PLANT HISTORY
The original manufacturing plant used by the Roddis Company was built in 1891 by Mr. A.K. Hatteberg. As depicted in a photograph published from time to time in the Marshfield News-Herald, it was a small one-story building. It started out as a veneer cutting operation and produced butter tubs and cheese boxes with an initial crew of 20. The work week was 6 days long with 10 hour days. Skilled workers received $2.50 per day, but the average rate of pay for men was $1.50 per day. Boys took home $1.00 per day.
Lack of capital was the main concern, until late in March of 1894 when Mr. William H. Roddis came to the rescue. Under his management the firm that was near bankruptcy took on a new lease in life. It turned toward veneer specialties, such as panels for beds, desks, etc., and was flexible enough to meet any veneer order.
The mill then employed 55 people, doing business amounting to about $100,000 a year, until the fateful day of April 20, 1897, when the plant was completely destroyed by fire which presumably was started by a spark from the smokestack.
The ruins of the plant were still smoldering when the stockholders met and ordered the immediate rebuilding. The new plant rose from the debris and was running by June 23, 1897. For fire control, the new building was rebuilt with a sprinkler system, kegs of water on the roof ridges. At this time Mr. William H. Roddis was named President and the firm's name was changed to Roddis Veneer Company.
In 1907 the 10-year old plant was destroyed by the second fire to hit the company's manufacturing facilities, and once again an entirely new plant was built, this time a four story structure. The latest addition before Weyerhaeuser took over to this old plant was made in 1955.
In 1908 the company produced the first solid core doors. During World Wars I and II, the plant manufactured airplane plywood, including plywood for the famed British Mosquito Bomber, doors, and other wood products. Among the latter were bulkheads for the Liberty Ships of World War II. Roddis supplied one-half the wood products required by this country and its allies, England and France, during these wars. At least 90% of the production of the Marshfield plant during World War II was devoted to the war effort.
Twenty-eight thousand acres of timber reserves, traversed with fifteen miles of railroads; saw mill, planning and veneer mills; largest and best equipped veneering plant in the world; three hundred employees in the veneering and flush door departments (c.1913) |
In August 1969, Weyerhaeuser purchased the Roddis Plywood Corporation, continuing with the traditional products. The veneer and door fabrication mills made the following: (at that time there were 750 employees)
Particle Core Doors
Stave Core Doors
Hollow Core Doors
Mineral Core - Fire Retardant Doors
Hardwood Plywood, including pre-finished plywood called Roddincraft
Special: X-Ray, Lead Lined Doors
Sound Retardant Doors
Architectural (i.e. custom made) plywood
In 1984 Weyerhaeuser committed itself to continue to be the leader in the Architectural Door Business. Major capital dollars were committed to new facilities that are providing a superior product and service to our customers. |
