
Loading a kiln with lumber at J Gibson McIlvain
A 200-year History of Selling Wholesale Imported & Domestic Lumbers
The J. Gibson McIlvain Company is proud to offer an expansive inventory of only the highest quality domestic and exotic lumber from forests from all over the world. Our representatives are equipped with years of experience and knowledge in many aspects of the lumber business. We travel to forests and sawmills throughout the world to carefully inspect and hand select the best quality of hard and softwoods for your next lumber project.
Sustainable Forestry
By traveling to the sites in which we are purchasing from, we can also ensure that the lumber is being harvested in an ethical, legal, and sustainable manner. Fortunately, federal land usage grants and aggressive replanting initiatives are helping us to ensure a greater supply of Douglas Fir in the future than is actually available today. J. Gibson McIlvain understands that the role of lumber distributors in maintaining well managed forests is very important, and we must take the lead to supply our customers in a manner that will provide sustainable resources in the future.
As a distributor of domestic and exotic lumber, we take an active role in organizations that promote sustainable forestry. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to setting high standards to ensure forestry practices are responsible and beneficial in an economically viable way. Although not all lumber is FSC certified, whenever it is available, we strive to offer such choices to our customers. We can frequently offer FSC Certified Sapele, Spanish Cedar, and Ipe lumber.
The J. Gibson McIlvain Company holds an IWPA amembership. IWPA is dedicated to regulating and ensuring all national, state, and local regulations and laws are properly followed while foresting.

Grading dried lumber at J Gibson McIlvain
Expert Sales Representatives
While our sales representatives spend a great deal of time actually in the forest & lumber yards inspecting lumber, our in-house sales representatives are available to provide guidance and a wealth of information to our customers. We know that your business depends on the quality of materials that we provide. For that reason, each board of lumber must pass at least three careful hand inspections before it can be shipped.
As a trusted leader in the lumber industry, J. Gibson McIlvain Company has practiced sustainable forestry while also offering customers a nearly limitless inventory for over 210 years.