Navy Island

A family business making global waves from here in West St. Paul

You may not realize it when driving by, but one of the nation’s top acoustic wood product manufacturers is quietly innovating right here in West St. Paul.

We had the incredible opportunity of touring their product testing lab and facilities to see how everything works! The family-run manufacturer first moved to its current location in West St. Paul in 2003.

The Stone family has steadily expanded operations, adding neighboring facilities in 2005 and again in 2019. Today, Navy Island operates on a 25-acre campus with 238,000 square feet of manufacturing space, as well as a 9-hole disc golf course on-site.

What started as a small furniture refinishing operation in the Stone family’s Garage in 1983, has evolved into one of North America’s premier providers of architectural wood and acoustic products.

In 2018, after six years of development, Navy Island was awarded multiple patents for Soundply, the World’s Quietest Acoustic panel. This revolutionary microperforated wood panel is now the foundation for an extensive line of ceiling and wall products, including panels, planks, baffles, and beams.

Their products have been featured in award-winning architectural projects across the country, including the Apple Park Campus in California, Amazon HQ in Virginia, and Google Campus in Texas. Navy Island has also contributed to stunning local spaces like Augsburg University, the Minneapolis Public Works Building, and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. You can browse the full gallery of projects on their website at SoundPly.com.

Navy Island proudly crafts all of its products using wood, the most sustainable building material on earth, in a 100% solar-powered facility. Their commitment to sustainability goes beyond their operations. North American forests have been expanding for more than 50 years thanks to responsible harvesting and certification programs like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Choosing wood products, like those made by Navy Island, supports healthy forests, carbon storage, biodiversity, and rural economies.

Now in its fourth decade, the company remains a true family affair, with multiple generations of Stones and extended family helping lead the way: Jeff, Chad, Ben, Karen, Macayla, Colter, Julia, Bella, and Sophia, representing the heart of this homegrown success story.

Looking ahead, Navy Island is continuing to grow—and they’re hiring! There are open positions on the production floor for first and second shifts, as well as office roles in drafting and client solutions. If you’re looking to build a career with purpose, close to home, visit NavyIsland.com/You to learn more about the company and then search their listings on Indeed to apply.

We’re excited to see more from Navy Island as they continue to combine smart design, sustainability, and craftsmanship.

We’re so lucky it’s all happening from right here in West St. Paul!

Fabrication area in production where products get edge banded, cut to size and then enter finishing for the final stop.

Product testing lab with product wall to showcase panels, planks, leaf matching examples and design inspiration.Conference room with SoundPly planks and panels and Navy Island doors to host designers, architects, and contractors for tours.Stone Family: Bella Stone (Chad’s Youngest), Macayla Fryc (Jeff’s Oldest), Sophie Stewart (Chad’s Second), Julia Stone (Jeff’s Second) , Karen Stone (Jeff, Chad and Ben’s Mother), Ben Stone (Youngest Brother), Chad Stone (Middle Brother), Jeff Stone (Oldest Brother), and Colter Stone (Jeff’s Youngest).Vice baffle ceiling and wall panels.Lobby with SoundPly.Product testing lab with baffle arrays and beam on the ceiling to show designers.