About Us

For more than a century, Biewer has been a force in American lumber—growing from a single portable sawmill in Michigan, into a network of advanced facilities. Through every decade, one thing remains unchanged: our commitment to doing things the right way, with integrity and deep respect for the forests that define us.

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Deep Roots in American Lumber

Our story starts long before our first mill opened, but everything changed in 1965 when the Biewer family committed fully to lumber. What began as a single mill quickly grew into a force—driving innovation, expanding capacity, and setting new expectations for consistency and quality. We didn’t just enter the industry; we helped raise the standard for how American lumber is sourced, produced, and delivered.

Those early decisions shaped the path forward, and they still guide us today as we continue to grow, evolve, and strengthen the industry we’ve spent decades pushing forward.

Our History

Built Over Generations

From brewing roots in Michigan to becoming a leader in lumber manufacturing, treating, and distribution, Biewer’s story is one of growth, grit, and vision.

Use our interactive timeline below to learn about our history!

Pre-1900s

Brewing Beginnings

August Biewer immigrated from Germany to America as a brewmaster. As early as 1873, August founded Biewer’s Brewery in Mt. Clemens, MI.

1913

Rooted in St. Clair

In 1913, George Biewer moved the brewery and bottling operation to the Sherman House on the St. Clair River in St. Clair, MI.

1920

A Shift in Course

When Prohibition shut down the brewery, John A. Biewer took advantage of the Sherman House’s riverfront location and launched the Biewer Boat Livery.

1926

Sparked Interest

In 1926, a customer paid for a boat rental with a load of logs, sparking Biewer’s first interest in selling lumber and opening a new business path.

1930s–1950s

Building Foundations

The boat livery and tackle shop continued to thrive, while John expanded into selling lumber from portable sawmills behind the store.

1956

A New Era Begins

After John’s passing, his wife Hazel and their son Richard took over operations. Richard’s brothers continued managing the sporting goods business.

1962

Treating Takes Root

While Biewer Sporting Goods was known for sporting goods and marine supplies, the company began its first step into pressure-treated lumber.

1965–1983

Rapid Expansion

Following the first treating plant, Biewer expanded quickly with new facilities in Schoolcraft, MI (1969), Cambridge, ON (1970), Washington Court House, OH (1975), and Seneca, IL (1982).

1984

Getting Competitive

Biewer expanded strategically by acquiring Continental Lumber and sourcing sustainable Red Pine in northern Michigan—trees originally planted nearly a century earlier.

1985

Making Milling Sustainable

This new lumber source led to the establishment of Biewer’s first permanent softwood lumber mill in McBain, MI—still operating today.

1990

Branching Out

Growth continued with expansion into Wisconsin. By 1990, a new sawmill combined with an on-site treating plant was built and operational in Prentice, WI.

2001

Turn of the Century

A state-of-the-art treating plant was built in Lansing, MI, helping consolidate production from St. Clair, Washington Court House, and Schoolcraft into a centralized location.

2003

Moving Biewer Along

Biewer Logistics was founded to streamline internal shipping operations and support growing logistics needs.

2007

Rerooting in St. Clair

The company unveiled its new corporate headquarters in St. Clair, near the original Sherman House and lumber yard.

2011

Northern Expansion

The acquisition of Pine Tech Sawmills in northern Michigan allowed Biewer to increase production capacity.

2012

Diversification & Growth

A partnership with T & T Quality Cutting led to expansion into fence pickets, opening new markets for Biewer.

2017

Building a Legacy

Biewer opened a state-of-the-art, fully automated sawmill opened in Newton, MS, marking a major expansion beyond the Midwest.

2021

Fencing Boost

Expanded picket production in the south, strengthening Biewer domestic fence business.

2022

New Plant

A new state-of-the-art sawmill in Winona, MS was constructed at record speed to meet increasing demand—built from the ground up in just a few months.

Timeline

Biewer’s family of companies

Today, Biewer’s modern family of companies has expanded into a fully vertically integrated operation producing quality wood products from Forest to Framework.

John A. Biewer Company, Inc.
Biewer Lumber, LLC
Biewer of Lansing, LLC
John A. Biewer Company of Illinois
John A. Biewer Company of Wisconsin
Biewer Logistics, LLC
Biewer Sawmill, Inc.
Biewer Wisconsin Sawmill, Inc.
Biewer Sawmill- Newton, LLC
Biewer Sawmill – Winona, Inc.
Biewer Forest Management LLC
Biewer Forest Mgmt. South, Inc.