03/16/2026
RSGA CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY
The first 10 years of Robinson Stave Georgia have been a remarkable period of physical growth and increased production of staves for bourbon barrels.
It began in 2016 as a small, two-line stave mill in Morganton, a few miles outside the bustling tourist area of Blue Ridge, Ga. The site was strategically located so it could draw from an ample supply of white oak logs from several nearby states.
Most of the saws, edgers and other equipment installed initially had to be operated manually. This limited the amount of staves that could be produced. But the bourbon industry was expanding rapidly, and RSGA was ready to grow with it.
“When Ronnie Robinson first hired me, he told me I’d have about 20 to 25 people working,” said stave mill manager David Patty, the first employee hired in 2015. “But we’ve exploded over those 10 years, and have had up to 70 at one time.”
Manual saws and edgers were replaced by state-of-the art automated wood processors and X-ray scanners that increased production and reduced waste.
The building was expanded a few years ago to include new offices and a break room. Huge kilns were built onsite to dry staves to an optimal moisture content. To supply steam for the kilns, a massive boiler resembling a steam locomotive was installed. Yards of concrete were poured to improve access to the log yard.
The improvements allowed RSGA to break the million mark in stave production during a month.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Patty said. “There’s still more to go. I’m always about growth. Sitting still has never been my standard. Striving to reach further has always been my goal.”
To celebrate the mill’s 10th Anniversary, Patty gave each team member a custom-embroidered hoodie with a design that said; “10 Years Strong. Robinson Stave Mill. Premium Oak Since 2016. We Don’t Break. We Barrel Through.”
“I’ve had some great team members work with me the last 10 years,” he said. “Several have been with me a long time. They deserve a lot of credit for our success.”
