It’s a deal. A longtime Southern Oregon lumber company shut down in 1998 is breaking back into the market.
For roughly five decades, Burrill Lumber’s founder, Eugene F. Burrill produced 2×4 studs at the now shuttered saw mill in White City. His lumber was recognized across the United States.
“He changed the stud grade. He made a better, premium stud,” said Michael Burrill Jr., who is Eugene Burrill’s grandson.
“Five years after his death people still want [it]. Home Depot is still getting customers asking them, hey, why don’t you bring back that Burrill stud that was the best we ever used,” said Burrill Jr.
The demand, leading to a deal with the Home Depot.
“They now have the right to sell it and it’s an exclusive agreement so that’s the only place you’ll be able to buy it.”
However, the agreement won’t re-open the old saw mill in White City, and the company won’t be making their own studs, so it won’t mean new jobs.
The Burrill name will be put on lumber produced at other mills in the Pacific Northwest.
“Right now with the way the federal timber supply is in Southern Oregon, I don’t see us being able to get the timber supply to producer here, but we’re hoping that can change,” Burrill Jr. said.
While production of the white fir 2×4 will be happening elsewhere, Michael Burrill Jr. said his family will have oversight.
“We get to see the mills, we get to approve those,” began Burrill Jr.
“So it will be the quality standards that my grandfather always produced to.”
In the end, the agreement probably won’t mean a boost for Southern Oregon’s lumber industry, but the family said they’re excited Eugene F. Burrill’s lumber legacy will live on.
Burrill branded lumber will roll out first in about 80-stores up in the northeastern part of the United States and also at the Home Depot in Phoenix.
It’s expected on Friday the first shipment of Burrill lumber will arrive in Phoenix.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.