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The new Fort Frances woodroom which was placed in operation here in 1952,
replaced facilities, a part of which has been in operation since 1914, when
the mill was constructed. The old woodroom did not lend itself to modernization
and so Mando officials decided to build an entirely new woodroom.
The erection of the 73 by 164-foot building marked the beginning of the
final step that leads to complete modernization of Mando's woodroom facilities
at its three plants at Kenora, International Falls and Fort Frances.
Under the new plan of operations, logs are hauled from the Rainy river and
from the wood yard by modern conveyors. The river conveyor includes an extended
jackladder which reaches out 120 feet into the river where it is deep and
the current flows fast. The swift current brings the logs to the mouth of
the jackladder, adding to the efficiency of the operation. The conveyor
then rises and crosses the railroad tracks between the river and the woodroom
on an overhead bridge. The whole job of bringing the logs from the river
to the woodroom is easier, and more efficient, thanks to this modern conveyor.
Logs from the wood yard reach the woodroom via a 420-foot conveyor. This
block long conveyor transports wood hauled to the yard by trains and trucks.
Railroad tracks parallel the sides of the conveyor and one side is planked
to allow unloading of trucked-in wood.
The new woodroom has four 12 by 45-foot barkers as compared with six nine
by 30-foot barkers in the old woodroom. Space for a fifth barking drum is
provided in case future demands require it.
Power for the large barkers comes from individual 150 h.p. electric motors.
Working conditions are greatly improved in the woodroom, thereby increasing
the morale and efficiency of the workmen. Lunch, locker and washroom and
locker facilities are situated on the ground floor, under the slasher area,
and are finished in cream- colored tile.
The building, erected by Stead and Lindstrom of Port Arthur, is a steel
frame structure with brick walls. Foundations and floors are reinforced
concrete. Roof construction consists of a poured concrete slab on steel
purlins, insulated with one inch of Insulite and topped with build up roofing.
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