Original Old-Timer Log Homes and Supply has joined Strongwood Log Homes to create one of the largest log-home producers in the country with 130-plus dealers and many new floor plans, the companies announced recently.

The combined company will be called Strongwood and run by current Strongwood President Thad Marcom. Original Old-Timer's Paul Gentry,  started the company in 1979.

Both companies agreed that Strongwood's marketing power made it the sensible brand name at which to consolidate.

The two companies' strengths fit together remarkably well. The mill produces what Bob Marcom, Strongwood director of sales and marketing, called the best fully kiln dried logs in the industry.

"I feel like this helps our current dealers because (Strongwood) is so good at marketing, they're going to be able to offer our dealers more assistance in marketing and sales than they've ever had," Gentry said. "I can get the most out of the mill and the equipment; that's my expertise.

For Strongwood, the merger assures them access to their source of logs, gives them much better dealer penetration, increases buying power to reduce unit costs and gives their new marketing campaign more room to grow. "They've been making logs for 30 years, and they make really good logs," Bob Marcom said. "One of the main reasons we've been successful is because we have that source of what we believe are the best logs available."

The new Strongwood has opened a new regional center in the in Mt. Juliet (10 miles away from Nashville) that will mirror its Waupaca, Wis., headquarters "It will include a sales department, an estimating department and a design staff," Thad Marcom said. "We'll have those same features here, so customers will be able to visit us in the north or south. (Waupaca) will be the headquarters and Mt. Juliet will be a regional center."

"There are maybe five companies that have more than 100 dealers, and they all took 20 years to get there," Bob Marcom said.  We have been successful at developing strong customer service, really good designs with a great design department. I believe we're doing a lot of things right to provide a wonderful customer experience and a terrific new log home."