Washington firm's

Evolution in any and every direction continues within the forest products in. dustry.

The Hemphill-O'Neill Lumber Co. of Chehalis, Wash., is a case in point. Originally started by Allen Hemphill in 1934 as a sales representative for small mills in the surrounding territory, the firm grew as a wholesale company, distributing to all areas of the U.S. Now it has become a Northwest manufacturer of quality fir, cedar and hemlock.

To Allen Hemphill and Harold O'Neill, who joined the founder in 1946 to form Hemphill-O'Neill, the transition has been a result of expansion and requirements of the local situation. In the mid-forties, the wholesale partners found conditions changing with many production operations closing down.

In order to keep up sales volume, the control of more production was needed. They purchased the Holman Lumber Co. of Tenino, Wash., in 1962. A core veneer plent was added in 1965, and a Beaver and Chipping mill was installed in 1966. Additional capacity was added with the 196-5 purchase oJ the W'oodproducts Corp. of Chehalis.

Through the years of production acquisition, the ttsecond generation,, of Bob O'Neill and John Hemphill took over more and more management duties of the firm. While Bob and John are today the manag-ement principals of Hemphill-O'Neill, Allen Hemphill, now 94, and Harold O'Neill, 79, arc at their desks every day!

Looking back, Harold O'Neill i"-"*.

bers his sqrvice on the board of directors of National-American Wholesale Lumber Association. The firm has held continuous membership in the wholesaler trade group since 1943.

In 1969, the transition to straight manufacturing was completed with th--e conclusion of a major remodeling program at the W'oodproducts Corp. site in Chehalis. New dry kilns, a new automatic stacker, new resaw complex and a new strapping and wrapping unit were installed.

As the change was completed, Bob O'Neill, who was by this time a director of NAWLA, resigned his association post and the firm made application for associate manufacturer membership in the organization. As they market their products through the wholesale trade, they feel their continued interest and support of National-American under their new associate status would materially help their transition and future well-being.

Production of the Hemphill-O'Neill operation now averages about f40 M bd. ft. per day.