Hill Wood Products                              

A new line of flooring is growing business at Hill Wood Products in Cook, Minnesota. A contributor to the region’s economy for more than 60 years, Hill Wood Products – with help from an Iron Range Resources loan – expanded its wood products manufacturing expertise into the production of manufactured engineered floors.

In late 2006, Hill Wood Products began producing the custom engineered floors of varying wood species, length, width and thickness. At the same time, the company also increased its existing sawn veneer work for doors, windows and floors. Employment at the business remained at about 55 full-time.

As a result, Hill Wood Products has been able to expand its timber supply and marketing initiatives into Europe and Asia. Not long after the expansion, export orders increased to five containers per month from one container.

“We’re at the beginning of a new growth cycle, and from what we’ve seen so far, we think things will be going really well for quite a while,” said Steve Hill, president of Hill Wood Products.

Iron Range Resources helped Hill Wood Products expand its product line and acquire new equipment with a direct loan and through a bank participation loan.