By the North Louisiana Business Journal Staff
A Century of Louisiana Timber Leadership
For more than a century, RoyOMartin has been synonymous with Louisiana’s timber industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, the company manages nearly 600,000 acres of working forestland, making it the largest private holder of timber acreage in the state and one of the most significant in the South.
Founded in 1923 by the late Roy O. Martin Sr., the business began as a regional sawmill and has grown into a vertically integrated enterprise spanning timber management, manufacturing, and wood-product innovation. The Martin family’s continued ownership has allowed the company to evolve without losing its Louisiana identity — blending modern operations with the long-term view of a multigenerational enterprise.
From Forests to Finished Products
Each acre of RoyOMartin-managed land contributes to a sustainable supply chain that supports the company’s manufacturing operations in Oakdale, Chopin, and Corrigan, Texas. These plants produce plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and other engineered materials distributed nationwide.
The company’s forestlands are maintained under independent sustainability certifications, ensuring that harvesting practices protect water quality, promote regeneration, and preserve wildlife habitats. This framework positions RoyOMartin as both an economic driver and an environmental stakeholder — a balance that defines much of Louisiana’s modern forestry sector.
Generational Continuity and Local Impact
RoyOMartin’s success has long rested on stability at the top. Remaining privately held has allowed the company to reinvest profits directly into equipment modernization, land acquisition, and employee development rather than satisfying short-term market demands.
Across central and northern Louisiana, the firm’s presence is felt through employment, property-tax contributions, infrastructure partnerships, and educational collaborations. Programs such as the annual Women in Manufacturing initiative underscore its ongoing efforts to encourage diversity and career pathways for Louisiana students — particularly in technical and industrial fields that drive regional growth.
Why It Matters
RoyOMartin’s footprint extends well beyond the boundaries of its timber tracts. Its decisions influence regional economies, forest-product markets, and environmental policy discussions statewide. The company’s emphasis on sustainable forestry aligns Louisiana with a national trend: using working forests as tools for both economic development and carbon sequestration.
As industries and governments place increasing value on renewable resources, the management of hundreds of thousands of acres under private stewardship makes RoyOMartin a bellwether for how Louisiana can balance natural-resource utilization with long-term conservation goals.
What Comes Next
RoyOMartin is entering a new chapter of leadership transition and operational expansion. With recent executive appointments and planned retirements, the company is positioning itself to maintain its leadership in both manufacturing and timberland management. Future investments are expected to focus on reforestation, efficiency technologies, and rural workforce development, ensuring that its legacy continues to grow as sustainably as the forests it manages.
As Louisiana’s largest private landholder, RoyOMartin remains a defining presence in the state’s economy — one where heritage and innovation continue to grow side by side.
RoyOMartin at a Glance
Headquarters: Alexandria, Louisiana
Founded: 1923 by Roy O. Martin Sr.
Ownership: Privately held, third-generation family leadership
Land Holdings: Estimated 550,000–582,000 acres of timberland across central and northern Louisiana
Industry: Timber, wood products manufacturing, and sustainable forest management
Certifications: Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) and related third-party environmental standards
Major Facilities:
-
Oakdale, LA – Plywood Manufacturing
-
Chopin, LA – Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Production
-
Corrigan, TX – Engineered Wood Products
Employees: Approximately 1,200+ across Louisiana and Texas
Community Programs: “Women in Manufacturing” annual event, workforce partnerships with local schools, and technical training initiatives
Recent Developments:
-
Executive leadership transitions announced August 2025
-
Ongoing modernization and reforestation investments
-
Recognized as Louisiana’s largest private landowner