USA - The Wood-Mizer Way 89 Spring/Summer 2012 | Page 2

FROM THE CEO Thirty years. That’s how long it has been since I quit my job and went to work for my father, Don Laskowski, to help start Wood-Mizer. As I sit to write this note for the 89th issue of The Wood-Mizer Way magazine, it sinks in that thirty years is a long time. In many respects it also seems like yesterday. This letter is more personal than most of my others because in looking back, sawmills are only a part of my 30 year history with Wood-Mizer. Welcome to the 2012 Spring/Summer edition of The Wood-Mizer Way. Looking back at the pictures from the last 30 years, I realize how young and inexperienced we all were in those early years. Back then, all we had was the dream of building something of value from nothing. We had no idea what we were getting into, what we would create, and the impact the company would make on so many people. We weren’t smart enough to know that the odds were stacked against us. I’m glad we weren’t. If wisdom played a part in building Wood-Mizer, it wasn’t wisdom about business, finance, marketing, logging, or sawmills. The wisdom came from a simple commitment to do “the right thing for the right reasons,” as my father always put it. That meant paying our bills when doing so meant risking the loss of his home, making things right even when it hurt the bottom line, and most importantly, meant setting aside part of what we earned in the form of a tithe to help others. This issue of The Wood-Mizer Way features stories of how our equipment continues to make a difference in the lives of many around the world. It also announces our commitment to celebrate our 30th Anniversary by demonstrating our equipment this year in every state of the union. We welcome the opportunity to personally meet many of you at one of over 200 field demonstrations that will be held this year. Today, Wood-Mizer is 100% owned by the employees of the company. I work for them. I’m also committed to maintaining the foundation that the company is built upon. That foundation includes treating every customer as our only customer, seeing that their needs are met, and that their dreams are realized. It also means making sure our quality and value are unmatched, that our commitment to being the best is realized every day, and that we continue my father’s commitment to operate our company and our lives in a way that will please Christ. I have been asked by other business CEOs why I sometimes mention my faith in a business letter. My answer is always the same: I don’t choose to hide my belief that I’m accountable to God for what I do in the limited time I walk this earth. It is a common belief shared by many of Wood-Mizer’s managers and employees. I am the CEO of Wood-Mizer because it is what I believe I am meant to do and how I can positively impact the most lives. I hope and pray that the next CEO of WoodMizer shares that same perspective. If he does, I’m sure Wood-Mizer will remain strong and you will be reading his letter thirty years from now. Enjoy the newsletter. Be safe. 8180 W. 10th Street • Indianapolis, IN 46214 EDITOR Deanna Bunten 317.808.0849 – [email protected] ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jacob Mooney [email protected] ART DIRECTOR Janine Axsom CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Larry Andresen Jordan Baize Meg Bull Dan Cassens Glenn Chapman Mickey Cofer Jacob Mooney Jesse Pryor CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERs Amanda Cornelius Carla Sanders LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Wood-Mizer welcomes your tips, stories, and comments. Please understand, due to the high volume of mail received, we may not be able to respond personally to each letter. Submissions become the property of Wood-Mizer and may be edited for publication. REPRINTS AND PERMISSIONS To order reprints of the magazine or request permission to republish an article, call 317.271.1542 or email [email protected]. contact us 8180 W 10th Street • Indianapolis, IN 46214 www.woodmizer.com 317.271.1542 • 800.553.0182 wood-mizer corporate Jeff Laskowski, CEO Mark Thompson, CFO Richard Vivers, COO Subscription Changes Melissa Moore – [email protected] Jeff Laskowski, CEO Wood-Mizer Products, Inc. ISSUE 89 SPRING/SUMMER 2012 US $3.00 on the cover: The leading magazine for the portable sawmill industry Wood-Mizer celebrates 30 years of selling sawmills. celebrating 30 years SPECIAL TIMELINE ISSUE woodmizer.com ollow 30 years of Wood-Mizer’soval 4c/white product development and company growth at the bottom of each page in the magazine. From 1982 to 2012, you’ll get to see how the company that made your sawmill became what it is today. Wood-Mizer supports environmentally-friendly business practices and sustainable forestry initiatives in the forest and in its printed communications. 1982 LT30 sawmill released: The first portable band sawmill 2 grayscale The Wood-Mizer Way Spring/Summer 2012 white oval/type knock out white/1c First LT30 sawmill sold to Joe Bistrovich. Don Laskowski delivers the sawmill to Joe in New York.