Millwood Inc is a top player in packaging. It was built on Christian values. The company offers a strong range of palletized lumber products and packaging solutions. The company, based in Vienna, Ohio, has grown a lot since it started in 1985. Now, it’s a top pallet provider with about 1,800 employees in 39 locations across the country. Millwood has an annual revenue of $392.3 million. It supports various industries. It offers innovative packaging systems, material handling solutions, and erosion control products. The company is unique because of its faith-based approach. It operates on four key pillars: trust, servitude, discipleship, and integrity.
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Company Overview and History
Millwood Inc started in 1985. Over nearly four decades, it has become a major player in packaging and material handling. The company is based at 3708 International Blvd in Vienna, Ohio. It also has a strong presence across the country. Millwood is a privately held company. For over 40 years, it has earned a strong reputation. It provides packaging solutions and palletized products. Its clients range from small-to-midsize businesses to Fortune 500 companies.
The company has grown a lot in recent years. It has expanded and made acquisitions, increasing its presence across the United States. In 2022, Millwood gained five new facilities. They also added almost 100 team members. This growth strategy helped Millwood create a network of facilities. These facilities serve customers in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions.
Millwood handles everything from logs to finished wood packaging. They also manage materials handling systems and packaging logistics services. The company makes about 75,000 new pallets each week and recycles 120,000. It also produces more than 50 million board feet of lumber every year from its two sawmills.
Leadership and Organizational Structure
Millwood Inc is co-founded and co-led by Lionel “Chip” Trebilcock and Steve Miller. They have shaped the company since it started. Both leaders stay involved in the company’s operations and strategy. This shows Millwood’s commitment to its founding principles and mission.
The executive team has seen recent changes, including:
- Bruce Krarup became Chief Financial Officer on February 27, 2023. He has 22 years of finance and accounting experience. He previously worked at Nelson Labs, a division of Sotera Health, and Cardinal Health.
- Tom Paskert was CFO for 15 years. He returned to the company in July 2022 as interim CFO and Executive Vice President. Now, he is back as Senior Financial Advisor.
- Ron Ringness is the Executive Vice President and a partner. He completes the core executive leadership team.
Trebilcock and Miller shared their thoughts on the company’s growth. They said, “We thank God for all He has done for Millwood in 2022.” We will keep leaning on His guidance to shine in the marketplace.”
Business Operations and Services
Core Products and Services
Millwood Inc is a full-service provider of packaging and material handling solutions. The company’s primary offerings include:
- Pallet Solutions: Millwood offers new, used, and reconditioned pallets. We serve businesses of all sizes. Our pallets come with hand and machine nailed options. The company runs depots for CHEP USA and has its own white-wood pallet facilities.
- Packaging Systems: The company offers custom packaging supplies and handling systems. These are under the Liberty Technologies brand, which started in 1964. These include stretch film, shrink wrap, strapping, and corrugated packaging.
- Erosion Control: The CORE Erosion Control line has filter socks, stakes, mats, mesh, and more. These products help control sediment effectively on construction sites. In 2024, Millwood opened a co-packing site in Bridgeville, DE. This location makes filter socks from recycled wood chips taken from unusable pallets.
- Unit Load Technology: The company has a modern Unit Load Test & Design Lab. This lab conducts ISTA, ASTM, and ISO tests. We test for compression, vibration, and shock in transport packaging. This facility lets Millwood put “science behind our solutions.” Ralph Rupert, a past director at Virginia Tech’s Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design, shared this.
- PalletView™ Asset Management: This system helps customers track pallets. You can see the quantities and sizes at each location. It also shows if pallets are sorted, repaired, or ready for delivery. You can access everything through a web-based portal.
Market Position and Approach
Millwood sees itself as more than just a pallet company. It aims to “continually seek ways to reinvent the load handling concept.” The company serves many customers, from small businesses to Fortune 500 firms. It provides strategic sourcing with its pallet management skills. It also offers material handling solutions, logistics services, and sustainability programs.
