Now in its third generation of Weihs family management, L-M Equipment Co, LTD (Canada) produces quality package saws designed to help companies automate their production while maintaining tight tolerances.
Known for longevity and durability, the company goes by the tagline, “Built to Provide Service, Not Require It.”
The company began in 1957 and has been guided by three generations of the Weihs family since 1981. As a family-owned enterprise, L-M Canada takes pride in its work focusing on quality construction. Brad Weihs, general manager, explained, “The very first I-CUT from 2007 is still in production. And many Verticuts that are 30+ years old are still in production. Actually, I took a phone call within the past month from Halo Sawmills looking for parts on a piece of equipment from 1957.”
This commitment to quality has helped the company grow. It had 8-10 employees in the early 90s, and today it has 30-plus employees.
Continuous Improvement Drives Better Saw Performance and Efficiency
L-M Canada has worked to improve upon its popular designs. Brad commented, “We are leading the industry with technological advancements. This includes our team’s ability to remotely connect to the Verticut P4 and instantly diagnose any issue. We also designed the only saw on the market that doesn’t require you to align the first cut. Simply load the pack onto the saw, and from the forklift press start.”
The company offers its semi-auto positioning available on all of its stationary units. An operator simply types in the distance you want onto a tablet, and the system automatically moves the carriage to the correct position. The operator hits start and begins cutting. Currently, L-M Canada is in the process of switching its I-CUT saw system to an electric cylinder and drive.
Although the company produces a standard line of equipment, it has also perfected its ability to develop custom handling solutions around its saws. Brad said, “We know that every customer does something a little bit differently, so since we manufacture in-house, we can make customizations to existing products.” For example, L-M Canada has made an I-CUT system with a 10’ saw bar, extra-wide Verticut systems, I-CUT with a 70’ frame, custom conveyor lengths and positions. It has also fabricated a Verticut that can handle 24’ material.
Yellowhead Saw System – Versatile System Boost Production and Reduces Downtime
L-M Canada just completed its most ambitious project yet, producing a custom solution for Yellowhead Wood Products. It is the first saw on the market of its type. Brad explained, “This system features multiple infeed chain transfers capable of holding six packs or more. The purpose of this system is to put the complete processing of packs in one line of production to reduce the overall touches with a forklift, saving on labor time, each pack.”
In the Yellowhead Saw system, packs drop down onto a bump roll case with a lift gate (double end bump). Then a 4 x 4 and 2 x 4 dunnage dispenser places the dunnage required below the pack. This would be combined with the automatic strapping with digital readout and laser light. A chain transfer package lift then drops the lift down onto the Verticut carriage, which moves the material into place. A Verticut saw accurately cuts packs to +/- 1/32″ tolerance. It also has the ability for added outfeed chain transfers to facilitate more efficient handling of the volume. L-M Canada’s engineering team ensured the entire system fit perfectly in a new building for Yellowhead Wood Products, with the waste conveyor and dust collection system feeding the waste outside the building.
The L-M team worked for almost two years on the project. Brad analyzed the project, “So rather than running two or three packs at a time through Verticut and bump as is typical, they’ve got anywhere from five on the infeed, one on the bump, one’s getting strapped, and then two or three more on the saw. So, this system just allows for up to twelve packages to be getting put through all at once rather than picked up and moved from one place to another.”
The Yellowhead system requires three people – the Verticut operator, the strapping operator and a forklift driver. It comes with L-M’s remote controls and monitoring via an app. Brad said, “One of the owners can see how many cuts it’s doing, the amount of time that it’s not cutting and watch the process from realistically wherever he wants.”
As with any new system design, there are some bugs and a learning curve. It was recently installed. But Brad is confident that the system will meet or exceed expectations and has paved the way for more aggressive custom projects in the future.
Most Popular Models Work for Pallet Companies Too
L-M Canada sells more portable yard saws than any other model, more than one thousand to date. These saws are built in-house with L-M staff monitoring the entire process from start to finish. Brad explained, “The design features a three-inch side where you push up the saw to the pack, and you lock the wheels in place. You can shift it three inches to really line up the cut rather than having to wrestle it around like a wheelbarrow and kind of line it up that way. It’s a very easy saw to use.”
