Walnut Hollow began in 1972 out of an interest Dave Ladd and his family had in nature and woodland conservation practices with planting, pruning, and watching trees grow on the family tree farm. When some of his mature walnut trees were harvested, Dave’s wife, Nancy, began making interesting woodcraft projects using wood slices cut from the branches. These finished pieces were received so well by the Dodgeville community that Dave decided he had to produce and market this new craft concept. The company began with a single product line from the family tree farm: Walnut Country Rounds®.
Today, Walnut Hollow is the nation’s leading provider of wood surfaces, tools, and accessories for the craft, hobby, art, and hardware industries. For 50 years, the company has been recognized for its commitment to quality products, high fill rate performance, environmental initiatives, and superb customer service. In addition, Walnut Hollow’s product lines are adaptable to many different markets and all of the wood surfaces are American made. All of these qualities make the company a preferred vendor to a variety of customers worldwide.
Walnut Hollow was acquired by UFP Industries in April 2021. Customers can expect the same products, quality, and Midwest values presented in the past 50 years. For more information about the acquisition, read the press release here.
BRAND RECOGNITION
The Walnut Hollow brand is known for quality products, innovative design, and first-class customer satisfaction. When seeing the Walnut Hollow name and logo, customers can be assured they are receiving high quality products that will help them create projects that will be cherished for generations. Walnut Hollow assures quality products through the following steps and expectations:
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Quality raw material is kiln dried to precise specifications.
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High-tech equipment is used for accurate and consistent dimensions.
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Wood products are planed, sanded, and ready-to-finish.
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Clock movements and tools are reliable and dependable.
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Innovative product design increases functionality for an overall high value.
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Production is timely which results in quicker delivery of product to its final destination.
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Customer service is very important and delivered at a high level.
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Decades of experience allows for dedicated customer commitment and respect.
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Sustainability and environmental initiatives are highly valued.
SALES & SERVICE INFORMATION
Walnut Hollow is known for a wide array of best-selling programs such as Creative Wood Burning®, Basswood Country Rounds® and Country Planks®, clock making, and innovative craft tools and accessories. Walnut Hollow introduced taxidermy plaques and bases in 2010 and now has a separate website for the Walnut Hollow® Country division of the company. Walnut Hollow products can be found at major craft chains, mass merchants, independent retail stores, web-based companies, catalog companies, art stores, hobby shops, home centers, sporting goods stores, and hardware stores throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Additional Sales & Service Information:
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Comprehensive domestic manufacturing and shipping
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Overseas sourcing and direct import capability
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Consistent high fill rates of 98% - 100%
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EDI equipped
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In-house design and marketing support
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Professional sales staff
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OEM and exclusive product development services
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State-of-the-art information systems technology
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In-house customer forecasting and inventory management team
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Customer relationship communication team
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
We are proud of our commitment to quality and take great pride in producing Made in America wood products using environmentally friendly processes. Being a responsible corporate citizen is important to Walnut Hollow and our employees. Since the inception of Walnut Hollow in 1972, the company has been strongly committed to preserving natural resources through its raw materials consumption practices, production processes, recycling efforts, and community involvement.
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When possible, raw material is harvested from plantation and managed woodlands for the manufacture of wood surfaces.
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Walnut Hollow has a unique sawdust recovery system whereby sawdust and chips from the manufacturing process are vacuumed at each work station to a central silo storage system.
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As a result, the manufacturing operation is not detrimental to the health of employees or the environment.
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Our lean manufacturing processes create minimum waste and increase operating efficiencies.
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Wood waste and sawdust are recycled and sold as livestock bedding. No wood waste ends up in landfills.
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Shipping cartons are made from 50% recycled fiber.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
2016 – David Ladd inducted into the Craft & Hobby Association Hall of Fame for his business success and contributions to the creative products industry
2015 – David Ladd inducted into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame for contributing to conservation programs, projects, public understanding, and conservation ethics for Wisconsin and the nation
2014 – David Ladd received the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Hall of Fame Award, recognizing his outstanding service to the citizens of Wisconsin and his unparalleled dedication to the conservation of the state’s natural resources
2013 – Outstanding Manufacturing Safety Performance Award presented by Acuity Insurance
2012 – Iowa County Entrepreneurs of the Year Award presented by the Iowa County Area Economic Development Corporation
2007 – David Ladd received the Conservationist Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Gathering Waters Conservancy for his dedication to environmental sustainability in business as well as decades of untiring land stewardship to his native Iowa County and across the state.
2007 – Craftrends® Award of Creative Excellence in the Innovations Category for Walnut Hollow’s Designed for Her® Tools program
2006 – Walnut Hollow received the John H. Brogan Environmental Achievement Award presented by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
2004 – HIA Innovations Best of General Crafts Award for the Creative Versa-Tool® and Creative HotMarks™ Tool
2002 – HIA Lifetime Member Award presented to Dave Ladd for his commitment to the Association and the Industry
2000 – Business of the Year Award presented by Southwest Opportunities Center, Inc.
1994 – Scott Ladd Memorial Award for 15 years of loyal participation in promoting creative crafts in the industry presented by the Association of Crafts and Creative Industries
1988 – Wisconsin Small Business Person of the Year Award presented to David Ladd by the U.S. Small Business Administration
1988 – National Small Business Person of the Year Award, second runner-up behind Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, presented to David Ladd by the U.S. Small Business Administration