Archive for the ‘Current Events & News’ Category
OptiSaw Vancouver — June 13, 2019
Wednesday, June 12th, 2019
We’ll be at OptiSaw Vancouver on June 13, 2019.
This annual event is a time-effective and affordable learning and networking opportunity for those driving the future of sawmilling in your operation. The focus is on the future of optimization and automation in our industry, including challenges and opportunities on the cutting edge of this side of the industry.
OptiSaw is ideal for mill managers/owners; process engineers; continual improvement managers; optimization staff; researchers; and design consultants.
The one-day forum will present a range of information that is relevant to the forestry sector through presentations and talks from industry leaders. This year’s agenda includes topics focusing on automation and robotics from other industries, and how they can be applied to sawmill operations; trends and cutting edge solutions from Europe; insights into current scanning and optimization technology trials; and case studies of new technology and processes being implemented in mills today.
OptiSaw Forum
June 13, 2019
Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel
Richmond, BC
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Read About Our RTL in Canadian Forest Industries Magazine
Monday, June 3rd, 2019
Our patented Retract-to-Load (RTL) Log Singulator reduces maintenance costs and offers tighter log gap control. Check out the write-up Infeed Systems published in the May/June 2019 Canadian Forest Industries magazine.
More details about the RTL Log Singulator can be found in the Equipment section of this website.
Tags: In the News, Log Singulator, Magazine Article, Media, RTL
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Brunette Machinery Churns Out Heavy-Duty Equipment
Tuesday, May 28th, 2019
We’re featured in the May 2019 issue of National Hardwood magazine! This monthly publication focuses on the latest trends, news and developments in the hardwood industry.
Terry Miller visited our head office, toured our facility and talked to us about our innovative products, our company and our fantastic team. His article, Brunette Machinery Churns Out Heavy-Duty Equipment, shines a spotlight on Brunette’s extensive experience and mandate to provide the best in custom service in the forestry products industry.
Tags: Brunette Machinery, Forest Machines, In the News, Manufacturing, National Hardwood
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Canada North Resources Expo — May 24 & 25, 2019
Monday, April 22nd, 2019
We’re getting ready for the biennial trade event, Canada North Resources Expo, on May 24 and 25 in beautiful Prince George, BC. With four acres of indoor and outdoor space, leading companies from across Canada’s resource sectors will be onsite at the CN Centre with the latest products, services, and equipment.
Join with fellow industry professionals to learn more about the future of these industries through numerous interactive sessions, workshops and plenary talks. As well, there will be ample networking opportunities across all sectors.
Canada North Resources Expo
May 24 & 25, 2019
CN Centre — Prince George, BC
Drop by to see us at Booth P-47!
Tags: Canada North, Forestry, Prince George, Resources, Trade Shows
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COFI 2019 — Afterthoughts
Tuesday, April 9th, 2019
We spent three days last week at the 2019 COFI Convention where more than 600 delegates, speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors gathered in Vancouver to discuss all things forestry.
From the ice-breaker reception on Wednesday evening to the opening greeting from Deborah Baker of the Squamish Nation on Thursday, to the keynote address by British Columbia Premier John Horgan on Friday, we were engaged with networking, listening and talking about all aspects of the forest industry in BC and Canada.
The program featured professionals from across the industry, including federal and provincial deputies, indigenous leaders and CEOs of various forestry companies, speaking on subjects ranging from globalization to innovations in local markets.
The panel discussions shared ideas about relationship-building with First Nations, strategies for attracting youth to the industry and expanding our trade markets into Asia. Other important topics included Canada-US relations, softwood lumber, the economic outlook for BC and the future of British Columbia’s forest trade.
Premier John Horgan closed the conference with a discussion about effective ways the provincial government plans to work with the forestry sector and called upon all stakeholders including labour, First Nations and local communities to collaborate in developing a new vision for BC’s forest industry.
As our sales team said “This year’s COFI Convention did not disappoint. There was ample time to network with colleagues that we hadn’t seen in a while. The panels were interesting and informative with thought-provoking conversations from professionals about the uncertainties and opportunities ahead in our industry.”
Thanks to BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) for presenting another outstanding annual conference.
See you in 2020!
Tags: BC, BC Forestry Industry, Brunette Machinery, COFI 2019, Vancouver
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BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) Annual Convention – Apr 3-5, 2019
Monday, March 25th, 2019
Forestry for the Planet. Forest Products for the World.
COFI Annual Convention April 3 – 5, 2019
JW Marriott Parq Vancouver
Hotel & Conference Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia
The BC Council of Forest Industries’ annual convention is the largest gathering of the forest sector in Western Canada. This year the event will take place in Vancouver, BC from April 3 to 5 at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver Hotel and Conference Centre.
COFI’S annual event brings together industry professionals from across North America and overseas, as well as local, provincial, federal government and First Nations leaders.
The convention will run from 6:00 pm on Wednesday, April 3 to 1:45 pm on Friday, April 5.
View the full program here.
Brunette Machinery will be there — visit us at Booths #30 & 31.
Tags: Brunette Machinery, COFI, Conventions, Trade Shows
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Celebrating Women
Friday, March 8th, 2019
International Women’s Day takes place annually on March 8th — celebrating women’s achievements across all segments of society and a call to continue the pursuit of inclusivity and equal representation.
To honour this event, we spoke with the inspiring women at Brunette Machinery who have cultivated successful careers in this traditionally male-dominated industry. We are proud to highlight two of their stories here.
Mary and Sonia
First, a little background on Brunette Machinery Co Inc.
Brunette Machine Works Ltd., incorporated in 1942, manufactured machines for the forestry industry. In 2013, Kirk Forbes, with partners, formed Brunette Machinery Co. Inc. Brunette moved its head office staff and operations from New Westminster, BC to Surrey, BC. Read more about our history.
