This project will commission and install 3 new aluminum stainless prefabricated dry kilns

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service awarded Collins Pine Company a $600,000 Project Grant on June 25, 2025, under the Wood Utilization Assistance program (CFDA 10.674). The award funded the commission and installation of three new aluminum stainless prefabricated dry kilns at Collins' Kane sawmill facility in Pennsylvania. These kilns replace dysfunctional or inefficient existing equipment to improve the company's wood drying operations for various tree species harvested from the Allegheny Forest region.

The project delivers operational and economic benefits aligned with program objectives of strengthening forest products markets and reducing forest management costs. The new kilns enable Collins to maintain current kiln charge volumes at greater efficiency and speed, with expected outcomes including a 2 percent reduction in drying defects through improved environmental control and approximately 25 percent reduction in energy costs based on Oregon State University research. These efficiency improvements support increased lumber production and quality, benefiting regional wood products markets while reducing operational costs for both private and public forest management. The project was completed ahead of schedule, with final performance and financial reports submitted by the July 18, 2025 closeout date.

The collins sawmill in kane is one of a few sawmills in the area, and is a vital outlet for saw timber resulting from treatments in surrounding forest land. Collins is a strong and involved member of the kane community and an important employer for the region. The goal of this project is to meet the drying needs of the various species of trees in the allegheny forest. The current kilns are either dysfunctional, or working inefficiently because of age. The new kilns will allow collins to maintain current kiln charge volume of at greater efficiency and speed. This project will help reduce the cost of forest management on private and public land by helping the sawmill derive more value from logs. We expect to see drying defects decrease by 2 percent by having more control over the environment. This project will support wood products markets by enabling the sawmill to increase production and provide better quality lumber for the lumber market. The sawmill will conserve energy by running more efficiently. According to research conducted by oregon state university, collins should see a 25 percent reduction in energy costs.