Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Associate Editor David Abbott travels to Liberty, North Carolina to spend some time with Pugh’s Logging, Inc. Bigger is not always better, Travis Pugh says he has learned. The last few years have forced some unpleasant choices on Pugh’s Logging Inc., which is owned equally by Travis, 43, and his father Darrell, 63—his brother Jason, who mans the loader, also serves as Vice President. When the economy was stronger, the company ran two crews, had its own full-time forester, bought 100% of its timber, offered health insurance to its employees and traded in for new equipment on a regular schedule. By early last year, though, the father-son duo knew that something was going to have to give. “In March 2012 we made the decision to cut back,” Travis recalls. One factor in that decision was small tract size.

Featured Story: “Back In Black”

Written By: David Abbott
Company: Pugh’s Logging, Inc.
Location: Liberty, North Carolina
SLT Issue: July 2013

Check out other featured articles in the July 2013 issue of Southern Loggin’ Times magazine.
Southern Loggin’ Times July issue spotlights Mississippi’s Harrison family, which has done nothing but grow. Florida logger Randy McKenzie runs a successful dealership. Also, Travis and Darrell Pugh had to make some tough cuts last year to keep their company out of the red.