SANDPOINT — It was 40 or so years ago that Dick Bradetich and Mike Wolcott walked into Bill Love's office at the Idaho Department of Lands in Sandpoint.

The pair, Love recounts, wanted to let him know about their new forestry consultation business.

Now, Inland Forest Management officials are letting the community know about a new change in the company with the sale of IFM to Georgia-based F&W Forestry Services.

While ownership may be changing, former owner and IFM president Mike Wolcott said little else will be. 

The name will remain, the company's foresters will continue to serve their clients, and its commitment to providing a wide range of forestry-related service will only expand.

“There is a remarkable alignment between F&W and IFM,” Marshall Thomas, F&W president said. “It was immediately clear to me that IFM’s high-quality operations, strong customer relationships, and highly experienced team were the perfect fit to join the F&W family.” 

Thomas said the firm's acquisition of IFM underscores its dedication to top-tier forest management services and expanding its presence in the U.S.

The sale of IFM, a regional leader in private forestland management and wildfire suppression, was announced last week to the Albany, Ga.-based firm, one of the nation’s oldest and largest forestry consulting firms.

The sale of his ownership interest was made with an eye toward ensuring the long-term stability of Inland Forest Management, Wolcott said.

While ownership of the company may be changing hands, Wolcott said little else will change.

“Key employees were involved in the ownership change decision and are excited about leveraging F&W’s considerable technology, knowledge, and support to further serve our clients,” Wolcott said. “Our clients will continue to be served by the same foresters and will be hard-pressed to notice any changes.”

Based in Sandpoint, IFM offers a range of comprehensive forest management services including timber sales, management plans, forest health assessments, and more. That won't change under F&W. In fact, Wolcott said, clients will still see the same forestry and enjoy the same dedicated service. The Sandpoint company will continue to advocate for landowners, working to protect their best interests throughout the forest management process.

Established in 1962, F&W Forestry Services, Inc. is among the nation's oldest and largest forest resource management firms. Its expertise includes timber sales, property management, field support services, forest inventory and mapping, forestland accounting, technical and analytical services, and natural capital. 

Love, who wrote a history of IFM recently, noted Dick and Karen Bradetich and Wolcott have deep histories in the industry; the Bradetich in Bonner County and Wolcott in the Worley area. The pair met when they both worked for the Oregon Department of Forestry in 1980. As the two became friends, the idea for what would become IFM germinated.

"While internal company policies will state it slightly differently, I would paraphrase them by saying IFM places equal importance on three values: the forest, the client and the employee," Love said in the history, published in "Tree Talk."

"Each of these components must be considered in every project. This has ensured the equal growth and protection of forestlands, satisfied clients and engaged employees."

The similarity in the companies' cultures and drive to serve clients made the sale to F&W make sense, Wolcott said. He had talked to other companies, but none made sense — and, the longtime forester said, no employees were interested in taking over.

Then, Wolcott said, he talked to F&W officials and realized this was the right company to take over.

"Like IFM, F&W shares the same company culture focusing on the client’s best interests and strictly adhering to a code of ethics," Wolcott said. "Additionally, F&W recently became affiliated with Everwood, an integral player in the international forestry world."

Based in Paris, Everwood's business model is centered around prudent forest management and wood energy, Wolcott said. Factored with F&W's reputation and wide range of forestry-related services, he said the company was the right fit.

"This adds up to a very positive development for all involved, including IFM clients and employees," Wolcott said.

While he is selling the company, Wolcott said he has no plans to retire and will remain a key part of the company for the foreseeable future.

While the sale was only announced this month, Wolcott said the new ownership has actually been in place for several months. In that time, he has become even more impressed with the company's professionalism and dedication to both employees and clients.

"Change is inevitable, both in the forest and with IFM. And just as we strive to do with your forest, this ownership change is being made to keep IFM sustainable and set to thrive into the future," Wolcott said in a letter to employees. "Again, please know IFM personnel, including me, are not going anywhere and we look forward to serving you in the future, just with enhanced resources."

Information: Inland Forest Management, inlandforest.com; and F&W Forestry Services, fwforestry.com