Mo PAC Lumber's walnut legacy: from a coal shovel to a global woodworking powerhouse

Описание: As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, we’re taking a look at what makes Missouri unique.



Often called the Black Walnut capital of the world, Missouri produces about 75% of Native Black Walnuts bought commercially in the U.S.

The Black Walnut Tree powers the operation at Missouri Pacific Lumber in Fayette.

“Walnut is only about 3% of the forest, but it has a robust demand around the world for its beautiful color and how easy it works for woodworking,” explained Bucky Pescaglia, CEO of Mo PAC Lumber.

That demand is precisely why the company made a pivot more than 40 years ago.

“My father in 1980 decided we needed to switch our model and try to find something to specialize in, and that we cannot just have one load of something every month, we can have a load of something every day,” Pescaglia said.

Today, Mo PAC Lumber produces between 3.5 and 5 million board feet a year.

But the company’s origin story goes back nearly a century, and it started with a car accident.

“My grandfather at the time was delivering coal to people’s homes, shoveling it through their coal shoots that they would use to heat their homes. He was at an intersection when another truck ran a stop sign and hit his dump truck on the side. The guy who hit my grandfather didn’t have any money, but he was hauling mine timbers. And he said I will trade you mine timbers for the repair of your truck.”

Pescaglia’s grandfather would end up giving up his coal shovel for a saw blade.

The business initially started in Illinois —so why move to Missouri?

“Found out that in Missouri there are more Walnuts than the next two states combined, so we said if we were going to specialize in Walnuts, let's go to where the Walnuts are,” Pescaglia explained.

Forestry is considered a form of agriculture, and it plays a significant role in Missouri’s economy.

In 2023, the Missouri Department of Conservation reports that forest-related industries contributed $11.7 billion to the state.

“Our company exports about a little over 50% of our product. And the reason we do is that Walnut only grows in the United States, and the rest of the world really likes it,” Pescaglia said.

He says their lumber goes on to create everything from flooring and cabinetry to furniture, gun stocks, and picture frames.

“It’s all going to be something you see,” Pescaglia said.

Now a third-generation lumber dealer, Pescaglia says family is what keeps the business firm.

“Some people can’t even have dinner together. And we can work together every day of our lives, and we all respect one another, and what a blessing that is,” Pescaglia said.

Looking ahead, he says the biggest challenge is keeping costs down in a labor-intensive industry.

“Trying to find ways to reduce the cost of your product, because you are competing. So, if it takes five man-hours to do something and you can do it in four, you need to find a way to do that,” Pescaglia added.
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