Growing startup costs sow seeds of shortage in logging

AUBURN, Ala. — An Auburn University professor is collaborating with the Alabama Forestry Association to address a shortage of logging business owners and operators by promoting opportunities in the industry.

“There was a recent survey done by Timber Harvesting magazine that shows the average age of the logger, the business owner, is 54, and specifically, 49 percent of them are in the 60 and above category,” said Tom Gallagher, a professor in Auburn’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. “Then, you go to the operators, the guys running the equipment for them, and it’s not that different.”

The implementation of advanced mechanization has increased costs and decreased the number of employees, discouraging potential loggers and operators from pursuing a career in the industry, according to Gallagher.

“It’s hard to get folks to invest the money it takes to put together a logging crew,” Alabama Forestry Commission forester Rick Oates said. “Thirty years ago, it was a chain saw, an old pickup truck and cable skidder, and you could go into the business for $100,000. Now, it’s half-amillion dollar investment.”

Gallagher said the disinterest to start or work in a logging business derives from a lack of insight and financial resources.

“The biggest hindrance to going into logging, in my opinion, is a lack of knowledge of the industry, but it’s mostly the money,” Gallagher said. “You’ve got to have a friend in the bank. He’s got to have equipment. That’s the stumbling block for a lot of loggers. There are opportunities to work with suppliers and middle men that will help you get that investment.”

Regulations and laws, including best management practices, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, OSHA, fair labor standards and public safety in commercial driver rules could be deterrents in starting a logging business, Oates explained.

“The environmental laws and regulations you follow are certainly something people are concerned about,” he said. “We have some loggers here and there that get in trouble occasionally for not following those rules, and we work with various groups to teach folks how to correctly do it.”