Kadant Carmanah and Hexion Incorporated Announce Cooperative Alliance
Surrey, BC - Kadant Carmanah Design, a pioneer in stranding equipment for Oriented Strand Board (OSB) panel production, and Hexion Inc., a global leader in adhesives and performance materials solutions, have joined forces to co-innovate and improve the wood processing industry.
This collaboration, which involves integrating Hexion's cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with Kadant Carmanah's expertise in stranding equipment, aims to revolutionize the stranding process by enhancing strand quality, improving production efficiency, and reducing unexpected strander downtime.
Todd Macey, the president of Kadant Carmanah Design, stated, "By partnering with Hexion and its SmartechTM AI technology, we're set to boost our SmartRING strander product line and Argus smart-connected technologies platform. With Hexion's advanced AI-driven solutions, we will empower OSB manufacturers to produce superior-quality strands, streamline production, and ensure smooth strander operations."
Michael Lefenfeld, President and CEO of Hexion, added, "The result of this partnership will provide OSB producers with end-to-end visibility and connectivity across their manufacturing processes, including the strander, dryer, blender, forming line, and press. This collaboration will help combat labor shortages and log inventory management challenges by aiding in the stabilization of strand quality from the strander, leading to reduced variability in downstream processes and improved overall mill efficiency."
Hexion acquired the Smartech division in 2024, which focuses on AI-driven manufacturing solutions for wood panels. Its product line includes SmartPress, SmartQuality, and autonomous manufacturing systems, each designed to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and production quality in the wood panel industry.
The Kadant Carmanah SmartRING Strander leads the global market in the processing of logs into strands for OSB production. Combined with Kadant Carmanah's Argus smart-connected technologies, OSB producers gain real-time access to critical data about log throughput, production uptime, and strand quality.
Founded in 2005, Smartech specializes in AI-driven manufacturing solutions, offering innovative tools sustainable by top-tier customers worldwide. Kadant Carmanah Design, based in Surrey, BC, canada, designs and manufactures equipment for the panel and engineered wood products and sawmill industries, providing leading technology and equipment to optimize fiber use for wood-based panel production.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements represent the companies' expectations as of the release date. They undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the companies' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- The partnership between Kadant Carmanah Design and Hexion aims to enhance infrastructure in the wood processing industry, particularly by integrating Hexion's AI technology with Kadant Carmanah's expertise in stranding equipment.
- The collaboration will see OSB manufacturers benefiting from improved performance in strand quality, production efficiency, and reducing unexpected strander downtime, benefiting the entire industry.
- The financial sector may also be impacted as the partnership is expected to help combat labor shortages and log inventory management challenges, leading to improved overall mill efficiency and potential cost savings.
- In the energy sector, the collaboration could lead to increased sustainability and production quality in the wood panel industry, as Hexion's AI-driven solutions like SmartPress, SmartQuality, and autonomous manufacturing systems are designed to enhance these aspects.
- The alliance between these two industries (manufacturing and technology) will lead to advancements in business operations, as OSB producers will gain real-time access to critical data and end-to-end visibility across their manufacturing processes, thanks to Kadant Carmanah's Argus smart-connected technologies platform.
