Building an Argument for the Use of Hardwoods: Frank Miller Lumber featured in August 2017 issue of Hardwood Matters magazine

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Excerpt: 

After nearly 9 years of being out on the road as the Architectural Marketing Manager for Frank Miller Lumber, Criswell Davis has offered AIA continuing education programs to over 5,000 architects and designers. The programs tell the story of sustainable American hardwoods and their role in design. The goal always was to gain a seat at the table in the design process, encouraging the realistic use of American hardwoods to improve the spaces into which they could be specified.

Criswell has been successful in getting American hardwoods specified and installed in projects around the world and has become a valuable resource for some of the biggest design and engineering firms in the world. He has lectured to architecture schools, design festivals, all-day AIA Continuing Education seminars and in-house lunch and learn events. He has always told his audiences that he sees his mission as twofold.

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Harvest a Tree, Save the Planet

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OK, maybe don’t run out to the backyard and fell that beautiful oak tree that provides cool, shady relief during warm summer barbecues, but there is some truth to the idea that utilizing our hardwood resource like can be of benefit to the pale blue dot we call home. While there are justifiable concerns regarding the removal of trees across the planet, the American hardwood industry is a story of success with very real benefits to the environment.

Not all forestry practices are the same, and these varied approaches to harvesting wood can mean the difference between helping and harming the environment. When many people think of tree harvesting, images of forest destruction and clear cutting come to mind. For example, in some areas of the world, beautiful trees are burned to make way for cattle grazing, palm oil production or bamboo growth. The harvest of American hardwood is a very different endeavor with very different results. In the continental United States, there is an abundance of hardwood forestland, covering 279 million acres.

Approximately 80 percent of this hardwood forest land is controlled by millions of private landowners. From this private land, about 92 percent of all hardwood production is generated. It’s typical for these private landowners to harvest only once or twice in their lifetimes. In stark contrast to clearcutting, the harvesting of hardwoods is a selective process that means removing trees at the height of their maturity, after they have absorbed as much carbon as they will absorb in their lifetime. Once a hardwood tree is harvested and rendered into logs, boards and ultimately furniture, flooring or millwork, half the weight of the dried hardwood is carbon, captured forever. Unlike softwoods, hardwoods will generally propagate without the deliberate planting by a farmer. In selecting mature trees for harvest, the forest canopy is opened, allowing light and water to reach seeds the trees have dropped to the forest floor.  Hardwood trees are known to be “shade tolerant”, which means that they don’t require a great deal of sunlight to grow. In contrast, softwoods are “shade intolerant,” requiring the clear cutting of swaths of forest and replanting by hand to allow maximum light to reach the saplings.

The American hardwood industry is truly sustainable and renewable, driving forest growth. Through the diligent practice of sustainable forest management, in the last 50 years hardwood forest acreage in the United States has actually increased by 18 percent. From the American Hardwood Information Center: “According to the U.S. Forest Service, there were 119 percent more hardwood trees in 2007 than in 1953, with the growth-to-removal ratio of 2.00 (two new trees for every one removed)”.

The overall volume of American hardwoods has more than doubled in the past 50 years. What does all this forest growth mean for the health of the planet? Over the course of a year, 100 trees can remove 53 tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Those same trees can also pull 430 pounds of other pollutants out of the air. This is in addition to the increased biodiversity of flora and fauna that comes with expanding, thriving forest habitat. So yes, removing a tree is good for the planet — when that tree is an American hardwood.  This precious natural resource adds beauty to the world in finished products and represents the ultimate in sustainability.

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Frank Miller Lumber Announces New Company Logo and Website

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UNION CITY, Ind., April 20, 2016 – Frank Miller Lumber, the premier provider of quartersawn red oak, white oak and other hardwood lumber, announces the launch of its new website, www.frankmiller.com, which introduces the company’s new logo and corporate branding. The new website and brand presence is the latest expansion effort for the fourth-generation, family-owned lumber company, one of the largest quartersawn sawmills in the United States.

The website highlights Frank Miller Lumber’s state-of-the-art proprietary quartersawing process, available lumber species and specifications, a showroom of various hardwood applications, and the company’s dedication to sustainable forestry. A new feature on the site allows users to tour the century-old history of the Indiana company with a timeline and vintage gallery. The website also features industry and educational resources, including case studies, news, and a blog written by Criswell Davis, the company’s architectural marketing manager and an expert resource regarding American hardwoods in sustainable design.

