Western Washington-based lumber distributor Specialty Forest Products Inc. plans to open a distribution hub in Spokane Valley from which it will serve its Inland Northwest customers.


Mike Wynne, general manager for Specialty Forest Products operation here, says the company has leased about 24,000 square feet of warehouse space in the Spokane Business & Industrial Park, at 3808 N. Sullivan, and expects to begin distribution operations there later this month.


The company has hired six people to work at that Valley center and likely will hire two more people yet this year, Wynne says.


In addition, the company contracts with two truck drivers, he says.


The Spokane operation will handle distribution in Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and Western Montana for the company.


Specialty Forest Products distributes domestic and imported hardwood lumber, plywood and composite panels, decorative millwork, and other wood components, Wynne says. Its customers typically are custom-cabinet makers and millwork shops, he says.


The Spokane distribution center is the 24-year-old companys first operation outside of its main facility in Algona, Wash., about 25 miles south of downtown Seattle.


In addition to the Inland Northwest, Specialty Forest Products distributes to customers in Western Washington, western Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii.


Dean Stuart, of Crown West Realty LLC, and Gary Kuster, of Windermere Real Estate/Valley Inc., handled the Specialty Forest Products lease at the Spokane Business & Industrial Park.


The Spokane Business & Industrial Park, owned and managed by Crown West, is situated on 545 acres of land and currently includes a total of 67 buildings with a total of 4.2 million square feet of floor space.