Marion, VA—Woodgrain Inc., the Fruitland, ID-based manufacturer of millwork, wood moulding and trim, will spend $8 million to acquire Independence Lumber, a dimensional lumber sawmill in Independence, VA.
The figure includes further investments and expansion at Independence Lumber, one of the larger U.S. sawmills. Concurrently, Woodgrain will invest $9 million to expand its moulding plant in Marion, VA, which will buy much of the output from the newly acquired sawmill.
Woodgrain Inc. will create 100 new jobs with the expansion; 80 employees already work at the two sites. The sawmill purchase also ensures a dedicated supply of lumber for Woodgrain’s Marion operation. The dimensional sawmill in Independence will be the company’s first sawmill on the East Coast. Woodgrain plans to add 20 jobs at the facility. In Marion, Woodgrain will improve its existing manufacturing operation and expand into another building, hiring 80 and increasing raw materials purchases by some 20 percent.
“We are excited about expanding our operations,” says Woodgrain Eastern Region Millwork Manager Robb Hitch. “We believe this will … further leverage our vertical integration by supplying lumber to our millwork location in Marion and throughout the Southwest. It’s a win-win situation that will allow us to continue to provide best-in-class service and product.”
Forestry is Virginia’s third-largest private industry, supporting more than 107,000 jobs and providing an economic impact of $21 billion annually, according to the Governor’s office, which provided $350,000 in funding for the projects.
Independence Lumber is Grayson County’s largest private employer, and is among the largest sawmills in the U.S. When the upgrades are complete, the sawmill will become the primary supplier for the company’s Marion operation. This will allow Woodgrain to source 90 percent of its forest products needs within state. Lumber production will increase by 9 million board feet over the next three years.
Woodgrain, founded by Reed Dame in 1969, is one of the largest millwork operators in the world. It produces and distributes high-quality lumber, mouldings, doors, and windows at 27 production and distribution facilities employing more than 3,500 nationwide. Woodgrain operates a particleboard plant, three Western sawmills, two door and two window plants, and holds a half interest in a Chilean moulding operation. It acquired Lowe’s door and cabinet facility in White House, TN in July.
