Life in Lumber: From Production Floor to Superintendent
As someone new to the forest products industry, one thing that interests me is seeing how careers can grow and evolve over time. During my summer internship at Interfor's Sault Ste. Marie division I-joist facility, I had the opportunity to sit down with Pat McMillan, our Production Superintendent, to learn more about his career and experiences.
Pat began working at this facility in November 2004 as a Production Technician, when it was still owned by Anthony-Domtar. Over the last 22 years, he has remained with the facility through many changes in ownership and has held a large variety of positions. Throughout Pat's career, he has worked as a Production Technician, Lead Hand, Production Supervisor, Production Planner, Production Superintendent, Mill Manager, Project Manager, and returned to the Production Superintendent role he holds today.
His interest in leadership began after he joined the Joint Health and Safety Committee. He had many improvement ideas and realized that he could have a much stronger impact if he had a bigger role.
One of the themes that came up throughout our conversation was the importance of change and continuous improvement. When asked what kept him in the lumber industry for more than 20 years, Pat answered that constant challenges and changes in the industry kept him engaged.
Although this facility has produced the same product, I-joists, since he started, the manufacturing process has changed drastically over the years. New equipment, projects, and process improvements kept his work interesting. Pat mentioned that one of the most rewarding parts of his career was implementing new machinery into the line and seeing it work for the first time.
Having worked through multiple ownership changes, Pat has lived through some major shifts in how the facility operates. When Pat first started, the mill functioned as a small company, acting independently from the parent company. Today, under Interfor, there is a stronger corporate focus and collaboration between facilities. It is now included in the larger discussions and is an active part of the organization.
Another topic we discussed was the public’s perception of modern forestry manufacturing. According to Pat, many people underestimate how advanced the modern forestry industry is. The level of automation and technology in modern mills is more sophisticated than many people would think.
Although the forestry manufacturing environment is undergoing modernization and technological improvements, Pat noted the consistent importance of the people and relationships throughout the process. Between harvesting, reforestation, transportation, engineering, manufacturing facilities, Indigenous communities, and shipping networks, there are numerous individuals involved and employed throughout the entire process.
When asked what advice he would give students considering a career in forestry or manufacturing, Pat highlighted the importance of developing diverse skills and thinking about the future of technology. He believes students need to take the right courses to build knowledge in computers, programming, and artificial intelligence. He also noted the importance of being open to taking on responsibilities outside of your job title, as it is important to adapt and build new skills.
The final question was regarding what part of Pat's career he is most proud of. After reflecting for a moment, Pat said he is most proud of his loyalty to the facility and his willingness to take on new challenges. Through good and bad times, he remained committed to the operation and the people he worked with. Pat takes pride in the variety of roles he has held and the impacts his contributions have had.
As someone beginning my own career, I found Pat’s story both insightful and encouraging. His journey demonstrates how careers can develop through continuous learning, adaptability, and a desire to take on new challenges. It also reinforced something I have learned throughout my internship: modern forestry manufacturing is far more advanced, innovative, and interconnected than many people realize.
