A superb centennial. Hedstrom Lumber Company celebrated its 100th anniversary with a landmark celebration, hosting lumber mill tours, luncheons and an elegant banquet. At the banquet, Hedstrom Lumber Company President Howard Hedstrom and his granddaughters visited with the dignitaries in attendance. (L-R) Governor Mark Dayton, Liv Hedstrom, Howard Hedstrom, Ella Hedstrom, David Dill. See more about the celebration on page A9.
Hedstrom Lumber Company’s centennial was an event befitting a company that has endured for 100 years. The celebration lasted more than a week and included more than 700 people visiting the sawmill on the Gunflint Trail. Longtime employees, curious community members and visitors, timber industry representatives, government officials and dozens of members of the Hedstrom family gathered to learn about the historic mill and its modern operations.
Over 500 people came during the week for a guided tour, including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar on July 3. Other dignitaries attended the Thursday, July 10 banquet in the mill’s maintenance garage—Senator Tom Bakk, Representative David Dill and Governor Mark Dayton.
The maintenance garage was the perfect backdrop for the dinner with the walls draped with the Tyvek wrap used to protect lumber during shipping, emblazoned with the Hedstrom Lumber logo. One wall included a display of historic logging tools. And next to an assortment of old chainsaws, a stack of books. A copy of Sawdust in Their Blood, written by Jim Boyd and published by Northern Wilds Media about the history of Hedstrom Lumber, was given to each of the 226 attendees.
The Hedstrom Lumber Company centennial celebration was also a family reunion. Brothers Herb Hedstrom (left) and Art Hedstrom enjoyed visiting with all the friends and family that attended the festivities.
After a delicious dinner catered by Blackwoods of Proctor, Hedstrom Lumber President Howard Hedstrom thanked everyone for coming. “It’s amazing to think that all of you have been touched in some way by our family,” he said.
Howard Hedstrom noted that among the crowd were family members of all ages, ranging from 11-month-old Rabina Kahn to patriarch Herb Hedstrom, 97 years old. Howard asked Herb and the other second generation Hedstrom, Art Hedstrom to stand and be recognized.
Howard asked other family members who had worked at the mill to stand as well, noting that his cousin Ed was the “artifact collector” of the family. Another cousin, Dean Hedstrom was instrumental in redesigning the mill after the devastating fire in 1981. He said the company was looking to the future with the next generation Matt Anderson, Kent Anderson and Jonathan Hedstrom.
More than 700 people took sawmill tours during the weeklong centennial celebration. Senator Amy Klobuchar toured the saw mill on July 3. She visited with Ben Hadley (left) and along with Hedstrom Lumber President Howard Hedstrom asked Jennifer Fenwick questions about grading lumber.
Howard said moving into the future takes the right people and he expressed confidence in new vice president for sales Jeff Johanson, who is taking over the role played by Jack Hedstrom. Howard thanked vice president of finance Chris Hegg, who he said taught him that logs are not the most important, banking is.
“What does it take to make a business last for 100 years?” asked Howard. “It takes community. It takes community support and encouragement.”
It also takes partnerships, Hedstrom said, welcoming the many business partners at the gathering. Roger Barber of Resolute Forest Products spoke, recalling the first Hedstrom chip truck delivering to his plant 49 years ago. “To see the power of this family and this community behind the company is awesome,” said Barber. He presented a plaque to Howard Hedstrom adding, “This relationship is very important to us.”
Hedstrom expressed appreciation to the various timber industry associations and the representatives that were there. “We work better when we work together,” he said.
“It takes logs to run a sawmill and a good amount of that wood is under government control. We work closely with the U.S. Forest Service and DNR [MN Department of Natural Resources],” said Howard, introducing the Forest Service and DNR representatives at the dinner.
He thanked them for coming and added, “It’s not always smooth, but we have a relationship that goes back 100 years.”
Hedstrom also thanked the company’s many customers and vendors. He said he was especially grateful to the hundreds of employees who had worked at the mill. There was a brief slideshow, with photos from Sawdust in Their Blood—historic pictures of Hedstrom family members and pictures of current employees. He pointed out one picture in particular of a young sawyer in 1970— Mike Kimball, who still works at the saw mill today.
“This is just to give you an idea of how proud I am of all these folks,” said Howard.
“There were times when we wondered if we’d make it to 100 years. That is why we’re so happy we’re all here today,” said Howard.
Howard Hedstrom pointed out the government officials in attendance and thanked them for their leadership. Minnesota Representative David Dill came up to the microphone and said, “Honesty. Integrity. Reliability. And Sustainability. These are the words that represent Hedstrom Lumber to me.”
Representative Dill thanked the entire community for how it has always welcomed him and Senator Tom Bakk and said he was especially happy to be in Cook County for the Hedstrom Lumber centennial. “This is a landmark event for a company; for a landmark family,” he said.
Governor Mark Dayton agreed. “The spirit captured here, by all of you, is just wonderful,” he said.
“I was introduced to so many Hedstroms, I thought all 200 of you were family,” quipped Governor Dayton, bringing another round of laughter as he added, “I’m glad to see family working together. I tried to work with the Dayton family— they told me to go find something else.”
Governor Dayton turned to Howard Hedstrom and said, “Thank you Howard, for your articulate and effective spokesmanship. The men and women of the industry have been good communicators. For example, I know nothing about gypsy moths—I rely on all of you.”
“I think back to the start of this business, back in 1914,” said Governor Dayton. “Hedstrom Lumber made it through the Great Depression, through the timber depression and is facing the gypsy moth now.
“I know the people of Minnesota are remarkable, but the people north of Highway 2 are especially remarkable. You represent the best of the human spirit. On behalf of the State of Minnesota, I wish you 100 more years,” said Governor Dayton.
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