Release Date: May 2010
Press Inquiries:
Anita Gambill
(757) 486-9151 office
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – STIHL Inc., a leading manufacturer of chain saws and outdoor power equipment, recently honored Berthiaume Logging, the Forest Resources Association’s (FRA) 2010 National Outstanding Logger. Kent Hall, product manager for STIHL Inc., presented Dave and Cindy Berthiaume with a $1,000 check at FRA’s Annual Awards Luncheon in Hilton Head, South Carolina on March 14.
Based in Cloquet, Minnesota, Berthiaume Logging has developed a strong reputation for conducting harvests in a way that is sensitive both to the environment and to landowner objectives. On sites where harvesting will be highly visible and aesthetics will be a major issue, it is not uncommon to hear–from industry, agency, or consulting forester–“Can we get Berthiaume Logging to do the work?”
Dave Berthiaume commented, “My father, now 87, started the Berthiaume family logging business nearly 60 years ago. As my brothers and I grew up and entered the business, he instilled upon us the values of hard work, the unbendable rule of treating people fairly and that if you treat the land with respect, it will provide for you always.”
“Berthiaume Logging represents the caliber of work that STIHL is proud to honor,” said Hall, “Their commitment to sustainable efforts as well as safety initiatives helps the timber harvesting field continue to thrive, and makes them an industry leader.”
One of many examples of Berthiaume Logging’s commitment to following Sustainable Forestry Initiative requirements is its use of logging slash on steep slopes to divert water runoff and mitigate erosion concerns. Governing his operation in accordance with the Minnesota Forest Management Guidelines, Dave Berthiaume does not wait for the forester or landowner to shut his crew down if a site has received significant rainfall--he suspends operations until conditions improve, voluntarily.
Berthiaume Logging’s outstanding safety record also sets it apart. Consuming mills often consult Dave for his advice on woodyard safety, as well as on trucking and logging safety issues.
"STIHL Inc.'s longstanding commitment to honoring our nation's best in timber harvesting reflects the company's long history, alongside that of FRA, in promoting professionalism and safety in forest work,” said Richard Lewis, FRA president.
FRA has honored 20 National Outstanding Loggers since establishing the national award in 1990. Recent National Outstanding Loggers include Mitchell and Wanda Presley of Alabama (2005), Adrian Bishop of South Carolina (2006), Tommy Barnes and David Cox of Edgemoor, S.C. (2007), David and Kurt Babineau of West Enfield, Maine (2008), and the partners of Redoutey Logging in McDermott, Ohio, last year. Nominees for this year’s award passed through state-level recognition to regional award programs administered through FRA’s Regional Division structure. A jury of 25 national-level leaders in forestry and conservation selected the winner.
The other nominees for this year’s National award were:
o John F. Sprigs, S&S Lumber Company LLC, McDermott, Ohio
o Hermell Pelletier and Lyle Brundige, Monadnock Land Clearing, Greenville, N.H.
o Anthony and Janet Ison, Ison Logging Company, Inc., LaFayette, Ala.
o Gary NeeSmith, NeeSmith Timber Company, Lyons, Ga.
The Outstanding Logger program is designed to recognize outstanding logging contractor performance: to raise the visibility of competent, professional independent logging contractors in the forestry community; to encourage other independent logging contractors to emulate the outstanding performance of the award winners; and to improve forester-logger relations by publicly recognizing outstanding logging performance as an essential element of every planned timber harvest.
About The Forest Resources Association
The Forest Resources Association Inc. is a nonprofit trade association concerned with the safe, efficient, and sustainable harvest of forest products and their transport from woods to mill. FRA represents wood consumers, independent logging contractors, wood dealers, and landowners, as well as businesses providing products and services to the forest resource-based industries.
About STIHL
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the U.S. only. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.
STIHL is pleased to support the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), National FFA, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), and the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD).
