The only thing better than our lumber is our service. - Miller ...

CATAWISSA - Continued
ny obtained Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification as well
as conformed to the requirements of the Sustainable Forestry
Initiative standards, both through the SGS Systems audit process
meeting Chain-of-Custody standards.
In addition to Gittler, key executives include Kenneth Janette,
president/chief operating officer; Richard Vannatta, director of
operations; Steve Gemberling, vice president of
manufacturing/general manager of Catawissa Trading Co.; Ken
O’Neill, production scheduler; Adam Cherwinski, sales manager;
Susan Runge, corporate controller; and Justin Gittler, senior engineer.
In recent years, Catawissa Lumber & Specialty Co. has consolidated
from 435 to 250 employees. “That’s painful,” Gittler said.
“We’re a family owned company and our priorities continue to be
employees first, followed by the communities in which we work,
the customers we serve and then the stakeholders or owners of our
company last.”
Gittler said he is increasingly looking towards the international
market to help keep his company healthy during the rapid globalization
of the market.
“Our company has been manufacturing and supplying
Hardwood panels and components to leading-brand manufacturers
since 1957,” he said. “We began by serving U.S.-based customers,
but our company’s success has always turned on our ability to
serve customers around the world.”
To continue breaking new ground internationally, Catawissa
formed a partnership with Baili Arts & Crafts Furniture, based in
Beijing, China. Together, the companies released a new line of
high-end furniture, handmade with Appalachian Cherry Hardwood
by Chinese artisans, called Catawissa/Baili Fine Arts & Crafts.
The wares have been on display during the International Home
A worker is shown finish sanding some Cherry kitchen cabinet components.
Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C., for several years now, and
were noted by the Associated Press Wire Service.
“To me, the fact that AP highlighted what we’re doing and the
continued demands for the products made from our U.S.
Hardwood components indicates that the American public recognizes
craftsmanship at the global level, without restricting its tastes
within national borders,” Gittler said.
For more information, contact Catawissa Lumber & Specialty
Co. Inc. at 570-356-2349, visit www.catlmbr.com or e-mail
sales@catlmbr.com.
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CONTACT: JOHN OR MARCUS HAWKINSON,
TONY GEIGER
AUGUST/2008 41