Menzner Lumber to Add Operation in Somerset

Press Release

A successful hardwood molding company has decided to expand to south-central Kentucky. Governor Steve Beshear today announced Menzner Hardwoods is locating a new facility in Somerset.

Menzner Hardwoods will invest $2.65 million into the project and create 90 jobs.

"We want to welcome Menzner Hardwoods to the Commonwealth," Gov. Beshear said. "I congratulate them on this project and look forward to their building their business from this location in the Somerset community."

Under its incorporated name, Menzner Lumber and Supply Co., the company will lease land and buildings in Somerset that had previously served as the home of Glen Oak Lumber. The four buildings totaling 195,000 square feet will serve as rough mill, molding, priming paint line and sawdust processing facilities. The additional space will allow the business to grow beyond the production constraints the Wisconsin-based company faces at its primary location.

"Menzner Lumber is extremely excited by the opportunity to expand our operations into Kentucky," said Phil Menzner, president of Menzner Hardwoods. "Menzner Lumber was founded in 1894 and is still a family business, and our longevity can only be credited to great employees. The availability of high-quality people, timber resource and central location make Kentucky an excellent location to help us continue our growth. It is clear Kentucky is very business friendly and willing to help wherever it can. I want to thank the state of Kentucky, Pulaski County and the community of Somerset for all of their assistance. We look forward to a very long partnership with Kentucky."

Menzner Lumber and Supply Co. has grown to become a leader in the hardwood molding industry. The company currently has 350 employees across three states. Divisions of Menzner Lumber include the hardwood and transportation headquarters in Wisconsin and kiln drying facilities in Mississippi and South Carolina.

"This new investment and relocation by Menzner Hardwoods comes as great news for our local community," said Sen. Chris Girdler, of Somerset. "We are pleased to welcome a company that plans to bring up to 90 new jobs to Somerset and are appreciative to all those who helped make this relocation possible."

"The timber industry has long played a key role in the economy of Somerset and Pulaski County, providing a way of life for many families," said Rep. Tommy Turner, of Somerset. "I welcome Menzner Hardwoods to our region and the jobs they will create through the opening of their new facility."

"The announcement by Menzner Hardwoods to locate in Somerset providing up to 90 new jobs and an investment of $2.6 million is outstanding," said Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler. "I want to thank Menzner and Gov. Beshear for their confidence in the Somerset and Pulaski County community and the excellent workers and their families that will benefit from the new jobs."

"We are very excited to partner with Menzner Hardwoods. They will be a wonderful fit for our existing workforce, and will be a solid exporter in our county," said Pulaski County Judge-Executive Steve Kelley. "This is another great example of teamwork among our local and state governments and all the agencies which helped make this a reality."

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $1 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

In addition, Menzner Hardwoods is eligible to receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies are eligible to receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. Last year, the Kentucky Skills Network trained more than 84,000 employees from more than 4,100 Kentucky companies.

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