Oak Hill Veneer Plans $2 Million Expansion

by | Oct 5, 2015 | News

Oak Hill Veneer Inc. will invest almost $2 million to expand its  operations in Troy, PA. When completed, the spliced hardwood veneer manufacturer said it expects to add 73 full-time jobs over the next three years, more than double its current size of 62 employees.

Plans call for the construction of a 15,000-square-foot building and adding a new line of veneer splicing equipment. In addition, the company said it will lease a nearby 35,000-square-foot building where it will install a new line of manufacturing equipment to produce veneer board. News of the expansion was announced Sept. 30.

Oak Hill Veneer is one of 18 companies owned by Spanish wood products firm Grupo Losan. Founded in 2008, Oak Hill Veneer specializes in cutting and splicing various thicknesses of veneer in a variety of species, including oak, cherry, maple and walnut, in accordance with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification requisites, according to the corporate website.

“Oak Hill Veneer, Inc. is very excited about our upcoming expansion project,” said Amy Jackson, project coordinator. “This project has been months in the making and we are finally able to make an idea a reality. The state’s assistance will be used towards the purchase of the new equipment and to help with the construction of the new building at the Oak Hill Veneer Inc. site. These upcoming projects will create many jobs and bring more business to the community.”

The company received assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that includes $146,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits and a $225,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant. The project also was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team in collaboration with the Office of International Business Development and the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission.

From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/oak-hill-veneer-plans-2-million-expansion?ss=wood,wood,wood_of_the_month,wood,pricing_supply,wood,components_sourcing,wood,panel_supply,wood,wood_veneer,wood,lumber_quotes_charts

StemWood Veneer Will Close Operations

by | May 22, 2015 | News

StemWood, a veneer and lumber mill, says it will wind down operations by the end of the 2015. StemWood produces high quality 4/4 walnut, cherry, white oak and red oak lumber as well as flitch and “clipped & bundled” hardwood veneers in a variety of species for a worldwide market.

“The exodus of American furniture manufacturing to Asia and the prolonged recession in new housing have been punishing blows to our business model,” says David Wunderlin, who has been president and part owner of StemWood since 1989.

Wunderlin said in a statement the closure is a management decision based on the economics of the company and the industry, and that its owners are actively seeking alternative operators or new uses for StemWood.

“StemWood is under no duress from any outside source,” Wunderlin says. “We are operating extremely well. Our productivity is high and our quality is excellent. Our management team simply understands how harshly the dynamics of our industry are working against us.”

Wunderlin says StemWood has seen over 90 customers or competitors cease production in recent years, including a dozen in its Southern Indiana locale. The owners say they are seeking alternative operators or new uses for StemWood.

From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/wood-veneer/StemWood-Veneer-Lumber-Mill-Will-Close-Operations-Citing-Asia-Furniture-Closures-304042261.html#sthash.UEmMngWy.VwQH26V4.dpbs