The L-M yard saw uses a 20-horsepower Honda motor, which has a strong reputation for longevity. Brad noted, “We have portable yard saws out there that have been in operation for upwards of 30 years. So, they certainly last a long time.”
Some pallet companies use the yard saw to process material. It really all comes down to space, budget and production. As far as accuracy goes, the yard saws work for pallet applications, according to Brad. Companies that have the space and high-volume requirements typically opt for the Verticut.
Brad suggested, “Typically, I’d push for the I-CUT in the case of a pallet manufacturer, mainly because what happens is you can load two packs on the I-CUT at once. So, while you’re cutting that first unit, you’re loading up the second unit. While you’re cutting that second unit, you’re offloading that first unit and loading up the next one. You’re kind of going back and forth to maximize production in a smaller footprint.” The one thing you have to be aware of is that you have to manually strap loads with the I-CUT.
Customer Experience – Accuracy Is Everything
Eastwood Manufacturing in Orrville, Ohio, produces box spring frames for mattress factories and pine pallets. The company bought the I-CUT due to its cutting accuracy. Steve Hochstetler, president of Eastwood Manufacturing, recalled, “We bought it to diversify and had a project that required very close tolerances, plus or minus three millimeters. The I-CUT was the first system I saw with the auto positioning feature. We just couldn’t do these precise jobs without it.”
Brad of L-M explained, “The I-CUT saves time per cut significantly as the operator doesn’t need to fiddle with the lever in lining up the cut to 1/32″ of an inch. We program it to stop within 1/100 of an inch.”
The I-CUT is easy for an operator to learn, according to Hochstetler. He said, “The operator uses a six-inch screen to monitor the progress and push buttons to execute commands. It is very simple to operate.”
Maintenance is fairly easy. Hochstetler commented, “All you have to do is keep your bars flipped, keep a sharp chain on it, and keep the oil flowing; there’s not a whole lot to it.” Eastwood Manufacturing also uses the saw to produce cut stock for other companies in Ohio and Indiana. The company has its own rail spur and buys material by the rail car.
L-M did a little customization to make the design shorter than the standard line, five feet shorter than normal. The most appealing functionality of the I-CUT is the automated cutting. Hochstetler said, “I think what makes the I-CUT work so well is that the machine ensures the cutting accuracy; the operator is not trying to hit his mark every time.” This automation improves accuracy and reduces the impact on the worker.
Customer Experience – Remote Monitoring Makes Troubleshooting Easy
Scotia Pallets LTD bought a used Verticut P4 to improve its trimming process. Joe Long, general manager, recalled, “We were looking to do more volume while making the process easier on our workers.” Previously, the company used a trim saw to cut material to size. Long explained, “We went from 40 minutes to five minutes to trim the same amount of material. So, the Verticut has made a huge difference in our production volume and speed.”
L-M Saws Canada helped Scotia Pallet get its used unit running when there was an issue with the drive. Long said, “Parts and service with L-M Saws Canada is top notch. They have been there to answer any questions and help along the way.” Remote monitoring and diagnosing capabilities have helped the L-M support team quickly address any issues. Brad stated, “We were able to log onto their saw when installed to help them work out the kinks and teach them how to effectively operate it. Connecting directly to their saw from our office allows for instant service and less downtime.”
Scotia Pallets use the Verticut to process mostly softwood, 2x4s, 2x6s, 2x8s and 4x4s. Long clarified, “We are cutting everything from dimensional lumber to blocks.”
Customer Experience – Quality Equipment, Built Tough by People Who Care
IBMD Lumber supplies custom-cut lumber to customers throughout the greater Vancouver area. It bought a new Verticut in 2019 and later bought a separate double bump. Before installing the Verticut, it used two large chainsaws with large bars to make custom cuts.
