Pleasantville, PA – Pennsylvania Hardwoods Co., a 45-acre, fast-growing operation located in northwest Pennsylvania, is steered by four veteran leaders in the industry. Owner John Pysh, General Manager Max Kutz, Foreman Dave Platt, and Controller John Toncich III are the key faces at Pennsylvania Hardwoods and are pushing an increase of about 60 percent in lumber production.
With a resaw expected to be installed this quarter, lumber production is anticipated to increase substantially.
“It’s a (new) mill, we expect it to be up and running by the third quarter of this year,” Pysh explained. “An increase in sawmill production is important on many levels, but quality will remain our top priority.”
Pysh said current production is about 2.6 million board feet a year for the company, paired with an additional 1.5 million board feet of domestic and export log sales.
Along the way, PA Hardwoods acquired Northeastern States Kilns. The company now has kiln capacity of 100,000 board feet per charge, drying an estimated 200,000 board feet per month.
PA Hardwoods was strictly a green lumber mill from 2015 to 2019.
Pysh’s experience in Hardwoods goes back to his family’s business of Matson Lumber.
“My grandfather owned and operated Matson Lumber, followed by my mother, Becky Matson,” he said. “My first introduction into the company was working the sawmill during high school.”
Pysh took on more serious responsibilities at the company until branching away in 2015 founding Pennsylvania Hardwoods Company which now employs 17 fulltime employees and five well-experienced logging crews.
Pennsylvania Hardwoods is supported by two timber holding companies.
“About 6,000 acres in total,” Pysh said. “All of which is stocked with exceptionally high-value timber, and a strong balance of species.”
Quality Red and White Oak, Cherry, Soft and Hard Maple, Poplar, and Hickory are available as logs or lumber, primarily 4/4 thickness.
In logs they offer high-end veneer logs, rift logs, rotary, table top logs and export saw logs. In lumber, they offer kiln-dried, green lumber, green on lathe, pallet stock and railroad ties.
The quartet dedicate their company’s mission to high-quality services and products for domestic and foreign customers.
“Our company strongly believes that every step of the process is equally important,” reads their website. “From the harvesting of some of the world’s finest timber, to the manufacturing of the log on the sawmill, to the packaging of our final product, we take no short cuts. When you choose Pennsylvania Hardwoods, you choose a company that focuses on quality and consistency.”
The company also aims to maintain an average 350,000 board feet of log inventory.
“Once our new resaw is installed, we will target to keep approximately 700,000 – 750,000 feet in log inventory. This inventory target will satisfy both our lumber and log programs,” explained Pysh.
In lumber inventory, the company stores about 150,000 board feet in a 100,000 square-foot warehouse. They strive to maintain adequate lumber inventory levels to meet the demands of their customers.
Regarding the forestry department, and the company’s plans for increased production, Pennsylvania Hardwoods maintains its quality of service in custom harvest plans for each landowner’s property and needs; worldwide markets and competitive pricing; free estimates over 10 acres; payment in full before the start of harvest; and skid trails and landings restored to the same or better condition as prior to harvest.
“We see in the next three to five years,” Pysh added, “there is definitely going to be some really nice growth here at the company.”
Visit Pennsylvania Hardwoods’ website at www.pahardwoods.com.
