“We are very excited about setting up operations in the new facility and look forward to being a part of the Orange County business community. We want to be a good neighbor and a good business partner,” HBS founder David Baird said in a press release issued by Orange County last week.

Homestead Building Systems, Inc. specializes in engineering, manufacturing, and delivering of engineered wood products for the residential and commercial building industry.

Homestead, based in Bristow, also inventories a full line of dimensional lumber, rimboard, cornice, hangers, and OSB sheathing. The engineered wood products are designed to be environmentally friendly and promote sustainability. In addition, HBS strives to recycle or reuse all of the wood products in their processing. It hopes to bring 40-45 jobs to the Orange plant.

UPDATE: Since it’s inception, HBS has added nearly 150 new skilled labor and administrative jobs.

The $5.3 million, nearly 72,000-square foot Timber Truss manufacturing plant opened to great fanfare in 2005 with more than 50 jobs and an estimated $48,000 annually in tax revenue. 

Timber Truss, established in 1961 and was headquartered in Salem, used highly automated production methods including the use of computerized sawing, jigging and pressing and automatic stacking of trusses at its Orange facility. But with the housing market fading three years later, the plant closed its doors, laid off the remaining 15 employees and hoped to be ready to respond when the market recovered. In March, Timber Truss filed for bankruptcy, owing more than $3 million on the Orange plant. Orange County Director of Economic Development Karen Epps said Charles Lebo, of Lebo Commercial Properties, served as the realtor for Timber Truss and said a number of buyers expressed interest in the Orange facility. “Timber Truss filed bankruptcy in the earlier part of 2013, and I think Mr. Baird saw an opportunity to obtain a first-class building for a very reasonable price, which would allow him to expand his operations,” Epps explained. Baird is on vacation and was unavailable for comment. Epps said Baird has been considering purchasing equipment in addition to what remains at the Orange production facility. “Mr. Baird sees this facility as a great opportunity for him to grow his business and service new areas in the Commonwealth,” she added. S. Teel Goodwin, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, stated that he is, “thrilled to welcome Homestead Building Systems, Inc. to the Orange County business community and looks forward to a productive future for all involved.” Original story by Daily Progress. Read More >>