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Each of Homer T. Hayward Lumber Co.’s Central California locations will be holding local events to commemorate the chain’s 100th anniversary, following a massive company-wide celebration Sept. 7 in San Luis Obispo, Ca.
Hayward operates seven lumberyards, six design centers, a truss plant, and a fast-floor facility in Redwood City, Pacific Grove, Salinas, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Goleta and Santa Barbara.
Founder Homer T. Hayward was not new to the lumber business. After World War I, he decided to sell his interest in the Los Angeles-based Hayward Lumber & Investment Company to his brother and moved his family to the Central Coast. On Sept. 19, 1919, Homer established the company in Salinas, Ca., at the corner of Monterey and East Alisal Streets before moving to its current Front Street location in 1928. It has survived the Great Depression, a World War, building busts and booms, and massive changes in technology.
One of Hayward’s biggest jobs in the early years was providing the lumber for The Giant Dipper on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in 1924. They had 322,000 ft. of lumber shipped, mill-cut to order, and delivered by boat to Santa Cruz. More than 60 million visitors later, the Giant Dipper is still in operation.
Today, Hayward Lumber stands at the forefront of innovation, a leader in sustainable building and indoor air quality.
According to COO Paulo Sitolini, “California is known for its strict building codes, to be the best we need to constantly deliver cutting edge solutions to our builders. We have to deliver value to our customer’s every day and that takes incredible team effort.”
“Our company has grown up on the Central Coast and we are proud to be part of its history,” noted fourth generation owner Bill Hayward, current CEO and chief innovation officer. “My great-grandfather understood customer service. He said treat your customers right and they will always come back.”
Customer satisfaction remains Hayward’s number one priority, and its 200 employees want to make sure that will never change.
