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About Us
The tale begins about a century ago. The mill has supported log furniture craftsmen and their families in two Michigan Heartland towns for several generations. A lot has changed over the years, but not our penchant for innovations and quality products. We never lost sight of the crucial value of taking care of the natural environment or our customers. Lakeland Mills sees these components as our past, today and our future.
A lot has happened in the world since Lakeland Mills was founded in 1923. As a company founded on pride of workmanship in products produced with great style at the lowest prices possible, we have managed to continue the tradition for over 80 years. Such an accomplishment requires:
- Many long term, dedicated employees.
- Steady planned growth through goals met year after year.
- Consistent product quality, design and operating innovation.
- Generations of employees proud of the company and their work.
- Constant vigilance to maintain high quality at the lowest cost possible.
- Superior customer care and interactive contact.
We’ve come a long way in 80 years.
It was a rather humble Holly, Michigan startup back in the 20’s. In 1991, three long time employees purchased the company from the original owners and moved operations to a larger, modern plant in Edmore, Michigan. The new 113,000 square foot plant allows for the rapid growth Lakeland Mills has experienced under the current ownership.
Where we are today is proof that sometimes a complete shakeup – a new sense of direction so to speak, can be exactly what is needed to bring new life to a long established business.
We attribute our success to many things besides the pride in quality and style each of us takes in our daily tasks. Everyone at Lakeland Mills knows our achievements are also due to our established credibility with customers and financial partners.
The craftsmen and support staff here at Lakeland Mills are far more than just co-workers in a furniture mill. Everyone who devotes their work week to creating our unique rustic and log furniture products truly loves their jobs. Each of them know just how important they are to the end result, and take great pride in making every piece the best it can be.
You’ll find that there are second and third generation employees of the company you know today as Lakeland Mills. This isn’t because of enticing retirement plans and benefits one might expect draws families to be employed with major corporations. Its the sense of achievement that pervails throughout the facility, the friendly atmosphere, the sincere caring that everyone puts into their jobs and the team spirit.
Lakeland Mills is a Green Company.
All of us here are responsible citizens, as concerned for the future of the planet as anyone is. We understand the importance of a healthy environment for both yours and our children and grandchildren and their futures. No forests are thinned or leveled to procure the natural wood that goes into any piece of our log furniture.
There is far more to being environmentally and healthy living conscious than not having solid wood or natural log furniture. Lakeland Mills understands that our environment is extremely important. For our children, your children and all future generations, sustainable innovations are alive and well here. The truth is that when it comes to manufacturing furniture and garden products, wood is one of the best choices for health quality and environmental sustainability.
- Wood does not emit toxins like petroleum based plastic.
- Our wood trellises will not get hot and burn plants, like metal trellises can.
- Wood does not get hot or tarnish like metal furniture.
- Wood naturally decomposes back into nature where it started.
- Northern White Cedar maintains its durability for years.
- Unlike metal, resin and plastic – wood looks great aged!
There is a reason that cedar is the preferred animal bedding. As log furniture, Northern White Cedar is an excellent choice for its resilience to the two predators of outdoor furniture. We choose this particular wood at Lakeland Mills for these reasons and cost effective manufacturing, with most of our material purchased here in Michigan.
By purchasing the bulk of our supplies in the same state as our production facility, we also make a great stride in reducing our use of fossil fuels, our carbon footprint as manufacturers and the cost of our products. Keeping our consumption down is one way we can keep pricing in a range that make our furniture affordable.
Unlike mainstream furniture manufacturers, we use what the log home industry leaves behind to rot. There is a purpose for everything under heaven and here we use every part of the tree tops they discard in the forest. The log pieces that cannot be used in our various furniture designs are used to fire our kiln and supplement the heat in our manufacturing plant. This is what our pioneer forefathers did; make use of every bit of available resources and let nothing go to waste.
Lakeland Mills continues the tradition in reducing our carbon footprint, while creating beautiful log furniture without waste products. Other ways we promote healthy living for society and the Earth:
- Our furniture is also available with a finish that is water based. It contains no lead, and is non hazardous.
- Furniture cartons are made of recycled material.
- We have implemented soft starts which reduces our energy consumption.
Lakeland Mills takes great pride in offering high quality products that are made right here in the United States and at a cost our customers can afford. We provide steady jobs in a small community situated hours from large cities. Such a feat is possible, when you put your heart and effort into it.
Purchasing quality indoor and outdoor solid wood furniture that has little environmental impact is what Lakeland Mills is all about. You don’t have to give up beauty or quality to preserve natural resources and get the most value from the money you earn.
There is far more to being environmentally and healthy living conscious than not having solid wood or natural log furniture. Lakeland Mills understands that our environment is extremely important. For our children, your children and all future generations, sustainable innovations are alive and well here. The truth is that when it comes to manufacturing furniture and garden products, wood is one of the best choices for health quality and environmental sustainability.
- Wood does not emit toxins like petroleum based plastic.
- Our wood trellises will not get hot and burn plants, like metal trellises can.
- Wood does not get hot or tarnish like metal furniture.
- Wood naturally decomposes back into nature where it started.
- Northern White Cedar maintains its durability for years.
- Unlike metal, resin and plastic – wood looks great aged!
There is a reason that cedar is the preferred animal bedding. As log furniture, Northern White Cedar is an excellent choice for its resilience to the two predators of outdoor furniture. We choose this particular wood at Lakeland Mills for these reasons and cost effective manufacturing, with most of our material purchased here in Michigan.
By purchasing the bulk of our supplies in the same state as our production facility, we also make a great stride in reducing our use of fossil fuels, our carbon footprint as manufacturers and the cost of our products. Keeping our consumption down is one way we can keep pricing in a range that make our furniture affordable.
Unlike mainstream furniture manufacturers, we use what the log home industry leaves behind to rot. There is a purpose for everything under heaven and here we use every part of the tree tops they discard in the forest. The log pieces that cannot be used in our various furniture designs are used to fire our kiln and supplement the heat in our manufacturing plant. This is what our pioneer forefathers did; make use of every bit of available resources and let nothing go to waste.
Lakeland Mills continues the tradition in reducing our carbon footprint, while creating beautiful log furniture without waste products. Other ways we promote healthy living for society and the Earth:
- Our furniture is also available with a finish that is water based. It contains no lead, and is non hazardous.
- Furniture cartons are made of recycled material.
- We have implemented soft starts which reduces our energy consumption.
Lakeland Mills takes great pride in offering high quality products that are made right here in the United States and at a cost our customers can afford. We provide steady jobs in a small community situated hours from large cities. Such a feat is possible, when you put your heart and effort into it.
Purchasing quality indoor and outdoor solid wood furniture that has little environmental impact is what Lakeland Mills is all about. You don’t have to give up beauty or quality to preserve natural resources and get the most value from the money you earn.
