Current Events & News | Brunette Machinery Company

Serving the North American forest industry for over 80 years

Head Office
8717 - 132nd Street
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada, V3W 4P1
Phone: (604) 522-3977

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Archive for the ‘Current Events & News’ Category

We’ll be in Florida for the 2026 EWTA Info Fair!

Monday, October 5th, 2026

We’ll be in Fernandina Beach, Florida for the Engineered Wood Technology Association (EWTA) Info Fair 2026 this October.

October 24 – 27, 2026
Omni Amelia Island Resort,
Fernadina Beach, Florida

EWTA Info Fair & APA Annual Meeting

EWTA’s  Info Fair is the association’s biggest networking event of the year — an opportunity to connect with APA and EWTA members including manufacturers, suppliers and other members. The show, held in conjunction with APA’s Annual Meeting, will feature three days of industry discussions, expert insights, the EWTA’s Info Fair and time to network with key decision-makers among the APA membership.

The Engineered Wood Technology Association (EWTA) is a nonprofit trade association representing product, equipment and service providers to the North American engineered wood products manufacturing industry. Based in Tacoma, Washington, the EWTA is a related organization of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, the leading North American association of structural engineered wood product manufacturers.

We’ll be at Booth #46 — drop by for a chat!

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Biomass Conference & Expo Podcast Featuring Brunette Salem

Thursday, May 7th, 2026

Brunette Machinery / Brunette Salem exhibited at the 19th Annual International Biomass Conference & Expo at the end of March in Nashville, Tennessee. With a new booth display featuring the tag line: “Two Legacies. One Future.”, this was the first trade show that Brunette has attended since acquiring Salem Equipment earlier this year.

The 2026 Biomass Conference & Expo brought together stakeholders in the bioenergy industry including bioenergy producers, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, investors and policy makers to an educational and networking show for an expected 1,000 attendees.

image describes the trade show booth set up. Includes three panels featuring the logo "Brunette Salem" and pictures of a wood chipper, a wood grinder, a band mill and a debarker on a background of evergreen trees
Brunette Salem Booth at the 2026 International Biomass Conference & Expo in Nashville, Tennessee.


On the opening night of the show, our US Capital Sales Team representative, Ken Hatcher, sat down with Anna Simet from Biomass Industry Magazine for a live podcast aired directly from the Expo floor. Watch the recording to hear what Ken had to say about Brunette’s nearly 85-year history in the Forestry Equipment manufacturing industry and where it’s heading in the future.


Click this link or on the photo below for the podcast. [links open in YouTube]

Image shows a woman with long hair and a man dressed in a suit sitting at a table with headphones on. Each person has a microphone in front of them. They are conducting a live interview at a trade show conference

Thank you, Ken! You were great!

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Nashville, Here We Come!

Friday, February 20th, 2026

Brunette Machinery is headed to Nashville for the 2026 International Biomass Conference & Expo, happening March 31st to April 2nd, 2026! We are excited to be a sponsor of this year’s 19th annual event, organized by BBI International and produced by Biomass Magazine.

19th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo
March 31st – April 2, 2026
Gaylord Opryland Resort
Nashville, Tennessee

Once again, this conference will provide an arena where international bioenergy producers gather with industry suppliers, equipment manufacturers, project developers, policymakers and other stakeholders to network, learn and share information.
Planning on attending this exciting event? Drop by Booth #521 and say hello!

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Are You The One?

Friday, January 30th, 2026

We are actively searching for a senior mechanical designer with a minimum of 5 years experience in machine design. Ideally, you have experience in Solidworks and 3D modeling. Bonus points for knowledge and experience working in the forestry industry. Salary range: $95,000 to $125,000 CAD.

Are you the one? Visit our Careers page for all the details.

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Brunette Announces Acquisition of Salem Equipment Inc.

Wednesday, November 12th, 2025

Brunette Machinery Company Inc. announces the asset acquisition of Salem Equipment Inc.

