Open House at Manosh Hardwoods
by Ben Hogwood

MORRISVILLE - Manosh Hardwoods held its first open house at the
Morrisville saw- mill facility in appreciation of the loggers,
landowners and truckers who have helped get them through a very
difficult season, on Tuesday, August 31.
"They supported us through this wet weather," said General Manager Bob
Stevens, so in return the visitors got a full tour of the sawmill, as
well as a catered lunch from Hilary's and the chance to win door prizes.
"We've kept our logs up, but it's been tough," said Stevens, who
explained the rain makes it difficult for loggers to get their heavy
equipment on the land, as both the land and the machinery can be
damaged. While the season has been difficult for the sawmill, the demand
for the wood product has been booming, with housing being big right now,
said Stevens.
The visitors, totaling around 125, loved the occasion. "They're even
calling me up now thanking us," Stevens said, two weeks after the event.
"They didn't realize how big a facility it was."
Some guests left with more than they came. Kim Royer, of Irasburg, won a
Stihl chainsaw and Doug Paul, of Richford, won a six drawer dresser from
VT Precision Woodworks, with others receiving smaller prizes.
Manosh Hardwoods moved into its current location in 2000, coming from
North Hyde Park, where an earlier mill suffered a fire. The sawmill
churns out approximately 24,000 feet of wood from around 475-500 logs
per day. This is a large increase from just two years ago, when the mill
was only turning out around 19,000 feet per day. Stevens credits the
increase to efficiency and good employees. "I've got a lot of
experienced workers," he said, with each employee able to work three of
the six machines in the mill.
With much competition for the logs right now, the sawmill must run
efficiently, said Stevens. The mill recently switched to a generator
which powers the entire facility. "It's been a big savings," said
Stevens, who plans to make the mill even more efficient in the future
and is in the process of starting a retail business that will start in
October. The mill is also looking farther down the road, offering two
scholarships to the forestry program at Hazen Union.
Stevens was appreciative of all those who showed up at the occasion. "It
was a very good turnout and a nice day," he said, and he is looking
forward to doing it again next year.