Pine TFee celebrates its soth

fn 1945, when the Pine Tree ll-umber Co. was founded its owners knew one thing for sure: they wanted to assist the 4,000 people (now 30 times that) of Escondido, Ca., with their building needs.

Founder Warren Wexler, along with his father-in-law and brother-inlaw, wanted to offer the customer that little bit of extra service, a wider selection, and above all, practice the "Golden Rule."

Story at a Glance

Fifty years later, Pine Tree Lumber is still growing ... owner/founder attributes success to fair dealings.

"At first, we were fledglings in the lumber and building materials business. We knew absolutely nothing about wood products, grades, sizes or uses," admits Wexler.

Today employing over 100 people, family-owned Pine Tree also main- tains yards in Vista, Fallbrook, and Pacific Beach, Ca., with the l0-acre Escondido yard as the hub of the operation. The Pacific Beach contractor yard was purchased earlier this year from Bumba Lumber.

Wexler admits to the company's success being easier in the beginning. "In a growing town, there is the possibility of selling lots of merchandise," he says.

He also attributes its success to conservative operation: "We plow all of our profits back into the business so we can grow with the communities we serve and assure our employees their security."

However, Wexler foresees little growth in the industry. "Business in Southern California is not as brisk as it has been. I don't look for any improvement in the near future," he says.

Wexler believes their "honest dealing and maintaining the largest most complete inventory with milling facilities" will help get them through.

"It is quite a story to believe three guys started as we did, go for 50 years and never fail to be successful." he smiles.

Ltt'S FACE 1T.... The Lumber ond

your operoting co$s to distinguish yourself from the competition, Success todoy relies on mointoining ond exponding your customer bose by selling the right inventory, ot the right time, ot the right price,

To top it off, the lumber morket is volotile, ond prices chonge every doy, You con't be cought with too much inventory when the morket price drops, Or too litile; your customer moy drop you for the competition,

At the end of the doy, you wont to hove more in the bonk thon you $orted with,

We solute those of you with these issues under control ond wish you continued success, But;

WHEil,.. You wont to monoge events thot seem to be out of your control,

WHEil.., Some of vour business is with controctors, WHEil... You do window ond door fobricotion,