About Us / History

History

Hoge lumber was founded in 1904 by Herman Henry Hoge.  In 1908 the facilities moved to their current location in New Knoxville Ohio approximately 50 miles northwest of Dayton Ohio.  Established as a barrel hoop manaufacturer, the product line was expanded to home building items such as doors, windows, and general framing to meet the growing residential construction going on at that time.  Demand for production continued to grow and in 1933 the plant was fully motorized and equipped with complete electric manufacturing.

Additional power expansion occurred in 1965 and then again in 1973 when Hoge Lumber became self sufficient in generating all power on site by burning bark and other wood waste.  Sawmill operations became fully automated, and the drying kilns were expanded.  From the beginning, the company had cut logs with a circular saw, until in the late 70’s when bandsaw manufacturing was added.  Sawmill and kiln capacity is able to meet the inventory demand of a broad range of clients.  Products are produced from red oak, white oak, ash and hard maple.  Finished Products over the years include bowling lanes, brush and block, roof trusses, furniture parts, prefinished cabinets, architectural millwork and many more.  The plant has been powered by a newer higher capacity system that was installed in 1980.  It is literally powerful enough to provide service to the residents of New Knoxville and surrounding towns.

In 1939, Hoge established the brush division and began manufacturing a complete line of maintenance and industrial brushes and brooms distributed throughout the US.  Utilizing North American hardwoods, natural and synthetic fibers from the USA, India, Africa, and Mexico, the company provides brushes, brooms and accessories that serve floor, garage, street, and numerous utility applications.

Hoge Lumber has also been an active supplier to the dimensions industry, historical building and barn restoration, commercial and residential construction, shelter houses, as well as full-service architectural millwork and casework.

The bowling industry has led to international business with ongoing sales activity in the Pacific Rim, and a significant amount of work in mainland China where Hoge has an active sales office.  The recreational floor business has added a new dimension to Hoge capabilities with the gearing up for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Today, the mix of Products and services offered by Hoge Lumber continues to grow.   Almost 30% of our capacity is dedicated to the millwork needs of custom commercial contractors throughout the Ohio Valley and neighboring States.  Hoge buildings and Hoge custom home services continue to grow and become a larger share of the overall business.  Manufacturing capacity continues to be a competitive advantage that helps us meet the specialty needs of our clients, as well as maintain the quality control required to get the job done right the first time.  New Products like shelter houses, the growing millwork clientele, and the unusual requirements of historical markets, like bridges, and barn restoration, will keep us busy into the future.

Here’s to the next 100 years, of serving you!