“We are more than pleased to welcome this established leader in master-crafted sawmill systems into our family,” said Kirk Forbes, President, and CEO of Brunette Machinery. “This acquisition is a milestone in our continued growth and strengthens our position as a global leader in wood-processing solutions. Salem’s history of innovation, safety, and client value aligns perfectly with our principles. We are very happy with the fit.”

Read the full press release here [opens a pdf]

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Where Are We Going In November?

Wednesday, November 5th, 2025

Where are we going in November? We’re headed to Miami Beach for the U.S. Industrial Pellet Association (USIPA) 2025 Conference, where we will be joining international leaders, innovators, and advocates to discuss the global wood energy.

The USIPA, a not-for-profit trade association, has been promoting sustainable practices in the wood energy sector since it was founded in 2011. The organization supports renewable energy policy development and sees wood energy as a solution to climate change.

Their annual conference brings together stakeholders from across the wood energy industry and is a platform for exchanging ideas, discussing innovations, and influencing the future of biomass.

This year’s theme, Accelerating Sustainable Innovation, will highlight the growth and innovation across the sector while continuing to promote global renewable energy policy development.

We look forward to hearing from the experts in this industry and connecting with friends and colleagues at this exciting event. Come and chat with us — we’re at Booth 108. Ask about our Brunette BioSizer® or our 6040 Whole Log “Micro” Chipper.

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The 2025 WPAC Conference: Biomass for a Low-Carbon Future

Thursday, September 18th, 2025

Brunette Machinery is excited to be a Gold Sponsor at the 2025 Annual WPAC (Wood Pellet Association of Canada) AGM and Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 23-24, 2025. This year’s theme is Biomass for a Low-Carbon Future.

Each year, WPAC attracts hundreds of wood pellet, biomass and bioenergy professionals from around the globe to discuss the issues that impact the wood pellet industry. The world is moving towards a low-carbon future. In Canada, biomass and wood pellets play a crucial role in providing renewable and clean energy.

Join us as we learn from international experts about new improvements in the science of biomass in the domestic and global wood pellet industry. Meet companies that produce innovative technologies for wood pellet production and network with peers and colleagues across the Canadian and international wood pellet industry.

We hope to connect with you at the conference — ask us how our Brunette Machinery wood-processing systems can contribute to a more sustainable future.

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Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

We will be at the 38th Forest Products EXPO at Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, August 6-8, 2025! As part of the wood products manufacturing community, Brunette will join with hundreds of other exhibitors showcasing new and progressive machinery and services designed for the forestry industry.

Attendees at this year’s event will have the opportunity to explore innovative wood-processing products and solutions, including advancements in log processing, bioenergy, engineered wood products and more. If you are planning to attend this event, be sure to drop by our exhibit at Booth 1157 and say hello.

Nashville, here we come!

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Steel Revival: A Step-by-Step Machine Rebuild

Friday, May 23rd, 2025

Did you know that Brunette can restore or even rebuild your old machine? When a customer asks about this option, we offer them a “steel revival” to give their machine a second life.

But what does it mean to rebuild an entire machine? Refurbishing a wood-processing machine such as a wood waste grinder, BioSizer, or a drum chipper includes disassembling, sandblasting, replacing all worn items, updating the electrical systems, repainting the entire frame and more.

Our service technicians are experts in mechanical, hydraulic, lubrication, pneumatic, electrical, and control systems. Not only do they have experience with these systems, but they also understand how each of our Brunette machines performs.

Let’s look at the rebuilding process for our CBI Grizzly Mill Hog.

A Grizzly Mill Hog ready for inspection

The first step in our rebuild process is to supply an inspection report. Our service technicians visually inspect the machine for signs of wear or damage. They review all available maintenance and service reports. Using this information and based on their years of experience, the team then develops a customized rebuild plan, including any recommended system updates and a cost estimate to finish the rebuild.

The Grizzly Mill is stripped down to the bare frame

Once the customer accepts the quote, our team proceeds to the second step — disassembling the machine.

