National Hardwood Magazine - October 2018

A bundle of lumber

A bundle of lumber bearing the logo of Hartzell Hardwoods sits before some 16/4 Walnut at Hartzell’s facility in Piqua, OH. HARTZELL HARDWOODS: Historic Hardwood Company Just Getting Started By Gary Miller Piqua, OH— Hartzell Hardwoods, headquartered here, is a 6th generation American family-owned company with over 140 years of dedication and experience in the Hardwood industry. As the original Walnut company, Hartzell recognizes strategic and long term relationships are the foundation of both Hartzell and its partners’ success. As a result of those relationships and delivering superior quality Hardwood lumber through operational excellence, including being a pioneer in Walnut steaming, Hartzell is globally recognized as the leader in premium Walnut and thick Oak lumber. Founded in 1875 by John T. Hartzell as a sawmill and wagon manufacturer, the Hartzell Family of Companies has evolved over its 140-plus years in operations. That evolution has included businesses coming and going as the company has adapted to changes in the world and U.S. economies, technology, product development, and customer needs, but all have been born from John T’s original business. One of the great examples of this evolution includes one of its more notable customers of the early 20th century. Through his friendship with Orville Wright, Robert N. Hartzell entered the aviation industry by manufacturing wooden Walnut airplane propellers sourced from the Hardwood company’s sawmill. Over the years, Hartzell Propeller proudly provided high quality and dependable airplane propellers including those to American pilots fighting in World Wars I and II. Providing those propellers led to another industry where the Hartzell name became synonymous with quality and durability. One hot summer day, a factory worker at the propeller plant decided a window unit fan should be replaced with an engineered airfoil propeller blade that significantly increased ventilation and air flow. 36 OCTOBER 2018 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

From left: Tom Coble, Vice President of Sales and Marketing; Robert Kaebnick, Chief Operating Officer and sixth-generation Hartzell Family member; and Coby Short, Director of Procurement. Hartzell Hardwoods’ logo, “Pride in Every Board,” is displayed prominently throughout its facilities in Piqua, OH and Kirksville, MO. This idea resulted in Hartzell Air Movement which now manufacturers highly engineered axial and centrifugal fans. Hartzell Air Movement now services market leaders in the marine, power generation, waste water, semi-conductor, and food processing industries. Hartzell Hardwoods, Hartzell Propeller, and Hartzell Air Movement are three very different businesses and industries. However, all share the legacy built on John T’s original business and remain leaders in their industries due to the companies’ deeply rooted entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to quality. The company has also remained committed to the Hardwood industry and sustainable practices as evidenced by its recognition as 100-year member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) along with its long-standing support and membership with American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association (IHLA), American Walnut Manufacturers Association (AWMA), Ohio Forestry Association Inc. (OFA), Kentucky Forest Industries Assocication (KFIA), and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation. Hartzell Hardwoods has facilities in Ohio and Missouri where it sources lumber from only the most reputable mills and utilizes proprietary processes to help customers achieve higher yields and profits through innovative solutions. Hartzell is known worldwide as the leading producer of high quality Walnut and thick stock White and Red Oak, including a full line of premium sorts, enhanced grades, and color sorts. Items produced include 4/4 – 16/4 Walnut, 4/4 – 12/4 White Oak and Red Oak, 4/4 – 8/4 in quartersawn Walnut and White Oak, and various thicknesses of Ash, Cherry, and Hickory. In order to better serve customer needs and improve yields, Hartzell Hardwoods has recently developed multiple unique proprietary grades such as Veneer grade Walnut and White Oak, width sorted Lamella grade Walnut, and Character/Rustic graded Walnut, White Oak and Hickory. Hartzell is able to offer a full range of width sorts and unique pulls in all product lines. As a customer-driven company, Hartzell is constantly looking to develop new offerings to drive customer yield. Please turn to page 63 (Below) In the early 20th century, Robert N. Hartzell entered the aviation industry, manufacturing wooden Walnut airplane propellers using logs, such as the grandfather log below sawed in the company’s mill, for American pilots in World Wars I and II. “Hartzell is a company with a proud past and a dynamic future. The Hartzell Family is very proud of its legacy and committed to building on it. We are also extremely excited and committed to our future. I know we’re a 143-year-old company...but we’re just getting started.” Robert Kaebnick, Chief Operating Officer and 6th generation Hartzell Family member who leads and manages Hartzell Hardwoods OCTOBER 2018 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 37