The East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Exposition, one of the top logging shows on the East Coast, showcased some of the industry’s most advanced equipment and technology at the Richmond International Raceway on May 16-17. The bi-annual show featured over 250 exhibits of cutting-edge machinery for loggers, sawmills, lumber remanufacturing, and the pallet industry.

Co-sponsored by the Virginia Forest Products Association and the Cooperative Extension Service of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Expo Richmond is the largest forestry equipment show in the eastern United States. This year’s show featured 12 acres of outdoor exhibit space, over 300 indoor booths, and more than 500,000 square feet of exhibits, displays, and equipment demonstrations.

Through its partnership with local dealer James River Equipment Company, John Deere provided a best-in-class site with a large equipment display. Included in the impressive line-up were Skidder models 648H, 748H and 848H; 643J feller buncher with FD22B felling head; 437C Knuckleboom Loader; 2054 Swing Machine with Waratah HTH622B processing head, and a 650J Dozer.

One of the event highlights was the James River Equipment Company’s bi-annual pre-show breakfast. Over 300 customers and their families enjoyed the hospitality of dealer principal, Mark Romer and his staff. The breakfast traditionally gives customers an opportunity to discuss issues, ask questions, and provide valuable feedback to John Deere and James River representatives.

From the pre-show breakfast to product demonstrations, the Expo is an important way for John Deere and its dealer network to build strong relationships with its customers. David Althaus, Manager of Events and Promotions for John Deere Construction and Forestry, said “It’s always a great opportunity to let logging customers know that the John Deere Forestry Team is here to support them. Our team not only includes John Deere representatives, but also the local dealer personnel. We’re all dedicated to working harder than anyone else to ensure that we offer quality and innovative products and support aimed at providing equipment that gives loggers more productivity, uptime, and lower operating costs. No company can do that unless they listen to the people who really know the industry - the customer.”

Giving back to the community is another key part of the Expo, and John Deere once again pulled out all the stops to raise money for both the local and national Log-A-Load for Kids program. The company gave John Deere hats to customers who purchased raffle tickets for drawings on John Deere battery-operated toys and bicycles. A total of $3,000 will be sent to the local chapter. It has also been running a program on behalf of the Forest Resources Association on a national level, where tickets for a drawing of a “real Gator” have been sold at show sites in Vermont, Virginia and Mississippi - where the program will wrap up. The Richmond show raised $450 towards this drawing, to be held November 2008.

John Deere and James River Equipment Company would like to thank the logging customers and their families who attended the show and made it a success. At John Deere, we believe it’s important to listen to the concerns and needs of today’s loggers.

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