A Rich Heritage with a Bright Future...

The rich heritage of the E.P. Gerber & Sons Company began more than 119 years ago. It began with several principals in mind, honesty, integrity, and a sincere dedication to customers.

With those basic ingredients, E.P. Gerber founded a small sawmill in 1901 that sought to serve the basic needs of the Kidron (Sonnenberg) community in Ohio. It wasn’t long until E.P. realized that his growing and prospering community could benefit from a hardware store and a selection of building materials. Over the next twenty years, he went on to build a full-service hardware, added a planer and other millwork equipment, and offered a growing selection of building materials.  With the introduction of a second generation, the operation quickly expanded to include a full-service mill and woodworking shop.

As the community continued to grow and evolve, so did the business. A few decades later, a growing number of skilled craftsmen in the area became involved in a booming construction and furniture-making trade. This demographic shift coincided with a third generation joining the company. By 1993, the company added a complete line of wood molding equipment to better serve these new markets.

After purchasing a millwork company south of Kidron, the business moved its mill equipment to the new location and continued to expand. With several more additions to the facility by 2005, Gerber Wood Products now has nearly 50,000 square feet devoted to manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics. The company operates four molders as well as a full line of equipment to manufacture architectural moldings, stair parts, handrails, advertising specialties, and wood components for a wide variety of industries.

The business continued to expand over the next decade, began selling internationally, and began processing new materials and adding capabilities. Gerber Wood Products became a specialist in top-quality, custom wood products, processed sheet goods, plastics, and other materials. In 2018, the acquisition of Richwood Creations added a retail product line to the business. The creative, artistic products introduced by Richwood were elevated by Gerber’s quality and manufacturing efficiency resulting in the exciting new line of retail, personalized products sold by Gerber Wood.

While a lot has changed since 1901, the team of professionals at Gerber Wood Products still adhere to E.P.’s basic ingredients of honesty, integrity, and a sincere dedication to customer service.

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View Our Historical Timeline

  • Feb 24, 2020

    E.P. Gerber & Sons is Founded - 1901

    E.P. Gerber founded a small sawmill in 1901 that sought to serve the basic needs of the Kidron (Sonnenberg) community in Ohio.

  • Feb 24, 2020

    The Sawmill is Growing Fast - 1918

    It wasn’t long until E.P. realized that his growing and prospering community demanded a hardware store and construction materials. A full-service hardware store and lumber inventory were added to the milling business. 

  • Feb 24, 2020

    The Second Generation Begins - 1946

    As the second generation began to take on the role of ownership within the family business, the mill and building materials business began to flourish and expand.

  • Apr 23, 2020

    Molding and Millwork Added - 1993

    Several short decades later, a growing number of skilled craftsmen in the area became involved in the booming construction and furniture-making trade. This demographic shift coincided with a third-generation joining the company and the operation quickly expanded to include a full-service mill.

  • Feb 24, 2020

    Gerber Wood Products - 1997

    The company purchased a millwork business south of Kidron, Ohio and underwent a series of expansions adding an additional 28,000 square feet of manufacturing space equipped with a complete line of wood molding equipment. My, how this small family business has grown! 

  • Feb 24, 2020

    Full Production - 2005

    With yet another major addition to the facility a few years later, Gerber Wood Products now devoted nearly 50,000 square feet for manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics. The company operates four molders as well as a full line of equipment to manufacture architectural moldings, stair parts, handrails, advertising specialties, and custom wood components for a wide variety of industries.

  • Feb 24, 2020

    Gerber Wood Products Acquires Richwood Creations - 2018

    A leading manufacturer of personalized wood products, Richwood Creations was known and loved by many. With the acquisition of Richwood Creations by Gerber Wood Products, a unique line of gift products became possible. With the top manufacturing and engineering skills of Gerber, coupled with the creative and artistic style of Richwood, stunning and beautiful products were born.

  • Feb 24, 2020

    Gerber Wood - Individual Customization for the Masses - 2019

    In addition to their line of quality trim, stair parts, and ever-expanding line of industrial components, they have stepped into the retail e-commerce market. One of the fastest-growing trends in retail today is individual customization on a mass scale, and Gerber Wood is now one of the industry leaders in personalization and top-quality manufacturers to serve this market.

  • Feb 24, 2020

    Gerber Wood - Handing Over The Reins - 2021

    Gerber Wood Products transitions ownership from Steve and Eldon Gerber to Steve Miller and Kyle Simmons. Miller and Simmons each have relationships with E.P. Gerber and Sons that go back for decades. As such, they have a firsthand understanding of the company’s unique culture and the importance of continuing its values, even under new leadership.

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