By Zech Sindt
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Root River Hardwoods has been a cornerstone of Preston, Minn., for over 45 years, a testament to the vision and dedication of its founders. The company’s story began in 1979 when the Webster Lumber Company sawmill was on the verge of shutting down. Dick Bahl, a man who “did this his whole life, logging and sawmill,” wasn’t ready to let it close. As his son Andy, now part-owner, recalls, “When they were going to shut it down, he was either going to find another job or buy the existing company and build on it from there.” With Mike Merritt by his side, Dick chose the latter, and Root River Hardwoods was born.
The early days were anything but easy. “They went a year and weren’t going to make it,” Andy admitted. Facing daunting interest rates as high as 18% or 19%, they had to find creative ways to stay afloat. “They’d cut trees down in town to make some extra money just to keep the business going,” Andy recounted. The turning point came when Jeff Wand joined as a partner. “After that, they were able to keep the mill and start building something sustainable,” Andy explained. “By 1982, things started to turn around. They got more people, more trucks, and that part of the business really took off.”
Root River Hardwoods initially focused on producing railroad ties and grade lumber for furniture making. One of their earliest and most enduring partnerships has been with Woodcraft, a relationship spanning those 45 years. “Even back in 1980, we were supplying Woodcraft with a lot of lumber, and we still do to this day. They’re one of our best customers,” Andy shared. Over time, their offerings expanded, but quality and customer needs have remained at the heart of their operations. “Back then, red oak was the main wood. Now walnut is king, and white oak is one of the strongest woods we work with,” Andy noted. “People also like maple. That’s still popular, but cherry has really died off. Hardly anyone uses cherry anymore.”
A defining characteristic of the company is its commitment to utilizing every part of the tree. “All the waste products get sold,” Andy emphasized. “The slabs go to firewood, the bark is used in landscaping, and the sawdust becomes bedding. Every piece of the tree gets used, which is really nice.” This efficiency, paired with their sustainable harvesting practices, ensures that their impact on the environment is as positive as possible. “If you harvest timber correctly, you get really good growth,” explained Andy. “Dad used to harvest the same timber three times in 10 years by taking out the larger trees and letting the smaller ones grow. It’s all about doing it the right way.”
Root River Hardwoods has always maintained strong ties to Minnesota and the Preston community. While many of their products now reach far beyond Minnesota – “We’ve shipped to Alaska, Florida, and California,” Andy said – their local roots run deep. “Most of our employees are local,” Andy shared. “We’ve always tried to support the community. My dad was a great guy; he’d give anyone a chance to work. Many of his guys stayed with him for years. He worked hard himself.”
Despite technological advancements in the industry, much of the work at Root River Hardwoods remains traditional. “The main head saw is still the original saw,” Andy said. “The bandsaw was a huge improvement, though. It helps reduce waste and makes things more efficient.” Innovations like a computerized moulder have also streamlined operations. “Setting up a moulding used to take 35 to 40 minutes; now it takes five,” Andy explained. “This has been a game changer, especially when we need to run just a few extra pieces to finish a job.”
Looking to the future, the company is planning to expand its presence in the Twin Cities. “A significant portion of our products already goes there,” Andy noted. “If we had a nice showroom up there, people would be in awe because of all the species of wood we can get. We can make almost anything because we can get almost anything.” The showroom would also help them serve homebuilders, remodelers and cabinet makers more efficiently. “We already send a truck there three times a week, so having a store would be a big help,” Andy explained. “It’ll also be a great staging area for homebuilders who always want everything right away.”
Challenges like labor shortages remain an issue. “It’s hard work, and it’s always been tough to find help,” Andy said. “But it’s easier now than when I was a kid. Back then, there was no heat or air conditioning in the sawmill. Now we’ve got heated facilities, which makes a big difference.”
Andy remains optimistic about the future. “With timber being a natural resource that keeps coming back if you log it correctly, and the programs in place to replant, I think we can keep going for a long time. Even if the timber didn’t hold up, we could still keep the kiln-dried stores running by buying boards from other companies. We’ve been doing this for a lot of years, and as long as we keep adapting, we’ll keep going.”
The story of Root River Hardwoods is a testament to the enduring power of hard work, community, and a respect for the natural world, a legacy that promises to thrive for many years to come.
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