In Apopka, Florida, there’s a place where the scent of sawdust still lingers in the air, and the sound of old machinery hums like a heartbeat. That place is Ryan Brothers, Incorporated, a family-run lumber and millwork business that’s been standing tall since 1920. And at the center of it all is Mark Ryan, a man who’s as rooted in American tradition as the cypress trees his great-grandfather once milled.
“It’s always been family-owned,” Mark says. “I came to work here in 1983, started out in the yard doing deliveries and orders. Eventually worked my way into management, and now I’m the owner. My daughter works here too—so we’re on our fifth generation.”
Ryan Brothers started out building cypress orange crates in the very building Mark works in today. Over time, the business evolved into lumber and building supplies, focusing on ag-related business, mainly for the foliage industry and local horse farms. Despite the changes, their saw shop is filled with machinery that’s been around for decades—and still works like a charm. “Some of that equipment is better built than what’s made today,” Mark says. “Back then, things were made to be maintained, not thrown away. Sure, tech has improved, but a lot of that older stuff still works as well as anything modern.”
Surviving the Big Box Era
Running a small business in a world of big-box giants isn’t easy. Mark’s seen the landscape change dramatically since he first started. “Back in the day, there were only a few lumber yards between here and Orlando. Now you’ve got Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Ace. We can’t match their buying power.”
But what Ryan Brothers lacks in scale, they make up for in service. “You’ve got to find your niche,” Mark says. “You can’t compete with the big guys on price, but you can out-service them every day. If you offer great service, people will remember and appreciate it.” This philosophy has kept Ryan Brothers going strong for nearly a century. And for Mark, the most rewarding part of the job isn’t the wood - it’s the people - “Customers become lifelong friends. That’s what makes it enjoyable—working with good people who appreciate what you do.”
A Natural Fit: Ryan Brothers Meets Thorogood
When Mark recently tried Thorogood Workwear for the first time, it felt like a natural fit. Like Ryan Brothers, Thorogood is built on American soil, with a legacy of craftsmanship and quality.
“I really like the quality,” Mark said after trying on one of our shirts. “Feels like a great fit for construction and outdoor industries.” He also picked out a pair of Thorogood boots—pull-on, steel-toe, waterproof—the kind of boots that work as hard as he does. “I always wear pull-ons. I prefer them over lace-ups. Glad to see Thorogood offers them in everything I need. Looks like a solid line.”
But for Mark, it’s not just about comfort—it’s about values. “It’s great to work with a brand like Thorogood. Seeing that it’s an American company with a long history that still values quality—well, that means something. That’s what we try to do here too.”
Built to Last
Mark Ryan and Thorogood share more than just a love for well-made boots. They share a belief in doing things the right way, even when it’s not the easy way. They believe in legacy, in hard work, and in building something that lasts.
From the old crate mill to the modern-day saw shop, from the first generation to the fourth (and fifth), Ryan Brothers is proof that American craftsmanship is alive and well. And now, with Thorogood gear in the mix, Mark’s walking that legacy forward—one step at a time.
