Cardin Forest Products history began in 1936 when Bill Cardin started a mobile mill in the Appalachian region.  In the early 1970s his mill became stationary in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.  In 1989 his son, Mike Cardin, and his wife Ruth purchased the business and established Cardin Forest Products LLC.  At that time the mill employed  five people and produced 8,000 board feet of lumber per day but quickly increased.

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In 1999 the decision to convert from the circle saw to band mills led to the construction of the new mill on 113 acres which began operation in 2002.  The conversion to the band mills, the new construction and the addition of the most modern technology increased production to 100,000 board feet of lumber per day, with an annual production over 20,000,000 BF!  This allowed for more job opportunities and propelled Cardin Forest Products to one of the top ranking hard wood producers in the United States.

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Early 2015 the addition of six new, computerized dry kilns, each holding 80,000 plus board feet, opened the business to customers worldwide.  Production is at a company high and is growing daily, providing greater employment opportunities.  The kilns have broadened the consumer base, providing lumber to be exported to European and Asian countries, Turkey, Canada and others worldwide.  This rapid growth recently has led to the installment of two additional kilns in 2016!