Shane Mathieu, president of IBMD Lumber, explained, “It was a two-person job on each saw and wasn’t anywhere as efficient or safe as the Verticut.” The package also drastically increased the variety of cuts and materials that IBMD could process. Due to the system’s accuracy, operators can be more productive and versatile.
The key to getting the most out of your Verticut is properly prepping the packs. Mathieu said, “It comes down to properly preparing the material going into the saw. If you have lots sticking out the back end, that’s going to catch on the rollers. This can twist your packages and alignment…If you do prep right, you can cut studs within a 16th of an inch.”
IBMD cuts all sorts of things from high-grade cedar to low-grade material, from PET timbers to dimensional lumber packaging and more. The company processes a lot of six-footers to three-footers for its pointed stake programs as well as eight-foot and six-foot to fours and fours into twos.
The Verticut has more than met the anticipated return on investment (ROI). IBMD management wanted a three- to four- year payback period when you consider all the costs, including the pad, the building, the electrical, the dust collection system. Some of the work the company was able to do itself. Mathieu said that they surpassed their goal because they were under a two-year ROI for the entire project.
Why choose L-M Saws Canada? Mathieu commented that he liked it was a local, Canadian company, which makes obtaining parts and service easier. As a family-owned business, he knew it would be easy to get a person to the phone who could help with any problems. He admitted, “When you’re broken down, you don’t make money, but your costs are there every day. So, having a saw that is reliable, efficient and accurate is pretty vital.”
Mathieu stated, “Over our first five years of use, the Verticut has taken a pounding and keeps on running. It’s a beast, a solid piece of equipment built by people who care.”
Reliability is key because Mathieu said that customers treat IBMD as sort of the Amazon of the lumber business when it comes to short lead times, custom orders and fast shipping. Mathieu explained, “It is a very demanding industry right now. Given the financial sector, people don’t want to carry inventories. So, it’s pretty demanding. You definitely have to be efficient and know that you can trust your machinery to run.”
Why a Package Saw?
There are a lot of ways to trim material. Why a package saw? Brad noted, “Our saws offer tremendous versatility. You can produce a wider range of material with a package saw than other methods… We have a ton of pallet manufacturers, particularly, and really it just allows somebody with the package saw to get more creative with their business.”
Investing in the Future
L-M Saws Canada continues to innovate its products and processes. The company just invested in a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software system to keep up with a demanding workload and streamline the manufacturing process. This has led to faster lead times for equipment.
Recognizing the need for quick parts and service, L-M Saws Canada has invested heavily in spare parts inventory. Brad acknowledged, “With well over $500k in inventory and the ability to ship next day air delivery to customers, we can avoid lengthy downtime for our customers.”
Keeping parts in stock is huge to ensure quick response to eliminate downtime. Brad acknowledged, “During COVID, we had more hydraulic components in stock for us than our hydraulic components suppliers did.”
Brad is the third generation of Weihs to manage the day-to-day operations of the business. His grandfather Klaus took over the business in 1981, followed by his father, Rick, in 1996. Brad said, “We take pride in our quality and being a family-owned and run business. Many of our employees have been with us for a long time. Our lead designer I have known since I was three years old.”
While Rick is still involved in special projects, he has turned the day-to-day management over to Brad and other employees. Brad entered the business six years ago, in 2018, when he was only 21 years old. He started out doing some of the lower-level jobs that nobody wanted to do and gradually worked his way up the ladder. He became a partner in the business last year and took over a larger share of the management functions. The shop foreman, Rob, is also a partner and has been critical in ensuring quality on the manufacturing side of the business.
Brad admitted, “It’s certainly a lot of pressure, and one of the main things that I had to think about going into it was I’m young, and there’s always that stigma of being the boss’s son. I knew that I had to curb my ego at the door and just absorb as much as I can from people that have been here much longer.”
The company is continuing to innovate. Its newest machine, the I-CUT, has become a popular choice for pallet operations and others looking for precision and solid production in a shorter footprint and a lower cost. Find out more about the entire line of L-M saws at www.LMsaws.com or call (604) 576-0088.
