Features Mills Sawmilling
Moen Lumber: Generations of success

While many family-run businesses succumb to competition or fade into obscurity, one Alberta family attributes their success to relentless hard work, continuous innovation, and the ability to adapt.

For the Moen family, the forest industry isn’t just a business – it’s a legacy. Since 1971, Edmonton’s Moen Lumber Sales has been a cornerstone of the lumber sector, evolving through three generations of leadership. From their early days in pallet building to remanufacturing and reloading business, the Moens have navigated the industry’s highs and lows with resilience and foresight. By staying ahead of market trends and continually innovating, they’ve maintained their foothold in a challenging field, demonstrating the strength and adaptability that defines their family enterprise.

In September, Canadian Forest Industries had the pleasure of touring Moen Lumber’s eight-acre facility, where we met the entire family and gained insight into the secrets behind the family’s success.

A family affair

The journey of Moen Lumber Sales is a testament to the family’s dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. It was started by the late Don Moen and his wife Luane, now 85-years-old. Shortly after, the rest of the family, including the couple’s daughter Debbie, now 63, her husband Brady Compo, 67, and Don’s son Jeff, got involved in the family venture. 

Over the decades, they have weathered economic fluctuations and industry shifts by making strategic pivots. Their ability to read market trends accurately and implement innovative solutions has ensured their longevity and success.

Whether it was transitioning from pallet building to reman and reloading services or adapting to new technologies, the Moen family has always been proactive in finding ways to thrive. This forward-thinking approach, combined with their deep-rooted commitment to quality and service, has solidified their reputation as leaders in the forest industry.

Continuing this legacy, Debbie’s son Robert Moen started his journey into the forest industry at a very young age. Every weekend, he would accompany his grandfather Don and uncle Jeff to the family-owned lumber and remanufacturing yard, helping with routine maintenance. By the age of 14, Robert was already deepening his knowledge by attending the Alberta Forest Products Association’s lumber grading program. His commitment grew stronger when he turned 16 and, after obtaining his driver’s license, began working at the family mill after school and on weekends. He took on various tasks, from feeding the saws and piling lumber to machine maintenance and general equipment repairs.

After high school, Robert earned his millwright certification and joined Moen Lumber full-time, focusing on machine maintenance and repairs. 

“Maintenance is such a huge cost of running a business, so it’s a big advantage that I can do maintenance myself,” Robert muses.

With the untimely passing of his uncle Jeff at age 46, Robert stepped up to manage the company. Now, at 40 years old, Robert acknowledges the changes and challenges the industry has faced – from “the cutthroat pallet building business after 30 years to remanufacturing and reloading” – but remains committed to the family legacy. He plans to keep the business thriving for many years to come, continuing to innovate and adapt in an ever-evolving industry.

Robert’s siblings, Robin Moen and Zack Compo, have joined the ranks of the family business, contributing their talents and expertise to its growth and success.

Reman, reload

The 8-acre Edmonton site serves as a reman and reloading facility.

Debbie explains that the remanufacturing segment of their business involves various processes, “including cutting full lifts on our L-M Saws bundle saw, resawing using one of our Baker bandsaws, as well as offering custom cutting to length services and crafting custom pallets.” Currently, this remanufacturing work represents approximately 20 per cent of Moen Lumber’s total sales, Debbie adds.

Debbie elaborates on the reloading aspect of the business: “We often receive wood from lumber brokers or directly from lumber yards. Sometimes, obtaining trucks for direct transportation from the mill to their intended destination can be challenging. Edmonton serves as a convenient hub for trucking, so mills and lumber brokers frequently send shipments to us.” 

Additionally, lumber brokers purchase blocks of loads (multiple truckloads) from the mill and have them shipped to Moen’s facility until they are ready to sell. 

“Our loading and unloading operations are carried out using a variety of forklift sizes. Primarily, we utilize Linde, DaeWoo, and Hyundai forklifts.”

Robert adds: “We get products from around 20 different mills in Alberta and B.C., and we ship all over Canada and the U.S.”

Moen Lumber has seven full time employees, with 10 others working as sub-contractors. 

Secret recipe

Moen Lumber Sales was started in 1971 by Don and Luane Moen.

Luane, the 85-year-old matriarch, believes that hard work and total involvement are the cornerstones of multigenerational success. She recalls how her husband would deliver products tirelessly, often working until midnight. Remarkably, Luanne herself remains active, still visiting the loading yard. 

“In this business, there is no nine-to-five. Instead, there are many, many hours of hard work – that’s the secret,” Luane says with a smile.