Meet Seth

Seth Carlson founded Dakota Timber Company in 2013 and serves as company President. In his role, Carlson oversees the manufacturing, operations, and retail distribution of Dakota Timber Company’s products. Dakota Timber Company is a full-scale wood manufacturing plant that utilizes sustainably sourced wood to manufacture a variety of Made in America wood products.

Carlson grew up in a small town in North Dakota and was raised by “tree-hugger” parents who encouraged him to spend most of his free time outdoors. His dad volunteered as City Forester and Carlson quickly learned how to plant and care for trees alongside his dad and older brother. It was during this time that he also developed a passion for sustainability and for finding creative ways to support environmental causes.

Following his graduation from Central Cass High School in Casselton, ND, Carlson attended the University of Minnesota, Duluth and received a BFA in Acting. While developing his acting skills Seth enjoyed working in the scene shop where he would build sets for plays and performances. His experience building sets and solving problems behind-the-scenes would directly inform his career as an entrepreneur.

After college - fresh with his knowledge of manufacturing - he started building and selling platform beds. Just a few years later he transitioned into the reclaimed wood business.

Dakota Timber Co. was founded in 2013 by Carlson after an opportunity to purchase lumber inventory from a reclaimed wood company that was going out of business arose. He quickly noticed a large demand for high-quality, American-made products which led to investing in machinery, equipment, and personnel to start processing old wood into usable and saleable material.

The founding mission at the time was to introduce sustainable wood products into the construction industry to curb deforestation. Dakota Timber still holds to that mission of sustainability today. However, the official mission has evolved to include efforts to produce 100% American-made wood products while maintaining a commitment to environmental responsibility.

Carlson is passionate about American manufacturing and truly believes in the power of “American-Made.” By buying American-made products, consumers not only support the American economy but also support and help sustain American jobs.

What began as a post-college side-hustle has now expanded into a full-scale, sustainable wood manufacturing plant. Dakota Timber Co. operates several dry kilns, a sawmill, ripsaw line, planing line, resaw, automated sanders, automated table glue-up stations, chop saw stations, boring stations, advanced finishing department, material handling equipment and so much more. All of this equipment runs daily and produces an enormous volume of finished products ready for homes and businesses.

In 2021, Dakota Timber Company processed over half a million board feet of regionally sourced lumber which is equivalent to around two million pounds of wood. One of the most unique aspects of Dakota Timber Company is the constant evolution of products they develop to stay ahead of ever-changing design trends.

Carlson works diligently to develop new products that will meet and exceed design and construction needs in a creative and sustainable way. Some of the most popular products include fireplace mantels, floating shelves, shiplap and a variety of furniture and home goods.

Carlson recently self-contracted and constructed a small sustainable home for his family using a variety of Dakota Timber Co. products including exterior siding, beam work, construction lumber, interior paneling, trim work, barn doors, and more. He resides in his new “eco-home” with his wife Ashley and their two children, Alden and Etta, in Moorhead, Minnesota. He loves being creative with his family, exploring nature, and strives to learn something new everyday.