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The new Frank Miller Lumber logo emphasizes the company’s heritage and specialized quartersawing capabilities. The website and logo were designed by ruef, a design company in Dayton, Ohio. The logo was finalized after much deliberation on how best the company’s vision can be showcased with the right message to the intended target market. The process of sending out a customer-focused questionnaire to gain more information and better analyze the logo’s impact along with our new branding strategies was considered as well.

“We’re excited to give our customers a new, more accurate look at our company,” said Steve James, president and CEO of Frank Miller Lumber. “We believe the new website better reflects our position as not just a premier lumber company and sawmill, but one of the world’s largest producers of quartersawn hardwoods, while also highlighting our growth into a global enterprise.”

About Frank Miller Lumber (www.frankmiller.com)

Frank Miller Lumber is a wholesale lumber supplier specializing in the manufacture of quartersawn hardwood lumber with the bulk of our production in white and red oak. Other quartersawn hardwood species include cherry, hickory, hard maple, and walnut. Frank Miller Lumber assists architects and designers realize the elegance and durability of quartersawn hardwoods in the most distinctive architectural endeavors. Established in 1903 and located in Union City, Indiana, Frank Miller Lumber produces exceptionally fine quartersawn and plainsawn hardwoods for manufacturers of fine furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork and flooring. Frank Miller Lumber’s quartersawn products are used in high-end commercial and residential construction around the globe.

Frank Miller Lumber Announces New CEO, CFO

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Internal Changes Will Help Position Company for Continued Growth

UNION CITY, Ind., December 8, 2015 — Frank Miller Lumber, the premier provider of quartersawn red oak, white oak and other hardwoods, has named Steven P. James as president and chief executive officer, and JoEllen Johnston as chief financial officer.

In his previous role as chief financial officer at Frank Miller Lumber, a position he held for more than three years, James was responsible for managing the financial planning and analysis for the company, as well as overseeing the company’s risk management and overall business performance. Johnston assumes these responsibilities as the new chief financial officer.

As president and CEO, James will oversee the organization’s business direction and strategy and will lead various initiatives to help expand the international growth of the fourth-generation, family-owned lumber company, one of the largest quartersawn sawmills in the United States.

“Steve is a proven leader at Frank Miller Lumber, and we’re pleased to see him move into a larger and more comprehensive role,” said Martha Miller Mathias. “His extensive knowledge of operational and financial management will continue to expand our existing assets and assist us in developing new business strategies.”

In 2012, James came to Frank Miller Lumber from DMAX-Ltd, a manufacturer of diesel engines and division of General Motors, where he spent approximately three years as CFO, overseeing the financial activities of the business. During this time, he oversaw accounts receivable, accounts payable, internal controls, payroll, fixed assets, budgets and forecasts for the DMAX joint venture between GM and Isuzu. In years prior, James held positions ranging from controller/finance team leader to lead financial analyst. James earned his Master of Science in manufacturing management from Kettering University and his Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Michigan.

After owning her own business and working for 13 years as an accounting manager for an auto wiring harness supplier, Johnston joined Frank Miller Lumber in 2000 as controller, where her duties included the preparation of monthly financial statements, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll preparation, banking reporting and risk management. Johnston graduated magna cum laude from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

Commenting on the new appointments, Mr. James said, “JoEllen and I are honored to be leading Frank Miller Lumber at such an important time in its history. We look forward to building on the strong foundation that has been established and to position the company for continued growth and success.”

About Frank Miller Lumber (www.frankmiller.com)
Frank Miller Lumber assists architects and designers realize the elegance and durability of quartersawn hardwoods in the most distinctive architectural endeavors. Established in 1903 and located in Union City, Indiana, Frank Miller Lumber produces exceptionally fine quartersawn and plainsawn hardwoods for manufacturers of fine furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork and flooring. Frank Miller Lumber’s quartersawn products are used in high-end commercial and residential construction around the globe.

