The 2019 Timber Harvesting Logger Survey looked at logger concerns and regional issues along with differences and similarities among loggers across the U.S. in key timber-producing regions.
As a way to thank survey respondents, we randomly selected two lucky individuals for a $100 Visa gift card. Our winners? Bill Hirengen and Stephen Wright. Here is a little about their companies and how their survey answers compare to the nation as a whole.
Although both loggers’ age category, 41-50, has stayed stable in the logging industry, their companies face many of the issues and business challenges other loggers are confronting across the nation.
Bill Hirengen, H&S Contracting, Inc., Klamath Falls, Oregon has been in business for over 20 years. Snapshot of H&S Contracting, Inc.:
- One crew employing less than 5 people (54% of loggers report operating one crew and employing less than 5 people).
- In last 5 years the business has expanded (26% report they have expanded their operations).
- Steps taken to attract and retain employees: ensure competitive pay (45% report they have taken this step).
Stephen Wright, Gasburg Equipment Co, Inc., Gasburg, Virginia, has been in business for over 40 years. Snapshot of Gasburg Equipment Co, Inc.:
- Four crews employing 26-35 people (23% report 3 or more crews with 16+ employees).
- In last 5 years the business has remained about the same (51% say they have stayed the same).
- Steps taken to attract and retain employees: offer health insurance (9% have taken this step).
While these logging operations are on opposite sides of the nation, they confront similar challenges:
– H&S Contracting, Inc.’s most significant challenges include weather, limited markets, insurance, equipment downtime and debt.
– Gasburg Equipment Co, Inc.’s challenges include weather, load quotas, limited markets, labor, trucking/related DOT regulations, insurance and compensation
In the 2019 Timber Harvesting Logger Survey 70% of loggers cited insurance and 57% named trucking-related issues as the top “heavy impact” issues they are currently facing. Rounding out the top five are weather (50%), labor (44%) and compensation (41%).