Ouachita Biomass — A strong player in the forest industry in Lousiana
In the small village of Lillie, Louisiana, Ouachita Biomass has built its success on people, expertise and Ponsse equipment.
Owner Joel Garland explains that their operation is unusual: the company manages the entire chain itself, from harvesting to sawing and pallet production. “Operators are the key to our success. Without these gentlemen, we wouldn’t succeed,” he says.
Sammy Denton – an experienced
professional’s perspective on Ergo
Ergo operator Sammy Denton has been working with Ponsse machines for six and a half years, and his experience is evident. He started in his current role six months ago and has quickly learned to make full use of the Ergo. He says the H8 harvester works exceptionally well with big trees.
Sammy has worked in the forest machine industry for 26 years and has switched from the traditional full-stem method to the cut-to-length method.
“The cut-to-length method is good for the environment. The residue stays in the forest, and the site remains tidy,” he says.
He also has only good things to say aboutmaintenance: “You give them a call, and they guide you. Spare parts have always been available – I’ve only had to wait once in six and a half years.”
Larry Hembree – from truck driver to Buffalo operator
Larry Hembree, who operates the Buffalo forwarder, is the newest addition to the team. With six weeks of experience behind him, he says he’s really enjoying the work: “It’s not a truck!” he says with a laugh. His good friendship with Sammy makes the days even more enjoyable – out in the forest, he says, “the atmosphere is great, and the work doesn’t feel like work”.
He highlights the practicality of the machines as well, noting that the small oven
and fridge have felt like everyday luxuries for both of them.
Managing the whole chain
Owner Joel Garland explains the company’s operating philosophy: they harvest the trees themselves from the forest, saw them at their own sawmill, and manufacture the pallets at their factory. Everything is sold directly to the
customer. This allows them to control quality and keep the production chain efficient.
“The cut-to-length method is crucial for our pallet production.” According to Joel, Ponsse’s service and the salesperson Andres have been key – help has always come promptly, and customers have been satisfied with the machines, although “the industry is, by nature, a tough business”.
Why Ponsse?
The decision came about surprisingly naturally: Joel searched online for cut‑to‑length machines, and the final choice was made at Sammy’s suggestion. “There’s your best salesman,” Joel jokes, referring to Sammy’s recommendations. Sammy admits: “I sold it – I convinced him to go for it.”
Another factor was their past experience with challenging wood raw material delivered to the mill by suppliers. “Poor‑quality timber hits a small sawmill owner hard. I thought that if we went into the forest ourselves and felled our own trees, we would manage.”
Ouachita Biomass is an example of a company that brings together experience, the right tools and a strong sense of community. Sammy and Larry’s professional expertise, Ponsse’s machines and Joel’s strategic approach make the company a sustainable player even in challenging markets.
“Employees are the key to our success,” Joel sums up – and it’s not hard to see why.
Samuel Vidgren appointed Vice President for North America, and John Holmes responsible for the USA dealer network
Samuel Vidgren has been appointed Vice president for North America. He is
responsible for implementing Ponsse’s strategy in the North American region
and for developing sales and service operations.
John Holmes’ role is to develop and grow Ponsse’s sales and service in the
region through strategic dealer partnerships. His work includes close cooperation
with U.S. dealers, providing training and support, and sharing information
aimed at driving growth in machine sales and service and ensuring an excellent
customer experience.