John Bartlett, Maryland Logs 2 Lumber

John Bartlett, Maryland Logs 2 Lumber

From The Woodpreneur Podcast by Acres of Timber

February 19, 2026 · 32 min · Season 4 · Episode 474

About this episode

John Bartlett discusses his transition from law enforcement to running a sawmill operation and the unique business model he employs.

A 36-year career in law enforcement might seem like an unlikely path to running a successful sawmill operation, but for some, retirement is just the beginning of a new chapter. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with John Bartlett from Maryland Logs 2 Lumber to explore his remarkable transition from law enforcement to becoming a skilled sawmill operator over the past 24 years. John shares the unique aspects of his business model, where he doesn't sell wood but instead mills logs owned by customers, focusing on building strong relationships with three main clients who trust him with their valuable timber. You'll hear about the high-value projects and unique logs John has worked with, the importance of quarter sawing techniques for producing premium lumber, and how he's invested in Wood-Mizer equipment over the years to improve his operation. John discusses the challenges of navigating business regulations and taxes, the significant impact COVID-19 had on operational costs (particularly diesel prices), and how he's adapted his business model to include deposits for new customers to protect against market volatility. This conversation…

People in this episode

Host: Jennifer Alger

Guest: John Bartlett

Topics covered

  • sawmilling
  • business transition
  • customer service
  • woodworking
  • entrepreneurship

Keywords

  • sawmill
  • logs
  • quarter sawing
  • business model
  • customer relationships
  • Wood-Mizer
  • COVID-19 impact

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Maryland Logs 2 Lumber

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