Woodparts International: Buying, Drying, Surfacing And Serving Since 1974
“We will figure out a way to make it happen. That is how we have always done it, and it is why our customers stay with us.” – Zach Fashbaugh, president, Woodparts International Corporation
This Donaldson Torit dust collection and blower system help keep production moving.
When a company purchases up to 200,000 board feet of hardwood annually while also running four full-capacity kilns for other manufacturers and importing exotic species over the years, they are not just in the business — they are keeping the industry moving. For Woodparts International Corporation in Elkhart, IN, the mission is straightforward. Deliver consistently high-quality kiln drying, surfacing, and warehousing services with speed, flexibility, and personal attention.
Founded in 1974, the family-owned business sits on seven acres. The site includes a 37,000-square-foot steel warehouse, a 14,500-square-foot open-faced warehouse, a 14,000-square-foot main building with the planer and offices, and close to 50,000 square feet of air-drying space. The four Irvington Moore kilns are steam-powered, with steam supplied by a KMW wood-fired boiler and guided by Lignomat controls. Each kiln can handle up to 45,000 board feet per charge. Woodparts keeps an inventory of Ipe, Banak, Sucupira, Tigerwood, and Bloodwood, in addition to handling and drying a wide range of species, including Poplar, Soft and Hard Maple, Red and White Oak, Cherry, Walnut, and Hickory, among others. Most loads finish between six and eight percent moisture content, with the exact target set to each customer’s specifications.
Zach Fashbaugh, president of Woodparts International Corporation.
President Zach Fashbaugh runs the operation alongside Warehouse Supervisor Mike Smith and Floor Supervisor Gerardo Romero. While Woodparts does purchase lumber, often from their own on-hand dried inventory, most of the work is customer-driven. They dry green loads, surface lumber to S2S, rip to size, and store it until manufacturers are ready. “Every customer deals directly with me,” Fashbaugh said. “It keeps communication clean and decisions fast.”
Equipment on site is built for reliability and performance rather than novelty. Two Newman planers, an S-382 and a smaller S-282, handle surfacing. Kiln drying is managed by the four aluminum Irvington Moore kilns. The operation also uses a Moore stacker, Mereen-Johnson rip saws and a Donaldson Torit dust collection and blower system to keep production moving. The kilns’ flexibility allows custom schedules across a wide range of hardwoods, something that has proven valuable for unique customer requests.
One example stands out. A new flooring customer once asked for Soft Maple to be dried down to five percent moisture content. No other custom drying facility would take the risk, as such a low target increases the possibility of damage. The late Keith Butus, who led the company at the time, accepted the challenge. He developed a custom schedule that achieved the goal without compromising quality, and Woodparts dried to five percent for that customer for over 15 years.
One of the four Irvington Moore dry kilns that can handle up to 45,000 board feet per charge.
That willingness to solve problems and do what others will not is part of the company’s DNA. Woodparts began with founder Peter Butus, later operated by his son Keith, and in mid-2023 leadership shifted to Fashbaugh, Keith’s son-in-law. Keith had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022, and he passed away in early 2023. The change in leadership came quickly and unexpectedly.
“I had two weeks to learn everything,” Fashbaugh recalled. “How to dry lumber, run the machinery, invoice customers, manage employees, and keep the lights on. I did not even know what S2S meant on my first day.” Determined to honor Keith’s legacy, he enrolled in an NHLA course covering forestry, grading and kiln drying. That training, combined with hands-on work, allowed him to rebuild the customer base, modernize systems and stabilize core operations.
Today, the company’s strengths reflect both its history and its adaptability. They offer fast turnaround on kiln drying and surfacing. They maintain flexibility to meet custom specifications and timelines. Their large inventory capacity across two warehouses means they can respond quickly to demand. And every customer has direct access to the president, ensuring clear communication and quick decision-making.
An aerial view of the steel warehouse.
Mike Smith’s presence adds another layer of strength. Smith has been with Woodparts since the very beginning and knows the plant inside and out. “He has touched every bolt in this place,” said Fashbaugh. “He can fix anything here. A lot of lumber facilities are built from a mix of parts collected over decades. Mike knows how to keep it all running.” Fashbaugh is learning as much as possible from him to prepare for the day Smith eventually retires.
Located in the RV capital of the world, much of Woodparts’ output is destined for cabinetry, trim, and furniture inside motorhomes and travel trailers. They also supply material for flooring, stair parts and other architectural products. Being able to adapt to the species and specifications customers require is part of the reason they have been able to sustain long-term relationships. “We will figure out a way to make it happen,” said Fashbaugh. “That is how we have always done it, and it is why our customers stay with us.”
Woodparts does not currently exhibit at trade shows, but Fashbaugh says it is on the horizon. “The goal is to build long-term partnerships, upgrade key parts of the facility and explore automation where it makes sense. We want to do right by our customers and by Keith’s legacy.”
The company’s energy system is another point of pride. The kilns run on steam from a KMW wood-fired boiler that burns primarily sawdust from the planer. This creates a self-contained energy loop that reduces waste and keeps costs down. It is a practical solution that benefits both the business and the environment.
An inside view of the 37,000-square-foot steel warehouse at Elkhart, IN-based, Woodparts International Corporation.
From the outside, Woodparts is a custom drying and concentration yard with decades of experience, reliable equipment and a well-earned reputation for service. From the inside, it is also a story of family commitment, resilience and leadership that rose from necessity. In the face of sudden change, Fashbaugh stepped into a role few could have taken on with so little preparation time. With the support of his team, he has kept the company on track and moving forward.
In his words, “It is about building something strong for my wife and daughter, making Keith proud and keeping this business alive for the next generation.”
For more information, visit woodpartsint.com.
