Hardwood Floors April/May 2017

products like ours will always be a specialty hands-on product and there will always be employees coaching other employees, young and old. Denny: I think the younger generation and the time-saving tools that go along with technology will continue to emerge, although at times it seems the more “time-saving” tools we have like the internet, cell phones, etc., the more work and less time we have. In the woods, I think the biggest change will be with smartphones and tools for foresters. Smartphones showing property lines and who owns the property will help save foresters time from going to the courthouse to look up records. This will give them more time to focus on timber management and noting changes. The timber management is as much of an art as it is a science and there’s always more to learn. Efficiency and new sales techniques will continue to challenge us, push us, and help us grow. Jake: Technology will continue to evolve and will be more integrated with the sawmill and flooring plant. This will simplify the process for finding more efficient ways to cut and dry the lumber, which saves resources. It also provides an opportunity for the older generation to learn from the younger generation, and vice versa, which will enhance and strengthen generational bonds and collaboration. Jessica: I think in the next 50 years we’ll have more and more automation within the workplace. Unfortunately, the increased cost of employees due to insurance, pay increases, lack of employees, retraining due to high turnover, and the rapid development of technology is going to change. I think the more skilled and technical jobs will remain and gain importance, but it’ll take less physical people to operate. What is one final piece of advice you have for being a successful leader in today’s workplace? Larry : You must be able to put yourself in the employee’s place so you can teach them to see solutions as you see them and give them a sense of pride in producing a premium product. Denny : Do what you say you’re going to do. Be honest, keep your word, don’t over promise, and work your butt off. Jake: My advice as a manager is to be patient. It doesn’t do anyone any good to be yelling and screaming all the time. It kills morale. If I do have a problem with an employee, I talk to them away from the other employees, so there isn’t an embarrassing moment for them. For the most part, if I have a positive attitude, I feel the employees will too. I get to know the employees on a personal level, so I talk to them about their lives and families and not just about work. Jessica: Try and be well-rounded and balanced. Read various new sources and ideas. Communicate and learn from people in all walks of life and in different industries. Appreciate the knowledge from the past generations, but don’t be afraid of changing and improving.

What new technology has most benefited your business through the years? Larry: I think every step in the production of quality hardwood has improved. Starting with the moulder, sanding, and installation. New ideas in texturing are popular, hand scraped, wire brush, circle sawn marks, etc. Also, very good adhesives and vapor barriers have made it possible to install beautiful hardwood flooring in places you would never think of years ago. Some of the new finishes are absolutely beautiful. Denny: Obviously, computers, but in respect to the mill production, we have equipment like optimizing edgers to get the most yield from the lumber, thin kerf saws creating less waste, lineal position carriages, and computer programs to assist in our drying. The internet has completely changed commerce as well. Jake: The technology that has most benefited Hickman Lumber is the end tallier for tallying packs of lumber. Before the end tallier, the lumber inspector would have to hand tally every board that came through the mill. At the end of the day, he would add all the tallies up for a total footage. Now, once the bundle is packed down, someone measures the end of each board and enters it into a computer and automatically calculates the footage. Jessica: The Internet, computers, and technology changing how we connect with our customers and educate them. What does your succession planning look like to ensure future growth? Larry: From my point of view, it looks very good. Two grandchildren working in the business and doing very well is very encouraging. All we can do is continue to supply the market with the best possible product we can and continue to expand our customer base and the succession part will take care of itself. Denny: Hoping these kids will be ready to take it over. Then I can quit and spend more time fishing. Jake : I think slow and steady. Growth is important, but we can’t grow too fast. We must continue with quality customer service and a quality product. I think these are values that were passed down to me, and I hope to help pass them on to the new generations, like my new baby, Eli. He’d represent the fifth generation of our family business. Jessica : Our future growth will be based on continuing to offer quality products and customer service, and awareness of the industry trends. It’s also important to be aware and involved with what’s happening in Harrisburg and Washington, and understand how their decisions are going to affect our business. What trends do you expect to emerge in the future with regard to generational differences in the workplace? Larry: I don’t see much change, although, with a mandated minimum wage, I think there will be more automation. However,

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