Upswing in the Building Market and Sustained Growth Fuels Long Anticipated Michigan Sawmill Expansion
Heartwood Mills marks 70th anniversary with expanded production capacity to keep pace with increased product demand generated by the growth in housing and commercial construction nationwide.
Boyne Falls, MI — Heartwood Mills announced today the completion of a large scale expansion project that includes the installation of a technologically advanced saw and grade resaw system. This marks the start of the mill’s ability to increase their production of wood building products, including log siding, log paneling, and hardwood flooring, to 35,000 BF daily. FMI’s Construction Outlook Third Quarter Report 2017 forecasts a 5% increase in total construction spending over 2017. This continued growth, coupled with changes in the international softwood market has caused increased demand for wood building products that Heartwood Mills is now poised to meet.
“The construction market is not only facing a shortage in labor but also materials, both of which cause delays in delivering final product to homebuyers and commercial interests,” said Brad Baird, President of Heartwood Mills. “We’ve known for some time that we needed to increase production in order to meet the needs of our building materials distributor partners and builders across the country. The Cleereman head saw and West Plains resaw combination is a workhorse. With it, our team of experienced sawmill operators will be able to supply our customers with the quality wood building products they need, when they need them without delay.”
2017 marks the 70th anniversary of Heartwood Mills. Known historically for their Northern White Cedar products, including log siding and log paneling, Heartwood Mills has grown over the years to supply builders with a full range of wood building materials from a variety of species. The current mill expansion will enable Heartwood Mills to increase the number of products they produce and immediately supply builders with high-demand products such as beadboard, shiplap and hardwood flooring. Mr. Baird shared, “Our long history of partnering with contractors and builders to create homes and commercial buildings that stand the test of time is our driving force. We take immense pride in producing the best quality log siding and keeping pace with design trends so that our partners can exceed their clients’ expectations.”
One of the new saw’s unique capabilities is its ability to cut large structural beams up to 30 feet in length. Heartwood Mills specializes in crafting scribed trusses and timber trusses that are often the focal point of many home designs. “Designers, contractors and their clients love the ‘wow’ factor of massive trusses,” said Mr. Baird. “But they are difficult to manufacturer. We’ll be one of just a handful of mills in the country with the ability to cut timbers with this substantial length. We have always had the skill and expertise to design and craft specialty trusses but the new saw gives us new options and opportunities.”
Heartwood Mills is currently accepting orders and new partners in anticipation of the spring building season. Explore the log siding and other wood building products available at mill-direct prices at www.heartwoodmills.com.
Press Contact:
888.829.5909
info@heartwoodmills.com
About Heartwood Mills
Since 1947, Heartwood Mills has supplied builders with quality wood building products straight from their Boyne Falls, MI sawmill. As North America’s premier supplier of Northern White Cedar building products, Heartwood Mills’ log siding and log paneling is unsurpassed in quality and relied upon by builders around the world. In addition to Northern White Cedar, Heartwood Mills produces White Pine, Spruce, Fir, Maple, and various other hardwood building products. The mill’s expert craftsmen also work directly with architects, designers and builders to design and craft specialty wood building products, particularly custom scribed trusses and timber truss systems.
For more information visit www.heartwoodmills.com.