Demise of Furniture Industry Puts Lumber Company into Pallet Arena: Leading Virginia Hardwood Mill Establishes Solid Foothold in Pallet Market

摘要

INDEPENDENCE, Virginia — Independence Lumber Co. is one of the largest sawmill businesses in the U.S. It is located in southwest Virginia with good access to species of Appalachian hardwoods. The company is considered the largest privately owned hardwood sawmill in Virginia. It has been ranked the 12th largest hardwood mill in the U. S. In recent years, the manufacturer of grade Appalachian hardwood lumber has entered the pallet industry. Owner Randall Eller explained the reason for his decision. "When the furniture industry disappeared... we had to do something" with the low-grade hardwood material the company was producing.