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Trestlewood is expanding eastward with the purchase of a historic sawmill in Burnside, Pa., establishing the reclaimed and specialty wood company’s first manufacturing operation outside the western United States.
The family-owned company acquired the former J.B. Mill, previously run by Rorabaugh Lumber Co., as its fourth operating location, joining operations in Brigham City and Tremonton, Ut., and Blackfoot, Id. The Burnside facility includes a hardwood sawmill, warehouse and dry kilns on 135 acres. Production is targeted to begin before the end of the year.
The acquisition will give Trestlewood additional capacity to process regional hardwoods, while improving distribution of its western wood products to customers across the eastern and central U.S.
Pennsylvania’s abundant hardwood resources, particularly oak, hickory and maple, were a key factor in the decision to establish the new operation. Trestlewood will methodically expand its sawing, drying and processing of locally sourced lumber while also using the new site as a sales and distribution center for products manufactured at its western locations, including reclaimed barn wood, aged western softwoods, specialty lumber, and thermally modified wood.
Trestlewood has more than 30 years of experience in reclaimed and specialty wood products and maintains an inventory exceeding 10 million bd. ft. Paul Cannon, who has relocated to Pennsylvania with his young family, will oversee the Burnside operation as production manager. He is working with other Trestlewood employees and members of the Cannon family to prepare the property for production.
The transition will involve substantial work to bring the existing mill into operating condition. Cannon told GANT News he sees potential in both the facility and its surrounding land, including opportunities to expand operations and make additional use of the property’s resources as the business develops.
Once operational, the Burnside facility will provide the company with a manufacturing and distribution presence in the East, extending its geographic reach beyond its established western base.
