As the election draws near, all this talk of who built what is getting a little old—no matter whose side you’re on or how you think that statement should be interpreted. Did the government build this country? No. Did you or I? No. Did plastics and metals? No. Lumber did. And, in many cases, it was McIlvain Lumber.
No matter who gets elected to lead this nation for the next four years, you can be sure that your deck made from McIlvain Cumaru or Ipe will still be standing once that term is up. So will the White House. You’ll still be able to sit on your lawn chair made from McIlvain Teak and even take a cruise and relax on a Teak boat deck made from McIlvain Teak. Even in times of uncertainty, the lumber industry continues on, and McIlvain Lumber continues to survive and even thrive.
J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber (mcilvain.com) has been providing the raw materials with which our nation has been built for over 210 years. In the early 1900s, a fire caused great devastation to our lumber yard, eliminating much of our sales history. Like many undocumented histories, though, we’ve appreciated the verbal history and long-term relationships that shed some light on our rich heritage.
Going back to the Industrial Revolution, we’ve forged relationships with many governmental buildings; the Smithsonian, White House, Capitol, and Library of Congress are still current customers. Those who tour those great buildings see McIlvain flooring, paneling, and mouldings showcased in all their glory.
During both World Wars, McIlvain Lumber provided the raw materials for many planes and ships, including more than 1 million board feet for a single WWII battleship. During the steel industry’s hey day, McIlvain lumber contributed to that industry, as well. In fact, Bethlehem Steel Corporation reported in 1930 that they used an estimated $2.5 million in lumber each year to run their 4 steel mills.
While the lumber industry has gone through many changes since we loaded up horse-drawn carts bound for the Pullman Car Company, we’re still going strong. We supply manufacturers of wood products as well as a variety of other industries. Some of our customers have been loyal to us for decades or even centuries, while others are new just this year. All of them value our expertise, as we continue to provide insight regarding species-specific movement and environmental tendencies.
We keep quality control at the forefront, allowing our customers to trust us with their continued business. Our heightened watch for environmental sustainability makes our job more challenging, but we’re committed to supporting responsible harvesting, and we contribute to the delicate global balance of supply and demand.
No matter who takes credit for building your house, your deck, or your nation’s Capitol building, you can bet that if it’s made of McIlvain lumber, it will still be around for years to come. To learn more about J. Gibson McIlvain Company, visit our website at www.mcilvain.com or call us at (800) 638-9100. We ship imported and domestic lumber nationwide.
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