June 11, 2007
Eco-Wheel Tracks
It was like Christmas morning last week on the job site. Our boss pulled in with new, baby blue Eco-Wheel Tracks for one of our skidders. Everyone gathered around to see the newest feature that will help extend our operating season, while minimizing the impact on the ground. Go to http://www.hultdins.com/material.php?itemID=8 for a closer look.
Eco-Wheel Tracks are fast taking the place of chains on skidder wheels. These tracks are better than chains and require less maintenance. We had to use the crane to remove them from the trailer and gently place them on the ground to lift around each skidder tire. After a few wisecracks about the color (baby blue), the guys got busy working to put the tracks on. I jokingly said, "how many loggers does it take to put a pair of tracks on?" there were a few chuckles from the crew.
As a Master Logger Certified company we constantly struggle to produce wood, while working to protect the environment and uphold the standards of our certification. The tracks are made to help the skidder move around the woods with as little impact as possible to the soil. Any time we can minimize the damage, or the time spent fighting the elements, we do.
After the tracks were installed the operator hopped in and headed down the road and into the woods. He immediately noticed a change in the way his skidder handled. He had more traction and improved flotation. Everything that we purchase that helps with the envionment seems to cost and arm and a leg, but we need these things to compete in the current "certified" marketplace. If we trashed the woods, we would loose our certification and we value that. The hard part is when people buy non-certified products just because they are cheaper.
Consumers need to understand that when they spend the extra money for a certified product, they are getting a responsible product, from a responsible timber harvest, and basically are helping us pay for our new Eco-Wheel Tracks by keeping us in business.
Doing the right thing costs more money, not just for the loggers, but for the consumers as well. So when you are in Home Depot, please make the choice to purchase the certified product for the loggers who are working to protect the forest for generations to come. Know that we are making choices everyday that cost us more money as well.
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I welcome you to review our June 22nd and June 25th blog's on what we term "Irrational Greenness", the idea that many companies are seeking to make a quick profit by promoting and selling "greener" products to consumers. I welcome you and your readers to see the blog at:
http://worldincbook.blogspot.com/
What we are observing is some near term backlash in the marketplace for greener products. Some "green" products are not as green as they were promoted to be. You're absolutely right in saying that certified products are one way for consumers to buy green with greater certainty to what they are actually buying. We've been monitoring this trend from smaller companies to some of the world's largest multinational firms. In fact there is a new book titled "World Inc.: When It Comes to Solutions — Both Local and Global — Businesses Are Now More Powerful Than Government" that captures how corporations going global is colliding with corporations going green. Written by Dr. Bruce Piasecki, the book is available at www.worldincbook.com.
Thanks for the opportunity to reply.
Mark Coleman
Posted by
Mark ColemanJuly 2, 2007 09:34 AM
Mark,
When it comes to wood products, Master Logger Certification's third party verification guarantees that from the moment the wood is harvested, until it arrives at the mill, it's certified.
As loggers, we are struggling to make a living in a certified world, banking on the future demands of the businesses that your organization works with. If big business doesn't create across the board "green" practices in answer to consumer demands, and be true to them, what good is the struggle of the logger protecting the forests with BMP's that bring us less profit than our non-certified counterparts. Not to mention rewarding some for reckless behavior in the woods.
I speak with landowners every day, 97% do not understand what certified wood is. They understand the general meaning of the term "green", but really do not understand all that goes into delivering a certified wood product. The world of certification is huge, with lots to know and understand. It can be overwhelming for the average consumer. They just want to see a stamp or a symbol and know that they are supporting businesses who respect the environment. Unfortunately, if it really has an impact on their pocketbook, they will more times than not, select the product that saves them money and hope they get out of the store without seeing a neighbor.
We are a small struggling few trying to educate on both ends of the chain!
www.masterloggerscertification.org
Saw the book on display at Borders today, flipped through, and have added it to my reading list....thanks for the post.
Posted by
WendyJuly 4, 2007 09:43 PM
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Wendy Bowden has worked as a reporter, yearbook specialist, and corporate training consultant. But now she is procurement manager for Maine Custom Woodlands.
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