Millwood has a share of revenue in the Plastic Products Miscellaneous Manufacturing industry. However, IBISWorld labels it a “Laggard.” This means it has a lower market share and slower profit and revenue growth compared to its peers.
Recent Expansions and Developments
Millwood Inc has shown strong growth lately. This comes from both its own expansion and smart acquisitions.
Corporate Expansion
In December 2023, Millwood began adding 17,000 square feet to its office in Vienna, Ohio. This expansion shows a big investment in the company’s headquarters, where it has been for over 30 years.
New Facilities in 2022-2024
Millwood has rapidly expanded its geographic footprint in recent years:
- May 2022: We acquired Cleveland Custom Pallet & Crate. This is our 10th location in Ohio and our second facility in Florence, SC.
- August 2022: Acquired Austin Pallet in Pflugerville, TX (first Texas location)
- September 2022: Acquired Southworth Wood Products, renamed as MillTree East, in Beaver, OH
- October 2022: Acquired Red Express Pallet in Waco, TX
- January 2023: Added a second pallet repair location in Barrington, New Jersey
- May 2023: Added facilities in Ellenboro, North Carolina and Huntsville, Alabama
- September 2023: Added locations in Bridgeville, Delaware and Lordstown, Ohio
- February 2024: Added New Kent, Virginia co-packer location
The Huntsville, Alabama facility marked its first anniversary in June 2024. The team has 17 members. They work a single shift from 6 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Plant Manager Ward Brasseal said the team is committed to expanding our Huntsville facility. They are also looking for ways to strengthen our ties with the local community.
The Lordstown, Ohio site opened in September 2023. It has 16 team members and covers 43,200 square feet. This facility works with different carriers. It serves customers in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions.
Company Values and Culture
Millwood Inc stands out for its focus on faith-based values in its business and culture.
Four Foundational Pillars
The company was founded on and continues to operate according to four key pillars:
- Trust: Show trust in dealings with customers, suppliers, and team members. Also, trust God for guidance. “But, above all, to trust in God for guidance. By doing so, we’ll earn trust which is the assured reliance of doing the right thing”.
- Servitude means building a workplace that values helping others. It’s about embracing selflessness as a way of life. “Success has nothing to do with the things we accomplish in life. True success is measured by how we serve others”.
- Discipleship: Help team members value their work and take pride in it. Support their growth as stewards in business, family, and community. “It is a standard for us to extend into the future”.
Mission and Chaplaincy Program
Millwood’s mission is simple: “We want everyone who interacts with us to see Christ’s love in all we do.” This Christian belief shapes the company’s actions and its connection to the community.
Millwood stands out because each of its 35+ locations has a chaplain. This chaplain helps team members grow spiritually and find the resources they need. Chaplains connect with teams often. They do activities like Bible studies, shared meals, sports games, and fellowship events. Chaplains are available around the clock. They help employees with personal, professional, and spiritual needs.
Sustainability Initiatives
Millwood demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability throughout its operations:
- Wood Recycling: The company turns wood waste into useful products. These include wood composites, biofuels, landscape materials, and animal bedding. This process helps reduce waste.
- Pallet Recovery Programs: Millwood provides full pallet recovery and recycling services. We retrieve, inspect, and repair pallets for customers with their own pallet pools.
- Green Disposal: Their recycled pallet programs use eco-friendly methods. This supports corporate sustainability efforts.
- Unit Load Design: Millwood uses a systems-based approach to unit load design. This means customers need fewer new pallets for their pools. So, they save money overall.
Recognition and Awards
In December 2023, Millwood won the Excellence in Manufacturing Award. This was from the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. This award honors manufacturers in the Youngstown/Warren area of Ohio. It highlights their excellence in business operations, community service, and product innovation.
CFO Bruce Krarup accepted the award and said, “We are proud of our team’s accomplishments this past year.” The team at Millwood is following God’s call. They aim to show Christ’s love to everyone who interacts with us.
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