California Cedar Products Company has a rich history steeped in traditional development through three generations of family ownership and stewardship. With roots dating back to 19th century Bavarian pencil makers, the Berolzheimer family has been involved in the production of pencils or pencil slats for six generations. After the family had been producing pencils for over 40 years in Fürth, Germany, Heinrich Berolzheimer immigrated to New York and founded the Eagle Pencil Company, which introduced the famous Eagle and Mirado brands. Eventually, the Berolzheimer family pursued separate directions with one portion retaining Eagle Pencil Company that eventually became Berol Corporation.
During the early 1900's the primary pencil wood in the United States was Eastern Red Cedar, which grows primarily in the southeastern U.S. As local wood supplies dwindled, several manufacturers in the U.S. pencil industry migrated south and west, settling in Tennessee.
During this time, the Berolzheimer Family acquired Little St. Simons Island. This barrier island off the coast of Georgia was used briefly for its supply of Red Cedar and then was converted to a family retreat. Operated today as a unique Eco-travel resort, the amazing natural beauty of the Lodge on Little St. Simons lures visitors from around the world.
 In the family tradition of heading west to pursue new pencil industry opportunities, CalCedar patriarch Charles Berolzheimer (grandson to Heinrich) moved from New York to Stockton, California, purchasing California Cedar Products Company in 1927. Founded in 1919, Cal Cedar was producing primarily two products by 1927, a wall covering board and pencil slats from Incense-cedar, which grows abundantly in California and Oregon forests. Incense-cedar was an ideal substitute for Eastern Red Cedar as a pencil wood due to the ease of machining, sharpening, lacquering and imprinting.
A modern day Renaissance Man, Charles spoke seven languages, had a keen interest in people and traveled extensively throughout the world establishing lasting relationships with pencil manufacturers. Today over 65% of Cal Cedar slat sales are outside of the United States. One of Charles Berolzheimer's greatest interests was in the area of research and development has and made several important contributions to the technology of pencil slat manufacturing, including the development of our uniquely efficient saws and sawing system.
In 1969, CalCedar introduced the California Cedar Firelog (today known as Duraflame®) to the marketplace. The firelog was developed by Cal Cedar to make the best possible use of cedar resources. The firelog is manufactured by mixing a blend of waxes with sawdust and wood that cannot be used to produce a pencil slat.
During the 1960's, Charles' sons entered the family business and became deeply committed to the continuing growth and development of the business.
Today, Charles' grandchildren have assumed leadership positions in the various businesses. In facing the greater challenges of global competition in the pencil slat business, in late 1999 Cal Cedar acquired the assets of a key competitor, Hudson I.C.S., gaining access to additional market share and use of their EcoSlat® brand of slats made from species other than Incense-cedar. More recently during 2000, the P&M sawmill and lumber operations were reintegrated into California Cedar Products Company. Also, the company strategy and operations were restructured to support the continued growth and development of an expanding range of products and services. California Cedar Products continues the tradition of producing pencil slats and through its Pencil Products Business Unit has begun production of a new range of species in several locations throughout the world.
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