Washington company believes in "the full wagon"

Ir|lCK Burrows founded Plywood l/Tacoma. Inc. in 1967 with two used trucks and four employees working out of a wood frame building with a total capacity of 13,000 sq. ft.

The company's first office was built in a single day. Reflecting on the first years of business, Dick Burrows, president, comments, "We certainly didn't have the world by the tail in those days."

But, what he did have was a commitment to customer service and building a solid inventory. "After all," says Burrows, "you can't sell from an empty wagon . . And, you've got to aim not at the onetime sale but at customers who will keep coming back."

An example of the company's dramatic growth comes from the door department. Since 1986, Plywood Tacoma has tripled its door sales and anticipates that its sales levels will continue at a good growth levelthroughout 1989. The company carries stile and rail, commercial and flush doors. The company's primary line in stile and rail is Simpson. For 13 years Plywood Tacoma has carried the entire Simpson Mastermark line.

According to John Treakle, manager of the door department, "lt's easy to market good products. When dealing with customers we emphasize the quality of the product and the competitive price. The biggest part of our success, though, is our commitment to inventory and service. That really pays off "

Treakle added, "We have a good team and have been able to make it work. The direction comes from Dick Burrows. Each of us has the freedom to manage our departments the way we see fit. There are no restrictions on creativity. "

Other departments at Plywood Tacoma have experienced similar growth. According to Rick Burrows, vice president, "What sets us apart is that Plywood Tacoma always puts the customer first. We couldn't achieve what we have without quality products with quality service at a competitive price." In a nutshell, that's the company philosophy; and, it's been working for over 30 years.

Other department managers are Dave Lee, plywood; Bart Holbrook, lumber, and Rick Burrows, hardwood plywood. Burrows family members occupy key positions throughout the company. Daughter Cindy Dubois is in bookkeeping, nephew Michael Burrows, in sales, and son Rick is vice president.

Since opening its doors, the Tacoma, Wa., wholesaler of building materials has experienced sustained growth and established itself as a name to be trusted and respected. When asked about the success of the company, Burrows responds, "No one ever did it alone. If someone thinks he's going to do it by himself, he'll never make it. You've got to surround yourself with good people, treat them well, give them responsibility - and, once you've given them responsibility, you don't take it away."

Story at a Glance

Customer service and solid inventory pay off for Plywood Tacoma, Inc. door sales triple in three years. second generation keeps 30 year old company on an upward track.

Burrows' attitude and outlook have paid off. In the past 12 years Plywood Tacoma has built three warehouses to accommodate growing inventories and is planning to expand warehouse space in the near future. Today, the company employs 36 people, operates I I vehicles and services customers throughout the western United States.

The sales office at Plywood Tacoma is a busy place. No less busy is the crew in the warehouse, keeping orders filled and the waeons full.

rFr ALES of wood doors and win! do*s will continue an upward trend for the rest of this year and on into 1990 as homeowners and builders use them as the hot buttons of architectural and design status.

With the housing mix still strongly in favor of single family, detached homes 000/o of the total housins market), demand for windows ii new construction will increase by 6% to 47 million units. Patio doors will follow the same pattern, according to F. W. Dodge/LSI forecasters, reaching a demand of 5.4 million.

"Both wood and clad wood windows have made strong gains in the new construction market, " said John W. Shoemaker. executive vice president of the National Wood Window and Door Association. "This trend is expected to continue with the upswing in new housing forecast for 1990."

Demand for interior and exterior doors in new construction will follow the same pattern with more than 43