Three friends in different careers decided to work together and re-direct their work lives in 1998. Fred Barribeau says he, Rodney Neverman, and Jerry Davies are very happy with their choice of Wood-Mizer sawmills for their firm, Precision Lumber Company, in the woods just east of Pembine, Wisconsin.

Their two Wood-Mizer LT300 sawmills run ten hours a day. Working with a resaw and edger, production reaches 15,000 board feet daily for each machine. Major customers include hardwood wholesalers who sell to companies that make flooring, cabinets and molding. Most customers are within a two-hour drive of Pembine, which is located near the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

With a dozen employees, Fred says he and his partners plan to expand.

"We see Wood-Mizer as a very important part of our business", says Fred. "Our down time is minimal when compared to other mills, thanks to Wood- Mizer's excellent customer service."

Wood-Mizer's thin kerf blades are another part of Precision Lumber's success story, because they allow more efficient utilization of valuable white hard maple logs. "With a thin kerf blade, we stay out of the brown heart longer", Fred observes.

As he looks back on ten years in business, Fred sees progress on many levels. He had been a hardwood inspector but confesses to knowing nothing about sawing logs. Instruction from Wood-Mizer helped them overcome that hurdle.

We all have enjoyed a higher income and security that having your own business gives, Fred says. There have been other benefits. When another local Wood-Mizer owner suffered a heart attack, Precision Lumber cut his wood while he recovered. Rodney left his over-the-road truck driving job our first year of operation and enjoys more time with his family.

Wood-Mizer has allowed us to create jobs and provides for the needs of our families. We also have been able to give generously to our churches and other needs in our communities.