| On the Counter Every Day
Customers pass through the glass and mullion front door at Siewers beginning at 7:29 a.m. on most weekdays. Most proceed directly to the front counter, where the inside sales team answers questions, looks up prices, or escorts the customer to a nearby display to discuss a product.
All of the gang agreed that the worst part of the job was “not enough time” because of the vast increase in the number of customers Siewers has seen recently. “We don’t add seasonal help, so customers are always dealing with an experienced employee,” said John Siewers, who started full time in the store after earning his degree in 1995. As a member of the fourth generation serving the greater Richmond area, he knows how important it is to stand behind the products. “We want people to come back to our store, and we provide good service along with top quality millwork and well-made products.” The number of contractors has increased along with visits from home owners, architects, and remodelers. Special orders are up, and the firm is in the process of adding a new storage area to accommodate the additional goods. “The average day is pretty hectic,” according to Bob Williams, who has been greeting shoppers for 11 years. “The folks at the counter are our first priority, but if Wanda says we need a salesperson on the phone, whoever isn’t busy takes the call. We really depend on each other to take care of our customers.” Occasionally, both Richie Siewers and Freddie Siewers, members of the fourth generation, help out on the counter. Lunchtime and end of the day are frequently peak periods, although on a recent afternoon, dozens of customers dropped in to see the doors on display, pick up a window catalog, or inquire about a hardware item. At night, the cleaning crew buffs and waxes the showroom floors at least once a week and dusts the displays on a daily basis. Service is just one of the differences at Siewers, and the people who wear the matching shirts—whether green, white, or black—are another reason why customers keep coming back. “We have fun at our jobs, and it shows,” said Lee Valentine.
The process of creating a custom door begins when customers meet the sales team. With their sketches in hand, ideas are translated into reality in the millwork shop, where Charlie often works 10-12 hours each day. The average door requires five to seven manhours, and is usually made of fir for exterior doors and white pine for interior doors. From screen doors to storm doors to cabinet fronts, restaurant boothback panels, window sashes, and elegant entry doors, Charlie prefers to stay busy, both mentally and physically. He is a quiet figure in the shop, typically thinking about his approach before ever picking up a tool. “I’m a perfectionist, and I like to do it right the first time. That makes our customers happy, and give me 200 doors, and I’m happy!” His most complex project this year was a mahogany entry door that took him 35 hours; it featured several beautiful arched raised panels with applied mouldings. “I love a challenge,” said Charlie, who uses mortise and tendon joints for all of his doors. Custom windows and doors, or recreating a new piece to match a restoration, are among the many services that set Siewers apart. Check out Charlie the “Door” Man and watch a wiz at work!
To thank employees for their contributions over the last year, Siewers recently sponsored a day-long fishing expedition. When the “Miss Yorktown” left the dock, the soft morning sun and gentle, calm river welcomed the excited crew. Only seconds after the Captain called to drop lines, Don Allison hooked the first croaker and won the prize for the first fish caught. Shorty and Melvin brought their own gear and were soon dueling fish for fish, Shorty casting from high on the bow and Melvin hauling ‘em in from the stern. Later that morning, Lee Meacham snagged the $41 prize for the largest fish—a 26-inch shark. It was an informal contest on who had the toothier grin—Lee or the shark! By afternoon, the men had landed as many croaker and spot as they cared to clean, so they began to throw some back. By early evening, all returned to the dock—tired and with brimming coolers—full of sunny memories. So successful was the maiden voyage that we hope to make it an annual event! —written by Nick Pollok, a Siewers employee
Stylish, elegant doors are a hallmark in many homes. In addition to our own “door” man (see profile on opposite page), Siewers supplies some unusual items such as flat, smooth, or raised panel MDF doors from Bolection™ Door. Made of pressure-formed Medium Density Fiberboard, styles range from classic to contemporary—and intricate panel details of almost any design are possible. The products come from the factory primed, and the doors are relatively impervious to changes in humidity, yet feel hefty as solid oak. The doors are available in 6'8", 7'0", and 8'0" heights.
Employee anniversaries this quarter (10 or more years at Siewers):
Thank you for your hard work!
In the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century, the display of rope mouldings on your home indicated you earned your living at sea. As time progressed into the mid 1850's, the display of rope symbolized wealth. The more rope, the wealthier you were! —reprinted courtesy of Twisted Times Newsletter; reported by Mr. Hash of the Charleston S.C. Historical Society back to top
Are you taking the right tax credits? All of them? How’s your retirement plan? As builders, you can never learn too much about ways to improve your business. Siewers is proud to present a series of workshops by Virginia’s largest independent accounting firm, Goodman & Co. LLP, on these important topics: On November 10, Michael L. Locher will spotlight three valuable and little-known ways to reduce your federal and state tax liabilities in “Tax Credits.” On December 1, Richard S. Burke will compare the types of qualified retirement plans for employers, employees, and sole proprietors in “Tax Favored Retirement Plans.” Both courses begin at 7:30 a.m., end promptly at 9:00 a.m., and are offered free of charge to Siewers customers. However, seating is limited, so call 358-2103 and reserve your space in our training room.
Beginning in the year 2000, click your way over to the Siewers Lumber & Millwork web page. Designed for both our existing customers and new customers, this great tool will feature:
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At the counter, the fabulous fun foursome of Bob Williams, Lee Valentine, Michael Siewers, and John Siewers are in contact with customers all day long—usually in person, but often by phone, too. “It’s like having friends visit me every day!” exclaimed Lee, who often exchanges gardening tips with the customers he’s quoting. Michael Siewers added, “It’s challenging to work at the counter because we have to ask lots of questions to determine what people need. Some of our regular customers know that we’ll interpret what they need when we understand how they’re going to use a product. For example, one of our customers prefers a specific type of millwork for the children’s furniture that she creates.” 
Fourteen years ago, Charlie McCormick didn’t even know how to read a rule. Today, he is Siewers primary “door man,” who has turned out an astonishing 272 doors as of the end of September.
Commercial contractors are familiar with a different set of building codes than residential home builders. One of the products that Siewers has proudly carried for years is Dricon® Fire Retardant Treated Wood. "It's a first generation product that has outperformed the competition," according to Fred Siewers. The lumber and plywood is pressure-impregnated with a special formula that doesn't "weep" from the wood or cause it to degrade structurally. Dricon has been in use since 1981, and Siewers offers most framing size dimensional lumber and plywood for use on most interior or shielded applications.Suppliers | Contact Us | Do It Best | Do It Yourself | Home