The family has created a saying that has come to be somewhat of a company motto, “We call to sell you the first load; after that the customer will call for the second.” He believes that if you make a good product, the customers will be there. In May of 1997, a fire destroyed the Endeavor mill. After being told by everybody that it would take at least three or four months to rebuild and get up and
going, we worked very hard and were back in business exactly two months later. Paul wanted to rebuild and perpetuate his family’s tradition in the sawmill industry. All of us have heard the expression ‘lightning never strikes twice in the same place.’ Well, our mill is proof that fire can strike twice in the same place. In 2010, the Endeavor mill was totally destroyed by its second fire in less than 15 years. When the mill was hit by the second fire, Paul seriously debated about rebuilding. While he was in a solid economic position, by now Paul had two sons and two grandsons who were interested in continuing the family sawmilling tradition. He decided to rebuild again. The new building is 100x200 ft. in size, all concrete construction, with black top around it. Since their log yard is covered by rock, we have no problem with a soft yard during winter operation. Everybody who sees our mill is impressed; it is a unique facility. We keep it so clean! When we clean up at night, it is as clean as a school floor. Everything is dust free. Once you get used to keeping it clean, it is much easier. It becomes a continuous effort. The company usually has 3000-4000 cords of logs in the yard. These are debarked, sawn into lumber, and the remainder is turned into chips and sawdust for total utilization of the product. All lumber is cut and shipped as soon as possible. Incoming logs go through a Fastline chop saw merchandising system, the only piece of machinery in the mill that survived the second fire. A Morbark debarker, a MDI metal detector, a Fastline merchandizing chop saw, and then a Baker Tri-Scragg circle saw scragg mill with two 48” circle saws complete the new low-grade mill. The scragg was delivered in the early fall of 2010. Late in 2010, the new mill was up and running. The three sided logs are cut to length on two Baker double end-trim bandsaws. The 4” and 6” three-sided center cants go through one of the two Baker multi-head resaws (a five-head saw and a six-head saw). We cut our stringers and some decking from the center cants. The slab sides are cut into deck boards. In spite of the problems we have faced over the years, the family loves the forest products industry and loves the products and service we provide. Our family is indicative of the entrepreneurial spirit and drive that exists in our country. Few if any industries illustrate this fantastic American spirit like the forest products industry does.
