GTL Lumber Inc., which bought the former Muth Lumber facility in Ironton, is happy with the progress of the plant.

GTL Lumber Inc., a joint venture between Graf & Thomas Lumber and Greg Lute Trucking recently expanded the plant and are excited about the future of the facility.

Within 10 months of operations, GTL has seen new business emerging and a positive outpouring in the community.

The plant was headed towards closure before it was bought by GTL. The company went from zero inventory to well over $1M total inventories and the company is proud of how much they’ve grown in under a year’s time, and they are committed to continuous improvements and additions to their 13-acre site.

The investment not only saved jobs at the plant, but the company added 19 new ones.

“The progress we have made is tremendous, not only because we began this journey at a downturn in the industry, but because we have the knowledge, drive and work ethic to prove our leadership in the hardwood lumber industry,” said Erin Cox, director of sales.

Muth Lumber, which made hardwood products are being shipped across the United States and abroad. It buys green wood from regional saw mills and the facility has 16 kilns and about two million feet of kiln dry space where the green wood is fired in 100 to 180 degree temperatures. After the firing process, the wood is then ready to be made into furniture.

Because the only industrial road to the facility was failing, the City of Ironton financially assisted the company by accessing a Roadwork Development Grant of $293,145 to maintain Third Street. Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), regional JobsOhio network partner in southern and eastern Ohio, worked with JobsOhio and the company, to access a $300,000 JobsOhio Revitalization Grant to renovate the facility.

“This project is a big win for Ironton and southern Ohio,” said APEG project manager Taylor Stepp. “GTL saved this facility and has kept kiln capacity operational in the region. Kilns are vital to pieces in the supply chain to grow our area’s wood products industry.”

APEG was engaged through partnership with Lawrence Economic Development Corporation’s executive director Dr. Bill Dingus.

“We are so very pleased that APEG, JobsOhio and LEDC could partner to retain jobs in Ironton and help GTL move into a new facility,” Dingus said.