Hardwood Manufacturers Association

09/01/2026

Reminder, hotel deadline is September 7th. You can also view the below message in your inbox!

08/31/2026

Turn logs into lumber while building skills that apply across modern sawmill operations.

NTC’s Mill Technology Certificate Program offers an immersive, hands-on opportunity to learn the fundamentals of lumber manufacturing using the state-of-the-art equipment in NTC’s training sawmill at the Wood Technology Center of Excellence in Antigo.

September 28–October 30, 2026
Monday–Friday | 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Throughout the program, participants will gain practical experience in:

• Log identification, scaling, and grading
• Hardwood lumber grading
• Sawmill safety and operator maintenance
• Lumber manufacturing, including sawing, edging, and trimming
• Kiln drying and mill operations
• Quality control and industry metrics

Training takes place in a commercial-scale sawmill environment, giving participants hands-on experience with equipment including a 54" double-cut band headrig, horizontal resaw, optimized edger, and double-end trimmer.

New this year: flexible training options. Complete the full Mill Technology Certificate or choose focused course bundles in hardwood grading, lumber manufacturing and sawmill safety, or kiln and mill operations.

With an emphasis on hands-on learning, the full program is limited to 12 participants.

Learn more and register:
https://www.ntc.edu/calendar/2026/09/28/mill-technology

08/25/2026

Learn more and register for NTC Wood Technology Center of Excellence Circular Saw Filing courses: https://www.ntc.edu/calendar/2026/09/08/circular-saw-filing

Take your circular saw filing skills to the next level at NTC!

This September, Northcentral Technical College is offering Circular Saw Filing Parts 1 & 2 at the Antigo campus. Designed for current saw filers, saw filer trainees, and sawmill managers, these intensive courses combine classroom instruction with hands-on training in the NTC Saw Filing Lab.

Part 1 | September 8–18
Build a strong foundation in circular saw filing through four progressive courses covering saw performance and cutting efficiency, benching and fitting circular saws, maintenance and repair, precision adjustment, and safe shop practices.

Part 2 | September 21–25
Take those skills further with advanced training focused on circular saws 30 inches and larger, including headrig and deck saws. Participants will gain hands-on experience benching and sharpening headrig sawblades along with saw mandrel and collar machine center maintenance. Completing Part 2 along with Part 1 earns the full NTC Circular Saw Filing Certificate.

With the hands-on nature of this training, space is limited to just 10 students for Part 1 and 6 students for Part 2, so don't wait to reserve your spot! Limited grant funding is also available to help qualifying employers offset training costs.

Learn more and register: https://www.ntc.edu/calendar/2026/09/08/circular-saw-filing

08/12/2026

Manufacturing Day 2026 is coming on October 2nd. We encourage everyone to share your events and make posts to inspire the next generation of manufacturing workforce. Use to help build a movement.

Read here for more details: https://mfgday.com/

08/07/2026

The August issue of The Link is live and registration is open for HMA's 2026 Fall Regional Meeting! Learn more at https://ow.ly/RGGU50ZxKfg

08/07/2026

US Forest Service Invests $105.5 Million in Grants to Support Wood Industry, Rural Economies, Jobs

Read More Here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/newsroom/releases/us-forest-service-invests-1055-million-grants-support-wood-industry

08/03/2026

08/03/2026

07/29/2026

The HMA Mid-Month Update arrived in your inbox last Friday, be sure to check inside for Fall Regional, National Conference, and Scholarship information.

07/24/2026

Every successful lumber operation starts with proper drying.

Whether you're running the kilns, managing production, purchasing lumber, or troubleshooting moisture-related issues, the GLKDA Kiln Drying Short Course is designed to help you improve lumber quality and kiln performance.

Over three days, you'll learn from industry experts through classroom instruction and hands-on lab exercises covering:
🪵 Wood structure & drying science
🌡️ Kiln schedules and drying systems
📏 Moisture measurement and quality control
🛠️ Dry kiln operation and troubleshooting
🌲 Species-specific drying techniques
…and more than 20 specialized topics to help you build a successful kiln operation.

📅 August 11–13, 2026
📍 Northcentral Technical College – Antigo, WI

Learn more and register:
https://www.ntc.edu/calendar/2026/08/11/glkda-kiln-drying-workshop