West Oregon Wood Products Inc. was bought in 1985 by brothers Francis, and Chris Sharron, who sold nearly everything they owned to buy the small, struggling wood products company located in Portland, Oregon. The first 18 months were the toughest, as the equipment needed constant modifications and repairs to meet their customers needs. In their first year of operation, Francis and Chris produced approximately 300 tons of product.

As the business began to grow, the brothers looked for new products to market. They saw a need to supply fuel for the growing pellet stove industry, and wood shavings which would be sold for animal bedding. Expansion hopes and increased production meant they needed more space, and this prompted their first move to the site of Lazy S. Lumber in Beaver Creek, Oregon. At this location, they were provided with manufacturing facilities and needed space. After a fair amount of time and money, the Sharron brothers solved the mysteries of pelletizing, and created a fuel that was economical, energy efficient, and produced very little ash.

As word spread of the success of West Oregon Wood Products pelletizing process, the phone began to ring. Owners of mills all over the United States wanted to know how the Sharron brothers pelletized wood so successfully and economically. The Sharrons began consulting, designing, and installing pelletizing equipment through a spin-off company, Natural Resource Recovery. From 1989 to 1995 they designed and supplied equipment to over 15 pellet mills.

During this time period, pellet demand completely outstripped the company's ability to produce, and the decision was made to become the leading pellet company in the Western United States. This required a larger facility, so Francis and Chris moved into a vacant warehouse in Columbia City, Oregon. Over the next several years, the equipment to build another large mill was slowly acquired. Construction began in 1992. Employees were hired to operate 3 full shifts, and in Dec. 1992 the new system began to produce an excellent, premium grade pellet. The old mill also continued to operate, producing premium hardwood pellets, sawdust and kitty litter.

Today, West Oregon Wood Products' corporate headquarters are still located in Columbia City, but in addition a new state of the art Wood Pellet Fuel plant has been built in Banks Oregon. This plant is helping to meet the growing demand for West Oregon's products. When the Sharrons acquired the company, it produced 600 bags of sawdust per month. Now, the company produces an equivalent of 430,000 bags per month of various product lines, including commercial grade sawdust, animal bedding, all-wood firelogs, and fuel and barbecue pellets. The company employs 35 full-time employees and up to 5 part-timers. It is recognized nationally and locally as a model for turning waste wood into usable commodities, and for providing rural job opportunities.

In addition to this recognition, West Oregon Wood Products has been the recipient of the following awards:

• 1996 - Pellet Fuels Institute - Industry Award.
• 1997 - "Most Innovative Company" award by The Oregon Small Business
• 1997 - Development Center Network, Us Bank, and Oregon Business Magazine.
• 2001 - Bi-Mart Corporation - "Vendor of the Year" award.

West Oregon Wood Products continues to strive toward supplying high quality products and expanding product lines. Check back and see where we'll be setting up next!