GLTPA Hosts 77th Annual Logging, Heavy Equipment Expo

The largest logging and heavy equipment gathering in the Midwest took place Sept. 7 to 9 at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba, Mich.

Hosted by the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) and co-sponsored by Fabick Cat, the 77th annual Great Lakes Logging and Heavy Equipment Expo featured more than 300 indoor and outdoor exhibits, which showcased the latest equipment and technology available to those in the forestry industry.

The opening ceremony, co-sponsored by Ponsse, included food, fun and networking opportunities. A silent auction and 50/50 raffles helped raise money for GLTPA’s annual fundraiser benefiting Log a Load for Kids.

Attendees were invited to put their skills to the test at the Great Lakes Forwarder Operator Challenge, sponsored by Roland Machinery and Komatsu. Operators were challenged as they navigated a Komatsu forwarder through a course designed to test abilities.

The full list of sponsors includes Alta Equipment Company, AgDirect, Ballantine, BARKO, Brooks Tractor, Cleereman Veneer LLC, Compeer Financial, Fabick Cat, First Bank Upper Michigan, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Halron Lubricants Inc., Husqvarna, Komatsu, Lake States Lumber Association Inc., Laona Machine Supply, LoggingEncoders.com, McCoy Construction & Forestry, Meekhof Tire Sales & Service Inc., Menominee Industrial Supply, Michigan Center for Truck Safety, Michigan Timbermen, Mid-States Equipment, Midway Rentals and Sales, Miller-Bradford & Risberg Inc., Northern Energy, Operating Engineers 324, Packer City & UP International Truck, Ponsse, Roland Machinery Co., Royal Truck & Utility Trailer, Scandinavian Forestry Equipment, Scott Sanders Agency Farm Bureau Insurance,Spectrum Benefit Solutions LLC, ThermoTraxx, Timber Products Co., Timberwolf Firewood ProcessingEquipment, Truck Country & Stoops Trailers, Vesseer/Wery Agency Farm Bureau Insurance, UPChevy Dealers, Vermeer Wisconsin, Wallingford’s Inc., WI Kenworth and Woodland Equipment.

For more information, visit gltpa.org. CEG

This story also appears on Forestry Equipment Guide.