F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. has 114 Years of stewardship and quality wood products

When F.H. Stoltze made his investment in the Halfmoon sawmill site just northwest of Columbia Falls in 1923, it marked a significant change from the cut out and get out business model so common to the sawmill industry at the start of the 20th century. The Halfmoon site, with its company town including company store, cookhouse, family homes, company-provided water and electricity, coupled with a dedicated logging railroad leading into company timberlands in Haskill and Trumbull Creek drainage, was different. It seemed like this site was growing roots. 

Following the emerging perspectives of foresters and timber managers that supported the sawmill, Stoltze adopted a long-term view of the sawmilling and the timberland business. Meeting the needs of today without preventing the ability of future generations to do so is the very definition of sustainability. That guiding business principle became the foundation of F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. as we know it today. 

Now in our 114th year of family-owned operations, Stoltze is known for quality and dependability. The lumber produced out of the slower-growing trees of Northwest Montana provides unique strength and beauty characteristics unmatched by other regions. Couple that high-quality fiber with the assurance of sustainably managed forests and you have a product that is distinctive and well suited to the quality-minded and environmentally aware builder and consumer. 

Supporting not only our 120 or so direct employees, Stoltze is a cornerstone of the integrated forest management infrastructure that Northwest Montana is blessed to maintain. This infrastructure includes professional loggers, truckers, road builders and numerous other support businesses. Not to mention the agency and private foresters, land managers and landowners. It is said that for every 1 million board feet of timber harvested in Montana, 14 direct and indirect jobs are supported. For Stoltze, that equates to roughly 600 jobs supported by our manufacturing and forest management efforts. 

Stoltze company lands are great examples of how multiple-use management can perpetuate the clean air, clean water and healthy wildlife habitats we all desire. While providing recreational opportunities and the wood fiber society demands. Part of the American Tree Farm System since 1964, Stoltze land management reflects the long-term stewardship concepts elemental to the company. 

The high-quality wood products produced by Stoltze can be found locally through businesses like Western Building Center where floor and roof trusses and wall systems use our machine stress rated lumber. They are utilized in value added products such as cross-laminated timber and Glulam beams created by SmartLam. And of course, go into traditional stick frame and finish construction as well. 

Capturing the value Montana wood deserves is a primary goal for Stoltze and key to perpetuating the healthy forests, healthy families and healthy communities we support. Think about where your wood comes from. If you need high quality, beautiful and sustainable building products, ask for Stoltze lumber by name at your local retailer. If they don’t have it, we’d be glad to figure out how to get them some. Wood is good and where it comes from matters.