DeKalb County wood products maker acquired
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EcoVantage LLC, a manufacturer of thermally modified wood products headquartered in the DeKalb County town of St. Joe, is under new ownership.
Duluth, Minnesota-based Arbor Wood Co. has acquired EcoVantage, though financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed.
Arbor Wood said in a news release that the acquisition is part of an effort to expand the company’s capacity and bolster its leadership position in the industry.
“The EcoVantage transaction is a significant milestone for Arbor Wood Co.,” CEO John Heyesen said. “We are investing in a company that shares our passion for sustainably sourced and domestically manufactured products. The combined expertise and resources of both companies will create a powerful force in the domestic thermally modified wood sector.”
Founded in 2008, EcoVantage uses a specialized wood preservation technique called thermal modification, which uses a combination of heat and steam that makes wood more durable, better protected against moisture, and rot resistant.
“We’re basically cooking the wood, EcoVantage manager Jason Holman told Inside INdiana Business in a 2020 interview. “We have to dry it as close to zero percent moisture as possible. And then we cool it and condition it, try to put a little moisture back in after we cook it. So, it’s not so dry but we’re cooking out the resins and the saps.”
EcoVantage said its treated wood can be used in various ways, including for decks and shutters, as well as gunstocks and guitars. Arizona-based guitar maker Fender is counted among the company’s customers.
Heyesen said the company will increase its production capacity and enhance its research and development capabilities following the acquisition.
It was not specified if any EcoVantage jobs would be negatively affected by the deal, but Arbor Wood said the two companies are working to ensure a smooth transition for customers, suppliers and employees.
Arbor Wood did not respond to requests for more information from Inside INdiana Business.