Wood-Mizer has appointed Ben Brydges as Chief Executive Officer, bringing in an experienced leader to guide the company’s expansion and reinforce its global standing in sawmilling and wood processing equipment.
Wood-Mizer has appointed Ben Brydges as Chief Executive Officer, marking a new chapter for the global leader in sawmilling and wood processing equipment. Brydges will guide the company’s growth and innovation strategy while reinforcing its role as a trusted partner for sawmillers, woodworkers, and forestry professionals worldwide.
Founded in 1982, Wood-Mizer transformed the industry with the introduction of the portable sawmill and has since expanded into a worldwide manufacturing leader. The employee-owned company blends workforce expertise with a customer-first approach, which it credits as a key driver of long-term success. From its headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Indiana, Wood-Mizer designs and builds an extensive product range, including portable and industrial sawmills, resaws, board edgers, sawmill blades, pallet recycling equipment, log splitters, and log handling solutions. Today, the company operates across six continents and serves customers in more than 100 countries, earning a reputation for quality, reliability, and strong customer support.
A Leader with Broad Industry Experience
Brydges brings wide-ranging leadership experience across automotive, industrial, security, and consumer goods markets. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology and an MBA from the University of Toledo. His career has included senior roles at Dana Incorporated, FRAM Group, and most recently at dormakaba, where he led North American operations from Indianapolis.
Known for expertise in operations, engineering, and organizational leadership, Brydges has built a track record of assembling strong teams, driving innovation, and delivering products that shape industry standards. His appointment underscores Wood-Mizer’s continued commitment to offering premium-quality products supported by an unmatched customer service network.
“My leadership philosophy aligns strongly with Wood-Mizer’s values,” Brydges said. “I’m truly excited to join the Wood-Mizer team and build on this company’s strong foundation. Together, by listening to our customers, supporting one another, and embracing new opportunities, we will achieve incredible things and shape a bright future. Wood-Mizer is a powerful brand with a passionate following that I am both humbled and honored to lead.”
For more than 40 years, Wood-Mizer has delivered equipment and solutions for sawmilling and woodworking professionals and hobbyists. Its product lines now extend beyond sawmills to include wood kilns, planer/moulders, firewood processing equipment, pallet recycling solutions, and material handling equipment. The company maintains a broad and growing distribution network, continuing its mission to serve customers worldwide “From Forest to Final Form®.”
Related Articles
Fastmarkets lLaunches US Pallet Pricing and Intelligence Service
PECO Pallet Commits to Net Zero Emissions by 2050
Hinton Lumber Products launches redesigned website
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
