Pioneer Lros Atgeles Plywood Firm Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The California Panel & Veneer Company of Los hngeles is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

The company started in business early in 1917. At that time Howell Baker, who was widely known in Southern California lumber circles, decided there rvas a fine opportunity in Los Angeles for a concern to specialize in the stocking and distribution of panels, plywood and veneers. So he put the idea into operaiion and launched the California Panel & Veneer Company rn'ith warehouse and office at 955 South Alameda Street.

The venture was a succes,s from the very start. From 'a small beginning the company moved forward through the years and today it has a commanding position in the plywood industry. Several additions have been made to the original building, and the present rvarehouse extends from South Alameda Street to McGarry Street.

In later years Los Angeles became headquarters for the construction of airplanes, and promptlv the company started stocking and selling many lines of material for airplane construction. The veneer demand decreased but the panel and airplane business steadily increased.

In 1918 George R. Stratemeyer went to work for Mr. Baker as a salesman. R. Mulholland joined the sales force in 1923, and in 1925 William F. Fahs became one of their salesmen. All are playing a big part in the business tod"y.

Howell Baker, president of the firm, passed away in 1925. Mrs. Baker, who had never up to that time had anything to do with her husband's business, then stepped into the business world and took over his desk. She turned the work over to those good lieutenants who had been associated with Mr. Baker, and appointed R. Nlulholland and William F. Fahs managers.

Mrs. Baker is an adroit business woman and is at the office every day. She is president of the company, George

R. Stratemeyer is vice-president, and William F. Fahs, secretary-treasurer and manager.

In 1936 they organized a new corporation, the Baker Steel and Tube Company, to handle their rapidly grorving steel and tube business, r'r'ith offices right there with the panel and plywood company. Mr. Mulholland is president and manager of this concern, Mrs. Baker is vice-president, and Mr. Fahs secretary-treasurer.

The California Panel & Veneer Company handles nothing but wood products while the Baker Steel & Tube Company handles the metai business. Mr. Mulholland specializes in selling to the airplane trade. Messrs. Mulholland, Stratemeyer and Fahs make personal contacts with their extensive trade. so that the details of the work of both organizations are in the hands of their executives.

The California Panel & Veneer Company was appointed exclusive distributor in 1939 for "Gold Bond" insulation products in Southern California, excepting Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. George Otto, with fifteen years' experience in the insulation business, is manager of this department.

Miss Jane Woodhead, who has been with the company for eighteen year.s, is office manager and is assisted by a competent and efficient office staff.

The California Panel and Veneer Company has been among the foremost of plywood jobbers in meeting defense requirements, and it was the first firm to become interested in the development and use of plywood in prefabricated homes in Southern California. The past year the company furnished plyr.'i'ood for over 1500 defense homes, as well as dormitories, for the Government.

"We are the oldest plywood distributor in the West and our business was founded on service," says Mr. Fahs. "Our success and progress during the past quarter of a century has been due to rendering an intelligent and constructive service to our many friends and customers."