Name change no problem

lltHEN you make changes with U U two respected industry narnes, you never can be 100% sure of what the reaction will be. So we have been very pleased, naturally, that we've had uniformly favorable response to our new name of Lane-Stanton Vance Lumber Co.," notes Vince Besinque.

The elimination of paperwork was a prime reason behind the merging of Vance Lumber Co. (the buying arm) and Lane-Stanton (the distribution arm) last fall into Lane-Stanton Vance. Skip Gregg stresses that the firm plans no other changes in their successful operation.

While the company now functions from a 7 t/z acre site in the City of Industry, Ca.. (with multimillion $ sales volume) and carries an inventory of 4-5 million board feet of softwoods and hardwoods, the opening days of the firm in 1955 were on a far more modest scale.

Skip Gregg and Vince Besinque were the founders of Lane Lumber Co. Vince's home was the original office and carloads of redwood and fir were initially what they sold. Six months later Lane began operations on a small leased site in City of Commerce and were joined by a new associate. Jack Millikan. Vance Lumber Co. was soon formed as a buying and direct car selling arm of the business.

Just one year later Custom Mills, now one of the largest milling facili ties in Southern California, began in business. Operations were under Fred Jones. who has since retired. to be

Story at a Glance

The new company handle of Lane-Stanton Vance Lumber Co., the result of merging pre viously independent buying and distribution arms, is well received in the trade.

replaced as president by his son Ted.

The business grew each year and by l97O they were ready for another move. This time it was to their present quarters. Three years later two additional sheds were added to the initial five. The $l million facility is completely paved and has its own l2-car rail spur, and is among the most efficient new wholesale operations in the nation.

During the big move into the new plant in 197O, Lane purchased the name and assets of E. J. Stanton & Son, one of the oldest lumber companies on the West Coast, and changed Lane to Lane-Stanton Lumber Co.

Four years later, Tacoma Lumber Sales was jointly purchased with Murray B. Marsh from the estate of Art Penberthy, Sr.

Lane-Stanton Vance has a staff of 25 that, along with the principals, includes some long timers: credit manager and bookkeeper Vivian Fields, 20 years; plan't super. Dick Field, 18 years; and shipping clerk Oscar Bark, 17 years. Of the 25, 13 are in sales.

"Our ability to get and keep good people, is probably the greatest rea-

(Please turn to Page 45)