Decency and Respect Were
Decency and Respect Were Key Focuses in Presentation at South Central Club Gathering Photos by Terry Miller Union City, TN–Sassafraz Restaurant was the venue for this year’s South Central Club gathering, where Bill Courtney, owner and president of Classic American Hardwoods, based in Memphis, TN, spoke to 18 attendees about life lessons he has learned, as well as industry-specific topics, such as possible concern in the future regarding China’s demand for Red Oak. In particular, however, Courtney spoke from excerpts of his book “Against the Grain” which recounts the challenges that faced many of the Please turn to page 56 Wayne Storey, Storey Sawmill & Lumber Co. Inc., Troy, TN; Bill Courtney, Classic American Hardwoods Inc., Memphis, TN; Donald Hanafee, Hanafee Brothers Sawmill Company Inc., Troy, TN; and Terry Miller, National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN Charles Craig, Craig Forest Products Inc., Puryear, TN; Ronnie Laurentius, Havco Wood Products LLC, Cape Girardeau, MO; and Clint Goodman, C. B. Goodman & Sons Lumber Inc., Hickory, KY Tim Pleimann and Terry Farrow, Farrow Lumber Company/Cairo Dry Kilns Inc., Cairo, IL; and Jan Parker and Wayne Storey, Storey Sawmill & Lumber Co. Inc., Troy, TN 36 JULY 2019 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE Jeremy Wagler, Jeffrey Wagler and Mervin Wagler, Wagler & Sons Sawmill, Cottage Grove, TN; and Damon Bevins and Abe Bevins, Farrow Lumber Company/Cairo Dry Kilns Inc., Cairo, IL
CEDAR CREEK Continued from page 21 rural Ozark hills. There have been several additions of buildings and machinery since that time, and we believe it is important to try to keep up with current technology and modern equipment.” Last year, we rebranded the company and made updates to the website and social media platforms. As a lean manufacturer we are always on the lookout for better ways of being efficient and new markets to expand to.” As for the equipment utilized in the manufacturing process, Francis said the operation includes a moulder, gang rip, double surface planer, optimizing chop saw, planer/sander, resaw, profile sander, and a hydraulic clamp carrier for edge/face gluing. When asked about where their lumber is sourced, Francis said, “We have long-term relationships with several mills that produce quality lumber that meets most of our needs. Buying ‘specials’ or low-quality lumber does not help us or our customers.” He also indicated that wholesalers or distributors are used occasionally for specific requests. Customer service and attention to detail seem to be the key ingredients that set this company apart from others in the forest products industry. Francis offered, “Our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff are happy to assist in providing an educated option that meets the customer’s specific requirements. From the simplest order to the most challenging, we’ll do our best to see that Please turn to page 40 Cedar Creek Hardwoods has a 11,000-square-foot manufacturing space, with an additional 500,000 square feet of dry storage. In addition to interior fittings, Cedar Creek Hardwoods manufactures products for outdoor spaces, such as this porch. Architectural elements including doors and windows are also crafted by Cedar Creek Hardwoods. JULY 2019 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 37
