The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
100 years of service
Chelsea Lumber celebrates a century of business in Chelsea
By Edward Freundl, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
The large window in the office above the Chelsea Lumber showroom allows Bob Daniels to keep an eye on the family business, literally and figuratively.
Advertisement
Photos of Daniels' ancestors and the earlier business locations line the office walls, serving as a constant reminder of how the histories of his family and his business are irrevocably intertwined.
His grandfather and father were involved in Chelsea firms that date back to 1908, and those firms merged in 1926 to evolve into the Chelsea Lumber and Home Center that we recognize today.
And, after 53 years in the family business, Daniels is proud to say that evolution is not finished.
At the end of World War II in 1945, Bob's older brother James left military service to take over the business after their father, Warren Daniels, hurt himself.
Up until the 1950s the business of the Chelsea Lumber, Grain & Coal Co. concentrated on coal, wheat and, only to a limited degree, lumber.
The original building at 305 N. Main St. contained scales that were used to weigh the coal they delivered by the ton, as well as various agricultural products brought in by local farmers.
"My father said, 'Don't ever go out of the coal business, people will always need it,'" Daniels recalled. "Turns out he was wrong about that."
Bob Daniels left a promising career in the U.S. Navy in 1955 after serving overseas in the Korean War.
"It was a definite option to stay in the Navy; they certainly wanted me, but Marjorie and I decided to return to Chelsea to join my brother at Chelsea Lumber," Daniels said.
"We decided we wanted to raise our kids in this small-town environment."
In the 1960s the company changed its name and focus to Chelsea Lumber Co. and got out of the coal and wheat trade to transition to the new concept of a "home center" - carrying not only lumber, but anything people would need to build or remodel a house.
In 1967 James Daniels decided to retire and hand over the reins to his brother, seven years his junior.
As the new president of the company, Bob recognized the need for Chelsea Lumber Co. to compete with larger lumber companies in Southeast Michigan, a challenge he still takes very seriously.
"The emphasis changed to being competitive in price, quality and service, and that has remained our emphasis up to today," he said.
As the company grew, it became necessary to bring in expertise from outside the family.
Richard McCalla joined the company in 1970, and today serves as Chelsea Lumber's general manager.
Dennis Bauer was hired in 1982, and today looks after the company's financial aspects.
In the 1980s and '90s Chelsea Lumber and Home Center grew into one of the largest single-outlet stores in Southeast Michigan, and carries one of the largest inventories of any lumberyard in the region.
"Where we started with one person in kitchens, we now have 10," Daniels added.
As the economy began to slow, Daniels knew he would have to tap new markets to ensure the survival of the business.
Not only does Chelsea Lumber handle construction of kitchens, pole barns and new homes, it has also branched out into the light commercial market such as professional offices, a fire station, churches, Holiday Inns and other motels, Daniels noted.
"We are willing to reach out from Chelsea in all directions, sometimes up to 100 miles and occasionally farther, in order to remain successful," Daniels said.
"We go where the customers are."
And now a fourth generation is poised to take a leadership role in the family business.
After graduating from college in 1982, John Daniels went to work beside his father and was named to run the Bridgewater and Saline divisions after Chelsea Lumber purchased both of Bridgewater Lumber's locations in February last year.
"We're excited about the acquisition of those stores and doing some of the same things we've found to be successful in Chelsea," Daniels said.
There are now about 130 employees between the three stores.
"I have no doubt that Chelsea and Bridgewater will survive; they didn't put all their eggs in one basket," said Dan Smith, a 17-year employee of Bridgewater Lumber.
"Our remodeling business has dramatically picked up, we left the door open to that.
"It's been a good thing, it's helped," Smith added.
"We've merged together pretty nicely."
The Bridgewater acquisition was extremely controversial, but Bob Daniels was confident the move would pay off.
"Lumberyards are closing in Michigan at an extremely rapid pace, and we are emphasizing quality," Daniels said.
"It is our intention to be positioned to be here to serve the communities of Chelsea, Bridgewater and Saline when the economy levels out and turns around."
SIDEBAR:
Bridgewater Lumber nails 70-year mark
By Edward Freundl
Staff Writer
Along with Chelsea Lumber Co.'s 100th anniversary, the Bridgewater Lumber Company it acquired just over a year ago is celebrating a birthday too - its 70th.
In 1938, three brothers - Jake, Ruben, and Edwin Finkbeiner - and a cousin, David Wahl, purchased Bridgewater Lumber Company from the Pardee brothers of Clinton.
Wahl and Ruben Finkbeiner were building partners in the Bridgewater area, and Jake and Edwin worked for the Pardee brothers in the lumber company.
Jake Finkbeiner left the company after a few years and Wahl passed away in the early 1960s. Ruben Finkbeiner passed away on July 15, 1990, followed by Edwin on March 27, 1992.
In the mid-1950s Ruben's son, Ron Finkbeiner, graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Residential Building and joined the firm's construction division.
Ron served as vice president in the late '60s and became president in the early '70s, which he remains today.
In the early 1960s, Edwin's son, Gary Finkbeiner, joined the company after graduating from Jackson Community College.
He became Vice President and General Manager in the late '70s, a title he retains today.
Bridgewater Lumber purchased the Saline Mercantile in 1968 and started a second store.
In 1975, a warehouse fire in Bridgewater destroyed one barn. The old store was demolished and a new store was built near the site.
In 1980, the Saline Division moved to its present location on Michigan Avenue.
A fire on Nov 17, 1993, destroyed the Saline store and part of the adjoining warehouse. The new store was built in 1994 at the same site along with a new barn out back.
An addition was built in 1998 with more than 2,000 square feet devoted to windows, doors and moldings.
On Feb. 1, 2007, Chelsea Lumber acquired Bridgewater's two locations to become on of Southeast Michigan's largest home centers.
"I think it's going all right, it's a change for the employees," Ron Finkbeiner said.
"I haven't had a problem with customers, we haven't had any real complaints."
Chelsea Lumber had made Finkbeiner an offer he found hard to turn down.
"I was planning on being there until I was 80, but somebody asked me if we wanted to sell," he said.
"I was 73 and thought I might as well get out while I had the chance."
Dan Smith has been with Bridgewater Lumber for 17 years as a kitchen and bath specialist, and said the transition has been "pretty smooth."
"It's worked out well - it gives us some of our strengths and some of their strengths," Smith said.
"There were a few little kinks to work out, but overall it was a nice fit."
Bob Daniels, president of Chelsea and Bridgewater Lumber, said people have criticized the wisdom of the acquisition, given of the difficult economy.
"We see great potential, with the possibility of expansion in the Saline store," Daniels said.
"We need to prove to the people of Saline that we would be their home center of choice," he added.
"We're excited to be a part of the Saline business community."
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
Expanded
Web
Coverage
TOP JOBS
