Viridis AKA Okanagan Pellets to Grafton MA for Bagging

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PelletFiend

Member
Dec 2, 2010
32
Eastern MA
Sorry if this already got shared, but it's pretty big to have these bagging in Mid-MA location. Get ready for some new distribution plans Southern New England!

http://www.viridisenergy.ca/news/news.php?nid=41

"The partnership will enable the Company to ship its wood pellets in bulk to the Grafton Upton Dana Transport facility in central Massachusetts for final bagging and distribution to the New England states, resulting in a more cost efficient process, while also eliminating losses due to damaged packages incurred on route."

They go on to state that they already ship 25,000 tons to NE already - assume this grows their footprint significantly if they can secure more distribution agreements/customers.
 
I had a thread going on the bagging plant somewhere. They were bagging Platinum fires at the time and Doug sent me 2 bags that I just started testing. Fines were unbelievability low! And I expect the same for the okies too!

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/77418/

I'll see if Mr Warm will send me a couple of the fresh stuff for a test?
 
After reading alot of posts on here trying to figure out what the big hub-bub was about in regards to these, I wish they were available near me.
 
Webmaster said:
They've been bringing western pellets to mid-mass for bagging for many years, haven't they?
Click to expand...

I think it was NEWP that was was bagging at the Palmer mass plant. They bagged the softwoods and sold them under the Green Supreme label. I pretty sure they closed it and no longer own the bagging plant. NEWP still sells the Green Supremes but its now a blend pellet that is the same as their NEWP and Warm Front brands.

FYI only.
 
I'd like to see a calc as to how much fossil fuel energy per ton is used in the distribution of pellets from that far away. I have no idea what it would be, but it seems that it would be much higher than local.....
Let me do some back of the envelope....

Let's assume about 300 MPG per ton over the rails......that would be 10 gallons of oil to bring each ton east.....

All the other factors are the same - that is, they have to be bagged somewhere.....

That's not too bad, but it does represent a CO2 and CO (and other things) "tax" as compared to very local pellets.

That tax could probably be cut down even further sometime in the future if they used a full bulk cargo ship and had a plant right at the harbors....
 
John97 said:
trying to figure out what the big hub-bub was about in regards to these........
Click to expand...

Burn any of the BC softwoods and you'll see what the hub-hub is about. If you can't find Okies try spruce pointes. Even the Vermonts will get you a feel for the softies. Not quite as hot as the BC stuff, But super clean.

Don't go any where near a Douglas Fir pellet you'll be ruined for life!
 
Webmaster said:
I'd like to see a calc as to how much fossil fuel energy per ton is used in the distribution of pellets from that far away. I have no idea what it would be, but it seems that it would be much higher than local.....
Let me do some back of the envelope....

Let's assume about 300 MPG per ton over the rails......that would be 10 gallons of oil to bring each ton east.....

All the other factors are the same - that is, they have to be bagged somewhere.....

That's not too bad, but it does represent a CO2 and CO (and other things) "tax" as compared to very local pellets.

That tax could probably be cut down even further sometime in the future if they used a full bulk cargo ship and had a plant right at the harbors....
Click to expand...

Pretty sure the trains are rolling this way with auto's in them. Think they just add the bulk hoppers.

They are creating jobs in mass and isn't that a good thing?
 
j-takeman said:
Burn any of the BC softwoods and you'll see what the hub-hub is about. If you can't find Okies try spruce pointes. Even the Vermonts will get you a feel for the softies. Not quite as hot as the BC stuff, But super clean.

Don't go any where near a Douglas Fir pellet you'll be ruined for life!
Click to expand...

Oh, I figured it out. That is why I want some!
 
Webmaster said:
They've been bringing western pellets to mid-mass for bagging for many years, haven't they?
Click to expand...

From the press release: "Previously, Viridis shipped product, ready for sale, to a warehousing facility in Monson, MA for distribution. The Grafton Upton Dana Transport facility located in Upton, MA is approximately 45 miles east of Monson and is equipped with a complete bagging operation, enabling Viridis to cost effectively ship bulk product, while bagging its product at a cost similar to its own operation. "

Looks like a cleaner option for them product-wise.
 
j-takeman said:
Webmaster said:
They've been bringing western pellets to mid-mass for bagging for many years, haven't they?
Click to expand...

I think it was NEWP that was was bagging at the Palmer mass plant. They bagged the softwoods and sold them under the Green Supreme label. I pretty sure they closed it and no longer own the bagging plant. NEWP still sells the Green Supremes but its now a blend pellet that is the same as their NEWP and Warm Front brands.

FYI only.
Click to expand...

Never you mind that FYI only crap...you've been talking to Mr. Warm.

Do you really think that NEWP ditched the Palmer Rebagging spot? I thought they were doing ClearChoice and Warm Front there (??)
 
PelletFiend said:
Webmaster said:
They've been bringing western pellets to mid-mass for bagging for many years, haven't they?
Click to expand...

