Why this Billionaire Lumberman is still Working at 96: Interview with Red Emmerson!

I had the honor of interviewing Red Emmerson, the legendary founder of Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) and America’s largest private landowner. At 96 years old, Red is still building sawmills, managing over 2.4 million acres of timberland, and shaping the future of the wood industry.

This is his story.

In this exclusive interview, we dive into:
🌲 The humble beginnings of SPI with $10,000 of borrowed money
🌱 Planting 8–12 million trees a year — forestry stewardship in action
⚙️ Cutting-edge sawmill automation & technology (planers, pull-through systems)
❗ Misconceptions about logging, sustainability, and our industry’s future
👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Building a legacy and culture that spans multiple generations

⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction to Red Emmerson & Sierra Pacific’s Origins
1:30 – Building SPI from $10,000 to an Industry Powerhouse
3:00 – Stewardship: Managing 2.4 Million Acres of Timberland
4:00 – Innovations in Sawmill Technology (Planers & Automation)
5:30 – Why Gilbert Planers are a Key Part of SPI’s Operations
6:15 – Vertical Integration: From Seedlings to Windows & Doors
7:30 – Culture, People, and Building a Multi-Generational Business
8:20 – Misconceptions about Logging & Forestry Sustainability
9:40 – Advice from Red Emmerson to the Next Generation
10:30 – The Future of the Wood Industry (Opportunities & Challenges)
11:15 – Closing Thoughts: Red’s Legacy & Industry Vision

🙏 Special Thanks to Gilbert team
During a Koval client project, working with Gilbert, a company known for their incredible planers used in sawmills worldwide. This journey led our team to Sierra Pacific Industries, where Red and Vaughn Emmerson not only gave us valuable content for the Gilbert project but also took extra time to share this full interview with me for the Wood World audience.
You’ll naturally hear Gilbert’s technology mentioned in this episode — that’s because it plays a big role in SPI’s operations and is a key example of innovation in our industry. I’m grateful to both Gilbert and the Emmerson family for making this possible!

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🎧 *Listen to the Wood World Podcast on Spotify:*
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