--- title: Our Story | Bennett Hardwoods – Family Owned Since 1988 description: Meet the people behind Bennett Hardwoods — our history in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and the vertically integrated process behind every load we ship. --- [![Bennett Hardwoods](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hubfs/Stacked%20Black.svg "Bennett Hardwoods")](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com?hsLang=en) - [Kiln Dried Lumber](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species/kiln-dried) - [White Oak](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species-kiln-dried-white-oak) - [Red Oak](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species-kiln-dried-red-oak) - [Ash](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species/kiln-dried/ash) - [Aspen](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species-kiln-dried-aspen) - [Cherry](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species-kiln-dried-cherry) - [Hard Maple](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species-kiln-dried-hard-maple) - [Hickory](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species-kiln-dried-hickory) - [Poplar](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species-kiln-dried-poplar) - [Soft Maple](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species-kiln-dried-soft-maple) - [Walnut](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species-kiln-dried-walnut) - [Basswood](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species-kiln-dried-basswood) - [ExactSort™](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/exactsort) - [Export](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/export) - [Kiln Dried Lumber Export](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/export-kiln-dried) - [Green Lumber Export](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/export-green) - [Hardwood Logs Export](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/export-logs) - [Company](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/company) - [LIVE INVENTORY](https://live.bennetthardwoods.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/contact-us) GET A QUOTE GET A QUOTE ### Let's Connect # The Bennett Hardwoods Story ##### A Family Legacy Rooted in Quality ![Border](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Bennet_Hardwoods_November2025/images/top-border.png) ## Our Story ###### Before Bennett Hardwoods Before founding Bennett Hardwoods, Tyler Bennett Sr. spent his life in the lumber industry. He founded Bennett Daniels Lumber Company with Bob Daniels in 1961, a well-known name in American hardwoods. After selling the company to Weyerhaeuser in 1986, Tyler soon realized that corporate life didn’t fit his hands-on approach or family values. He wanted to build something that reflected his own philosophy:
 *”Work hard, do it right, and take care of your people”* ![Building the Foundation](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bennet_Hardwoods_November2025/images/IMG_0003%201.png?width=607&height=408&name=IMG_0003%201.png) 1988–1989 ## Building the Foundation A New Beginning in Prairie du Chien Tyler broke ground on a new facility in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, with a vision of creating opportunity for his children and the local community. By 1989, production was underway with five kilns, a trimmer, a stacker, and a planer—the core of what would become Bennett Hardwoods. ![Growth and Expansion](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bennet_Hardwoods_November2025/images/IMG_0005%201.png?width=560&height=389&name=IMG_0005%201.png) 1990-1998 ## Growth and Expansion Investing in Capacity and Craftsmanship The 1990s were a decade of steady growth and reinvestment. New warehouses, air-drying sheds, additions to the trimmer building, and six more kilns were added as demand grew. In 1998, Bennett installed a wood waste boiler - a major step toward energy efficiency and sustainable operations. ![cont legacy](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cont%20legacy.jpg?width=560&height=389&name=cont%20legacy.jpg) 2000–2004 ## Sustained Excellence A True Family Business For decades, Sean and Katrine Bennett helped lead the business alongside their father. Bennett Hardwoods remained true to its roots—a local, family-driven company built on relationships, trust, and craftsmanship. ![Family Round](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Family%20Round.jpg?width=560&height=389&name=Family%20Round.jpg) ## Family at the Core A True Family Business For decades, Sean and Katrine Bennett helped lead the business alongside their father. Bennett Hardwoods remained true to its roots—a local, family-driven company built on relationships, trust, and craftsmanship. ![Continuing the Legacy](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bennet_Hardwoods_November2025/images/IMG_0007%201.png?width=607&height=422&name=IMG_0007%201.png) 2020–2025 ## Continuing the Legacy A New Chapter with Shared Values In the 2020s, the Bennett family passed the torch to Ryan, Adrian, and Jon of Vast Ventures - a team that shared their values and vision. The transition brought new investment, technology, and energy, ensuring the Bennett name continues to grow. Through partnership with Root River Hardwoods, the business gained direct access to sustainable forest resources and expanded capabilities across logging, sawmilling, and kiln-dried processing—bringing the Bennett tradition full circle. ![Today and Beyond Round](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Today%20and%20Beyond%20Round.jpg?width=560&height=373&name=Today%20and%20Beyond%20Round.jpg) ## Today and Beyond ###### Honoring the Past, Building the Future Bennett Hardwoods continues to operate with the same pride and principles that built it: - Stewardship of our forests and community - Stewardship of our forests and community. - Family values that guide how we treat people - employees, vendors, and customers alike. The legacy continues - stronger than ever, and ready for the next generation. [![Stacked White](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hubfs/Bennet_Hardwoods_November2025/images/Stacked%20White.svg "Stacked White")](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com?hsLang=en) [![Icon](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bennet_Hardwoods_November2025/images/Icon.png?width=48&name=Icon.png "Icon")](https://www.instagram.com/bennetthardwoods/) [![Icon-2](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bennet_Hardwoods_November2025/images/Icon-2.png?width=48&name=Icon-2.png "Icon-2")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bennett-hardwoods/) ###### Products & Services - [Our Species](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/species/kiln-dried) - [ExactSort™](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/exactsort) - [Export](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/export) - [Company](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/company) - [Contact Us](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/contact-us) ###### Location Bennett Hardwoods LLC 810E McLeod Street Prairie Du Chien Wisconsin, 53821 ###### Office Hours Monday - Friday 7 am - 3:00 pm ###### Contact **Phone:** [(608) 326-2030](tel:+16083262030) **Email:** [sales@bennetthardwoods.com](mailto:sales@bennetthardwoods.com) - ![USA flag](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bennet_Hardwoods_November2025/images/flag.png?width=20&name=flag.png) Made in the USA [Privacy Policy](https://www.bennetthardwoods.com/privacy-policy?hsLang=en)