How a family sawmill business built a future

The Bota family’s journey from livestock farming to running a modern woodworking business reflects the transformation of rural Romania over the past three decades. Dan Radu, revistadinlemn.ro

In the commune of Sadova, Suceava County, where the majestic Bukovina Mountains rise, lives a family whose story inspires. Viorel Bota, head of the family and owner of Vasicon Star SRL, embodies the Romanian spirit of entrepreneurship — blending respect for tradition with a drive for innovation.

“We live in a mountainous area. Wood here is a tradition. Livestock farming used to be our main activity. Now we also have woodworking,” says Viorel Bota. “Nature here is incredibly beautiful, especially in summer. When you climb into the mountains, the views take your breath away.”

From Cattle to Timber: Why Viorel Bota Left the Dairy Industry

Viorel Bota never planned to work with wood. But after the 1989 revolution, changing economic realities pushed him to look for alternatives to farming.

“Before I started working with wood, I worked at a dairy plant. Our family raised livestock,” he recalls. “When we got back several hectares of forest that once belonged to our family, we decided to start processing timber.” It was a matter of survival. “Farming could no longer support the family,” Viorel explains. “I had a wife, the kids were in school — we had to find something else. And around here, there’s really nothing but wood.”

A Simple Start with One Saw — The Path to a Full Sawmill Line

Like many businesses in Romania in the early ’90s, the beginning was modest.

“We started with a basic circular saw. The saw itself was decent, but the technology was primitive,” Viorel says. Those first steps, taken around 1992–1993, laid the foundation for today’s thriving family business.

Turning Point: First Encounter with Wood-Mizer

A major breakthrough came when Viorel purchased his first Wood-Mizer machine — even though it was second-hand.

“Sometime in the ’90s, I bought a used Wood-Mizer multi-rip saw online. It was in excellent condition. The difference compared to our old machines was huge,” he recalls. Even compared to a new one, the performance stood out. “Anyone who’s worked with old circular saws and tries a Wood-Mizer multi-rip — even a used one — will immediately see the difference. It’s a whole other level.”

Step by Step: Growing Through Reinvestment

The Bota family chose to grow slowly and sustainably, buying equipment only when they could afford it.

“We couldn’t buy a full line all at once — it was too expensive. We bought one machine, paid it off. Then bought the next one,” says Viorel. This careful approach became a model of reinvestment, planning, and long-term vision.

Cutting into the Hill — Expanding the Workshop

Eventually, the workshop expanded so that there was no enough space for the next machine in the sawmilling line. The solution? Cut into the hillside to make room.

“It was rainy, the slope was steep. We had 3–4 trucks working daily, and the next day everything slid back down. But with God’s help — we made it,” Viorel says. This challenge became a symbol of the family’s perseverance.

A Family Business with a Future

Today, Vasicon Star SRL employs 10 people and plays a vital role in the local community. “We’re waiting for the grandkids. They’re still little, but we hope they’ll learn the trade from us,” Viorel says with a smile.

When Business Supports the Village

Companies like Vasicon Star are essential to rural development. As Ciprian Muscă, President of the Romanian Association of Foresters, notes: “This is the ideal model: timber is processed locally, transport is minimal, emissions are lower. Local jobs are created, and communities are strengthened.”

Wood-Mizer: A Professional’s Choice

Viorel Bota has no doubts about his choice of equipment: “This is the best-quality equipment I’ve worked with. If someone can afford it — they should get Wood-Mizer.” Coming from someone who’s used both basic tools and advanced machinery, that praise carries real weight.

Timber of the Future, Challenges of the Present

Ciprian Muscă emphasises the importance of wood as a renewable resource: “The future belongs to wood. It’s the only truly renewable material. We can build sustainably and protect nature.” Forestry accounts for 3.5% of Romania’s GDP, and timber exports exceed €2 billion annually. But challenges remain:

• A growing shortage of skilled workers
• Public mistrust of logging companies despite widespread use of wood products
• Climate change, requiring a shift to more resilient tree species

“Forests are part of our history. In the past, timber was floated downstream to Galați and exported to Turkey and the East,” Muscă says. This centuries-old tradition continues today through companies like Vasicon Star.

How Entrepreneurship and Technology Are Revitalizing Rural Areas

The Bota family’s story is not only about business success. It’s about hard work, resilience, and deep roots in the land. In a world where success is often defined by speed and scale, their journey offers another perspective: organic growth, future-focused investment, strong traditions, and community commitment.

Wood-Mizer can be proud that its technology supports businesses like these — enterprises that not only turn a profit but also revitalize rural regions and promote the sustainable use of wood.

“Now we can work the way the times demand,” says Viorel Bota.

And that one sentence captures the essence of their journey — from hand saws to high-tech, from survival to long-term success.