From the log woods in the mid 80′s, Dan Reeder has logged and harvested aromatic red cedar. At that time red cedar was considered a nuisance tree and was of little use. It was occasionally used as a fence post, because it was widely known to be rot resistant.
In 1990, Dan and his wife Teri started Northern Kentucky Cedar as a sawmill in a 12′ x 20′ shed. Sawing about one load of lumber per month for a few local companies, . In 1992, Dan & Teri brought Joe Berry in as a partner. Since then Northern Kentucky Cedar LLC has grown into a facility with seven buildings, including manufacturing facilities and a dry kiln. In 2019 Northern Kentucky Cedar purchased a 53,000 sq ft building in Vanceburg Kentucky to Manufacture our products and become our primary office space. Our mills produce about 1 million feet of aromatic red cedar per year. This gives us the ability to take the red cedar log from its natural rough look to a stunning clean and smooth finished product. Northern Kentucky Cedar is known all over the world as a quality producer of lumber, where we export lumber to seven different countries.
Aromatic red cedar is a non endangered species of wood – its growth out paces harvesting. It grows primarily in the eastern part of the United States. Its pleasant scent and a vibrant red color – left untreated will turn a silvery gray – have been traditionally used for cedar chests because of its natural ability to repel insects without harmful chemicals. Cedar also has a wonderful ability to help absorb musty smells making it exceptional for closets, basements and such.
Today, Northern Kentucky Cedar is primarily a manufacturing plant. We produce cedar closet organizers and various other products for the home. Visit our Closet Systems section for more information.
Northern Kentucky Cedar won the Retailers’ Choice Award in 2024 at the National Hardware Show, presented by the North American Hardware and Paint Association.
"The Northern Kentucky Cedar modular closet system is an easy DIY project made from aromatic red cedar that adds natural scent to your space while maximizing storage and reducing clutter. The system is made in the U.S. from locally sourced lumber and includes shelving, organizers, wall paneling, shoe racks and cube storage. Originally designed for a closet, this system can go wherever organization is needed."
For more than twenty-five years, Northern Kentucky Cedar has operated at 7301 Mt. Gilead Road in Maysville, Kentucky. Our Primary office is at 174 Lions Ln, Vanceburg, KY 41179.
Read more about us at Miller Publishing and Woodworking Network