Having his childhood dream career of being a forest ranger was difficult to attain, Ruthard decided to go for an apprenticeship in a sawmill instead. After this short and intensive schooling in a typical black forest sawmill and became an associate afterwards, he studied wood technologies in Rosenheim. Then he began his career at Danzer Veneer.

After working 3 years in West Africa and 2 years as business manager at the Bodensee, a new opportunity presented itself to lead and redevelop his own training mill. The successful and massive foundation for a solid development was the last piece for the final decision to become independent and build his own enterprise. In October of 1988, the time was finally at hand.


At the beginning, he successfully managed and consulted for redevelopments and new projects; yet at the same time worked as consultant for the purchase of high quality products, like window laminates, or furniture in softwood. The big break came in 1990 when “Wiebke” presented the opportunity for entering the trade; custom cuts became affordable due to delivery services. Sawmills as suppliers became more and more inflexible so Pur Natur Wood Products came to be, with Ruthard and Anita Männle, Claudia Lehmann and Thomas Wurth.



Since July of 2007, we have dared to venture into self-manufacturing. The custom cutting costs exceeded half a million euro. Furthermore, the logistics of custom cuts to drying and processing became more complex. We now own drying chambers and a lot of space for expansion.