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Log home builders roll in to visit Maine peers

By Eric Russell OF THE NEWS STAFF

Source: Bangor Daily News

KENDUSKEAG - More than 100 representatives from major log home companies around the country gathered Tuesday at Northeastern Log Homes as part of the annual Log Homes Council President's Tour.

New council President Rich Horn, an associate at Northeastern Log Homes, was responsible for bringing the tour to central Maine, kicking it off Monday with stops at Moosehead Cedar Log Homes in Greenville and the University of Maine's Wood Composite Center.

On Tuesday, the tour rolled on to visit Northeastern Log Homes and its affiliate, Old Town Lumber, before culminating with a clambake and lobster dinner, Northeastern President Jonathan French said.

"It's a great opportunity to show our peers what we have to offer," French said. "Typically, you gain the most when you're able to visit places, but this time people came to us."

Maine's forest products manufacturing industry, which includes lumber companies and suppliers in addition to log home building, is Maine's largest manufacturing sector, employing more than 30,000 workers and boasting a payroll of about $1 billion.

Directly, Maine's 10 log home building companies employ 500 workers statewide, according to statistics from the Log Homes Council.

Nationwide, the industry produces about 25,000 log homes, over 90 percent of which are full-time residences, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

"Log homes fit the kind of lifestyle a person wants," French said. "There is a certain feeling you get living in a log home, with wood on all sides rather than being surrounded by Sheetrock."

While most log homes are custom built and don't fall within the price limits of many home buyers, French said, consumers who are interested in log homes are attracted to the "relaxed atmosphere" they provide.

"People that are looking for the least expensive home possible probably aren't going to come to us," he said.

Horn, who lives in Kenduskeag, takes over as president of the Log Homes Council after previously holding the position more than 10 years ago. Every spring the president hosts a tour and, because of Horn's proximity, the tour steered toward the Bangor area this year. French said he was pleased with the turnout at Northeastern Log Homes.

"I think it helped increase morale within the company," French said. "Our associates are proud of the work they do and it's nice for others to see that."