History

1967

Vanport Manufacturing, Inc. is formed with the purpose of processing small logs for domestic lumber and exporting large logs to Japan.


1975

With the restriction of log export to Japan, Vanport’s small log sawmill is remodeled to process larger logs for the Japanese market.


1982

A Japanese model home (The Teahouse) is built next to the Boring office to showcase all the products produced by Vanport’s mills.

Vanport is named “Exporter of the Year” by the Governor of Oregon.


1986

Vanport receives The Federal Republic of Germany Friendship Award on May 15, 1986.


1988

Vanport becomes the first sawmill outside of Japan to receive the JAS (Japan Agricultural Standards) stamp of approval from the Japanese government.


1994

Vanport International is formed to better serve all of Vanport’s partner mills with dedicated quality control, production, and marketing personnel. Representation in Russia is established as well.


1995

Vanport International begins assisting the Yakama Indian Nation by building a sawmill and training tribal millworkers and management staff in the operation of the mill and the marketing of lumber.


1996

Having marketed lumber for export to Japan from sources in the U.S. and Canada, Vanport expands its sourcing, adding Europe by marketing European production after providing sawmills with guidance in manufacturing and in lumber grading for the Japanese market.


1998

Vanport establishes an office in Canada.


2000

Vanport enters a new market with
representation for forest products in China.


2006

Vanport’s Chris Ketcham is named Timber Processing Magazine’s “Man of the Year” for his accomplishments in the planning and management of the Yakama sawmill.


2007

Vanport starts selling lumber from Ilimprom in Russia and becomes an exclusive partner.


2008

Vanport receives its FSC® Chain of Custody certification on March 23, 2008, and begins assisting the Confederated Tribes of Warms Springs with the operation and management of their sawmill.


2012

Vanport receives its PEFC® (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certification on November 28th, 2012.


2016

Frutifor Lumber Company in Tacuarembó, Uruguay, starts its new sawmill. Vanport becomes an exporter of their sawmill’s pine products.


2017

Vanport begins a marketing program for a manufacturer in Japan, Sun Cedar, a new sawmill producing Japanese cedar lumber for the export market.

Baikalwood in Siberia starts to market their Russian red pine, spruce and larch for export through Vanport.