Newsletter Stories


Thursday, 01 May 2003
Kane Hardwood: A Longstanding Tradition in Pennsylvania

Partner Profile


Located in Northwestern Pennsylvania, Kane Hardwood is close to where The Collins Companies started operations on July 8, 1855. Today, almost 150 years later, the Company is still family-owned and is the second largest private landowner in Pennsylvania.

After shifting major operations to the West Coast, in the 1950s, the family returned to Pennsylvania and acquired more timber and started manufacturing again. The current sawmill produces about 12 million board feet per year. New equipment recently installed is leading to greater efficiency and resource utilization. Other facilities at the Kane plant include a pre-dryer, dry kiln, solar kiln, planning mill, and dimension plant.

The predominant species processed by the mill are black cherry, red maple, red oak, hard maple, beech, and ash. Approximately 85% of their product is sold in the U.S., and the rest is exported. Approximately 40% of their product is purchased by secondary manufacturers to be made into FSC certified partner products, such as the panels used to build “The Wall" at the San Francisco International Airport.

Most of the materials processed by the Kane mill are received from the 126,000-acre Collins Pennsylvania Forest, which is managed by Kane Hardwood. Receiving FSC Forest Management certification from Scientific Certification Systems in 1994, these lands sit in the center of the finest black cherry hardwood forest in the world, the Allegheny Plateau of northern Pennsylvania. Cherry is mixed with red and white oak, soft and hard maple, ash, beech, yellow poplar, and basswood. This thriving hardwood forest is the result of the Collins family’s commitment to sustainable forestry, ecosystem management, and natural biodiversity. In addition to these practices, the Kane forestlands are valued for their water quality, recreational use, and wildlife habitat.

Kane’s customers cover a wide range of manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, some of which include; The Freeman Corporation, Charles Shackleton, C.F. Martin & Co., Berkeley Mills, Holgate Toy Company, Northland Forest Products, and Columbia Forest Products.

Kane Hardwood also prides itself on its commitment to the community. Employing approximately 120 people, Kane Hardwood is the largest sawmill employer in McKean County, Pennsylvania. Kane Hardwood employees donate many hours and services to various community projects, and are very active in local schools. With a strong emphasis on youth and education, employees often give speeches on different careers and conduct Project Learning Tree activities with elementary schools. For more information on Kane Hardwood, please visitwww.CollinsWood.com.