Shown here is the first
Shown here is the first truckload of lumber that was sent out by York Legacy in the spring of 2021. The York Legacy mill operates a circle saw configuration with a downward flow, a 6” Brewer run around, edging line and a grading line. York Legacy Mill: A Family Tradition Thrives “Not only is it important to produce a quality Hardwood product, but so is employing skilled tradesman.” — Matthew York Owner York Legacy Mill Marrowbone, KY —York Legacy Mill Inc. is a family-owned and operated sawmill that harvests, manufactures and sells American Hardwoods to customers within the U.S. region. York Legacy was established in January 2018 as a lumber source for the pallet and cross tie industries. York Legacy has since expanded the sawmill in spring 2021 to produce grade lumber. Located in the South-Central part of Kentucky, the mill currently concentrates on sourcing lumber from the Appalachian region. Lumber species include Red and White Oak, Poplar, Hard and Soft Maple, Ash along with less sought out Hardwoods. The company also offers Cedar. Owner Matthew York and his wife, Chasity, are proud to re-establish their trade in the Hardwood grade industry. Although York Legacy was formed in 2018, the family’s timber trade dates back as early as the 1930’s with the owner’s grandfather, Fred York. Matt’s father, Marty York, converted to the pallet industry from staves and grade in 1986. York Legacy’s production goals are to produce 30,000 board feet daily and the mill ships several loads daily of green lumber. “With all parts working, this seems to be a realistic goal,” Matt said. They primarily produce 4/4 with consideration to larger cuts for customer preference. The company’s two areas of focus include an expanded buyers market that first, welcomes any buyer of Hardwoods and Cedar. Also, the company welcomes any requests from land and timber foresters, land owners, and property managers to consider land within a 100-mile radius. York Legacy employs 25-30 people. From the forests to the buyer’s yard, York Legacy manages the cutting of harvested timber, transporting logs and lumber and manufacturing grade material. Buying land and standing timber is a major concentration as the mill needs to keep all departments working, including the Logging Crew, York Legacy owner, Matthew York, formed the company’s trucking operation, E&Y Transport, in 2010. Sawmill, Land Management, and Transportation. “Not only is it important to produce a quality Hardwood product, but so is employing skilled tradesman,” Matt said. The Grade Mill has two employees that have graduated from the National Hardwood Lumber Association Inspector Training School in Memphis, TN, one of whom has recently graduated top of his class and served as the president of the 2021 Summer Term class. The other is the main sawyer for the Grade Mill. York Legacy’s three generations in the Hardwood market have produced products such as grade lumber, precut material, staves, land and timber trades, log sales, ties, and specialty pallets, and have established various companies throughout the years: York and Vibbert, A&Y Enterprises, and now York Legacy. Please turn to page 37 Jerry Anderson, an original grader of York Legacy since the late ‘70s/early ‘80s. 26 CHRISTMAS 2021 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE CHRISTMAS 2021 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 27
