Built by one family, one mill, for over fifty years

Prime Timber started in 1971 when Walter Whitfield bought a single sawmill outside Cascade Bend, Oregon, and a truck to haul the first orders himself. His son Roy took over the yard in the 1990s and added a second dry kiln to keep pace with growing contractor orders.

Today Dale Whitfield, Walter's grandson, runs day-to-day milling. The company still buys standing timber from the same family forests it did forty years ago, and still grades every board by hand before it ships.

“A mill is only as good as the crew standing at the green chain. We've kept ours together for decades. That's the whole business.”

Milestones

1. 1971

   Walter Whitfield opens the first mill outside Cascade Bend, Oregon.

2. 1994

   Roy Whitfield adds a second dry kiln to meet growing contractor demand.

3. 2008

   Prime Timber earns FSC certification across all timber sourcing.

4. 2019

   Dale Whitfield takes over mill operations as third-generation manager.

Certifications and memberships

• FSC Chain of Custody Certified
• Oregon Forest Resources Institute member
• Western Wood Products Association