On Biz: Sohn family set to retire from timber operations

The Sohn family, which owns Lone Rock Timber Management Co., is retiring from its management positions with the Roseburg-based timber company.

President Rick Sohn and Board Chairman Howard Sohn’s retirement will be effective April 1. Together, they have served Lone Rock for 27 and 17 years, respectively.

The Sohns, however, will remain as resource experts for the company.

In their stead will be Toby Luther, promoted to chief operating officer, and Bill Lansing, chairman of the board of directors.

“These changes will position the company for future growth and ensure the transition to the next generation of owners,” Rick Sohn said in an issued statement. “Toby Luther’s energy and expertise, combined with Bill Lansing’s career in industrial forestry, will serve the business well.”

Luther will continue serving as vice president and chief financial officer until April.

Lansing, a former president and chief executive officer of Menasha Forest Products Corp. in Coos Bay, joined the Lone Rock board shortly after retiring with 37 years served at Menasha.

Rick Sohn joined Lone Rock in 1981 as manager of forest silviculture activities. He became president in 2001.

Howard Sohn replaced Fred Sohn in 1990 as president of Sun Studs and Lone Rock. When the Sun Studs manufacturing operation was sold in 2001, he became Lone Rock’s board chairman. He also served on the Oregon Board of Forestry from 1996 to 2004, serving as its chairman from 2002 to 2004.

Lone Rock and its affiliated companies own and operate timber land across southwest Oregon. The company was founded as Sun Studs in 1950 by Fred Sohn.

Members of the Sohn family’s next generation will serve on the company’s board of directors, Lone Rock said in an issued statement.

<b>REFINED WOOD SUPPLIES:</b> Relying on their years of expertise as cabinet makers and general contractors, the Knowltons have opened Oakland Wood Products, a supplier of custom-cut lumber, molding trim and cabinet hardware.

Husband and wife Terry and Jane Knowlton, along with Terry’s mother, Ann Knowlton, opened their new store at 132 N.E. First St., former site of a flower mill and also a feed store in Oakland.

Jane Knowlton said to look for the red building with the white stripe.

Oakland Wood Products also carries hardwood and laminate flooring, Wilsonart countertops, craft woods and trimming.

With a custom saw the Knowltons purchased in Alabama, Oakland Wood Products can also turn that freshly fallen tree in your backyard into rough lumber.

Information: 459-2581.

<b>SAFETY MILESTONE:</b> Alcan Cable of Roseburg recorded 12 consecutive months, ending in February, without a single employee accident.

The 160-employee company produces 60 million pounds annually of underground and overhead transmission cable and commercial building wire for utilities and distribution warehouses. It is the first Alcan manufacturing plant — there are four in North America — to go a year with “no recordable incidents.”

“In our industry it’s a pretty big deal,” Alcan plant manager Sean Milner said.

To commemorate the achievement, Alcan celebrated on Feb. 26 with a steak dinner and new jackets for its employees.

<b>CONTINUING CURTAILMENTS:</b> According to Random Lengths, the Swanson Group Inc. of Glendale has suspended all of its lumber operations for the first two weeks of March.

Last December, layoffs by the Swanson Group affected 150 millworkers in Roseburg, Glide, Glendale and Noti.

Officials with the company said they will re-evaluate the curtailment at the end of this week.

<b>BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR:</b> According to the Oregon Business magazine’s 2008 list of “100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon,” Roseburg’s Umpqua Bank ranked 33rd and Wicks Emmett Hatfield & Chappell LLP ranked 46th.



• You can reach reporter Adam Pearson at 957-4213 or by e-mail at apearson@newsreview.info.