relatable business stories
joescan
Join me as I delve into the world of sawmill innovations at JoeScan, where tradition meets technology here in Vancouver, WA. Witness firsthand how cutting-edge 3D scanning solutions are revolutionizing the industry, fostering efficiency and paving the way for the future of lumber production.
sawmill optimization relies on some pretty awesome technology.
The sawmill industry is experiencing remarkable growth, with U.S. lumber production expected to hit its highest levels in nearly 20 years. This surge is driven by innovations in logging methods and forest science, coupled with an increasing demand for advanced equipment that enhances productivity and efficiency without compromising safety or quality
Learning about JoeScan
About a month ago, I was using Perplexity to help me with some networking. The challenge? Find me local businesses that are doing innovative things with technology that I can tell stories about.
I went in ready to just hand the wheel over to AI on this task and as I scanned the list I saw many unfamiliar names. Absci, nLight, PlexSYS, Overwatch Imaging and… JoeScan. Made for Sawmills.
Until this moment, I had never stopped to consider that the sawmill industry was innovative? I had seen the trucks hauling lumber, but outside of that I didn’t pay any thought to this industry.
So I was intrigued and cold emailed their team to see if they would be interested in helping me to tell stories about their technology on YouTube.
They agreed, so here I was - early, even!
Touring JoeScan
I was greeted by Brad, the marketing manager, clad in a black Sizzle Pie jacket, his bearded face framed by glasses. He welcomed me warmly, setting the tone for a day filled with insightful exchange.
Our initial conversation in the conference room was more about getting to know each other. Laying against the back wall, a plywood cut out of Bender from Futurama.
Brad shared his eclectic background, from going to school with aspirations of designing video games for Blizzard Entertainment and Riot to being recruited to make combat simulations for the Department of Defense!
This was fascinating to hear, as you might imagine.. It was interesting to see how varied the stops are on someone’s career path before they find their niche.
Discovering the world of sawmill automation
Next on the tour included a visit to the shop area, where JoeScan’s 3D scanners are meticulously built, tested, and sometimes repaired. The hands-on aspect of the industry, combined with a strong inclination towards embracing new technologies, was evident here. Brad was describing some cool stuff with lasers and mirrors which I didn’t fully understand, but I was eating it up anyway because I am here to learn.
Meeting Joey Nelson
Then, I had the pleasure of meeting Joey Nelson, the owner of JoeScan. Joey shared his journey of founding the company, influenced deeply by his father's involvement in the industry. He also shared his passion for startups and the processing of building.
His demeanor was casual and relaxed in front of the camera - he even picked up his guitar, which was in a stand next to his standing desk, and played a song!
Trust me when I say that this isn’t usual behavior when a business owner has a camera put in their face.
Joey then treated me to a demonstration of a 3D scanner, where I learned how the color and intensity of the laser light varied with distance and material type. Fascinated, I observed high-resolution 3D models of logs, understanding the precision and importance of such technology in modern sawmilling.
Joey Nelson explaining how cameras and lasers contribute to create amazing 3D models.
Insights on the sawmill industry
Brad described the sawmill industry with genuine passion: "It's a cool industry that is old school... But it's also an industry that is really receptive to technology and to adapting with changes and to taking risks on new ways of doing things."
He further explained the value of relationships and innovation in this field: "It still means a lot to people that they know who you are... But also, I'm willing to try out this new company that's doing this cool thing with this technology that sounds like it could be good for my mill."
And this statement from Joey kind of blew my mind:
"Surprisingly, in most mills, no human decision is involved in the process from log to lumber unless there’s a problem that needs fixing."
It was a great day to learn about something completely alien to me, that of technology in sawmills.
Reflections and Closing Thoughts
This visit truly opened my eyes to the advancements in modern sawmill operations. I was impressed by the sophisticated technology at play, like the 3D scanners that meticulously analyzed the logs with precision. The stories Brad and Joey shared about overcoming industry challenges were not only engaging but highlighted their critical roles in steering the industry forward.
It was amazing to see how far sawmilling has come, merging rugged tradition with cutting-edge innovation, and how each story of challenge adds a layer to the rich tapestry of this evolving industry.
Brad explaining just how fast decisions get made in an optimized sawmill system.
