A hardwood wholesaler's handsome investment in the future

I N SPITE of the uncertain conditions

I facing the industry, Baker Hardwood Lumber Co. has taken the oPtimistic view in building handsome new headquarters in National City, Ca.

Located for 59 years on the same one acre location at the corner of Crosby and Main streets in San Diego, Ca., the wholesale building material firm besan as Miller McDermott in 1921. Thi next year Mearl L. Baker went to work there. In 1944 he became a partner and the firm name changed

Story at a Glance

Hardwood wholesaler confident of future . moves to greatly expanded new guarters . showcases varietY of products in decor emphasizes handling efficiencY.

to Baker-McDermott. In 1945 Baker became sole owner, dropping the McDermott name, and incorporating in 1955 under the present name.

G.O. "Bud" Baker, a 1950 graduate of San Dieeo University with a degree in businEss. joined liis father in the company in 1958. He took over as president in l97l upon the death of the elder Baker.

The handsome new facilities are located on a four acre site at 3l3l Hoover Ave., National City. Two acres of paved yard space fronts a 600 ft. railroad spur designed for unloading from both sides of flat cars. Five box cars can be handled at one time.

The office building. a spacious 4000 sq. ft., utilizes in its decor a variety of materials handled by the company. The flooring is a pleasing mixture of parquet, plank and strip while walls display paneling, siding, and shineles with dramatic results. Display iooms enable customers to view the wide spectrum of hardwoods and other building materials available.

For storage there is a 35,000 sq. ft. warehouse and 7000 sq. ft. lumber shed. Mill equipment occupies an additional 4000 sq. ft. JimThompson, James M. Thompson&Assoc., Woodland Hills, Ca., designed and engi- neered the facilities as a turn key operation. Bob Smith, Western Pole Construction Inc., was the builder.

The firm wholesales a variety of hardwood including lumber, plywbod, treads and risers. Cedar siding, paneling. plywood, clear and knotty, are additional products. Complete flooring supplies including parquet, plank, strip, finish, and even sandpaper.

Flooring and stakes for truck body use are other items. In addition, particleboard, shingles, shakes, laminated countertop, adhesives, and cork are stocked.

"Bud" Baker works in related industry activities as well as heading up the 26 employee company. A past president of the San Diego Lumber & Wood Products Association. he at

Special lssue: Hardwood

present seryes on the board of directors and was recently appointed a trustee, representing management, to the Southern California Lumber Industry Health, Welfare and Pension Funds.

Jerry Breedlove is controller with Doug Irwin as manager of operations. Bob Renteria and Henry Mora handle inside sales. Tom Vargo is dispatcher and Zaina Partida, receptionist.