RoyOMartin

RoyOMartin is the brand name of Martin Companies L.L.C., a group of family-owned, professionally managed forest products and forestland management companies based in Alexandria, La. Founded in 1923 as Roy O. Martin Lumber Company, the organization began with a 6-foot, band-saw groundhog mill.

Over 91 years, it would grow, literally and figuratively, to encompass 570,000 acres of timberland and operate three state-of-the-art manufacturing plants: an oriented strand board (OSB) mill in Oakdale, La.; a plywood mill in Chopin, La.; and a lumber-and-timbers mill in Mexia, Ala.

RoyOMartin’s owners are considered trailblazers in the industry. The Martin family and their team of professionals recognized early on the value of the land and began sustainable forest management practices before many industry peers.

Since 2002, RoyOMartin’s family-owned forestlands have been certified as well-managed, according to the principles and criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an independent, nonprofit conservation organization. Today, RoyOMartin owns nearly 570,000 acres of timberland in Louisiana, making it one of the largest private landowners in the South. As evidence of a deeper commitment to sustainability, all of RoyOMartin’s wood products are available FSC-certified.

The organization extends its commitment to the community, as well. Its philanthropic Martin Foundation, run by family members, has contributed almost $20 million to worthy charities, employees and educational institutions since 1994.

FSC-certified products

RoyOMartin specializes in more than wood products. It also manages timberland, is involved in mineral and gas exploration, and offers a variety of recreational land leasing. “While RoyOMartin’s timber base is located primarily in Louisiana, our customer base reaches across the United States and into foreign markets,” says Scott Poole, senior vice president and COO of RoyOMartin. “Customers appreciate the quality and variety of RoyOMartin’s products, such as OSB, plywood, lumber, timbers, and wood chips; all available FSC-certified, ideal for green building.”

In order to gain FSC certification, a company must adhere to the Rainforest Alliance’s stringent social, environmental, ecological and economic standards. Annual audits are performed to ensure that certificate holders continue to adhere to these tenets. FSC is the only certification program that restricts forest conversion and states that large clear-cuts are not allowed where it threatens the ecological integrity of the forest.

“In 2013, RoyOMartin foresters planted over 15,000 acres with 8.5 million seedlings and completed a department-wide realignment in silviculture and wood-flow management to increase our focus on the opportunities that lie ahead,” Poole explains. “We’ve got a team of experts, a team of professionals and committed team members unlike we’ve ever had.”

Attending Greenbuild in New Orleans

The annual Greenbuild International Conference (Greenbuild), held this year in New Orleans, La., will host three exciting days of guest speakers, immeasurable networking opportunities, product showcases and a tour of green buildings in New Orleans. The event is an opportunity for businesses and industry professionals to celebrate their commitment to the sustainability movement.

As a conference exhibitor, RoyOMartin is excited about the opportunity to educate others about the company’s energy-efficient wood products and the importance of sustainable design practices, such as those embraced by LEED.

“We offer products that a lot of design professionals and architects utilize and find added value in,” Poole states. “Our newest product, Eclipse Reflective Housewrap, is an innovative approach to sidewall applications that require a structural panel and a house wrap. It features both a structural OSB panel and a reflective insulation that work together to eliminate the need for traditional house wrap, saving builders both time and labor and material costs.” Eclipse Reflective Housewrap also comes in extended sizes and has a Class B fire rating, furthering its performance capabilities.

The company will also be showcasing its energy-efficient Eclipse Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing OSB panels, shown to significantly reduce attic temperatures and lead to lower home-cooling costs. Used in conjunction with Eclipse Reflective Housewrap, Eclipse Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing offers homeowners a superior, cost-effective building-envelope solution.

“We view our role at Greenbuild as that of an influencer. Instead of using pushy sales tactics, our representatives will be accessible and ready to educate builders and architects about why using wood products is a viable option for meeting the code-compliant building expectations of today and into the future,” Poole continues. Interacting with fellow exhibitors and attendees provides RoyOMartin the opportunity to be influenced by another company’s green practices as much as the team hopes to influence others.

Commitment to sustainable building practices

Growing to become one of the largest independently owned lumber companies in the South is no small feat. “RoyOMartin leaders today carry on the time-tested legacy of founder Roy O. Martin Sr., living out the company’s values or RICHES, which include: respect for each other as human beings uniquely created by God; integrity in what we do and what we say we will we, regardless of the cost, legally and ethically; commitment to the business, to our employees, to our customers and to each other; honesty in our interaction with our fellow employees, our supervisors, our customers, our vendors and our families; excellence in product quality, employee training and development and process improvements; stewardship of our land, timber and plant assets,” he says proudly.

“We are first and foremost a natural resource company,” explains Jonathan E. Martin, current chairman and CEO. By remaining consistent in its practices and standards throughout the years, RoyOMartin is positioned for continued growth and success into the next 90 years and beyond.