1983, Joe Weirathmueller opened the doors on a company ready to fill a recognized need for small to medium-sized sawmill equipment. How did he get to this point and why was he the one to operate this new venture?

Thirty-five years earlier, fresh out of school, Mr. Weirathmueller began what was to be a lifelong personal commitment to the forests of the world and their use. In 1948, he began his informal training in forestry with an Austrian forestry and game management firm. It was during this time that a respect for healthy and productive woodlands was sparked.

After two years with the firm, a formal apprenticeship in sawmill technology followed. This included theoretical studies at the Sawmill and Wood Technology College near Salzburg, Austria as well as practical work in a sawmill. In 1953, he attained journeyman status. As a journeyman, he spent time becoming acquainted with several varieties of mills throughout Austria, Sweden and Switzerland. His experience included hardwood mills, softwood dimension mills, saw factories, and plywood plants.

In 1956 he joined Gebruder Linck in Oberkirch, Germany as an Apprentice Machinist-Fitter preparatory to Field Engineer. During the two years following and while still with Linck he also attained his Master Journeyman designation in Sawmill Technology at the HANDELSKAMMER in KASSEL/HESSE, Germany.

In April of 1958, he attained his second journeyman designation as Machinist-Fitter. Joe was then sent to the United States and Canada as a Field Engineer for Linck. Since then he has been around the world, virtually everywhere timber is grown and harvested.

In 1964 Mr. Weirathmueller joined the team at the Sawmill Division of J.D. Irving as Mechanical Superintendent overseeing sawmill construction, installation, and maintenance. During his tenure at J.D. Irving, the company sponsored him and he took time off to attend the Machine Design Engineering College in Stockach, Germany.

Following this, he returned to Gebruder Linck for a brief period of 2-1/2 years. He traveled extensively through Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and, of course, Canada. Through his travels Mr. Weirathmueller built a network of industry contacts and lifelong friends. He also gained invaluable insights and a global vision of the forest products industry.

In 1972 and for the next ten years he consulted as an independent for such firms as Crabbe Lumber Ltd., J.D. Irving Ltd., and Grand Lake Timber. He also acted as Site Engineer for the construction, installation, and start-up of three Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Plants for the consulting firm of Neil & Gunter Ltd. In 1979 and 1980, he was also involved in the engineering and rebuilding of the #1 Sawmill of the Langdale Company in Valdosta, Georgia.

By 1983 Mr. Weirathmueller knew that there was a need for a progressive, world-class sawmill equipment manufacturing company to meet the needs of the small to medium-sized sawmill operator. He felt that the need was for an extremely durable, highly efficient, and easily maintained class of machinery. Valley Machine Works Ltd. was born. His motto and goal became:

Valley Machines are built with the millwright in mind!

Valley now continues his original ideas, always searching to improve designs already recognized as the top of the mark in this industry. From South Africa to Canada, Valley Machine Works has come to be known as the people to see. A finely tuned, top-notch team of engineers, technicians, machinists, and tradesmen have been assembled and guided by Mr. Weirathmueller. They are poised to solve your problem. Contact our team in your area. Click here to see how!