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About Mereen-Johnson

Leaders in Innovative Industrial Woodworking Machinery 

A legacy of craftsmanship meets cutting-edge innovation in our engineering, manufacturing and support capabilities for the building products industry. Since 1905, Mereen-Johnson has been at the forefront of the industrial woodworking machine industry. While manufacturing methods have changed, our machines continue to be known for their quality and durability, and our journey continues to be guided by a commitment to excellence, a passion for precision and close attention to our customers’ ever-changing challenges.

Our heavy-duty machines and turnkey solutions are developed and built in our own manufacturing facility in the U.S.A. We’ll collaborate with you to customize a machine or build a system that meets your needs for increased efficiency, productivity and safety, whether you’re working with natural woods and fibers or high-tech composite materials.

Our Vision & Mission 

Our vision is to address the future challenges of woodworking manufacturing operations, constantly moving forward as we have for more than a century. Our mission is to empower your business with state-of-the-art machinery that redefines efficiency and reliability and sets new standards for the industry. We strive to be your first-choice solution provider for custom-engineered automation and robotics.

CORE VALUES

OUR TEAM

The People Behind Mereen-Johnson

Our skilled, dedicated team is the key to our success. Engineers, designers, technicians and other professionals work together to customize solutions and deliver personalized services that address the individual challenges of each customer. Our reputation for quality and our drive to innovate make Mereen-Johnson a great place to work.  

OUR HISTORY

1901

C. A. Smith Lumber Company employees Arno Mereen and Charles Johnson invent the industry’s first Horizontal Slab Re-saw

1905

Demand for the new innovative re-saw and a newly introduced box press machine grows and Mereen-Johnson Machine Company is established

1916

Increased sales prompt Mereen-Johnson to move from the C. A. Smith Mississippi River mill location to a new, nearby factory location

1920

The company builds and begins operation of a new foundry

1938

Introduction of feed-through tenoning and plywood sizing machinery

1945

Introduction of ceiling tile sizing machinery and expansion of the Minneapolis factory

1963

Introduction of the Dip Chain Gang Rip Saw—the machine that would revolutionize the industry

1969

Introduction of the Computerized Panel Saw (CPS)

1973

Mereen-Johnson expands and opens a new (second) factory and foundry in Webster, SD

1986

Introduction of the “Select-A-Rip” shifting blade rip saw, for which the company wins the industry’s Challengers Award

1995

The Webster, SD, factory is expanded

2004

The company wins its second Challengers Award for the CamLock quick fixed blade positioning system

2012

North Central Equity Acquires Mereen-Johnson

2017

Webster plant expanded again (by 25%)

2019

Acquired Diehl Machines, added 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space

2021

Started Automation and Robotics Division