Friday, January 2, 2026
Dempsey Wood Products, a second-generation sawmilling operation in Orangeburg, South Carolina, has taken a significant step to enhance its planer mill capabilities. Recognising the limitations of their previous setup, which was confined by its surrounding infrastructure, the company turned to USNR for an innovative solution. The result: an unconventional but highly effective retrofit design that has led to increased production, product expansion, and improved grading accuracy, all without the need for major expansions or increased labor.
Navigating Space Constraints with a Custom Design
The main challenge for Dempsey Wood Products was the lack of available space to expand the planer mill, which had already been outrun by the upgraded sawmill. Situated in a tight spot between a railroad track and the swamps of South Carolina’s low country, the mill’s location left little room for traditional upgrades. USNR’s approach was to devise a custom layout, which included two 90-degree transfers to create a 180-degree turn. This unique configuration allowed Dempsey to expand their operations within the existing space without compromising efficiency.
Parker Dempsey, President of Dempsey Wood Products, praised USNR for their flexibility in designing a solution that broke away from the conventional models. “It’s impressive that USNR was willing to step away from cookie-cutter designs,” he said. The result is a smooth integration of new systems that fit perfectly within the mill’s space limitations.
Revolutionary Grading and Sorting Technology
At the core of the upgraded mill is the Transverse High Grader (THG) automated grading system, which has drastically improved both the production speed and grade of Dempsey’s timber. The THG, paired with a 20-bin sorter, has allowed the company to expand its product offerings and increase production without the need for a faster planer or additional labor. The system automatically grades each piece of lumber, ensuring a consistent quality that was previously harder to achieve manually.
This new grading technology also opened the door for Dempsey to increase the range of products offered. With the ability to handle a wider variety of timber grades, the mill is now able to produce both 8-foot and 16-foot boards, expanding its product line significantly.
Enhanced Production Efficiency with Cutting-Edge Features
One of the standout features of Dempsey’s upgraded planer mill is the ‘cut-n-two’ solution, which effectively doubles the value of longer boards by splitting them into two shorter pieces. This is particularly valuable for Dempsey’s market, where 8-foot boards are in high demand. Thanks to the recirculation tower and the specialized lug sorter, the mill can now produce two 8-foot boards from a single 16-foot board, increasing throughput and reducing waste without sacrificing speed.
This design has been a game-changer for the company, allowing them to run at consistent speeds while cutting longer boards. As a result, Dempsey has significantly increased its production volume, while simultaneously meeting the growing demand for shorter-length lumber.
Automated Solutions for Consistency and Customer Satisfaction
The incorporation of the THG system has had a notable impact on the quality of Dempsey’s products. Despite a slight drop in grade on certain 5/4-inch decking products, the automated grader’s precision has improved the consistency of lumber packs and overall customer satisfaction. With the system identifying even the smallest defects, Dempsey can now offer a higher level of reliability in their product quality.
“Customer satisfaction has improved significantly thanks to the consistency brought by the THG,” said Parker Dempsey. The company’s commitment to quality has resulted in fewer defects and higher customer loyalty, reinforcing their position in the competitive timber industry.
A Seamless Transition to Enhanced Operations
Despite the complexity of the retrofit, the implementation of the new systems went smoothly. Parker Dempsey was initially concerned about the potential challenges that might arise from such a unique setup, but he was pleased to report that the startup was one of the smoothest the company has ever experienced. “It was probably the smoothest startup we’ve ever had—literally like flipping a switch,” he remarked.
Future Growth and Expanding Capabilities
With the success of this upgrade, Dempsey Wood Products is poised for future growth. The ability to process longer boards and double the output with the cut-n-two system has given the mill more flexibility in meeting market demands. Moreover, the increased production capacity ensures that Dempsey can continue to serve its clients efficiently while maintaining the high-quality standards that have defined the company for decades.
This upgrade marks a significant milestone for Dempsey Wood Products, proving that even with limited space, innovation and careful planning can lead to remarkable improvements in production efficiency and product quality.
Conclusion: A Testament to Innovation and Dedication
Dempsey Wood Products’ investment in upgrading their planer mill not only resolves existing bottlenecks but also sets the stage for future growth. By embracing cutting-edge automated systems and working with USNR’s creative design solutions, the company has achieved a level of efficiency and product versatility that ensures its continued success in a competitive industry.
Parker Dempsey’s decision to invest in innovative solutions rather than opting for a traditional expansion demonstrates a forward-thinking approach that prioritises both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, positioning Dempsey Wood Products for sustained success in the years to come.
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Tags: automated grading, Dempsey Wood Products, lumber production, pallet operations, planer mill upgrade, south carolina sawmill, timber processing, USNR design
