Hardwood professionals tour the Hasko manufacturing plant in Soddy Daisy, Tenn.

NOFMA: The Wood Flooring Manufacturers’ Association recently held an inaugural mill tour in Tennessee. The event, which began and ended in Nashville with stops at nearby lumber and machinery companies, drew close to 30 wood flooring professionals from around the industry.

Timm Locke, NOFMA’s executive vp, said the event was designed as both an educational tour and a chance to network. "We were hoping it'd be both an excellent learning opportunity and a chance for industry folks to interact and get to know one another a little better. I think it was a success on both counts," Locke said.

Members of the tour group relax and chat during the dinner river cruise.

The tour included a trip to Hassell & Hughes Lumber Co. in Collinwood, Tenn.; Hasko Machinery in Soddy Daisy, Tenn.; and Cumberland Lumber and Manufacturing of McMinnville, Tenn. The event was capped off with an evening dinner cruise on the Tennessee River, hosted by Hasko. The tour was also sponsored by Blue Valley Automation and Doucet Machinery.

Locke said a second NOFMA mill tour is tentatively scheduled for May 2009. “Prospective tour locations are currently being scouted while NOFMA staff reviews the participants' evaluation forms for ideas to make the next one even better,” he said.