The Kendricks offer
The Kendricks offer guided headset tours to visitors interested in learning about the important impacts Hardwoods make to our economy and environment. Kendrick Forest Products: Thriving And Growing Thanks To Team Effort In 1983, Tim and Rhonda Kendrick could never have imagined the level of growth their little sawmill and logging operation would come to know. From its humble origins of a small circle mill with 16 employees in Edgewood, Iowa, Kendrick, Inc. has grown to include four sites and over 160 employees across several brands shipping logs, lumber, and Kendrick Home wood wall art across the globe. The Kendricks have done it with a core of smart, strong-willed locals dedicated to LEAN Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement. The Kendricks have empowered those teammates to make good decisions on their behalf. This year, Kendrick, Inc. took their game to another level. Kendrick Forest Products (KFP) remains the centerpiece of that family of brands. KFP is a vertically integrated Hardwood processor focusing on logging, sawing, and drying Walnut and White Oak in addition to 10 other species that are abundant in Eastern Iowa and Southwestern Wisconsin, (an area known for quality Walnut and other Hardwood species grown in rich fertile ground providing consistent color and texture). While growing their presence as a respected producer of Walnut lumber over the past 38 years it became time to continue to invest in the future of the company. This year KFP designed and erected a 36,000-square-foot kiln-dried processing facility (KD Plant) allowing them to more efficiently plane, rip, and chop lumber and components parts. The KD Plant includes a VisionTally system 22 FEBRUARY 2022 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE
ensuring KD customers are receiving exactly the footage that is expected. General Manager Greg Blomberg noted, “Everything about the KD Plant will focus on enhancing our lumber quality and continuing to solidify our reputation in the industry as the go-to vendor for Walnut, White Oak and Hickory.” Quality is important to the KFP brand. KFP is a Grade Certified Mill. The National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) site certification requires inspection of their product by NHLA National Inspectors on a regular basis to ensure their product is within grade specifications. In addition to the NHLA, KFP is active in the Hardwood Manufacturers Association (HMA), Lake States Lumber Association (LSLA), Wood Component Manufacturers Association (WCMA), Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association (IHLA), the American Walnut Manufacturers Association (AWMA), and is a proponent and contributor of the Real American Hardwood Coalition. KFP regularly brings employees from all levels in the company to association meetings and manufacturing tours to continue to make new connections and gain further knowledge from industry friends. While many mills were paring back production during the pandemic, KFP never skipped a beat. “We truly operate as a team. We have a fantastic core that is able to adapt to changing market conditions when they come up,” stated Blomberg. “We are not so big that we are forced to move slowly when changing directions. We really are fortunate to have our camaraderie on board; it is a credit to Tim and Rhonda for instilling the team concept. No one from within looks at this business as if they were the sole genius to drive the growth; it has always been a team effort. Consequently, we have terrific employee retention. I feel like we are on a championship team that wants to stay together and keep on winning championships when perhaps we could individually do slightly better on the free market but be unhappy doing it. The good news is that our customers will enjoy the continuity of our team and our cross-training efforts.” This family business wasn’t satisfied with just doing it better, they are also on a growth path. KFP recently acquired an additional sawmill in Muscatine, Iowa and a dry kiln facility in Vinton, Iowa. With the addition of these plants, KFP will be sawing over 15 million board feet per year and drying over 8 million board feet per year. Lumber Sales Manager Matt Yest welcomes the challenge to move more product, stating, “Our customers have been asking us for additional material and this year’s capital improvements and acquisitions will make it all possible. The added mill and kilns will especially increase the availability of our kiln-dried products in winter months. This will greatly improve our customer’s ability to count on us year-round.” Matt is the immediate past “We truly operate as a team. We have a fantastic core that is able to adapt to changing market conditions when they come up.” Greg Blomberg General Manager Kendrick Forest Products Kendrick Forest Products’ corporate office and original plant are nestled right on the edge of the picturesque community of Edgewood, Iowa. The addition of the mill in Muscatine, Iowa provides a great location for production of White Oak, Walnut and Soft Maple. president of the AWMA and is currently serving on the Executive Committee. KFP produces 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses in Walnut. Other species are predominantly cut at 4/4 and 5/4. In addition to grade lumber, KFP produces railroad ties, pallet cants, and pallet grade lumber. The company offers lumber in the rough or hit or miss, surfaced through Please turn to page 32 FEBRUARY 2022 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 23
