SmartLam in Columbia Falls is Breaking Into the Cross-Laminated Timber Industry With a Goal of Expanding Into the Construction Industry

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock visited the Flathead last week, and one of his stops was Columbia Falls-based SmartLam http://www.SmartLam.com , a cross-laminated timber company on the edge of a major expansion.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is extremely durable, with panels made from industrial lumber stacked together at strong angles and glued together. At SmartLam, these panels are typically used for oil drilling rig pads, pipeline construction platforms and temporary roadways and bridges.

The access decks act as roads, taking considerable punishment with the heavy machinery passing over. But these panels will likely last 10 years on the job, SmartLam production manager Jason Herman said.

By Molly Priddy

Full Story: http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/breaking_into_the_cross_laminated_timber_industry/39352/