From the press release: "Previously, Viridis shipped product, ready for sale, to a warehousing facility in Monson, MA for distribution. The Grafton Upton Dana Transport facility located in Upton, MA is approximately 45 miles east of Monson and is equipped with a complete bagging operation, enabling Viridis to cost effectively ship bulk product, while bagging its product at a cost similar to its own operation. "

Looks like a cleaner option for them product-wise.
Click to expand...

I currently buy my Okanagan pellets from that Monson distributor. The name is Squire Lumber and Oil Co. They have a HUGE sand lot that is packed in the summer.

Forget the bags. Deliver them bulk to my door.
 
Harman Lover 007 said:
j-takeman said:
Webmaster said:
They've been bringing western pellets to mid-mass for bagging for many years, haven't they?
Click to expand...

I think it was NEWP that was was bagging at the Palmer mass plant. They bagged the softwoods and sold them under the Green Supreme label. I pretty sure they closed it and no longer own the bagging plant. NEWP still sells the Green Supremes but its now a blend pellet that is the same as their NEWP and Warm Front brands.

FYI only.
Click to expand...

Never you mind that FYI only crap...you've been talking to Mr. Warm.

Do you really think that NEWP ditched the Palmer Rebagging spot? I thought they were doing ClearChoice and Warm Front there (??)
Click to expand...

What I have on the palmer bagging plant I dug up on my own. From what I read its up for sale. And I even seen the reality listing and I think it was posted in a thread here somewhere! They moved the bagging line to Deposit NY is what I got from the little birdies.

Clearchoice is BC softwood and its coming in bagged that way. Clearchoice hardwood blend and Warm fronts are bagged in the other 3 newp plants 1 in new hampshire and 2 in new your. Same for the NEWP's and the green supremes. They are selling the green supremes to the boxstores to break into that market. And from what I hear that has ticked off a few dealers.

Craig(web) might have more info on whats up with NEWP?

CleanFire softwoods are just like the Clear Choice softwoods. CleanFire hardwood blend is a NEWP pellet bagged in one of the 3 NEWP plants.
 
j-takeman said:
Pretty sure the trains are rolling this way with auto's in them. Think they just add the bulk hoppers.

They are creating jobs in mass and isn't that a good thing?
Click to expand...

There is no free lunch - every ton you place on a train costs fuel.

It is always something to consider. The energy saving and pollution saving aspect of pellets works best, in general, when local. Even the more local trucking can take a fossil fuel (oil) toll.

As to creating jobs...well, I don't think the train creates many, nor does bagging them create any more than bagging at a local plant.

You are also not buying American.....in some cases. Not a biggie - many people don't care about any of the above (I care about the extra fuel - not the importing)...but some do.

It's impossible for us all to make the "perfect" decisions in terms of energy use....but it's good to know what the score is. Heck, they fly our local asparagus to Paris France during that season......
 
I work for the railroad industry and I for one can tell you the cost is a lot cheaper then it being trucked from some part of the country.

And jobs is what this country needs....


Sorry I guess that's just the union in me.
 
j-takeman said:
Harman Lover 007 said:
j-takeman said:
Webmaster said:
They've been bringing western pellets to mid-mass for bagging for many years, haven't they?
Click to expand...

I think it was NEWP that was was bagging at the Palmer mass plant. They bagged the softwoods and sold them under the Green Supreme label. I pretty sure they closed it and no longer own the bagging plant. NEWP still sells the Green Supremes but its now a blend pellet that is the same as their NEWP and Warm Front brands.

FYI only.
Click to expand...

Never you mind that FYI only crap...you've been talking to Mr. Warm.

Do you really think that NEWP ditched the Palmer Rebagging spot? I thought they were doing ClearChoice and Warm Front there (??)
Click to expand...

What I have on the palmer bagging plant I dug up on my own. From what I read its up for sale. And I even seen the reality listing and I think it was posted in a thread here somewhere! They moved the bagging line to Deposit NY is what I got from the little birdies.

Clearchoice is BC softwood and its coming in bagged that way. Clearchoice hardwood blend and Warm fronts are bagged in the other 3 newp plants 1 in new hampshire and 2 in new your. Same for the NEWP's and the green supremes. They are selling the green supremes to the boxstores to break into that market. And from what I hear that has ticked off a few dealers.

Craig(web) might have more info on whats up with NEWP?

CleanFire softwoods are just like the Clear Choice softwoods. CleanFire hardwood blend is a NEWP pellet bagged in one of the 3 NEWP plants.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jay, I'll take that info for now and try to nail down the details.....inquiring minds want to know!!!!
 
Fish On said:
I work for the railroad industry and I for one can tell you the cost is a lot cheaper then it being trucked from some part of the country.

And jobs is what this country needs....


Sorry I guess that's just the union in me.
Click to expand...

RR hauls cheap compared to trucking - real cheap!

A truck with 22 tons crossing the country would use 500 gallons or so, plus all the infrastructure to feed the driver, keep the roads clear, etc. etc. etc.

So that would be closer to 25 gallons of fuel per ton of pellets! Terrible! IMHO, you shouldn't haul pellets by truck longer than a couple hours....maybe 6 at the most......before you get in trouble with the amount of energy used (and cost)
 
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