From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader: Gerber’s Legacy of Quality

At Gerber Wood Products, we are extremely proud of our legacy. From our humble beginnings in 1901 all the way through the present day, the values of honesty, integrity, and customer dedication have laid the foundation for our success. Even as we’ve adapted and changed with the times, remaining true to these core principles has allowed us to continually deliver the high-quality results our customers need. Here are some quick highlights from our history.

Early Years and Expansion (1901-1946)

Our business traces its roots to 1901, when E.P. Gerber founded his small sawmill – E.P. Gerber & Sons – to serve the local Kidron, Ohio community. As the community and its needs grew, E.P. expanded his operations to include millwork equipment and a full-service hardware store. The mill and building materials business continued to see steady growth as the second generation took over.

Adapting to Changing Markets (1946-1997)

After World War II, our area saw a notable boom in the number of skilled craftsmen. As the third generation joined the company, this led Gerber to expand its services to include a full-service mill and woodworking shop. In 1993, we added new molding equipment to cater to the area’s growing furniture-making trade. Shortly later, we purchased a millwork company and relocated to that location so we could further expand. 

Modernization and Diversification (1997-2018)

Moving into the new location allowed for a wide range of modernization and diversification efforts. We expanded our facilities to 50,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics space. The new facilities also allowed us to begin offering architectural moldings, stair parts, handrails, advertising specialties, and custom wood components for various industries. This period also saw the exploration of new materials and processing capabilities to meet changing market needs – including growth into international markets.

Innovation and the Future (2018-Present)

Recent years have seen the acquisition of Richwood Creations, which allowed us to introduce a line of retail products that includes personalized wood gifts. We also entered the e-commerce space, maintaining our focus on individual customization even as we began to serve a mass market. In 2021, ownership of Gerber was transferred to Steve Miller and Kyle Simmons, who are helping to ensure the continuation of Gerber’s values and culture.

Times may change, but our century-long heritage of craftsmanship, quality, and customer service remains timeless. By staying true to our core values while also committing to innovation and new technology, we hope to be here for at least another century! Explore our website to learn more.