Producer branches out Targets custom orders, shipping

A"t vEAR AFrER being acquired by the owners of \-fWelco Lumber, Vancouver, B.C., SilvaStar Forest Products, Bellingham, Wa., is expanding its business by introducing new products and services.

"Many companies offer one or more of the same services we do, but none offer the same unique, complete solution," says Mike Thelen, SilvaStar's chief operating officer. "Our motto is: 'Together, your product line combined with ours builds a world of possibilities."'

Here's how it works: The company produces its own fascia, trim, siding, decking, patterns and furring strips in its 100,000-sq. ft. manufacturing plant. However, with annual production capacity of 200 million bd. ft., there's also room to dry, mill and stain to customers' specifications. An additional 40,000-sq. ft. of additional covered storage keeps everything in great shape.

"Customers bring their raw material to our plant," he explains. "If it's wet, we re-dry it in our kilns. We then process their lumber to match their individual specifications."

A six-railcar spur on the 30-acre property-which is paved and fenced-simplifies delivery."We offer a unique advantage for our rail customers, allowing them to order highly mixed cars combining material from our inventory with their custom milling and staining orders," he says.

Adding product from nearby producers isn't a problem either. "Framing lumber from nearby sawmills can be used to complete their orders," he adds. "This allows purchasing flexibility and substantial savings."

More than two-third's of SilvaStar's business is with two-step distributors, such as Boise Cascade, Boise, Id. "We currently supply 14 Boise locations from Woodinville, Wa., to Pompano Beach, F1.," says Thelen. "We also supply custom-branded products to the big boxes."

Mike Bland, general manager of Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution in Riverside, Ca., says that Boise decided to partner with Silvastar because "they understand that customer loyalty is all about building longterm relationships. I would rate them right at the top."

By Carla Waldemar