,000-plus pounds, and it has a lifting capacity of 10,000 pounds with the boom extended,” he said. “The log loader cost over $1 million. These costs include the cost of the loader, as well as the engineering and installation costs. This financial investment shows the commitment that Huber Engineered Woods has for the viability of the Easton plant.”
For five days, eight technicians from Germany, France, the Liebherr Co. (U.S.) and Heavy Machines, Inc. were on hand to help train employees and set up the loader, which was manufactured in France. Heavy Machines, Inc. is the selling and supporting dealer for the loader in the United States.
“The old log loader had to be disassembled and the support structure had to be removed before we could start the installation process,” said O’Leary. “The installation process took 30 days from the start to completion.
“The learning for our employees has started and will continue for weeks to come,” he said. “The skill sets and the years of experiences our current operators have with a similar log loader will help minimize the learning curve.”
O’Leary said the new equipment will be “more efficient and reliable” which will help the smooth flow of raw material from the log yard into the plant.
“We are always looking to improve our current processes,” he said. “The log loader is a stand-alone project which does impact the smooth running of the plant as it’s the initial part of the process.”
The Easton plant, which employs 115 full-time workers staffing a three-shift operation, manufactures the brands of award-winning AdvanTech flooring and ZIP System roofing and wall panels for the building trades. The plant has been in operation since 1983.
O’Leary said the company is looking to sell the old Prentice 610E log loader that was installed in 1995.
“It served the plant well for many years,” he said, “and it was just time to upgrade to a new, more powerful loader.”