Frank Miller Lumber to Barangaroo South in Sydney

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Barangaroo South
Barangaroo South

UNION CITY, Ind., November 10, 2015 — Criswell Davis, architectural marketing manager for Frank Miller Lumber, continuing education provider for the American Institute of Architects, university lecturer and international speaker on behalf of sustainable American hardwoods in design, will travel to Sydney, Australia, visiting the jobsite of Barangaroo South, a $6 billion transformation of the central business district in Darling Harbour. The project is Sydney’s largest urban renewal project since the 2000 Olympics, and destined to be as iconic a representation of Sydney as is the Opera House.

Joining Davis on the trip will be Mark Miller, export sales manager for Frank Miller Lumber, who manages the Australian market. Frank Miller Lumber’s FSC-certified quartersawn white oak was specified by developers Lend Lease for the interior fixtures, flooring and walls in the hallways and elevator lobbies of the three office towers. Frank Miller Lumber’s Australian distributor, Britton Timbers, has been actively involved in the project from the beginning with various species of hardwoods along with quartersawn American white oak. Britton Timbers is the largest importer of American hardwoods in Australia.

Miller and Davis will tour Britton Timbers’ Sydney and Melbourne distribution centers. Davis will offer the Britton Timbers sales staff in both locations a presentation on sustainable American hardwoods and Frank Miller Lumber’s quartersawing process. From Melbourne, the representatives of Frank Miller Lumber will travel to Tasmania to visit Britton Timbers’ blackwood sawmills with Glenn Britton, company chairman. The trip will provide Miller and Davis a chance to learn more about Australian timbers while exploring complementary application opportunities for Frank Miller Lumber’s premium quartersawn American hardwoods in Australia.

“This is my eighth trip to Australia and each time I am reminded of what a beautiful country it is and how welcoming Australians are,” said Davis. “All of us at Frank Miller Lumber are proud to be a part of Barangaroo South and of our long-standing relationship with Britton Timbers.”

Frank Miller Lumber and Britton Timbers are family-owned and world-renowned sawmill operations, both more than a century old. Earlier in 2015, Britton Timber representatives Glenn Britton and Dom McNeil, director, visited Frank Miller Lumber in Union City.

Britton Timbers  (www.brittontimbers.com.au), established in 1907, is a diversified Australian company with interests in timber harvesting, sawmilling, international timber import and export, and distribution. The Britton name has been synonymous with quality timber and outstanding customer service for more than 100 years.

Frank Miller Lumber (www.frankmiller.com), established in 1903 in Union City, Indiana, produces premium quartersawn and plainsawn hardwoods for manufacturers of fine furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork and flooring. Frank Miller Lumber’s quartersawn products are used in high-end commercial and residential construction around the world.

Frank Miller Lumber Promotes Josh Brennan to Vice President of Sales

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Experienced Team Member Will Assist Company’s Ongoing Growth and Expansion

UNION CITY, Ind., June 3, 2013 — Frank Miller Lumber, the premier provider of exceptional quartersawn and plain sawn hardwoods, announces the promotion of Josh Brennan to vice president of sales. Brennan is responsible for directing the sales activities of the organization. He will assist in developing and maintaining company relationships with vendors, distributors or other external organizations, and work with the design and architecture communities as well as customers to implement premium hardwoods in designs and projects.

“We’re excited to bring Josh into this position,” said Dan Hackett, president and CEO of Frank Miller. “His background in leadership, decision making and management skills, as well as his experience with Frank Miller, will be great assets to our existing strengths and support us in creating new sales strategies.”

Brennan has been with Frank Miller Lumber for more than 13 years, contributing his skills and services to many facets of the organization, primarily in managing the Frank Miller Outlet retail store. The outlet has since grown to become a critical part of the company’s business. Located at the Frank Miller headquarters in Union City, Ind., it features a half-million board-feet of quartersawn and plain sawn lumber, a full line of veneer core hardwood plywood, and a wide variety of domestic and exotic wood species.

“We appreciate the effort from Josh and his team in helping us create a strong organization,” added Hackett. “We know he will continue to play an important part in our ongoing expansion.”

