The Program for Builders
The Story Behind the Sawdust In 1980 Jim Bursma bought a 40 acre pine plantation and a used saw mill to build his log cabin. He set up the mill in the field next to his home. He used an old John Deer tractor to power the mill. His brother-in-law visited the cabin and fell in love, so he decided to build his own log home. It didn’t take long for a neighbor and a nephew to do the same. It was becoming a full time job to keep up with the demand and it was fun. Soon, a nearby log home company needed hand peeled logs. As word spread, local log home builders were stopping by for their needs. A large workshop and warehouse was soon built for the growing business. At this time, Michigan white cedar was used exclusively for walls and pine for beams, etc. After two years it was time to retire the John Deer and bring in 440 electric power and a new mill. The business soon outgrew its location, as the difficulty of bringing in log trucks and semi trucks was increasing. A commercial site was purchased in 1989. A modern log home was built as the office and two warehouses were erected. The shop and sawmill remained at the old location. Many log home product lines and lumber were added to supply the log home market including tongue and groove paneling, log railing, tongue and groove decking, log siding, and tongue and groove ceiling. 1991 saw the addition of two more warehouses and the workshop was moved to a new log structure due to the increase in product lines. In 1994 the opportunity was seized to take over a wholesale lumber business that was selling throughout the Midwest. This acquisition greatly increased the customer base and sales. More property was purchased and an 8000 sq ft warehouse was built. This addition along with internet sales changed the company from a local supplier of specialty log products to a national source. Jim decided to retire in 2009. The present owners, the Kluting family, have greatly expanded the inventory and product lines offered including Log Siding, Cabinetry, Flooring, Montana Ghostwood, Kebony, Stain, and more.
Contact us!
(616) 677-5262
14840 16th Ave. | Marne, MI 49435 www.homesteadtimbers.com
www.homesteadtimbers.com