The globalization of an Appalachian Sawmill

1. The globalization of an Appalachian Sawmill Eugene A. Walters, CF General Manager Rolling Ridge Woods

2. The History of Yoder Lumber Co. • Founded in 1944 by John Yoder • First located near Charm, Ohio • Automatic mill operations commenced in 1964 • Berlin Woods dry kilns and dimension plant added in 1975 • Buckhorn Woods facility purchased in 2000 • Rolling Ridge Woods operation began in 2002 • Now has four locations and 175 employees

3. Yoder Lumber sawmill circa 1955

4. Yoder Lumber sawmill circa 1965

5. The History of Yoder Lumber Co. • Founded in 1944 by John Yoder • First located near Charm, Ohio • Automatic mill operations commenced in 1964 • Berlin Woods dry kilns and dimension plant added in 1975 • Buckhorn Woods facility purchased in 2000 • Rolling Ridge Woods operation began in 2002 • Now has four locations and 175 employees

6. Yoder Lumber Production in 1990 • 3 MMBF of lumber produced at the Charm sawmill • 6 MMBF of lumber is purchased for the Berlin Woods dimension plant • 70% of lumber sales are to the North Carolina furniture belt • 15% of lumber sales are indirect exports • 5% of lumber sales are to the Ohio Amish Furniture Cluster

7. Yoder Lumber Charm sawmill

8. Yoder Lumber Production in 2000 • 13 MMBF total lumber production with the addition of Buckhorn Woods • 7 MMBF of lumber is purchased for Berlin Woods dimension plant • 40% of lumber sales are to the North Carolina furniture belt • 20% of lumber sales are indirect exports • 30% of lumber sales are to the Ohio Amish Furniture Cluster

9. A logging job completed in 1999 on Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District land.

10. Yoder Lumber Production in 2010 (est.) • 14 MMBF of lumber production • 5 MMBF of lumber purchases for Berlin Woods • 5% of lumber sales are to the North Carolina Furniture Belt • 10% of lumber sales are indirect exports • 20% of lumber sales are direct exports • 50% of lumber sales are to the Ohio Amish Furniture Cluster

11. Trends • Increase in direct and indirect lumber exports • Maintain and develop customer relationships • Increase in “sorted” lumber orders • Increase sawmill efficiency through technology • Mixed load shipments • Sawlog sales • Biomass?

12. The same job. Notice the “water bar” on the skid trail. These are used to prevent erosion.

14. Tops are usually cut down to chest level and tree stumps are cut as low as possible to the ground to keep the forest visually appealing.

15. If logging paths are used often they stay clear and aesthetically pleasing. The use of best management practices encourage the regrowth of grass on them.

16. A logging job currently in progress. Cable skidders are used to minimize residual damage.

17. A forester in India

19. Challenges! • Export related • Log supply • Will Appalachian Hardwoods remain competitive in the global marketplace? Contact Information: Yoder Lumber Co., Inc. 4515 TR 367 Millersburg, OH 44654 (330) 893-3121 Rolling Ridge Woods, LLC. 10095 Emerson Ave. Parkersburg, WV 26101-9772 (304) 464-4980

23. Local clubs and schools can use the park to educate youths on the importance of our natural resources.