Robinson Lumber Company Celebrates 132 Years of Innovation

News Summary

Robinson Lumber Company proudly marks its 132nd anniversary, achieving record revenue of $100 million amid post-pandemic market shifts. Founded in 1893 in New Orleans, the company has evolved by focusing on sustainability and adapting its business model to changing economic landscapes. With a global presence in 70 countries and ambitious plans for the future, Robinson Lumber continues to lead in the lumber industry while honoring its rich heritage.

New Orleans, Louisiana – Robinson Lumber Company has officially marked its 132nd anniversary as a leader in the lumber industry, tracing its roots back to 1893 when it was established by Charles Wesley Robinson. The company, headquartered in New Orleans, is celebrating this milestone while reporting its highest-ever annual revenue of approximately $100 million, significantly influenced by a post-pandemic spike in lumber prices.

Robinson Lumber, which operates a sizable lumberyard spanning 8 acres in New Albany, Indiana, serves customers in 70 countries worldwide. The company employs about 75 people globally, with nearly half of its workforce operating from its office on Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans. In line with contemporary practices, Robinson Lumber emphasizes a commitment to sustainability, advocating that sustainably managed forests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration over extended periods.

The company’s leadership has passed through five generations of the Robinson family, with the current chairman and CEO, Garner Robinson, aged 42. Uniquely, Robinson Lumber has adopted a strategy that favors selling its business interests rather than simply passing down ownership to avoid potential succession issues. This innovative approach has allowed the company to adapt successfully across changing market conditions.

Robinson Lumber’s journey in the lumber industry began in 1897 when it began exporting lumber to the Caribbean. The company expanded further in the late 1930s, when Robinson’s son established an international manufacturing facility in Nicaragua. During World War II, the company played a vital role in providing wood for building Higgins boats, which were crucial to wartime logistics.

The company’s workforce peaked at over 400 employees globally in 2009. Since then, Robinson Lumber has adjusted its business model, shifting from distribution to primarily focusing on manufacturing and wholesaling. In a strategic move, the company ceased operations at one facility in Chalmette in 2012, aligning with its evolving focus. Presently, approximately one-third of their revenue is derived from the manufacture of American hardwoods, notably white oak.

Robinson Lumber’s unique business model includes financing lumber drying processes to mitigate risks associated with price changes in the market. In 2015, the company expanded its presence by opening a yard in Winchester, Virginia; however, operations were later scaled back due to the impacts of tariffs arising from the 2018 trade war.

Looking forward, Robinson Lumber has ambitious plans for 2025. It intends to manufacture and sell wood carbon, a product derived from lumber byproducts, catering to various industrial and commercial applications. The company has already secured a production site in Kentucky for this initiative.

The success of Robinson Lumber can be attributed to strategic decision-making and the ability to adapt to shifting economic landscapes. As it celebrates over a century of innovation and sustainability, Robinson Lumber continues to play a pivotal role in the lumber industry while equipping itself for future challenges and opportunities.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

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• Encyclopedia Britannica: Lumber Industry