About us
DWP History
Our past inspires the future we’re building.
Founded in 1988, Dempsey Wood Products is a family-run business that has established itself as a respected leader in the wood industry. Through four generations of sawmilling, we’ve earned our reputation the right way – through hard work, consistency, and relationships built on trust.
The family’s ties to the industry date back to 1940 when Paul L. Dean operated mobile sawmills, moving from forest to forest harvesting timber. This developed into a stationary sawmill as Robert Dean, Paul Dean’s son, joined the business.
In the 1950’s, after serving in the United States Air Force, Parker Dempsey joined the family business, further expanding the sawmill operations and incorporating a chip mill to supply the paper industry.
As the company expanded to multiple locations with sawmills and chip mills, including a big pine sawmill, it attracted partnership interest from Stone Container, a large international paper mill. Because of their interest in getting into the solid wood business, Stone later acquired ownership of the company in the 1980’s. After graduating from Clemson University, Ronny Dempsey, son of Parker Dempsey, joined the family business.
With strategic vision and strong ambitions, Ronny branched out on his own to start Dempsey Wood Products. For 4 decades, the spirit of innovation and motivation that grew Mr. Dean’s mobile sawmill operation in the 1940’s has been the ethos that has grown Dempsey Wood Products to what it is today. Ronny is still active in the operations of the business and his son, Parker Dempsey, accompanies him in continuing the business legacy of a fourth-generation family-owned and operated sawmill.
At Dempsey, we believe in more than just delivering top-tier wood products. We believe in building a strong future – one rooted in quality craftsmanship and strengthened by the people who make it all possible.
Our Core Values
Our day-to-day actions reflect three guiding principles: Accountability, Unity, and Efficiency. These aren’t just words on a wall—they’re the standard we live by.
Accountability
- Take ownership of responsibilities,
- Take initiative to be the driver for success and dealing with situations
- Fight complacency. Don’t be blinded by past success. Operate with an attitude of potential for
continuous improvement. - Become resilient for the results of our goals and learn to see challenges as opportunity
Unity
- Walk with humility to serve one another. Model servanthood and prioritize meeting the needs of others.
- Be transparent with each other, customers, and vendors. Build trust in relationships.
- Be grateful and operate with a sense of gratitude
- Do for the common good as a whole
- Lead by example by not asking others to do what we won’t ourselves and by treating others with
respect
Efficiency
- Work smart and be productive
- Operate with a lean mindset in all aspects
- Produce high-quality products
- Do everything with a purpose. Be tangible in what we say and do. Be practical with our actions.
- Operate with as an ELITE organization
37
Years of experience
A Legacy of Quality. A Commitment to You.
Decades of trust, built one board at a time.
Our success comes from staying true to the craft and delivering products that meet—or exceed—expectations. We pride ourselves on getting it right and getting it there on time.
Whether you’re a long-time partner or a first-time customer, you’ll experience the same level of care, consistency, and quality that defines everything we do.
📞 Need help with your wood product needs? Contact us today at info@dempseywoodproducts.com.
Rooted in Tradition. Driven by Purpose. Built for the Future.
At Dempsey, we believe in more than just delivering top-tier wood products. We believe in building a strong future—one rooted in quality craftsmanship and strengthened by the people who make it all possible.
Our Faith Foundation
Dempsey Wood Products was built on faith—and we remain grounded in it.
- Isiah 6:8 “Then I heard the Lord asking, whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
- Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. “They are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
- James 1:2-5 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”