...... " ' V , : , ..-" " V r ' - Workers at new Utah Forest Products sawmill five miles southeast of Escalante are securing their future by helping to construct the mill, where they will work Most are former employees em-ployees at old Escalante Sawmills, and lost their jobs when the mill closed. UFP owner Stephen Steed purchased a variety of used machinery and equipment from eight different sawmills in the west that have been forced to close down in the past few years. ' ' New Escalante Sawmill Expected To Begin Operations In January ESCALANTE Like a phoenix rising out of the ashes, Utah Forest Products, the newest small industry in Escalante, has evolved from the remains of some eight sawmills, victims of the changing scene in the western timber industry. The deliberately scaled-down operation, due to begin production in January, will feature specialty wood products such as siding, cabin logs, and interior and exterior paneling. It promises to be, and is even now during its construction, a source of employment for many former employees of the old Escalante Sawmill who lost their jobs when the mill closed two years ago. Located five miles southeast of Escalante on 14 acres, the mill is particularly unique, utilizing only previously used equipment and machinery. Owner Stephen Steed, his engineering staff and representatives from Mechanical Fabricators, Spokane, Wash., sat down last March to create a functional design for a mill capable of meeting the challenges of an industry that in recent years has been dominated by change. They designed carefully for an environmentally sensitive area with a changing market in mind. Once their design was settled on, Steed traveled around six different states outside of Utah, searching for just the right equipment for his new sawmill. He participated in eight different auctions, each of them a solemn witness to the demise of another western sawmill. In California, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Arizona, he was able to purchase the necessary components to match his mill design. When Steed returned, construction began on the 8,700-square-foot main building. Currently, footings, flooring and side foundations are in and delivery of the building is expected soon. Steed said he has had a real advantage in being able to utilize among his 15 employees many who were former workers at the old Escalante mill, some with as much as 30 years experience. The trauma of the closure of the old mill turned into a strong spirit of survival for the hardy mill workers and their boss whose family has been in the sawmill business for decades. "Their enthusiasm for this project which they are counting on as their job security," said Steed, "is evidenced in their willing hard work. Their contribution of collective experience in the industry is an invaluable asset." He is particularly appreciative of how these long time friends and former employees have rallied and pulled together to accomplish a challenging task. Every day presents some new problem to be solved, but his crew has been cohesive, maintained good attitudes and has been very adaptable. Many members of the team have been through "rebuilds" at the former sawmill numerous times, once after a major fire, and on other occasions, just to keep up with the changing industry. While Utah Forest Products will operate on a very small scale, the mill has design flexibility and the capacity for expansion if the opportunity presents itself. Because reliability of their main resource, timber, has been so undcpendable and there are no guarantees of quantities or availability, they must try to plan for a variety of scenarios that will "establish and maintain a level of production sufficient to sustain the mill," Steed said. "That's where," said Steed,"some very intensive research has come in the wood products industry. We hired a marketing firm to research thoroughly the need for various products and believe we have come up with a strategy to make our ODeration Dav." Presently thev have three years of logs under contract with the U.S. Forest Service. Much of the used equipment and machinery has lain unused for some time, requiring overhauling, remodeling, and modifying before installation. The air is resounding with the sounds of activity on the 14-acre site, where workers, intent on securing their future, willingly give their most to bring life to the new sawmill. Lots of extra steel and backup components dot the area near the new building site. The sawmill will house a debarker, a head rig (ban saw), edger, trimmer and an adjacent lumber sorting system. Room has been allowed for the addition of a resaw or gang saw as growth may present itself. "The facility allows for flexibility," said Steed; "it is so important in today's market when the industry is in constant flux." He believes the future for their small facility will be in specialty markets and he has put much personal time into researching this thoroughly before ever proceeding with the project. He believes that watching the wood products market is all important, to constantly assess changing trends. Right now "upkeep and remodeling" of existing homes is in the forefront of the industry, he said, so his mill will stay away from producing the typical "commodities items" such as 2 x 4's. He said there are millions of homes right now in the 10-20 year-old range that still need to be maintained. Even though the entire housing industry is changing rapidly, wood and wood products will always be needed, Steed feels. "The skill," he said, "is in making the very best use of each log that enters the facility." This can be a real "art form" in itself, a unique skill that See New Sawmill Page 2A New Sawmill From Page 1 many of his long time sawyers and lumber graders possess. "They are a very unique crew, he said, "small and diversified, with a wealth of knowledge and skills. The Utah Forest Products project has had a beneficial ripple effect on others in Garfield County and even into Kane County, where it has always been tough in both to make a living. Steed has contracted out some of the cement and foundation work to Bryce Valley Builders in nearby Cannonville and will use Danny Peterson Trucking in Kanab to handle his woods and logging operation in the cutting, skidding, decking and transport to the mill. Utah Forest Products will endeavor to do the majority of its logging in off-season, maintaining only the small volume of timber needed to sustain certain production levels. Every part of the "resource" has a destination the lumber, chips, and the sawdust. Steed and his employees hope to fire up the facility in early January but admit it will probably take a couple months for a true "shake down" of the equipment and overall operation. They are excited, and remain very optimistic about their new opportunity to stay in the timber industry and to grow with the changing times. .. .iii.it.li. '. tui .JHjauiLJU.llimiM.i.-il