Confidential Offering
A Century of Stewardship, A Generational Opportunity
An operating Flathead Valley lumber mill and up to 35,050± acres of Montana timberland. A 114 year, five generation legacy of integrated forest products, now offered to the market together or in sections.
A Fully Operational Mill, A Call for Offers
ERES is pleased to present the opportunity to acquire a fully operational lumber mill business plus supplemental timberland in the Flathead Valley of Montana. A Call for Offers is open. Acquire the entire portfolio, a bundle with or without the mill, or select sections. Every offer is presented to ownership for consideration.
Owners reserve the right to accept, decline, or counter any offer, and to adjust the timeline of the Call for Offers at their discretion.
LOI Process
Submit a Letter of Intent to ERES. A template is available upon request.
Whole or in Sections
Offers are considered on the entire portfolio or on certain sections, if specified.
Site Visits on Request
Site visits may be arranged with qualified prospective buyers following execution of the Confidentiality Agreement.
The Land
35,050± Acres of Montana Timberland
The land offering is organized into two bundles and a premium acreage portfolio. Acquire a bundle with or without the mill, combine both bundles, or add premium parcels to any structure.
Montana has more than 3 million acres of land under conservation easement, much of it working forest and ranchland. Timberland across the Northern Rockies has seen steady investor demand from timber funds, conservation buyers, and recreation oriented purchasers who value predictable land use and long term forest management. An existing easement removes development uncertainty, clearly defines how the land can be used, and appeals to buyers seeking legacy forest assets rather than speculative projects.
The owner is accepting proposals on the entire portfolio, clusters of tracts, or individual parcels. A detailed tract breakdown is available in the Data Room.
35,050±
Total Timberland Acres
60+
Unique Tracts, 40 to 9,000± AC
3
Counties: Flathead, Lake, Lincoln
11,000±
Acres Under Conservation Easement
All but 40± AC
Have Legal Road Access
5 Miles
Max Distance to Power
15,377± Acres Across Premium Regional Parcels
A portfolio of premium parcels offered individually across distinct regional areas of the Flathead Valley. Premium acreage can be added to any bundle and mill structure. Full parcel detail and additional information are available in the Data Room.
Premium parcel detail is available in the Data Room
The full premium acreage breakdown by region, including parcel counts and additional detail, is provided in the Data Room after NDA execution.
Access the Data RoomAn Operating Flathead Valley Lumber Mill
A state of the art sawmill transforming raw sawlogs into dimensional lumber and board products. A rail served industrial site with a dedicated BNSF spur, a 2.5 MW biomass cogeneration facility, and three acres of dry storage. Over 64,000 MBF of production in 2025, increasing annually over the last three plus years. Located between Whitefish and Columbia Falls, six miles from the airport, outside incorporated zoning jurisdiction.
The Facility
Sawmill & Manufacturing
The Site
Rail Served Industrial, 149± Acres
Location
600 Halfmoon Rd, Columbia Falls MT
Mill Size
209,730± SF on 149± AC
Employees
120 to 130
2025 Production
64,000+ MBF
Site Breakdown — 209,730± SF Across 5 Buildings
Main Office
2006
13,000± SF
Sawmill Building
1955
65,000± SF
Truck Shop
1920
10,000± SF
Planer Building
1980s
112,500± SF
Co-Gen
2013
9,000± SF
From Sawlog to Finished Lumber
Total potential annual capacity is 80 to 100 million board feet of lumber on a fully staffed, two shift basis, equating to 50 to 60 mmbf of raw log consumption. The company achieved just over 64,000 MBF of sawmill production in 2025. This is a state of the art sawmill transforming raw sawlogs into high quality wood products, capturing the uniquely strong, high appearance grade lumber that Montana's slower growing trees produce. Stoltze processes nine species into random length board and dimension products from six to twenty feet, three to twelve inches wide, and one or two inches thick.
