dbm logging ltd.

Doaktown, NB - Daryl and Brandi Munn

Meet Daryl and Brandi Munn of DBM Logging Ltd.; both lifelong residents of Doaktown, NB situated in central New Brunswick along the picturesque Miramichi River, an area of the region renowned for the River, its salmon, and the lumber industry. Daryl Munn got his start in the late 90’s as an operator building roads and in a flail operation, but it wasn’t until he spent a year in the sawmill that he found his niche and looked to starting his own business as DBM Logging Ltd. in 2013.

With the purchase of their first harvester back in 2013, today’s operation consists of two harvesters, a 20-tonne forwarder, pick up trucks and two service trailers. Operating primarily on JD Irving Limited freehold and Crown Lands, they harvest approximately 80,000 tonnes of wood products annually. The ambitious 120 SMH per week operation is accomplished with eight machine operators and a lead hand through a unique shift schedule, flexibility with cross training between machines, and a dedicated maintenance focus including oil sampling, daily checks, and detailed tracking.

• The operation undertakes a variety of harvest prescriptions outlined in their work orders, but Daryl reinforces the importance of detailed pre-harvest site visits and planning.
  
  
• Daryl’s passion and dedication to his business and employees is evident through his team approach, communication, and commitment to quality. He states, “I like where I am today”, but openly admits, that he is always interested in looking at trying new things. DBM Logging Ltd. was one of the first contractors to support JDI’s ‘Newcomer’ program by hiring a forwarder operator from Finland, now in his third year with DBM. They are also piloting the company’s newly designed on-board GPS & computer system syncing data from the harvester and forwarder functions in the harvest block.
  
  
• The operation is truly a family business with one son working as a machine operator and Brandi handling the financial aspects through detailed maintenance cost tracking and documentation to support management decisions and business planning.
  
  
• The company’s approach is ‘always wanting to do it right’, achieved through detailed planning, being on the job site everyday, & building strong working relationships with their employees. They are focused on running a safe & productive operation with a commitment to continuous learning and an uncompromising goal of both job and product quality. As long-time residents of the Village of Doaktown, they are well respected in their community, providing jobs and supporting local businesses.

STAO Foresterie Ltée

St-Joseph de Madawaska, Edmundston, NB - Steve Landry

Located in the “Republique de Madawaska”, situated along the upper Saint John River Valley, Steve Landry cut his teeth in the forestry business with his father back in 1999 as an operator and mechanic, and then supervisor. With his father as mentor, Steve was well poised to take over the family business in 2010 but it still remains a family affair to this day, with his father working part time as a machine operator and his wife looking after the business end.

Today, STAO Foresterie Ltee employs 6 operators with a unique double shift schedule harvesting 70,000 cubic meters per annum with two harvesters and a forwarder. The operation works predominantly on Acadian Timber freehold in the Green River District, working primarily in softwood stands prior to 2017. Steve saw an opportunity and shifted his equipment mix, developing an expertise in conducting hardwood and mixed wood stand prescriptions over the past 3 seasons. Acadian Timber are responsible for block layout and providing the prescription criteria which are communicated to the machine operators; most operations are ribbon-less with the operators utilizing GPS navigation in the harvesters.

• Product optimization is considered key, typically producing over 12 different products within the same harvest blocks. In 2018, Steve took on most of the trucking from his operation, managing 5 sub-contractor self-loading logging trucks to ensure production is getting to customers in a timely manner.
• When it comes to safety and environmental performance, Steve emphasizes that there is ‘no taking short-cuts’ in this business. With an experienced, skilled crew, supported by a rigorous scheduled maintenance program and a well-organized service truck, Steve can minimize production loss due to breakdowns. He recognizes the value of keeping records on production, preventative maintenance and repair - tracking costs in detail. Adding to this a unique equipment replacement business model – all leading to minimize down time and maintain or exceed production targets.
• Steve is very hands-on, believing a key part of his role is to support his operators in achieving their targets. On the job-site everyday, his focus is maintenance and product quality checks with the assistance of his operators. He is well respected by the crew, being committed to providing his employees with a safe and productive workplace. The equipment is well maintained, wages are based on production and the crew are provided with benefits and transportation to the job site, resulting in very little turn over.
• Following in his father’s footsteps, Steve maintains that the outlook for the industry is positive. He would like to grow the business, although finding good people will be key to achieving that growth and to sustaining a viable industry.

Doug G. Mallory Trucking ltd.

Millbrook, NB - Doug Mallory

Doug Mallory Trucking Ltd. is based out of Millbrook, located in the Kennebecasis Valley near Sussex, NB.

