Quality And Consistency Are Key At Stetson Forest Products Inc.

Quality And Consistency Are Key At Stetson Forest Products Inc.

Stetson Forest Products Inc., located in Stetsonville, WI, offers an extensive selection of air-dried and kiln-dried hardwood lumber, featuring thicknesses ranging from 4/4 – 9/4. The company has established itself as a significant player in the industry, purchasing an impressive 12 million board feet annually. Their inventory includes a variety of species such as Hard and Soft Maple, Red and White Oak, White and Yellow Birch, Cherry, Hickory and Aspen.

Co-owner and manager Jason Belter emphasized that the company primarily sources its lumber from the Lake States region. “We focus on Michigan and Wisconsin for the bulk of our inventory but we occasionally source from Illinois and Iowa, when necessary,” he explained. This commitment to regional sourcing not only supports local economies but also ensures that the quality of the wood meets the company’s high standards.

Belter and his partner, Rick Acker, founded their first sawmill in 2000. “We started with just the two of us, which made for a small but dedicated team,” he recalled. “As we expanded with the opening of our second sawmill, we began to hire more employees. Today, we operate this hardwood distribution yard and three sawmills, employing a total of 65 people across all our locations.”

The Stetson name has become synonymous with quality and consistency in the lumber industry. “To achieve the level of quality and consistency we desire, it all starts right in the forest,” Belter explained. “We source timber from consistent suppliers who treat the land as a renewable resource. Our own sawmills are fed with the same types of hardwoods. We work with loggers who cut the wood and bring it to us, where we create various products, including railroad ties and cants. Then, the graded lumber arrives at this facility.”

Stetson Forest Products – Our Quality is Key

Stetson Forest Products operates six SII dry kilns with a combined capacity of 270,000 board feet, as well as a Newman planer and a Mereen-Johnson ripsaw. Belter provided insight into a typical day at the distribution yard: “When lumber arrives, it is graded and stacked on sticks for the dry kiln. After drying, about 90 percent of the hardwood lumber is planed using our Newman planer. We inspect all lumber after kiln drying, sorting it by grade for various customers. From that point, we either sell it as lumber or run it through our Mereen-Johnson ripsaw to rip it to width for clients who require specific parts. This process allows us to achieve a higher rip yield, which helps keep costs manageable for everyone involved.”

With two million feet of air-dried inventory, Belter mentioned the efficiency of their operations. “We ensure that the Hard and Soft Maple lumber entering the yard is taken into the dry kiln within three days of arrival. We have 60,000 square feet of dry storage available,” he explained. “A significant portion of our work involves thick stock Oak, and we use two t-sheds equipped with netting to protect the wood from sunlight. We sticker the wood and use the t-shed curtains to block the sun. This allows us to air-dry it very slowly while keeping it shielded from weather elements. Thicker stock can take up to a year to dry properly.”

At Stetson Forest Products, there’s a strong focus on both consistency and efficiency. Following the installation of the Mereen-Johnson ripsaw, Belter noted, “We approached this installation with a couple of goals in mind. First, we wanted to provide value-added products to the marketplace. Additionally, we’ve noticed rising freight costs in recent years. By ripping most of our wood into products here, we can save on transportation costs and minimize waste that would otherwise be hauled around the country.”

No part of the resource goes to waste at Stetson Forest Products. “We keep our waste at this facility,” Belter stated. “A few years ago, we removed the last of our gas boilers, and now we run entirely on biofuel produced from our waste. We dry our lumber and operate the plant using 100 percent biomass.” This commitment to sustainability reflects the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship.

When asked what sets Stetson apart from competitors in the industry, Belter emphasized quality, consistency and experience. “Our grade, yield and consistency speak for themselves,” he asserted. “The color consistency is unparalleled. After 20 years of drying lumber, our Maple is among the whitest available on the market. We focus on quality and maintaining the integrity of our lumber throughout the process.”

“In terms of new products, we don’t plan to roll out anything new in the next two to three years. Instead, we’ll focus on refining our existing processes and improving both our product and service quality,”

JASON BELTER

He continued, “Without an experienced and dedicated team, we wouldn’t be able to provide the consistency and quality that our customers value. Our employees are our best asset.”

The applications for Stetson’s products are diverse and interesting. “Our lumber is used in a wide array of products, ranging from surfboards to hard maple guitar necks. For instance, in Las Vegas, one hotel contractor utilized our quarter-sawn lumber for wall installations. Many of our customers choose to buy exclusively from us and we enjoy a strong base of repeat customers,” Belter shared.

Belter plays an integral role in the daily operations at Stetson Forest Products Inc. “I am both the owner and the salesman,” he explained. “When I tell a customer I’ve seen the wood, I mean it. I’m deeply involved in every aspect of the business. We take pride in our ability to fulfill special requests, particularly for thicker stocks. If there’s a need, we’re committed to meeting it.”

Belter graduated from the National Hardwood Lumber Association inspector grading school in Memphis, TN, in 1999. His journey in the lumber industry began in high school during a work-study program. “I worked in a wood plant and my instructor suggested I attend the grading school in Memphis, TN. After completing the NHLA classes, I worked for a few other companies before we established our own sawmill.”

Regarding future growth, Belter noted that they began with one shift and have recently added a second shift to their production schedule. “In terms of new products, we don’t plan to roll out anything new in the next two to three years. Instead, we’ll focus on refining our existing processes and improving both our product and service quality,” he said.

Stetson Forest Products Inc. is a member of the Lake States Lumber Association.

For more information, call 715 678 2400