RON JONES HARDWOOD SALES
RON JONES HARDWOOD SALES INC. Continued “I think Steve and Ron (Jones) are great role models. We are very different people, and my leadership style will be different than theirs, and that’s OK. We’ll keep things going and keep innovating with slow, steady growth to keep things moving.” –Nate Jones, lumber sales & procurement, Ron Jones Hardwood Sales Inc. Patriarch Ron Jones founded Ron Jones Hardwood Sales Inc. in Union City, PA, in 1983. Shown here are some of the original team members at the Union City historic railroad sales office. Company in Jamestown, NY. Before long, he was back in Union City working for wholesaler Tri-State Hardwood turned American Lumber, the largest exporter of Hardwoods east of the Mississippi River. Hired by owner and mentor Herb Ascherman, a Harvard University graduate, Ron worked his way up the ranks to become a vice president and eventually president of American Hardwood Industries, of which he became part owner. In 1976, the wholesale company was sold to then Hammermill Paper Company. It was a major milestone for Ron, who after 23 years as an executive for some of the industry’s best lumber corporations, decided to strike out on his own. “I started my own company at 43 years old in 1983,” he recalled. “I’d asked some people, ‘What should I call the company?’ And they said, ‘Use your name. You’ve got a good reputation. Just call it Ron Jones Hardwoods.’ So that’s what I did, and I worked that wholesale company for 10 years and did very well. Then, in 1991, I started a lumber yard in Franklin.” Today, Ron Jones is considered an industry legend with more than 60 years of experience in buying and selling American Hardwoods, proud to have passed his knowledge on to both his son, Steve, and grandson, Nate Jones. “I’m very blessed,” Ron said, “and I’m blessed to have my son and grandson in the business too.” Next Generation Ron Jones Hardwood Sales Inc.’s expertise and professionalism have certainly positioned the company to Current Ron Jones Hardwood Sales Inc. corporate staff (from left): Lumber Procurement Trevor Vaughan; Office Manager & Controller Diane Cooper; President & Director of Domestic and Export Sales Steve Jones; Sales and Purchasing Nate Jones; and Administrative Assistant Kaylynn Ostergard. Pictured is the front entrance to the new storage/planer building at Ron Jones Hardwoods. successfully transition from one generation to the next. Steve, who is now the sole owner, is a Penn State and NHLA grad (and former instructor) and has been with the company since 1989. Since that time, he has increased sales and better positioned the company, navigating China trade wars, COVID, and other challenges, as both a respected leader in his industry and community. A former Union City Citizen of the Year, Steve has served on many local and national boards, including the National Hardwood Lumber Association, Hardwood Manufacturers Association, the Hardwood Manufacturers Association Board, the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturer’s Board, the Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club, and the American Hardwood Export Council. He also is a former chairman of the Manufacturer & Business Association Board of Governors and chairman of the Union City Community Foundation. “Steve’s been a member and officer in every Hardwood association there is, and he is making great decisions,” explained Ron Jones. “He’s well known in the industry, not just in Pennsylvania, but all over the United States, Canada, and Internationally. He handles his people better than anybody I’ve ever seen.” Steve recently recruited his son Nate to become an integral part of the company after earning a dual degree in international business and marketing from Penn State Behrend in the spring of 2020. At the height of the COVID pandemic, Nate attended the NHLA Inspector Training School for a seven-week intensive, lumber inspection program before joining the family business, immersing himself in all aspects of its operations — yarding lumber, quality control, lumber grading, and dry kilns. Nate quickly moved to the sales team, as home improvement projects, such as flooring, cabinets, and millwork drove skyrocketing demand for American Hardwood lumber in the COVID era. “It was such a hyperexcited time, but we knew Nate could handle it,” Steve explained. Now, each generation of the Jones family is leaving their mark on the business. “I think Steve and Ron are great role models,” said Nate Jones. “We are very different people, and my leadership style will be different than theirs, and that’s OK. We’ll keep things going and keep innovating with slow, steady growth to keep things moving.” Employees work on the high production green grading line in Franklin, PA. Strategy for Success Ron Jones Hardwood Sales Inc.’s strategy for success has been to continuously reinvent its product mix, markets, and culture, and by reinvesting in technology, equipment, and employees. Everyone is cross trained within the organization. “We’re always staying forward thinking,” explained Steve Jones. “We must continually adapt, look at ways we can increase value, and have efficient production flow through the business of our products. We are investing in machinery, in technology and our people.” He expanded on the recent developments: “We have made significant investments in our facility over the past six years. We now have 500,000-board-foot kiln capac- Please turn to page 53 28 SEPTEMBER 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry SEPTEMBER 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 29