During this stage, the team determines which parts need replacement and which are still serviceable. To do this, they strip the machine down to the bare frame — every component is removed and inspected, including all fasteners (pins, bushings, bolts), the sheave, taper sheaves, bearings, rotor, grate, and all liners. The frame itself is checked for excessive wear and weld failures.

Reconditioning the Grizzly Mill to OEM standards

After the inspection, our technicians update all components to meet the latest specification requirements. They inspect the rotor for damage or wear and recommend reconditioning or replacement. They install new tungsten carbide striker bars and replace all the worn pins, bushings and bolts, as well as the sheave and taper sheaves.

Next, the team takes the bearing caps off. They pull out both housings with the rotor bearings and remove old grease. Then they remove the rotor bearings from the bearing housings and check if the housing bores need replacing. They inspect both rotor bearings and replace them if required.

Then they install new electrical and hydraulic systems and update existing proximity switches to our new standard electrical package, complete with new J-Boxes and wiring. The customer is given a new typical wiring drawing.

As part of the rebuild, our technicians inspect the hydraulic power unit, including the hoses, filter, and heater. They restore the hydraulic system to the original OEM specifications.

If the machine has a chute, the team will inspect it and undertake any repairs. They will replace or add a rubber baffle on the chute inlet.

Attaching the new nameplate

The machine is power-washed, sandblasted and painted with the required colours. In this case, the Grizzly Mill frame is CBI yellow. The guards are safety yellow. The rotor and inside of the frame are primed grey. The safety bar and rotor locking pin are red. Any bare metal will have a rust inhibitor applied.

After painting and reassembly, the team applies the standard Brunette and safety decals and provides a decal location drawing. A new Brunette serial plate is attached to the machine.

After the team reassembles the machine, they record all critical torques, clearances, and pressure settings. They run in the bearings. They connect the HPU to the hydraulic cylinders, operate the manual valve and stroke the hydraulic cylinders. Then they check the counterbalance valves. That’s it! The like-new Grizzly Mill Hog is now ready for action.

The transformation of the chute, grate, and rotor — from old to new!
Grizzly Mill rebuild complete!

As any wood processing machine owner knows, the more proactive your upkeep, the more likely you’ll be able to run your machines beyond their recommended service life. This includes everything from replacing heavy-wear components promptly to regularly adhering to lubrication schedules, and servicing hydraulic and drive systems at the intervals recommended in the machine’s operation manual.

To increase your equipment’s lifespan, make sure you perform regular maintenance, especially as your machines reach higher hours of operation. When your machine nears the end of its operating life or if you are considering purchasing a used machine, talk to our technicians to determine if a rebuild would be cost-effective for you.

Want to know more about our wood-processing systems, including rebuilds, upgrades, and our innovative product line? Contact our sales team.

Have a question about service, maintenance, or parts? Our technicians are available for on-site inspections, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Click the link to email our parts and service team, or call us at 604.522.3977 or Toll-free: 1.800.686.6679

Sign up for our E-News for articles like this and more!

This article was previously published in our E-News on July 7, 2023 as “We Have the Technology. We Can Rebuild it.”

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Turning Heads & Cutting Logs: Timber Technologies

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Timber Technologies, Brunette Machinery‘s sister company, attended the annual Oregon Logging Conference this past February. It was a big show with nearly 300 equipment dealers and manufacturers, each showcasing all kinds of log-cutting products. Timber Technologies‘ crew was busy turning heads & cutting logs with their 180° SwingBlade sawmill. What a blast!

Between networking and log sawing, Kirk sat down with Forestmedia’s marketing team to chat about the world’s most versatile sawmill. Click the photo below to hear Kirk’s interview and see the 1020 180° SwingBlade sawmill in action.

If you’re interested in sawing wood and want to purchase a portable sawmill, check out Timber Technologies‘ website or contact Kelly at . The 180SB sawmills feature a unique 180° Swing Arm assembly, providing a true 180-degree swing. This allows you to cut logs from either side without moving the log or removing the guard.

Watch more 180° SwingBlade videos on their YouTube channel or follow them on their socials, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok

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