Howard Hedstrom
Howard Hedstrom, president of Hedstrom Lumber Co., will be the next featured speaker in Cook County Higher Education’s Guest Lecture Series at 7 p.m. May 27 at Higher Ed’s Grand Marais campus.
Hedstrom Lumber began operations in July 1914, and a centennial celebration is being planned for July 10, 2014. The company employs about 35 people and is among the largest private employers in Cook County. Annual production is 15 million board feet of lumber, most of which is kiln dried and finished. Products include timbers for timber frame construction, dimension lumber and pattern stock. Primary markets are in Minnesota and Wisconsin, although some specialty products are shipped as far as California.
According to Hedstrom, nothing goes to waste at the company. They use every inch of every log that enters the mill. Bark and sawdust are burned as a heat source. The mill is 100 percent thermally self-sufficient. Quality chips are sold for paper production. Bark becomes a landscaping product. Sawdust is sold to pellet manufacturers. Any leftover waste materials are sold as fuel to other biomass facilities.
Come out and listen to Hedstrom’s presentation. Aside from his numerous professional affiliations, Hedstrom is a board member of the Cook County Community Fund, Grand Marais Lions Club, and the Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority.
The Guest Lecture series of Cook County Higher Education is offered to the community free, although donations are appreciated. The series is sponsored by the Grand Marais State Bank, the Lake Superior Trading Post, Drury Lane Books, George F. Maruska Ltd., Mike’s Holiday, White Pine North, Como Oil & Propane, and Sawbill Outfitters. Refreshments are donated by Beth’s Fudge and Gifts and Johnson’s Foods. The lectures are held at Cook County Higher Education’s North Shore campus at 300 W. Third St. in Grand Marais.
For more information contact Cook County Higher Education at 387- 341.
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