Our History

Our story began over 50 years ago.

Since 1966, American Wood Fibers has been family owned and operated, and through the years we have expanded our footprint and product offerings.

Frank and Joy

1966

Frank & Joy Faehner start Eastern Wood Fibers in Jessup, Maryland. Baltimore Sawdust Company in Silver Spring, MD was purchased soon after.

Jessup, MD plant

1978

Eastern Wood Fibers opens Jessup, Maryland Plant. Industrial Fibers business growing rapidly.

Schofield, WI plant

1984

Eastern Wood Fibers opens a plant in Schofield, Wisconsin. Servicing customers and suppliers in the upper Midwest.

Frank at truck

1989

Eastern Wood Fibers becomes American Wood Fibers to better reflect our expanding footprint.

Pella, IA plant

1989

Pella, IA plant opened on 2 acres next door to Pella Windows facility.

Lebanon, KY plant

1991

American Wood Fibers opens Lebanon, Kentucky Plant. Pet bedding business grows to include small animal, dog, horse and large animal bedding products.

Red Cedar pallet

1996

AWF purchases Red Cedar of Nebraska.

Marysville, CA plant

1997

AWF opens Marysville, California, plant.

CEO Ed Leland speech

1997

Ed Leland hired as President and Frank Faehner becomes Chief Executive Officer.

Circleville, OH plant

1999

AWF relocates plant from Struthers to Circleville, Ohio.

Marshall, TX plant

2001

AWF opens Marshall, Texas, plant.

Circleville, OH plant from above

2005

AWF adds wood pellet production to Circleville. Frank Faehner retires, Joy Faehner becomes Chairperson.

Mountain Wood Products purchase

2007

AWF purchases Mountain Wood Products in Sugar Grove, VA.

Marion, VA plant

2009

AWF relocates Sugar Grove plant to Marion, Virginia.

Founder, Frank Faehner

2009

On October 4, 2009 Frank Faehner, our Company Founder, Husband, Father & Friend passes away peacefully. The AWF Family will miss his energy and passion, but his fighting spirit will live on.

Jamestown, CA plant

2011

AWF purchases California Wood Shavings in Jamestown, California.

Ed Leland and Stephen Faehner

2014

Ed Leland retires and Stephen Faehner takes over as President/CEO.

New wood products

2015

AWF purchases Lost Coast Forest Products adding firewood, kindling, & pinecones to our product assortment.

50th Anniversary logo

2016

AWF celebrates our 50th anniversary.

Laurinburg, NC plant

2020

AWF inaugurates a new plant in Laurinburg.

Work at AWF

A long history of excellence

Family-owned for four generations, we continue to grow and expand every day. Our employees enjoy working in a family environment and take pride in the quality, American-made products they produce.