The Hardwood Federation reports that between 2022 and 2024 the Ohio hardwood sector shed 40,000 jobs and saw exports drop by $930 million. In response, a sixth‑generation family business in Miami County is leading a push for federal assistance.
Local leaders bring the issue to Washington
News Center 7’s Ava Petrosky toured Hartzell Hardwoods in Piqua on Thursday, where Everett Woodel, the Small Business Administration’s acting chief counsel for advocacy, and his team met with company officials. Woodel, who reports directly to President Trump, is gathering firsthand accounts of the challenges facing small hardwood manufacturers.
Robert Kaebnick, CEO of Hartzell Hardwoods and a sixth‑generation heir, described the industry as an “ecosystem” where a setback in one segment—whether pulp and paper, veneer, flooring, furniture, or railroad ties—ripples through the whole supply chain. He warned that “substitute products and the exportation of our hardwood logs to China, where unfair business practices and subsidized labor prevail, are eroding our competitiveness.”
Other local firms join the call
Woodel also visited M. Bohlkeve Veneer Corporation in Fairfield. President Nick Bohlkeve said the SBA’s presence “finally gets some eyeballs and some ears on it,” noting that most U.S. hardwood producers are privately held, small, and fragmented. He emphasized the need for advocacy to give these businesses a stronger voice in Washington.
Both companies are taking concrete steps to modernize. Hartzell Hardwoods is constructing a 146,000‑square‑foot warehouse to centralize finished‑goods storage and is adding a new office building to accommodate more than 300 employees. Kaebnick expressed pride in continuing his great‑grandfather’s legacy, noting the firm’s long‑standing role in supporting families and jobs in the community.
Trump administration’s response
The SBA’s outreach reflects the Trump administration’s broader effort to protect American manufacturing from unfair foreign competition. By hearing directly from owners like Kaebnick and Bohlkeve, the administration aims to shape regulations that safeguard the hardwood sector, a vital part of Ohio’s industrial heritage.
While specific policy proposals were not detailed during the visit, officials indicated that the administration is reviewing trade practices and exploring measures to counter subsidized labor abroad. The goal, according to the SBA team, is to ensure that American hardwood producers can compete on a level playing field.
What’s at stake for the region
Hardwood manufacturing has deep roots in the Miami Valley, providing stable, well‑paying jobs for generations. Restoring export strength and halting job losses would bolster local economies, support family livelihoods, and preserve a historic industry that dates back to the 19th century.
Community leaders and workers are watching the federal response closely, hopeful that the administration’s attention will translate into tangible assistance—whether through trade enforcement, targeted subsidies, or regulatory reforms that protect domestic producers.
Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.