The Product
Finished Lumber, Bundled & Wrapped
The Process
Optimized Primary Breakdown
Primary Breakdown
Two log infeeds serve a small log side (4 to 14 inches DIB) and a large log side (12 inches and up). The small log side runs through a Nicholson A-5 debarker into a Comact Twin Band optimized breakdown. The large log side is sawn on a single cut band with a slabbing head using Lewis Controls for scanning and optimization.
Gang & Optimization
Cants are processed in a CAE Newnes curve saw gang, then boards move through an optimized trim station and a 34 bin drop sorter to the automated Moco board stacker. Computer scanning and optimization at every step maximize volume utilization and value recovery from every log.
Kiln Drying
Most lumber is kiln dried in three double track and one single track charge kilns, averaging 100 mbf per charge, with steam provided by the cogeneration facility. Charge time runs from 8 to 50 hours depending on season and drying schedule.
Planing & Grading
Two high speed planers, a Yates American four head and a Stetson Ross, finish the product. A Lucidyne autograder and Metriguard MSR machine measure moisture and strength before grading under the WWPA grade stamp system, checked by certified lumber graders.
Lumber Operations
A Diversity of Products & Grades
The product line includes dimensional lumber 2X3 through 2X12 and board products 1X4 through 1X12, in six to twenty foot lengths. Five species groups are in production: Douglas Fir and Western Larch (DFWL), Engelmann Spruce and Lodgepole (ESLP), Spruce, Pine, and Fir South (SPFs), and West Woods. On average, output runs 55% DFWL, 35% ESLP, and 10% AFGF, varying with log supply and market demand. All products are graded to WWPA standards, including Machine Stress Rated grades.
The customer list regularly tops 150 buyers, with over 50% of volume and value sold to roughly 10 customers and over 75% to the top 20. Custom grades, sorts, and pattern stock are possible through the automated grading and moisture measuring systems.
80 to 100 mmbf
Annual Capacity
9 Species
Processed
90% Truck
Loaded in a variety of configurations
10% Rail
Dedicated BNSF spur mainline
Heritage
Family Forestry Since 1912
F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co.
Established 1912
Five Generations of Stewardship
Established in 1912, F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber is approaching its 114th anniversary. Sawmill production at the current Columbia Falls site began in May 1923 and has run continuously since. Now in its fifth generation of family ownership, Stoltze is one of the few remaining integrated forest products companies in the Northwest, owning and managing timberlands alongside its manufacturing facilities.
"Healthy Forests make for Healthy Families and Healthy Communities."
American Tree Farm System since 1966, on the four tenets of Wood, Water, Wildlife, and Recreation.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Fiber Sourcing Certificate guiding log procurement and land management.
Open Lands Policy permitting public recreational access to legally accessible lands.
11,000± acres under conservation easement, ensuring sustainable management for forest products into the future.
2.5 MW
Biomass Cogeneration
Renewable Energy On Site
Commissioned in 2013, the cogeneration facility pairs a Wellons boiler with a Dresser-Rand steam turbine and a Toyo Denki generator. All power is sold to Flathead Electric Co-op under a 20 year agreement through 2033. The plant consumes roughly 67,000 green tons of hog fuel per year, about 60% from manufacturing byproducts. The steam dries the lumber and heats the production facilities.
Why the Flathead Valley, Why Now
Flathead Valley Development
The Flathead Valley continues to draw investor interest on strong demand fundamentals. Commercial land in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and Bigfork ranges from small infill lots to multi million dollar acreage, with larger tracts near $3,000,000 to $5,000,000. Residential values held near historical highs in 2025, with Kalispell medians near $560,000 and Whitefish approaching $975,000. Forecasts for 2026 anticipate continued, moderate appreciation as mortgage rates stabilize and buyers return to high quality regions like the Flathead Valley.
