| A Salute to Fifty Years of Service
Back when Freddie Siewers Jr. officially started on the payroll, Harry S. Truman was in the White House, the Korean War was beginning, and televisions were the latest technological gizmo on the market. In Richmond, the Fan was “just getting started” and you could buy houses to renovate for less than $10,000. Recently, Freddie took a few moments to review a career that has spanned five decades, 13 grandchildren, and more lumber than most people can imagine. “I had always worked summers and after school, unloading boxcars, stacking lumber, delivering lumber, planing it, sanding it, sweeping the floor—whatever I could do around the place,” recalled “Big Fred,” who probably has wood fiber coursing through his veins. “When I graduated from Virginia Tech in 1952, I went to work full-time in June, left to work with the Army Corps of Engineers in September and came back from the service in August of 1954.” When he began, there were only a dozen or so employees of Siewers Lumber, including himself, his father, and his uncle. “We didn’t have enough people, so everybody had two or three jobs,” he laughed. He worked in estimating and millwork, and later moved up to managing the mill and selling. So what’s the secret to survival in a conservative family business? “Most lumber companies are close-knit and small,” says Freddie, “but after the first or second generation, the family members decide to go into other fields.” Freddie wanted to make his mark in the family business, and when he got involved in a battle with the Richmond Metro-politan Authority in the late 1960’s, he hit his stride. Freddie worked all day in the lumber business and spent his evenings an weekends reading, studying, researching, and doing every-thing he could to keep the RMA (and the 195 Down-town Expressway) from separating the lumberyard from the office and mill facilities. This continued for six long, frustrating years, and when the con-demnation laws changed, Siewers Lumber was compen-sated but forced to relo-cate in 90 days. Although he and his brother Johnny were both raising young families and dealing with the failing health of their elders, the brothers endured—and in 1974, they successfully moved their business to its present location. Freddie says the only thing he regrets is that “I forgot my family in the early years. I didn’t take a vacation for 15 years, and you can’t go back. I’ve told my kids to take time off and do that dif-ferently than I did.” He is tremendously proud of all five of his children, and especially pleased that his three “overachieving” sons have taken an active role in the business. “We ate together, we prayed to-gether, and we stayed to-gether,” he said, noting that his wife, MaryAnn, has always been a center of support for the entire f a m i l y . As for the traits that have helped him to thrive, Freddie says that “being honest and ethical” are the most important ones besides his “stick-to-it-ness.” He believes that a positive attitude, hard work, and treating customers like they want to be treated are keys to Siewers’ longevity. He also says that controlling expenses, a strict approach to cash flow, and treating employees fairly are some of the other “secrets” to his success. Old-fashioned? You bet. But hey, don’t knock it until your company has made it 117 years—and you can join the 50 years of service club with energizing, vital Freddie Siewers. It’s true…Derricott White recently retired with 29 years of service. We’ll miss Derricott, and thank you for all those years of service! Our sympathy is extended to the family and friends of John Ruffin, our former gate guard. Say hello to some of the new faces….Christopher Kitt in Customer Service, Jonas Lawrence on the forklift, and welcome back to Tyrone Leak in Customer Service.
CCA-Treated Wood Update Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a chemical pre-servative that is used to protect wood from being destroyed by termites and other insects. CCA contains forms of chemicals such as cromium, copper, and ar-senic. CCA has been used to pressure treat lumber used for outdoor purposes such as playgrounds, decks, and landscape timbers, and it is also used in build-ing structures. After December 31, 2003, wood treaters will no longer be able to use CCA to treat wood; the industry will be using non-arsenic wood preserva-tive chemicals such as alkaline copper quat (ACQ). Freshly treated wood (also known as pressure treated wood), if not coated, has a greenish tint, which will fade in time. Why the switch? Numerous studies have raised concerns about the amount of arsenic used in the CCA and whether or not it can leach out of the wood into the soil or through the skin or saliva of those who come into contact with the wood. With playgrounds, fences, boardwalks, and the many other applications of pressure-treated lumber, the industry is working to offer consumers more “environmentally friendly” alternatives. The EPA announced earlier this year that it does not believe there is “any reason to remove or replace CCA-treated structures, including decks or playground equipment,” but consumers can minimize their contact with CCA by avoiding the burning of treated wood, covering wood tables before eating, thoroughly washing hands after any contact with treated wood, and applying a sealer to pressure-treated wood on a regular basis. Besides natural pest and decay resistant materials like redwood, cypress, and cedar, there are many alternatives already on the market, and more are in the works
On The Counter Trex ® , the popular composite decking product, manufactured in Winchester, Virginia, is now being stocked in a darker shade—appro-priately named Winchester Gray. New colors like saddle (brown) and madiera (burgundy) are available by special order. On a related subject, Siewers now has a great product in stock— tongue and groove Tenduraplank ® , which is perfect for covered porches. It’s selling well, so ask for your sample at the c o u n t e r . Aruco is a new alternative to birch plywood, which is often requested by our customers who are making cabinets. Aruco has a better finish than yellow pine, is available in plybead. New Products Although Siewers is a major dealer of Marvin windows, we’re also now distrib-uting windows and doors from Lincoln. From humble beginnings in 1949, Lincoln has grown to more than 500 employees. The complete line of windows (and patio doors) is offered in a variety of styles, with choices like divided lights, grills, and LoE Plus glass. “Marvin is still our primary window line, but Lincoln has been a nice alternative,” accord-ing to Richie Siewers. “We have been extremely pleased with the performance of the Lincoln product,” added Siewers, “and it has been well received by our customers.” Come by the showroom to check out the various models of Lincoln windows on display.
Decade of Service Employee anniversaries this quarter (10 or more years at Siewers):
Thank you for your hard work! Satisfying Service Standards We take pride in getting materials to construction sites on time and in pristine condition. We’re open at 7:30 a.m. so call us in the morning and we’ll often deliver your order within 24 hours… sometimes even by the end of the day! Our experienced sales staff can help contractors in more ways than one. We often work with builder or remodeler end-clients so the consumer knows the options available, from windows and doors to millwork and moulding. At Siewers, we’re always looking for feedback. We work hard to keep our lumber well organized, our yard tidy, and our employees are not only knowledgeable but also friendly. Please let us know if you are not satisfied with our service or products—even after the sale. We really want to know. Siewers wins the |
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