Situated in the scenic hardwood country east of Lake Ontario in Williamstown, NY, Lakewood products is a rough green mill selling much of its production-4/4 to 8/4 and pallet stock-to distribution yards. Lakewood also buys and sells veneer logs to various markets. Steve Rayder and his wife Julie own Lakewood Products, With only 24 employees, including one forester and a lumber buyer, the Rayders are a busy couple, Julie is the company's administrator, while her husband handles everything else, from mill supervision to seeking out supply sources and new markets. "I wear a lot of hats," he says. Rayder started his career as contract log truck owner. He went to work buying and selling logs in 1994 for Ken Leary, who started Lakewood Products. The company was originally a log dealer, Rayder bought the company from Leary, In 1996, he decided he wanted to get into the sawmilling business. He started with a small circle sawmill, Red & White Lumber Co., that had become available in Williamstown. Rayder purchased equipment but leased the mill itself for one year. He chose his product mix based on the size and availability of hardwood logs in the area. In 1999 he built the current mill a few miles away from Red & White. He started with only a band headrig and has been gradually building it up since then.
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