Alaska’s timber industry, particularly the harvesting of Sitka spruce, has played a significant role in both the local economy and global craftsmanship for many years. Among the most notable products made with Sitka spruce are the soundboards of Steinway pianos, revered for their warm, rich tones. One company, Viking Lumber, located on Prince of Wales Island, has become synonymous with high-quality Sitka spruce harvesting. However, the future of Viking Lumber and the broader timber industry in Alaska is uncertain as it faces challenges that threaten its survival.
Viking Lumber: A Crucial Source of Sitka Spruce
Viking Lumber is a small, year-round sawmill located in Southeast Alaska, in one of the last regions where Sitka spruce is harvested for use in fine craftsmanship. The mill employs 46 people in an isolated community, but its impact extends far beyond these direct jobs. Viking Lumber is the exclusive supplier of Sitka spruce to Steinway & Sons, one of the world’s premier piano manufacturers. The soundboards made from this spruce are an essential component of Steinway pianos, contributing to their signature warm tone.
In addition to Steinway, the timber harvested by Viking is used in a wide range of industries, from aerospace to construction. Parts such as helicopter blades, garage doors, and even components used by NASA are made from the wood sourced by Viking Lumber. As such, Viking’s operations have a far-reaching impact, supporting hundreds of jobs across the country, including contractors, union workers, and businesses involved in manufacturing these products.
A History of Commitment to Craftsmanship
Viking Lumber’s journey to becoming the sole supplier of Sitka spruce to Steinway & Sons is a story of persistence and strategic risk-taking. In 1994, Kirk Dahlstrom, the general manager of Viking Lumber, moved his family to Alaska in search of opportunity. Having faced challenges in Washington due to increasing government regulations protecting wildlife, Dahlstrom saw potential in a bankrupt sawmill on Prince of Wales Island. With a calculated risk, he decided to take on the challenge of reviving the mill.
The gamble paid off, and Viking quickly became a key supplier of Sitka spruce for high-end musical instruments, initially partnering with Kawai Musical Instruments in Japan. In 2016, the sawmill achieved its goal of becoming the exclusive supplier of Sitka spruce for Steinway. This partnership marked a high point for Viking Lumber, as the mill’s spruce became integral to the production of one of the world’s most famous piano brands.
Despite challenges along the way, Viking Lumber has continued to operate successfully by securing contracts with various industries. In particular, a timber sale agreement with the Alaska Mental Health Trust in 2016 helped the mill stay afloat through a turbulent period. However, this contract is set to end soon, leaving the future of Viking Lumber in jeopardy.
The Unique Role of Sitka Spruce
Sitka spruce is prized for its exceptional acoustic properties, making it the wood of choice for pianos, especially for those built by companies like Steinway. The timber is harvested from the Tongass National Forest, a region known for its vast, old-growth trees. Sitka spruce from this region is highly sought after due to its lightness, strength, and resonant qualities, making it ideal for use in musical instruments and other fine products.
The wood’s acoustic qualities are largely attributed to the unique environment in which it grows. The temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska provides a rich, moist climate that fosters the growth of trees with exceptional tonal qualities. This has made Sitka spruce from Alaska a rare and valuable resource, which is why it has become so closely linked to high-quality musical instruments and other specialized products.
While Viking Lumber is one of the primary sources of this valuable wood, the broader timber industry in Alaska faces increasing challenges. The demand for Sitka spruce remains high, but the ability to harvest it sustainably is limited. Only a small portion of the Tongass National Forest is available for timber management, and the process of obtaining high-quality spruce timber is labor-intensive and time-consuming.
The Broader Economic Impact
The survival of Viking Lumber is critical not just to its immediate employees but also to the broader economy of Southeast Alaska. In the early 1990s, the Alaskan timber industry employed thousands of people, but today that number has dwindled significantly. Viking Lumber is one of the last remaining sawmills in the region, and its closure would have a ripple effect, impacting not only the workers directly employed by the mill but also contractors, suppliers, and businesses involved in the production of timber-based products.
The timber harvested by Viking is not limited to pianos; it also serves industries that range from construction to aerospace. The wood’s light weight and durability make it ideal for products like helicopter blades, doors, and even wind tunnel components. The diversity of products made with Sitka spruce reflects its value beyond just the music world. The loss of access to this resource would create a significant gap in these industries, with far-reaching economic consequences.
Looking Ahead: A Timber Industry at a Crossroads
Viking Lumber, like many small businesses, faces a future marked by uncertainty. The company has adapted over the years by diversifying its product offerings and securing critical contracts, but these efforts may not be enough to weather the storm. The expiration of the timber sale agreement with the Alaska Mental Health Trust marks a pivotal moment for the sawmill, as it may struggle to find alternative sources of Sitka spruce.
While Viking has been resilient in the face of adversity, the challenges it faces are a reflection of the broader struggles of the Alaskan timber industry. With fewer mills and limited access to timber, the region’s once-thriving timber industry has been reduced to a fraction of its former size. The remaining sawmills, like Viking Lumber, continue to operate under increasingly difficult circumstances, relying on their ability to secure contracts and manage resources efficiently.
As the future of Viking Lumber hangs in the balance, the company’s story serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between industry, local economies, and the environment. The harvesting of Sitka spruce is not just an economic activity; it is part of a long tradition of craftsmanship that produces world-renowned products. However, as resources become more limited, the timber industry must find new ways to balance the need for sustainability with the demands of the market.
Conclusion
The immediate future of Viking Lumber and the Alaskan timber industry remains uncertain, but the importance of Sitka spruce and the role of Viking Lumber in preserving its harvest are undeniable. As the last standing sawmill in Southeast Alaska capable of supplying Sitka spruce to companies like Steinway & Sons, Viking Lumber represents both the heritage and the future of Alaskan timber. The challenges faced by Viking Lumber are emblematic of the broader struggles within the timber industry, which must adapt to changing economic conditions and environmental concerns while maintaining the high standards of craftsmanship that have made Sitka spruce one of the world’s most coveted resources.