Thomas Hibdon works in sales and marketing for Tropical Forest Products (TFP), a wholesaler and distributor located in Mississauga, ON, with sales throughout North America. The firm purchases 25 million board feet annually of more than 30 species of import and domestic Hardwoods and tropical Hardwood decking.
TFP is a one-stop shop that can source customers’ import/exotic needs, premium tropical Hardwood decking as well as specialty domestic items. The business also offers planing and milling services. It is FSC-certified and offers FSC products where available. TFP is a member of the International Wood Products Association, the National Hardwood Lumber Association and the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermens Association.
Hibdon joined TFP in June of 2020. He has worked in the forest products industry for more than 30 years. As a teenager, he worked summers at Hibdon Hardwood – stacking and tallying lumber and keeping things neat and orderly. He says he learned from his father, W.T. Hibdon, the value of a full day of work and attention to detail.
He has worked inspecting lumber at Thomas & Proetz Lumber, inspecting lumber and carrying out sales and marketing at Craig Lumber Corporation, working in the import division of Atlanta Hardwoods and working for Thompson Mahogany. At one time, he was a member of the Memphis Lumbermen’s Club and SOWHO (the Society of Woodheads Only).
Hibdon attended the University of Missouri, Columbia and graduated from the National Hardwood Lumber Association’s 95th class. In his free time, he enjoys photography, listening to music, camping and hiking. He and his wife of 21 years, Susan, have three sons, a daughter and a grandson.
For more information, you can go to www.tropicalforestproducts.com.
Brock Hoffman is in inside/outside sales and involved in lumber purchasing at Boyce Highlands, a custom architectural millwork manufacturer in Concord, NH. The organization purchases 2.5 million board feet of lumber per year. Boyce Highlands handles a wide variety of lumber, in thicknesses that include 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, 8/4, 10/4 and rough kiln-dried. Species include Red and White Oak, Ash, Basswood, Birch, Cherry, Hard and Soft Maple, Poplar, Walnut, Douglas fir, cedar, Hickory, Cypress, Southern yellow pine, Sapele, Eucalyptus, Ipe and others.
Boyce Highlands can match or create nearly any moulding profile imaginable, whether it is a pre-existing profile, drawing or sample. The company staffs an experienced drawing and knife department, plus Boyce offers custom staining and finishing.
Boyce Highlands is a member of the Forest Stewardship Council, the Wood Products Manufacturing Association and the Architectural Woodwork Institute.
Hoffman has been on the Boyce Highlands staff for two years. He spent one year as the rough mill manager and the past year in sales. Hoffman said, “I have the absolute best resources to grow with Boyce Highlands. The owners, John Lentine and Brien Murphy, are among the best millwork professionals in the industry. They provide constant steering to be the best version of myself in sales. Most importantly, I get to work alongside the general manager and one of my best friends Brent Rheinhardt. The information that I have available at my fingertips from these three men far succeeds any forestry bachelor degree I could obtain.”
Hoffman’s first job in the forest products industry was at age 16 as a yard assistant at Green Hills Lumber Yard in Mohnton, PA. He grew up learning the trade from his father and uncle, both tradesmen in their own right. From 2014 to 2019, Hoffman worked at Coastal Forest Products, Bow, NH, in inside sales under the mentoring of inside sales manager Shawn Brooks.
Hoffman graduated Governor Mifflin High School and studied business administration at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania.
In his spare time, Hoffman enjoys hunting, fishing and camping with his children (son, Ryder and daughter, Lylah) as well as coaching high school wrestling. He also enjoys the time he spends boating or relaxing around a bonfire with some of his closest friends, Megan, Brent and Ken.
Learn more about this company at www.boycehighlands.com.
Jeff Ortner is a buyer for Elipticon Wood Products Inc. in Little Chute, WI. In his position, he purchases lumber, shop supplies and office supplies. Elipticon is an end-use manufacturer, purchasing one million board feet of lumber per year. Elipticon carries Poplar, Red and White Oak (Select and Better), Cherry (standard and premium), Black Walnut (standard and premium), Hard and Soft Maple, cedar and pine (radiata and knotty) in thicknesses ranging from 4/4 to 8/4.
Elipticon offers custom wood products such as stair treads and handrails, headers, bar rails and curved products, such as arches and curved jambs, coupled with high quality standard moulding and millwork. The company also will run and stock specific profiles that a customer uses on a regular basis.
Elipticon is a member of the Wood Products Manufacturers Association, Architectural Woodworking Institute, Window and Door Manufacturers Association, Wood Components Manufacturers Association and Forest Stewardship Council.
Ortner will be starting his fifth year at Elipticon in December. He has held his current position for about a year. His first job in the forest products industry was running a skidder for a small logging operation. At Elipticon, Ortner began by driving a delivery truck. He then moved into the shop and ran a moulder until taking over his current position. He attended both the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and North Central Technical College. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, reading, darts, snowmobiling and deer hunting. He and his wife of two years, Donna, have two sons, three daughters, two stepdaughters, three grandsons and three granddaughters.
For more information, go to www.elipticon.com.