Timber Outlook
Northwest Montana's timber sector has navigated cycles, yet the long term outlook is positive as policy, forest health, and product innovation align. State legislation is streamlining harvest projects, and federal initiatives are expanding active forest management and mill infrastructure. Strong markets for mill byproducts and biomass support both manufacturing and forest management, positioning the region as one of the most resilient wood products regions in the West.
Why Columbia Falls Is Positioned Well for 2026
1,000+ Manufacturing Jobs
Manufacturing is the largest local employment category, supporting more than 1,000 jobs in the Columbia Falls area.
1,200+ Local Businesses
A diversified economy across construction, manufacturing, tourism, and professional services.
Gateway to Glacier
Columbia Falls sits near Glacier National Park, benefiting from strong seasonal visitation.
Growing Workforce
Employment growth in construction, professional services, and manufacturing tied to regional development.
Active Chamber
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber promotes local business through networking, job fairs, and marketing.
Forestry Leadership
Regional mills recognized statewide for active forest management and job creation.
Nine Ways to Acquire the Offering
Acquire the mill alone, a bundle with or without the mill, both bundles combined, or add the full premium acreage portfolio. Additional information is available in the Data Room after NDA execution.
| Structure | Includes Mill | Acres | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mill, Parts & Equipment Only | — | No mill site or land | |
| Mill, Mill Land & Adjacent 44.11 Acres | 193.11± | 149± AC mill site + 44.11± AC adjacent land | |
| Bundle A with Mill | 11,939± | Bundle A + mill site + adjacent 44.11± AC | |
| Bundle A without Mill | 11,746± | Bundle A timberland only | |
| Bundle B with Mill | 8,120± | Bundle B + mill site + adjacent 44.11± AC | |
| Bundle B without Mill | 7,927± | Bundle B timberland only | |
| Bundle A & B with Mill | 19,866± | Bundles A & B + mill site + adjacent 44.11± AC | |
| Bundle A & B without Mill | 19,673± | Bundles A & B timberland only | |
| Bundle A & B + All Premium Acres with Mill | 35,243± | Entire timberland portfolio + mill site + adjacent 44.11± AC |
Mill, Parts & Equipment Only
With MillMill, Mill Land & Adjacent 44.11 Acres
With MillBundle A with Mill
With MillBundle A without Mill
No MillBundle B with Mill
With MillBundle B without Mill
No MillBundle A & B with Mill
With MillBundle A & B without Mill
No MillBundle A & B + All Premium Acres with Mill
With MillHow to Engage
Execute the NDA
Sign the Confidentiality Agreement and submit your contact details to request access.
Access the Data Room
Once approved, review the Price Index, parcel tables, financials, and due diligence materials.
Review the Price Index
Study the nine acquisition structures and the bundle and premium acreage breakdown.
Submit a Letter of Intent
Submit an LOI on a structure or combination. All offers are presented to ownership.
Mike Elliott
CEO & Managing Broker
MT #14585 | CO #EA.40012226 | NE #20140489 | ND #8673 | SD #13846 | GA #423352
Mike Elliott has over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry, serving domestic and international clients with an emphasis on the energy sector. As Chief Executive Officer of Energy Real Estate Solutions (ERES), Mike provides brokerage, development, investment, joint venture, and advisory services to organizations seeking specialized support in and around the world's most active energy sites.
Prior to launching ERES, Mike was a Senior Vice President at CBRE, where he founded and led the National Energy Facilities Group. He was also CEO and Founding Principal of Catalyst Real Estate Solutions and Grubb & Ellis Catalyst, overseeing development, investments, brokerage, management, and consulting.
Mike received his Masters in Real Estate and Construction Management and his BS in Business Administration from the University of Denver. He is a licensed real estate broker in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, and served as an Adjunct Professor in the University of Denver's Real Estate and Construction Management program.
Request Access
Access the Full Offering Behind a Confidentiality Agreement
Additional information, parcel tables, financials, and due diligence materials are available in the Data Room after NDA execution.
Request Data Room Access