Renick Millworks Finds New Uses for Old Wood

By CATHY BONNSTETTER
For The State Journal
July 18, 2008
(Reprinted with permission)

RENICK — This tiny hamlet near Lewisburg may just be a blink for passing motorists, but for the Petre family, it couldn’t be a better economic center if it were the size of New York City.

Jay Petre, his father, Mahlon, and brother, Steve, co-own Renick Millworks, a company that specializes in reclaimed flooring, as well as other recycled parts of buildings. The Millworks recently received their Forest Stewardship Council chain-of-custody certification, which means they can sell their products to the green building market.

“We salvage fire place mantels, old doors, foundation stone and old hardware, but our main focus is the flooring,” Jay said.

Renick Millworks flooring could have originally been the side of a barn or an old house. They also mill hand-hewn timbers.

“We realized we could produce an environmentally friendly product with different applications,” Jay Petrie said. “We started a mill, about eight years ago, but we don’t cut down any trees.”

Renick Millworks markets their products through their Web site and trade shows. Their customers include The Greenbrier and The Bald Eagle Lodge.

“Our customer base is nationwide,” Jay said. “We sell to homeowners, architects, designers and contractors.”
Their customers are nationwide, but a lot of the best wood is available right here.

“It’s about sourcing the material,” Jay said. “The best wormy chestnut comes out of West Virginia, Tennessee and Virginia. We’re working in a rural community and we have personal relationships with our employees — a community bond. The downside is the logistics of getting the product out, but there are more pros than cons.”

The Petres started Renick Millworks with financing and marketing help from the Natural Capital Investment Fund.

“Last year our gross sales were about $1.2 million,” Jay Petre said. “We can create a really good looking product that cannot be replicated with new wood. This old wood, which was often cut during the 1800s, is harder than new wood. We’re taking those old barns and beautiful old houses people were letting go to waste and giving them new life.”