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AJD Forest Products Upskills Worker with Michigan Works! Training Fund Assistance


AJD Forest Products is located in Grayling and is the original Lakes States Industrial Hardwood Lumber Sawmill, producing high-grade red oak, hard and soft maple, aspen, ash, and basswood since 1974. For more than 40 years, their reputation for quality has never wavered. Many of the company’s customers have been with them for more than 20 years.


The company needed sawblade filing and maintenance training for one their employees and through Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium they received funding through the Incumbent Worker Training fund to cover the cost.


“Maintaining our sawblades are critical to the successful operation of AJD Forest Products’ sawmill,” states Katrina Burtwell, HR Manager. “The plant uses five different types of bandsaws which operate five days a week, 40 hours per week. These saws provide the functions that are required to produce sellable lumber, from primary breakdown, lumber recovery, and cut stock specifications. Lack of re-sharpened and/or repaired saws have caused a lost of production in 2023. It is a time consuming task to maintain the saw inventory.”


“Saw filing and maintenance are critical to the successful operation of our sawmill. Our employee Victoria learned the needed skills to be successful in her new position, and both Victoria and AJD benefit from her sawfiler training. These new skills and knowledge means more proficiency, which reduces the amount of downtime. Thank you Michigan Works! for the funding assistance to get this much needed training.”


Photos: ADJ Employee Victoria Mitchell learning onsite training for sawfiler & maintenance skills upgrade.


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