Company Description:
The Kennewick branch of Builders' Hardware was established in the late 1960's by Mrs. Henry and its first manager, Charlie Whitescarver, a former competitor. Started mainly to supply the Hanford Nuclear Reservation with Corbin locks and cylinders, it has grown from two employees in a 750 square foot building to more than ten employees in a 13,500 square foot building located at 114 South Auburn Street, complete with a commercial hardware department and a UL listed hollow metal door and frame shop. Besides Charlie Whitescarver, Kennewick has known only two other managers, the late Jim Lindsey from 1977 to 1983, and Bob Larson from 1984 to the present. Together, the Kennewick staff has over 100 years combined experience in finish hardware, hollow metal doors and frames, and commercial wood doors. The Company had been a Yale Contract Hardware account, but switched to Corbin. Mrs. Henry attended the Corbin School in New Britain, CT, and returned to take over the contract operation portion of the business. Meanwhile, Mr. Shannon used his expertise to enhance the dealer portion of the business and develop a large Schlage business also selling to other smaller Schlage accounts in the country. Since the Company has always been customer oriented, it was decided to incorporate a Hollow Metal Division in 1981. Remodeling in 1985 expanded our Shipping, Receiving, and Warehouse areas adding much needed space. The Contract Residential Department was established in 1986. The addition of this department filled a void in the Pacific NW for residential customers to purchase their high-end hardware and receive quality expertise on their project. In 1986, with great hesitation as to its ultimate value, BH&S purchased its very first fax machine. The computer age caught up with BH&S in 1989 with the introduction of a computer for Pricing and Accounting. In the next couple of years, order entry and purchasing were also added to the program. This system was in place until we outgrew it and in 1999 implemented the current Eclipse system. In 1992, BH&S purchased the building and land we currently occupy. In 1993 the Kennewick branch moved to their new offices on land purchased and owned by Shirley Henry. Over the subsequent 30 plus years the Company has had many very fine and responsible people join the team and become stockholders. In 1994 Shirley Henry was promoted to President of Builders' Hardware. Tom Shannon assumed the duties of Chairman of the board. Sadly, 1996 was a milestone year for BH&S with the passing of our Founder, Tom Shannon at the age of 92. In 2000, Doug Gerbing succeeded Shirley Henry as President of BH&S. Shirley assumed the role of CEO. A passion that both Shirley and Tom Shannon shared was to have BH&S prosper as an employee owned company after they were both gone. In 2002, Shirley Henry passed away. She left behind a solid company now owned solely by loyal, experienced employees. In 2005, Doug Gerbing assumed the role of Chairman and CEO, John Phillips was made President and Greg Lunde was named Senior Vice President. In addition to Bob Larson remaining our Vice President - Kennewick Branch, we also named Randy Dalseg as Vice President , Contract Division and Al Sandhop as Vice President , Merchandising & Purchasing. BH&S continues with the philosophy that service to the customer, along with some good common sense, is the key to our success.
The Kennewick branch of Builders' Hardware was established in the late 1960's by Mrs. Henry and its first manager, Charlie Whitescarver, a former competitor. Started mainly to supply the Hanford Nuclear Reservation with Corbin locks and cylinders, it has grown from two employees in a 750 square foot building to more than ten employees in a 13,500 square foot building located at 114 South Auburn Street, complete with a commercial hardware department and a UL listed hollow metal door and frame shop. Besides Charlie Whitescarver, Kennewick has known only two other managers, the late Jim Lindsey from 1977 to 1983, and Bob Larson from 1984 to the present. Together, the Kennewick staff has over 100 years combined experience in finish hardware, hollow metal doors and frames, and commercial wood doors. The Company had been a Yale Contract Hardware account, but switched to Corbin. Mrs. Henry attended the Corbin School in New Britain, CT, and returned to take over the contract operation portion of the business. Meanwhile, Mr. Shannon used his expertise to enhance the dealer portion of the business and develop a large Schlage business also selling to other smaller Schlage accounts in the country. Since the Company has always been customer oriented, it was decided to incorporate a Hollow Metal Division in 1981. Remodeling in 1985 expanded our Shipping, Receiving, and Warehouse areas adding much needed space. The Contract Residential Department was established in 1986. The addition of this department filled a void in the Pacific NW for residential customers to purchase their high-end hardware and receive quality expertise on their project. In 1986, with great hesitation as to its ultimate value, BH&S purchased its very first fax machine. The computer age caught up with BH&S in 1989 with the introduction of a computer for Pricing and Accounting. In the next couple of years, order entry and purchasing were also added to the program. This system was in place until we outgrew it and in 1999 implemented the current Eclipse system. In 1992, BH&S purchased the building and land we currently occupy. In 1993 the Kennewick branch moved to their new offices on land purchased and owned by Shirley Henry. Over the subsequent 30 plus years the Company has had many very fine and responsible people join the team and become stockholders. In 1994 Shirley Henry was promoted to President of Builders' Hardware. Tom Shannon assumed the duties of Chairman of the board. Sadly, 1996 was a milestone year for BH&S with the passing of our Founder, Tom Shannon at the age of 92. In 2000, Doug Gerbing succeeded Shirley Henry as President of BH&S. Shirley assumed the role of CEO. A passion that both Shirley and Tom Shannon shared was to have BH&S prosper as an employee owned company after they were both gone. In 2002, Shirley Henry passed away. She left behind a solid company now owned solely by loyal, experienced employees. In 2005, Doug Gerbing assumed the role of Chairman and CEO, John Phillips was made President and Greg Lunde was named Senior Vice President. In addition to Bob Larson remaining our Vice President - Kennewick Branch, we also named Randy Dalseg as Vice President , Contract Division and Al Sandhop as Vice President , Merchandising & Purchasing. BH&S continues with the philosophy that service to the customer, along with some good common sense, is the key to our success.