Doug is a 21-year veteran of forest trucking, with prior experience as a machine operator, a trainer (still is part time) and a harvesting contractor. From when he entered trucking in 1999, he grew to 3 trucks, operated detachable loaders for a while, but found his niche as an owner operator. Operating a self-loading quad semi on 2 shifts, Doug hauls for J. D. Irving, Limited primarily in southern NB.

Forest trucking is challenging and complex, with all the rules of the road plus all the challenges of weather and woods road conditions. Doug applies his experience and solid business practices to make it look a lot easier than it is.

Doug and his driver have been working opposite each other now for 15 years. Operating on a 5-day 24-hour basis, he maximizes his driver’s utilization, giving himself a few less trips, allowing time for minor maintenance and detailed operational planning. His focus on utilization, resulting in moving 34,000 metric tonnes annually and averaging approximately 90+ productive machine hours per week, has garnered him with the achievement and recognition of being the company’s highest producing self-loading quad working for the last two seasons.

• Up-time being critical to any business, Doug takes a unique approach to equipment replacement, maintenance and service. He looks to trade his tractor every 3 years and trailer and loader every 5 years. A spare 2008 tractor coupled with a 2011 loader and trailer is used to offset any downtime for service or repair on the primary hauling unit. The primary tractor is serviced at the home dealer, and tire work is at the local tire shop.
• Day to day on the road repairs are handled from a typical onboard supply of spare hoses and fittings. Minimizing overhead, a service trailer equipped with parts, lubes, welder and air is located near the Sussex mill. Always willing to help other contractors and truckers, Doug’s philosophy is “no money should change hands”. With his experience and people skills, Doug is the go-to guy when it comes to mentoring new drivers.
• Payload is strictly managed, with loads averaging close to legal gross. His driver is especially good at “hitting the nail on the head” – but not over! Doug strives to be as efficient as possible in planning his operation; from planning deliveries based on a combination of weather / trip time, all the way down to finer details such as mill break schedules, and which operators are running the loaders on a given day.
• Fuel, the other key variable for efficient trucking, is tracked and recorded every day.
• A family affair, Doug’s wife does the books and his son does parts runs when needed. Asked about the future, he wants to stay in trucking with one unit, preferring the work-life balance to managing more units.

Mutch Trucking ltd.

Sillikers, NB - Tim Mutch

Mutch Trucking Ltd. is a forest trucking business located along the Southwest Miramichi River in the picturesque rural community of Sillikers, NB. (30 km west of Miramichi, NB). Tim Mutch grew up with trucking in his blood, working full time with his father Mervin after graduating from high school in 1975. Following in his fathers’ footsteps, Tim ‘learned the business’ as a driver, loader operator and mechanic, taking over the business with his wife Betty Rae over 30 years ago.

Today, Mutch Trucking Ltd. is truly a generational family run business with Tim’s two sons as drivers & operators, Tim’s wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law managing the office and business end, along with some grand children now joining in on a part time basis.

Maintaining a hands-on approach in managing the business, Tim still runs the loader and drives when needed, instilling a good work culture throughout the operation. Mutch Trucking Ltd. hauls approximately 300,000 m3 annually for Fornebu Lumber Ltd., currently employing 24 people including 16 drivers, 2 loader operators, 2 licensed mechanics and 4 office staff, along with 6 to 8 brokers operating at any time. This involves keeping 19 trucks, 22 trailers, 4 self-loaders and 2 loaders in working order and on the road with a unique bi-weekly scheduled maintenance program. As each truck in the fleet goes in for a service, it is swapped out with a ‘spare’ truck, so the driver never misses a shift; this maintenance ‘rotation’ approach optimizes production and minimizes downtime for both driver and fleet.

The operation adheres to the National Safety Code for their entire fleet, putting safety first with no at-fault accidents. Tim is especially careful with new drivers and has adopted a mentoring practice by teaming the ‘rookie’ with an experienced driver until they are ready to work independently. They provide full health and medical plan for employees, with very little driver turnover.

All operational aspects of the business are managed closely; from meeting regulatory requirements (i.e. CVSA, trip inspection, log books), installing two waste oil furnaces in each service garage, implementing a fuel bonus program, monitoring driving habits (i.e. braking), bulk tire purchases, and detailed tracking/analysis of all costs and weekly production. With their CVSA points in ‘good shape’, Tim does not condone overweight hauling i.e. stupid loads, whereas he sees it is a safety and maintenance issue.

Tim is a true gentleman and a dedicated family and community man; an experienced, professional contractor who knows his business inside and out.

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