In this issue of National Hardwood Magazine, learn more about Gat Creek's expansion, go behind the scenes at Abenaki Timber Corp., and take a look at recent conventions and meetings. The issue also features Who's Who in Hardwoods, Trade Talk and Business Trends.
Gat Creek’s Palisade
Gat Creek’s Palisade dining room table and Bella chairs, both made of Cherry, add elegance to a home. Gat Creek Plans Expansion, Focuses on Product Stability and Safety Berkeley Springs, WV—Hardwood furniture manufacturer Gat Creek, based here, purchases 1.7 million board feet of Hardwoods annually in Maple (No. 1 Common), Walnut (FAS), Ash (No. 1 and No. 2 Common), Cherry (No. 1 Common) and White Oak (No. 1 Common) in 4/4, 5/4, 6/4 and 8/4 thicknesses. Manufacturing residential furniture from solid Appalachian Hardwoods, the operation encompasses 95,000-square-feet and employs 145 people. Key personnel, including CEO Gat Caperton, are Vice President of Operations Donna Burdock; Vice President of Finance Terry Frost; Vice President of Sales and Marketing David Petersen; Production Supervisors Zak Zackrzweski and Jeff Kidwell; and Front End Lead Mike Snow. Gat Creek is focused on providing safe American-made products that will stand the test of time. CEO Gat Caperton said, “Providing safe, quality products is who we are. Indoor air quality, the safety of our environment and sustainably managed forests, the health and safety of our workers and our community are priority. Of course, furniture stability is going to be important to us.” Along with safety and quality, the people at Gat Creek “ Providing safe, quality products is who we are. Indoor air quality, the safety of our environment and sustainably managed forests, the health and safety of our workers and our community are priority. Of course, furniture stability is going to be important to us.” –Gat Caperton, CEO, Gat Creek also place a strong emphasis on artistry, refinement and elegance. Caperton said, keeping the elegance of wood means paying attention when choosing boards from the mill. “At Gat Creek we seek out Cherry’s signature contrasting grain patterns found in the heartwood,” he explained. “We are careful about avoiding sapwood which is the wood closest to the tree’s bark. Sapwood tends to be white and stay white as the Cherry wood ages. That’s how you end up with what we call zebras and tigers: a Gat Creek’s Wilson table in Ash displays the excellence of West Virginia workmanship in beautiful Appalachian Hardwoods. Please turn to page 48 20 JUNE 2021 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE By Michelle Keller JUNE 2021 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 21
