Import:Export Wood Purchasing News - February/March 2018

Rainey Millworks:
Imports Contribute To Three Decades Of Custom Millwork Success
By Kathy Brooks
Hattiesburg, MS–Rainey Millworks
LLC is a manufacturer of architectural
casework, cabinetry and
mouldings, located here. The company
was founded by Bill Rainey after spending
his childhood learning about the
construction industry from his father, who
was a general contractor. Rainey spent
summers helping his dad on construction
sites whenever a subcontractor needed a
helper or when the crew was short-staffed
for laborers. Roofing, bricklaying, and drywall
installation – you name it, he learned
each step first-hand.
Those formative years helped Rainey
make up his mind about a career. His
observations led him to the conclusion
that, “Building and installing
cabinets and millwork is like the
Rainey Millworks manufactured this custom door and transom
for a client in Florida.
Shown in this image is the custom wine room which Rainey Millworks
manufactured and installed at a customer’s home in Bay St. Louis, MS.
Photos continued on page 17
“We do what
nobody else can
do or will do,
particularly a lot
of radius millwork
products.”
–Bill Rainey, Owner,
Rainey Millworks LLC
ALWAYS A PART OF THE FAMILY
&
ARE NOW
DANZER LUMBER
NORTH AMERICA
Cadillac of jobs in this industry.
You’re never out in the sun and
you never get rained on.”
Rainey Millworks buys approximately
100,000 board feet
of imported hardwood species
from overseas, including routine
purchases of Sapele from Africa
and Red Grandis from South
America. Rainey noted, “I have
an import license, so I bring
those in by the container load.”
Domestic hardwoods typically
purchased by Rainey are Oak,
Poplar and Maple in FAS grade,
4/4, 6/4 and 8/4 thicknesses.
The imported lumber is mainly
used for exteriors, while Maple is
preferred for cabinets and cabinet
doors. Rainey stated that the
reason for this decision is that
Maple “is harder and more stable
than Poplar. There’s not enough
difference in price to justify a
door possibly warping.”
Oak is used for cabinets, flooring
and doors, while Poplar is favored
for mouldings, baseboards
and door trim. “Oak is a good,
stainable clear-cut wood. Poplar
takes paint better and also
handles machining better.” Most
of the company’s staircases are
produced out of Oak and Sapele,
which are standard choices for
Continued on page 17
Lumber Sales Contact
Bradford, PA Sawmill
Fredrik Sturesson
(814) 368-3701
fredrik.sturesson@danzer.com
Danzer‘s team at Bradford Forest and Interforest
Lumber will serve you in the future as reliably as in
the past – now under the common Danzer brand.
Danzer, a well-respected brand in hardwoods
worldwide for more than 80 years. danzer.com
Lumber Sales Contact
Shade Gap, PA Facility
Curt Calhoun
(814) 259-4112
curt.calhoun@danzer.com
Import/Export Wood Purchasing News February/March 2018 Page 9