Last One Standing: Locally Owned Lumberyard/Hardware Stores Down to One
Our Commitment to the Community Since 1906
As the only remaining locally owned lumberyard/hardware store on the North Olympic Peninsula, Lumber Traders, Inc. stands as a beacon of community and employee-oriented business practices. Our origins date back to 1906, demonstrating a long-standing dedication to the local community and a commitment to employee welfare. Lumber Traders, Inc. is the proud parent company of Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co., Angeles Rentals Equipment and Supply, Hartnagel Building Supply, and Hartnagel Glassworks.
Maintaining Local Integrity
When looking to retire, our predecessors chose to preserve local integrity by selflessly selling the business to their employees rather than to an out-of-town corporation or investment firm. This decision safeguarded our community’s welfare and secured the financial future of the workforce, reinforcing our roots in the North Olympic Peninsula.
The Danger of Outsourcing Ownership
Investment firms that acquire local businesses are often driven by profit, which can come at the expense of the community, employees, and the local economy. We need to look no further than the effects of the McKinley paper mill shutdown or the recent closing of Big Lots to see the impact that out-of-state corporate interests can have on our local economy. These firms prioritize their bottom line, extracting wealth from our community and funneling it to distant corporate headquarters. This erosion of local ownership undermines the stability and growth of our region.
Community and Economic Impact
Local spending through businesses like ours ensures that significant portions of revenue stay within the community, fostering economic resilience and supporting local jobs. We actively contribute to the community, donating more than $50,000 annually to local charities, schools, and community projects. Our employee ownership model amplifies this impact, with profits benefiting our local employees rather than external investors.
Advantages of Employee Ownership
Lumber Traders’ employee-owned structures create retirement security for our team. Over the past five years, we have created over $5.73 million in retirement wealth without requiring any monetary contribution from employees, contrasting sharply with the touted corporate alternatives.
Exceptional Customer Service
Employees at local businesses are directly connected to their customer base, making them much more knowledgeable, engaged, and caring about your experience. Local businesses pride themselves on having staff ready to help, create relationships, and sincerely invest in your next project. The customer service and care found in local businesses are unmatched by big-box and corporately owned competitors, owing to the extensive investment in time, effort, and training.
Call to Action
We invite you to support local and employee-owned businesses that invest deeply in community prosperity. By choosing local, you contribute to sustaining our area’s economic and social health. Experience the difference in service and commitment at employee-owned Lumber Traders, Inc., and join us in keeping our community strong and independent.
We remain fiercely local, fiercely independent, and dedicated to the North Olympic Peninsula. We are here to stay and continue supporting our community as we have proudly done since 1906.