What 70 Years In Business Has Taught Us About Leadership

^In business, longevity is never guaranteed.

Markets change. Customer expectations evolve. Economic cycles rise and fall.

This year, 84 Lumber celebrates 70 years in business. For a privately held company, reaching that milestone is rare. Since opening a single lumberyard in 1956, we’ve grown into the nation’s largest privately held supplier of building materials, operating more than 320 facilities across 34 states.

While our business has evolved dramatically over seven decades, many of the values that helped build the company remain just as relevant today. As we celebrate this milestone, here are seven lessons that have shaped our journey.

1. Never Lose Sight of the Customer

Products change. Technology advances. Markets shift. But customers will always value partners they can trust. For 70 years, our success has been tied directly to the success of the builders, contractors, and developers we serve.

2. Culture Trumps Process

Buildings, equipment, and technology matter, but people drive performance. Some of our associates have spent decades with the company, bringing experience, dedication, and institutional knowledge that can’t be replicated. Strong cultures are built through consistent leadership, shared values, and trust.

3. Growth Requires Courage

Growth often means making decisions before you have all the answers. Throughout our history, we’ve expanded into new markets, invested in manufacturing capabilities, and introduced new services to meet changing customer needs. Progress requires a willingness to move forward despite uncertainty.

4. Stay True to Your Values

Many organizations lose sight of what made them successful in the first place. While our business has changed significantly since 1956, our commitment to hard work, integrity, accountability, and service has remained constant. Values create consistency, and consistency builds trust.

5. Think Beyond the Next Quarter

As a privately held company, we could make decisions with a long-term perspective. That influences how we invest, develop talent, support communities, and grow the business. Sustainable success is built by focusing on the next generation, not just the next quarter.

6. Community Matters

Businesses don’t succeed in isolation. For decades, we’ve been privileged to serve communities across the country. Supporting those communities through local partnerships, charitable initiatives, workforce development, and disaster relief isn’t separate from our mission. It’s part of it.

^{7. Never Stop Looking Ahead}

Anniversaries are an opportunity to celebrate the past, but they’re also a reminder to focus on the future. The construction industry continues to evolve, creating new opportunities through innovation, manufacturing advancements, and technology. The companies that thrive are the ones that continue adapting.

Seventy years is a remarkable milestone, but we don’t view it as the finish line. As I reflect on our journey, I’m grateful to the associates, customers and vendor partners who have helped make this achievement possible. Their commitment and support have shaped our company for seven decades.

The lessons that guided us through the first 70 years will continue to guide us through the next chapter. Because lasting success isn’t about looking back, it’s about continuing to build for the future and the next seventy years.