Dual Veneer Dryers

HOOD Industries | Beaumont, MS

Delivering Innovation: Westmill Completes Two Veneer Jet Dryers for Hood Industries’ Beaumont Facility

New 4-Deck Jet Dryer and New 6-Deck Jet Dryer 

Westmill Industries is proud to announce the successful completion and delivery of two state-of-the-art Veneer Jet Dryers to Hood Industries, Inc., marking a major milestone in the rebuild of their plywood facility in Beaumont, Mississippi.

“The WESTMILL dryer order was the first PO issued for the entire Beaumont plant rebuild project. We thoroughly vetted all available veneer drying technologies worldwide, and because of their commitment to innovation and acute attention to detail, we are happy to announce that WESTMILL was selected to join Hood Industries in the rebuild of our plywood facility.”

This project showcases the strength of engineering, precision manufacturing, and teamwork. We invite you to check out the timelapse video of both dryers being constructed simultaneously—an impressive visual testament to the coordination and dedication of the Westmill team.

Dryer 1: Precision Engineered for Heartwood and Redry Veneer

The first of the two dryers is designed to handle random, heartwood, and redry veneer. Built with:

• 14 hot sections
• 3 cooling sections
• 2 WestVac seal sections
• Hybrid heating system:
  • Zone 1: Gas-fired using Low NOx Maxon Crossfire burners
  • Remaining Zones: Steam-heated via Armstrong-Hunt coils

Westmill provided full design, engineering, installation supervision, and startup assistance, with this dryer coming online in late 2024.

Dryer 2: Heavy-Duty Performance for High-Moisture Veneer

The second dryer at the Beaumont facility is the powerhouse of the two—engineered for maximum productivity and capable of handling high-moisture veneer fresh from the lathe.

Key features include:

• 26 hot sections
• 4 cooling sections
• 2 WestVac seal sections
• 2-PEx Two-Point Exhaust System
• Hybrid heating system:
  • Zone 1: Gas-fired for high-temp entry drying
  • Remaining Zones: Armstrong-Hunt steam coil heating

A Shared Vision for Excellence

This project represents more than just equipment delivery—it reflects a shared commitment to innovation, quality, and the future of veneer drying technology. We’re honored to support Hood Industries in this transformative rebuild and look forward to ongoing collaboration.