Quality lumber products developed with rigorous and proven methods
Bernier Bois Franc is equipped with tools and a rigorous methodology to ensure that it meets the needs of our customers with quality products. Bernier Bois Franc is proud to offer a product that meets the highest quality standards in the industry.
Receiving and measuring logs
Every week, Bernier Bois Franc receives an average of 35 truckloads of logs to supply the sawmill. Each log is measured, graded and stored according to the species of the wood. To start production, the logs are then placed on the infeed conveyor of the plant’s production line to be processed.
Log preparation
The logs pass through a ring debarker to remove the bark. Then, they pass through a metal detector. Approximately 700 logs are required to feed the sawmill during a single shift.
Sawing and trimming
The operator can saw the log by moving forward and backward using the vertical double-cut band saw. Approximately 4000 cuts are made in a single shift to supply the edger and resaw with squared logs. Then, the log moves to the resaw to be cut to the desired grade and thickness. The same log can be returned 8 to 10 times, on average, to complete its total cut. The edger operator must remove the excess wood (wane) to maximize the length and width of each part, while respecting its quality.
Quality control and classification
Regular inspections are carried out ensure the quality of the sawing and the thickness of the boards/planks. The piece of wood must be trimmed at each end—all while respecting quality standards. A certified grader examines all the faces of the wooden board/plank and assigns it a grade according to NHLA Grading rules. Then, with the pre-established grading table, the computer marks the board/plank an identification number to determine in which inventory section the board/plank should be stored. The computer also registers the volume (mbf), length and thickness of each board/plank. Each shift processes about 9000 boards/planks.
Packaging and shipping preparation
Each piece of wood moves to the assigned bin according to its length, width and grade. When the required number of boards/planks for a bundle of wood is reached, the operator must lower the bin to the automatic stacker. Each bundle is packaged and labelled with the following information: unique identification number, length, grade, number of pieces, mbf (measure, board, feet) and production date. About 50 packages are stacked daily. Each order is carefully prepared to meet our customers’ requirements. It is important for us to offer a carefully manufactured product to our long-standing customers.