Precision & adaptability: Fritch Sawmill’s path to serving niche markets

When Eric Fritch rebuilt his family’s Washington state sawmill after a devastating 1996 fire, he faced a critical decision about the operation’s future. “We don’t have the opportunity of being large,” Eric admits. “Instead, we have to be more creative in sourcing our raw material, how we go to market, and what we produce.”

That mindset has defined Fritch Sawmill’s success. The 32-employee operation now fills a valuable niche, handling orders that larger mills cannot. “Often, when people call, we can help them find something unusual, a tight specification they need, or a very tight schedule to meet,” Eric explains.

The mill processes Douglas fir, Western hemlock, Western red cedar, and cottonwood from within a 50-mile radius. With everything pre-sold before leaving the facility, Eric maintains a substantial log inventory while keeping finished lumber stocks to a minimum.

When the COVID pandemic created unprecedented demand for fencing materials, Eric saw an opportunity to expand capabilities. Working with Wood-Mizer representatives, they designed a customized production line to efficiently handle both large timber and smaller fencing components.

The system features a Wood-Mizer WM4500 head rig paired with an EG400 two-saw edger. A WM1000 wide cut sawmill, handles logs up to 67” in diameter and now primarily processes cedar for fencing operations. Eric’s engineering background proved valuable in configuring equipment that could flexibly adapt to different product demands without requiring a cookie-cutter approach.

Logs pass through a ring debarker and metal detector before sorting. The resaw operation makes multiple passes until achieving finished dimensions, with lumber graded and trimmed in 2’ increments up to 26’. Products are then sorted into as many as 64 different categories across the yard.

At Fritch Mills, lumber drying is a precise, well-engineered process powered by two identical side-loading kilns. Fired with natural gas and heated with hot water instead of steam, they deliver consistent results without the need for high-pressure steam systems or additional regulation.

Each kiln measures 33’ wide, 24’ deep, and 17’ high, holding about 60,000 board feet of lumber when loaded with 2” material. Capacity adjusts slightly depending on thickness, less for 4/4 stock, more for thicker timbers and beams. Certified by the Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau (PLIB) for heat treatment compliance with ISPM 15 standards, the kilns can reach a maximum internal temperature of up to 170°F.

The operation embodies advice Eric’s father shared years ago: “Pay your bills and keep your word”. In an industry where handshakes still matter, that philosophy has kept Fritch Sawmill competitive for 74 years and counting.