My personal estimate is that, in the last quarter century of the 20th century, the saw mill industry increased lumber recovery by a percent a year. Those who have been part of this rapid evolution of the industry will recall the economic forces that drove this process. And, of course, we're not done yet. Economic forces are again posing a challenge and those who want to continue to participate must answer the challenge.

Fortunately, research and development are providing the basis for continued technical change to meet the challenge. In the Fall of 2000, the Forest Products Laboratory at Mississippi State University brought some of this new information to the South by sponsoring the Saw Mechanics Workshop in Memphis, TN. In spite of the sluggish lumber market, 50 participants gathered to learn the latest on saw mechanics research from a group of international experts.

There is no substitute for being able to personally meet and discuss your saw mechanics problem with these experts. However, we are now able to provide electronically, some of the information from the seminar in six chapters of the proceedings. There is some exciting information in these chapters that can't be obtained anywhere else at this time. I'm pleased that we have been able to provide this information.

The Saw Mechanics Seminar and these proceedings would not have been possible without the support of the Mississippi Lumber Manufacturer's Association, the National Hardwood Lumber Association, the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer's Association and the Southern Forest Products Association. We then them for their assistance in making both the seminar and these proceedings possible.