About Frank Miller Lumber

Frank Miller helps architects and designers realize the elegance and durability of quartersawn hardwoods in the most distinctive architectural endeavors. Established in 1903 and located in Union City, Indiana, Frank Miller produces exceptionally fine quartersawn and plain sawn hardwoods for manufacturers of fine furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork and flooring. Frank Miller’s quartersawn products are used in high-end commercial and residential construction around the globe where there is a significant architectural/design element to the project’s cabinets, millwork and flooring.

Frank Miller Lumber in Japan, Singapore and Australia to Meet with Architects and Customers

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Three-week Expedition Is Latest in Company’s Global Efforts

UNION CITY, Ind., June 11, 2012 — This month, Dan Hackett, CEO and president of Frank Miller Lumber, and Criswell Davis, architectural marketing manager at Frank Miller, will embark on an international trade mission, covering markets in Singapore, Australia and Japan. Frank Miller intends to use the excursion to highlight its growth into a thriving, global enterprise.

During the trip, Hackett and Davis will meet with many of Frank Miller’s international clients, attend an American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) conference, and build relationships with architects and designers.

Singapore will be their first stop, where Hackett and Davis will attend the AHEC 17th Southeast Asia & Greater China Convention, the theme of which is “American Hardwood and Green Design: Life Cycle Assessment and the True Environmental Impact of Material Choice.” During the convention they will have the chance to network with members of many different Asian trade associations and institutions, including The China National Furniture Association, the Malaysian Furniture Industry Council, The Singapore Furniture Industries Council, and the Singapore Institute of Architects, among others. The American Hardwood Export Council, with which Frank Miller is closely associated and a member of, is the leading international trade association of the U.S. hardwood industry.

Hackett and Davis will then travel to Perth, Australia, to visit with a customer who has organized a large architectural presentation featuring Davis as the keynote speaker, with many members of the Australian Institute of Architects in attendance. Hackett and Davis will also travel with their customer, giving presentations about Frank Miller quartersawn hardwoods to manufacturers and builders. They will also travel to Sydney to visit with another large distributor, giving presentations about quartersawn hardwoods around New South Wales and in Canberra, Australia’s capital. The design of Canberra by American architect Walter Burley Griffin was, in part, influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and his Prairie Style, which often incorporates quartersawn white oak.

“Frank Miller Lumber is a relatively small niche hardwood manufacturer with a very large international profile,” said Davis. “Manufacturers and distributors around the globe are more interested than ever in how to set themselves apart from one another through unique product lines.”

The final part of the trip will have Hackett and Davis traveling from Sydney to Japan, where they will travel extensively with their largest distributor. They will visit key manufacturers in Takayama, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Tokyo to try to learn more about each one and strengthen Frank Miller Lumber’s relationships with its customers.

In the 1980s, Frank Miller’s growing relationships with Japanese furniture manufacturers encouraged the company to significantly increase its quartersawn hardwood production. Thirty years later, Frank Miller is now one of the few providers in the world capable of producing hardwood in this manner, and one of the largest producers of quartersawn hardwoods in the world.

“As many already know, our products are specified by architects and designers around the world in high-end commercial and residential construction,” said Hackett. “This trip will further cement Frank Miller Lumber’s position in the world community of distributors, manufacturers, designers and architects.”

About Frank Miller Lumber (www.frankmiller.com)

Frank Miller helps architects and designers realize the elegance and durability of quartersawn hardwoods in the most distinctive architectural endeavors. Established in 1903 and located in Union City, Indiana, Frank Miller produces exceptionally fine quartersawn and plain sawn hardwoods for manufacturers of fine furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork and flooring. Frank Miller’s quartersawn products are used in high-end commercial and residential construction around the globe where there is a significant architectural/design element to the project’s cabinets, millwork and flooring.

Frank Miller Lumber Used to Create Flooring Featured in Barnes Foundation

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Barnes Foundation’s Philadelphia campus is home to private, world-class art collection

UNION CITY, Ind., May 24, 2012 — The grand opening of the Barnes Foundation Philadelphia campus was held on May 19, 2012, setting off an inaugural week of free admission for the public to the renowned art collection and entire campus, culminating with a Memorial Day weekend offering a variety of entertainment and programs, including a festival.

The 93,000-square-foot building, designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, provides substantial accommodations for the Barnes Foundation’s programs in art education and for temporary art exhibitions. Additionally, the building will house the world-class Barnes art collection, one of the most valuable private art collections in the world.

