Historic Austin Mill
Take a tour of the history of Delta’s East Austin mill.
Building Our History
Delta Millworks takes great pride in our Texas heritage and, in particular, our East Austin mill. For nearly 40 years, it has housed our growing team and fostered the creative and experimental energy that continues to motivate our pioneering efforts in sustainable wood manufacturing. Not only has the mill created manufacturing jobs for the local community, but as the center for all of Delta production, it’s been the source of high-quality, sustainable wood building products for architectural projects across the globe.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
This midcentury manufacturing structure holds a compelling history of entrepreneurial spirit that traces back to the inception of the original building. Constructed for Fabricon Inc, the factory cornerstone reads, “Built by four soldiers with their bare hands, June 1, 1946.” Founded by a group of veterans returning from serving in World War II, Fabricon cemented its role in the Austin construction market through the fabrication of integrated storage walls and cabinets, roof trusses, and windows. The company became a favorite among builders at the time because their custom wall solutions allowed for better utilization of smaller spaces, thus cutting construction costs. Designing and building entire walls of shelving, cabinetry, desks, and more, the company was a pioneer in the built-in and modular construction methods still in high demand today.
These photos of the Fabricon plant are from the archive of Dewey G. Mears, the preeminent architectural photographer of Central Texas at the time.
Mears was an official US Army photographer in World War II and later focused his efforts on architectural documentation of the era. More of his work can be viewed in the
Portal to Texas History.
Reviving Tradition
In 2007, the mill’s expansive, sawtooth roof was in need of repair. During the renovation, members of the Delta team began experimenting with burning wood, at the time unaware they were reviving the traditional Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban, or the preservation of wood by charring. Around the same time, Delta had begun working with the most sustainable North American hardwoods and softwoods, reclaimed wood, and later began coating durable modified wood to create a vast range of products, applying rich color and texture to clad unique building projects.
Always Pioneering
Today, we celebrate the pioneering spirit of our historic mill and continue this legacy of excellence and experimentation. Delta Millworks has grown from our founder Bob Davis’ original dream of sustainably repurposing discarded wood into full-scale a producer of some of the most sought-after cladding options in North America, forging partnerships with leading international timber brands that share an equal dedication to sustainability.
Bob’s son and Delta Millworks’ current owner, Robbie Davis, has been an integral part of Delta’s continued success and passion for reinvention in the wood building products industry. Through his perceptive, aesthetic eye and curiosity for learning about the benefits of wood, Delta has become a favorite brand among some of the country’s most sought-after architects and designers, inspiring a new generation of builders focused on creating a healthy and safe planet for future generations.
