Founded in 1912 by T. W. Boswell, and led today by his great-grandson, Brad Boswell, Lebanon-based Independent Stave Company produces wine and whiskey barrels that are shipped from the small Missouri town to customers in more than 40 countries.
“International markets are hugely important for Independent Stave Company,” says Boswell, company president. “We sell our high-quality Missouri white oak directly to international wineries and distilleries in the form of barrels, staves and toasted chips. The wood is also shipped to cooperages we own in Europe, South America and Australia where the final product is assembled to supply the wineries and distilleries in those regions.”
“The leadership and dedication to growth in international markets demonstrated by Independent Stave is outstanding,” says Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. “Their work creates a ripple effect, and creates additional opportunities for producers in Missouri, in the Midwest and throughout the U.S.”
For its continuing efforts as a major agriculture exporter, the Missouri Department of Agriculture named Independent Stave Company Missouri’s 2014 International Exporter of the Year during the 45th Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture.
“Our team was very pleasantly surprised by the honor,” Boswell says. “We were nominated by the Missouri Forest Products Association, an important organization we have worked with for many years.”