One of the key elements in the design of the museum was the flooring; it had to be stable and durable enough to support many years of public wear, while being aesthetically true to the vision of the architects. More than 30,000 square feet of flooring was manufactured using FSC-certified quartersawn white oak from Frank Miller Lumber. The floor was installed in a unique pattern at the Barnes Museum by Pennsylvania Flooring, a division of ReSource New Jersey Commercial Flooring. Designers often choose quartersawn white oak for its strength, stability and distinctive beauty.

Frank Miller was a part of the project from the outset, keeping the hardwood supply on track and helping the architects implement their visions.

“By allowing Frank Miller to be involved early in the design process, we were able to effectively meet the needs of the flooring manufacturer, the flooring installer and the specifications established by the architects,” said Criswell Davis, architectural marketing manager, Frank Miller. “It’s exciting to be a part of such an architecturally and culturally significant building.”
Dan Hackett, president and CEO of Frank Miller, echoed those sentiments. “It has been an honor to have our hardwoods included in the design of the Barnes Collection Museum. We know the public and the art community worldwide will enjoy the museum for many years to come.”

About Frank Miller Lumber (www.frankmiller.com)
Frank Miller helps architects and designers realize the elegance and durability of quartersawn hardwoods in the most distinctive architectural endeavors. Established in 1903 and located in Union City, Indiana, Frank Miller produces exceptionally fine quartersawn and plain sawn hardwoods for manufacturers of fine furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork and flooring. Frank Miller’s quartersawn products are used in high-end commercial and residential construction around the globe where there is a significant architectural/design element to the project’s cabinets, millwork and flooring.

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Acme Floor Company Wins NWFA “Best Commercial Wood Flooring” Award

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Frank Miller Lumber Supplies Quartersawn Hardwood Used by Acme in Award-winning Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Project

UNION CITY, Ind., May 14, 2012 — Acme Floor Company has won the “Best Commercial Wood Flooring” award for its installation of the flooring in Helzberg Hall, the 1,600-seat concert venue at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and the current home of the renowned Kansas City Symphony. Supplied by Frank Miller Lumber, the flooring in Helzberg Hall was constructed and installed from more than 20,000 square feet of 3″ red oak and features a stunning floor-to-ceiling aesthetic showcasing a variety of North American hardwoods.

The 2012 National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Expo, held April 2012 at the Gaylord Palms Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., is the only convention and trade show in the world dedicated solely to wood flooring. Experts in wood flooring and hardwood from around the world gathered to network, share experiences with their peers, and honor the achievements of some of the premier flooring companies in the industry.

“Acme is honored to receive this award from the National Wood Flooring Association,” said Bob Kenney II, president and owner, Acme Floor Company. “We are proud to do our part to create such an exceptional building for the Kansas City community.”

Helzberg Hall was designed by internationally renowned architecture firm Safdie Architects, who collaborated with Acme Floor Co. to create a space that showcases the delicate acoustics of solo concerts, chamber music and even full orchestras. The architects wanted to use quartersawn hardwood to complement their world-class design, and Acme turned to the premier quartersawn hardwood experts at Frank Miller.

“We feel privileged that Frank Miller was chosen by Acme Floor Co. to supply the hardwood used in the architecturally significant Kauffman Center,” said Dan Hackett, president and CEO, Frank Miller.

About Acme Floor Co., Inc. (www.acmefloorco.com)
A family owned and operated business specializing in laying, refinishing, and resurfacing hardwood floors for residential and commercial customers, Acme has more than 86 years of experience serving Kansas residents as a wood flooring specialist and also offers professional gym floors, custom staining and refinishing services.

About Frank Miller Lumber (www.frankmiller.com)
Frank Miller helps architects and designers realize the elegance and durability of quartersawn hardwoods in the most distinctive architectural endeavors. Established in 1903 and located in Union City, Indiana, Frank Miller produces exceptionally fine quartersawn and plain sawn hardwoods for manufacturers of fine furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork and flooring. Frank Miller’s quartersawn products are used in high-end commercial and residential construction around the globe where there is a significant architectural/design element to the project’s cabinets, millwork and flooring.