Over the last several weeks, we have been fortunate to have several great customers visit Cascade. These customer visits are essential in helping our customers understand the production processes involved in making their lumber. However, the more important part has become the round table, impromptu product discussions where we can better understand what the craftsmen using our lumber are facing and all the ideas on products where we might help better meet their needs. The visits these last two weeks have been particularly valuable, as we look to ensure we offer the best products to match today’s marketplace.   
 
These discussions have been wide-ranging, and have covered everything from ripping and gang ripping, width sorting parameters, new and modified grades, lengths, warehousing strategies, planing, sales via distribution or direct, components, stock widths for rips, shipping via trucks vs. rail vans, improved communication, etc. The key is these discussions are a vital area from which we begin to plan for changes to our offerings and the capital improvements that might be needed to address these needs. 
 
We encourage every customer to visit us here in Chehalis, WA. Once it gets to May 1st, the weather in the Pacific Northwest is great: sunny days and cool nights. Come have lunch or dinner and visit the mill to see the latest in sawmill technology, our Microtec log scanner. But most importantly, let’s sit around the conference table on the sales floor and discuss the hardwood world. It might be your visit that helps us uncover the next evolution in the Alder world.