Indiana Hardwoods Tradition Grows Strong

In partnership with: Indiana State Department of Agriculture

Multigenerational family ownership is common among Indiana hardwood companies and exemplifies the importance of the industry to the state’s heritage and economy.

Indiana ranks No. 1 nationally in production of wood office furniture and hardwood veneer, No. 2 in wood kitchen cabinets and countertops, and No. 3 in engineered wood products. The hardwood industry supports 70,000 jobs and has a $10 billion economic impact.

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From Forest to Floors

Felicia Leibering Seiler works as the sales and marketing manager at Leibering Dimension, one of the many multigenerational, family-owned hardwood companies in Indiana. Recognized in the 2022 Hardwood Floors Magazine 40 Under 40 list, Seiler loves being part of the industry.

“We’re five generations into our commitment to the timber industry,” she says. “We have three vertically integrated companies that explain our story pretty well: Leibering & Sons, our timber management company; Leibering Lumber & Logging, our sawmill; and Leibering Dimension, our secondary wood manufacturing plant.”

Hardwoods is a very old, established market. Families have been using hardwoods in kitchen cabinets, furniture and flooring for a long time. If Seiler has anything to do with it, that’s not changing anytime soon.

“I’m excited to raise a family in this same atmosphere, industry and company,” Seiler says. “We want it to be around for generations, so we’re here to take care of the environment, so it takes care of us.”

The family’s emphasis on tree regeneration in its harvesting practices highlights the industry’s sustainability – a factor often overlooked. Over the company’s lifespan, Leibering & Sons has planted more than 40 million trees and remains proud of its pro-environment legacy.

“Trees will continue to grow,” Seiler says. “Growing trees creates a growing economy and a healthy environment.”

At Leibering Dimension, being sustainable is a priority throughout all of their operations.

“We use all of our by-product,” Seiler says. “Our dry shavings are used for turkey, cattle and horse bedding. We try to utilize every aspect of the material.”

Talking Timber

In addition to her role at the company, Seiler serves as president of the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association (IHLA), a member-driven trade association offering industry-specific networking opportunities and advocating strongly on behalf of hardwood manufacturers, foresters, loggers and landowners to keep pro-industry legislation in place. The association also provides educational opportunities and promotes the industry.

“One project I’m super excited about is Woods on Wheels,” Seiler says. “The IHLA, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and the Purdue University’s Forestry & Natural Resources Department worked together to create this educational, traveling museum.”

It’s an exhibit the Indiana State Department of Agriculture proudly supports and promotes.

“It’s about the industry and the importance of forest management,” says Chris Gonso, ISDA hardwoods program manager. “The exhibit’s traveling all around the state. Schools and community events can request Woods on Wheels to visit by going to the ISDA economic development web page and scheduling it.”

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Another promotion underway is Real American Hardwoods, an industrywide initiative encouraging consumers to choose hardwoods when selecting flooring, cabinets and products for their homes.

“We’re competing so tightly with lookalikes, products that look like wood but aren’t,” Seiler says.

Other partners supporting the state’s industry include the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Purdue Extension, the Indiana Tree Farm Program, and the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association.

“We’re trying to help retain and expand hardwoods businesses in Indiana,” Gonso says. “We’ll bring in economic development officials from a city, the county and the state and all sit down with the hardwoods business, talk about their plans and come up with a comprehensive incentive package to facilitate their growth.”