National Hardwood Magazine - October 2022

Pictured from left, John Pysh (President), Max Kutz (General Manager), John Toncich III (Controller), and Dave Platt (Foreman).
Pennsylvania Hardwoods
Expands Operations
Quality Red and White Oak, Cherry, Soft and Hard Maple, Poplar, and Hickory are available as logs or lumber, primarily 4/4 thickness.
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.
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.
“Our company strongly believes that every step of the
process is equally important.”
-John Pysh, owner, Pennsylvania Hardwoods Co.
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
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 com-
Sustainable Forestry Practices
pany 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.
Pennsylvania Cherry – “The Champagne of Hardwoods”
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
Please turn to page 38
28 OCTOBER 2022 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.org
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OCTOBER 2022 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 29