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The Early Days
In the 1950s and early 60s, Dick Alexander was a successful lumber salesman for BC Lumber Industries in Burnaby, BC. His dream was to own his own wholesale contractor lumberyard, focusing on
outstanding customer service, quality products, and competitive prices.
In 1964, Dick and his wife, Delma, opened Dick’s Lumber on a one-acre site at 1050 Boundary Road in Burnaby. Dick handled lumber sales and delivered all loads himself while Delma managed the accounting. Three years later, Keith Sigvardsen joined Dick and Delma as a business partner, and over the years they enjoyed a successful 33-year partnership until Keith’s retirement in 2001.
Growing Up
By 1968, Dick’s had outgrown its Boundary Road location and moved to its present site at 2580 Gilmore Avenue in Burnaby. This store saw huge growth over the years; then in 1992, it was rebuilt to allow for the expansion of the hardware and finishing departments, as well as the much-needed room for export and administration offices. Today, this 13-acre site serves as Dick’s Lumber’s corporate headquarters, as well as the company’s largest lumberyard.
A second location was opened on a seven-acre site in Surrey, BC at 12433 – 80th Avenue in the mid-1980s. Dick’s could now supply quality building products to customers in BC’s fastest-growing municipality, and this store now serves contractors not only in the Surrey area, but throughout the central valley.
Dick’s opened a third location in 2003 on a two-acre site in North Vancouver at 160 Hanes Avenue. This store has enjoyed wonderful support from the North Shore community and has been a welcome addition to the company.
Family-Owned and Operated
Dick and Delma’s son, David Alexander gained valuable knowledge and experience beginning in 1974 as a yardman and truck driver before moving up to lumber sales and then taking on managerial duties of the Surrey store. David managed the store for seven years until becoming the Corporate General Manager in 1994.
Daughter Karen Reano joined the family business in 1999 to assist with the operational, administrative and promotional duties of the business. And four of Dick’s grandchildren carry on the family tradition by working in various areas of the company as well.
Dick Alexander passed away in 2005. Today, Delma, David, and Karen, along with hundreds of loyal and committed employees, continue to keep Dick’s dream alive by offering exceptional customer service, high-quality products and competitive prices to customers throughout British Columbia. |
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