Last year, Brunette Machinery Co. celebrated its 75th anniversary and today has an office staff of fourteen people — seven of them women:
Airlie, our Buyer/Engineering Production Coordinator has worked at Brunette for 24 years.
Colleen has worked at Brunette for 15 years. She is our Inventory Manager.
Kristy, our Sales Assistant, has been here for 13 years.
Mary started working for Brunette in our Toronto office. Currently she is the Branch Manager of our Prince George facility.
Sonia, our Parts Sales Manager has been working at Brunette for 42 years.
The newest members of Team Brunette are:
Cathy, who joined the team as Media and Marketing Coordinator in April, 2018, and,
Tammy, the new Production Assistant in Prince George. She joined us in February of this year.
Sonia’s story:
I started at Brunette on September 8, 1977. The job — filing and office work — was a temporary position for 2 weeks of vacation relief. Eventually, the position became full time and I settled into an office assistant job at what was then, Brunette Machine Works.
In 1993, a permanent position in parts sales opened up and I applied. We agreed on a 3-month probation period. Since I had been working at Brunette for quite sometime, I thought “How hard could it be?” I was so wrong!
The job was very stressful and demanding — I had 2 small children at that time and combined with the intensity of learning new skills, I felt exhausted by the end of each day.
Fortunately, Hans Menzel, the Service Manager, took me under his wing and patiently answered my many questions. When new equipment arrived in the shop, we would go over it together and I would ask many more questions.
As my confidence built, I relaxed into my role, enjoyed the busyness of the days and learned the ins and outs of the big machines we built.
I have been told “it’s a man’s world” in the forest industry, but over the years, I feel like I have kicked that wall down and have earned the respect of the maintenance planners, purchasers and millwrights that I work with. Now, I receive calls from buyers who trust that I will deliver the exact parts they need even if they don’t have the part numbers!
Times are changing and I know more women who are maintenance planners, purchasers and mill workers pulling on wrenches. Good job, ladies! It isn’t all a man’s world now.
Over the years at Brunette, I have held several positions — but Part Sales Manager has been the most rewarding. I have earned the respect of my colleagues and customers and, along the way, I have made many lasting friendships.
As I approach my retirement years, I am hoping to find someone to work with me to learn the ropes and who will enjoy the job as much as I do.
My father worked all his life in this industry — I was brought up on forestry dollars and in turn, my children have been brought up on forestry dollars. This industry has been good to me and I feel proud of everything I have learned and accomplished.
But, never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would still be employed by Brunette 42 years later!
A big shout out to Hans Menzel — for answering all my questions, for investing his time in teaching me, for believing in me and for showing me that I could be successful in my position. Also, a heartfelt thank you, to Kirk Forbes, President of Brunette Machinery, for his belief in me and his continued support.
Mary’s Story:
I’ve worked for Brunette Machinery since January 1983. The team at Brunette made it easy for me to stay all these years. Brunette has a supportive and flexible management that afforded me the opportunity to change my hours when my kids were little, giving me time that I needed for my children and family.
This is a male-dominated industry and I have felt at times the need to prove myself. But generally, I’ve found it to be a non-issue, because I know our products well and can discuss them with our customers knowledgably and professionally.
Brunette’s company policy puts the issue of a balanced environment in perspective and treats everyone fairly. As Branch Manager, I am responsible for taking action, getting answers and making decisions. I don’t wait for anyone to tell me, be it a man or a woman.
I’m proud and happy to be a woman in today’s society.
Tags: #BalanceForBetter, #IWD2019, Equality, March 8th, Women's Day
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International Biomass Conference & Expo — Savannah, GA Mar. 18-20, 2019
Wednesday, February 20th, 2019
The International BIOMASS Conference & Expo is the largest event of its kind in the world and this year expects to see close to 900 attendees. Taking place March 18-20, 2019, in Savannah, Georgia, the 12th annual convention will bring together biomass industry stakeholders from across the globe for an educational and networking symposium.
Join us for this exciting event that will include more than 30 panels and 90 technical presentations on a wide range of topics of interest to professionals from all sectors of the biomass industry.
We will be there — make sure to stop by and say hello! We will be at Booth 200.
International BIOMASS Conference and Exhibition
March 18-20, 2019
Savannah International Trade & Convention Center
Savannah, GA
Brunette Booth located at #200
Tags: Biomass, Conventions, Expo, Machinery, Trade Shows
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Talking Trade
Wednesday, February 13th, 2019
Have you read February 2019 issue of National Hardwood yet? Check out their Trade Talk section for the latest Brunette Machinery news! We recently completed an equipment installation at Toney Lumber in North Carolina and talked to National Hardwood about it. Click the image below to read the article in their current digital issue.
Tags: Brunette Machinery, Flare Butt Reducer, Forestry Equipment, In the News, Media
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New Year — New Job!
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019
Are you looking for a change in 2019?
We have a full time position for an Inside Sales — Parts Sales Associate!
With your strong communication and organizational skills and your experience in customer service and sales, you will be an integral member of our team. You can expect to work in a collaborative environment that values cooperation, new ideas and flexibility. We will provide you with the opportunity to use your expertise, expand your skill set and learn new things working for a family-oriented company.
Do you enjoy interacting with customers, working closely with others to identify new sales opportunities, developing strategies for streamlining procedures, and being part of a busy, productive environment? If so, you may be the person we are looking for.
Brunette offers a competitive salary, a benefits package and a 40-hour work week. We live by our Corporate Values (read them here) and strive to encourage and support each other in maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
Please read the complete job description and send us your application. To explore all our current employment opportunities, visit our Careers page.
Join Our Team!
Tags: Inside Sales, join our team, new job, New Year, work with us
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