Page 8 - CMA PROfiles Summer 2015

ASSOCIATE OF THE QUARTER

Roberts Plywood Several years ago, Roberts Plywood began stocking hardwoods in

addition to their traditional plywood/veneer offerings. “The first
hardwood item I procured was teak, for the boat builders I did busi-
ness with,” Scott said. “Then a potential customer told me he needed
Beguiled by Boughs solid Wenge instead of plywood. I asked my dad if I could buy some.
He said, ‘No.’ I asked again and he said, ‘No.’ After the 100th time,
he gave in, saying, ‘Do what you want; you don’t listen anyway.’
by Jessica Sinnott
But I was listening to my customer.” Scott was right to listen to his
he sight of lumber from around the world and the smell of exotic customers; today, he stocks 89 different species of hardwood ranging
woods greet visitors of Roberts Plywood, a timber supplier the alphabet from Afromosia to Ziricote. While some products are
T established in Deer Park, NY in 1977. The company’s second- stocked at the request of customers, Scott uses his expertise to pick
generation owner, Scott Roberts, says that his business is built on a varieties he finds attractive. “I recently received some double thick,
love of beautiful wood.
wire brushed white oak. I knew it ‘wood’ be a hit. I brought in 80
sheets and sold it all, and now have more on order,” he reported.
Scott started working in his family’s plywood business at a young
age. “Back in grade school, I mowed the lawn, swept the warehouse, Other varieties include Pau Ferro rosewood, African Palisander,
and did light work when I wasn’t in class,” he remembered, “and as I huge German oak flitch logs, veneered panels in zebrawood, figured
grew, so did my responsibilities.” In his teen years, Scott worked full- sycamore, French walnut, Swiss pear wood and many others. “Many
time in the summer and during school breaks. He also learned about people come into the warehouse and feel like they are in wood
heaven,” Scott laughed.
plywood production—from veneer grading to the glue spreader, cold
press, hot press, sanding, trimming, inspecting and packaging—while The breathtaking variety of lumber available at Roberts Plywood
working at Darlington Veneer in Darlington, SC for a summer.
allows customers to make their woodworking projects truly unique.
“I always try to talk with my clients and connect with their projects,”
Scott remembers how the company’s product offerings started to
expand with increased customer demand. “Our customers and sales- the owner said. Many customers bring their architect or designer,
or they are an architect or designer bringing their customer. In these
people expressed growing interest in more than the basic domestic
woods,” he said, “and as we started stocking more exotics, I fell in cases, Scott ascertains the parameters of the project, the customer’s
love.” Pinkish Bubinga from Equatorial Africa, Cedar-like Sapelle style and taste, and budget to make a recommendation. “I try not
Pommele, dark Wenge, dramatic Macassar Ebony and the delicate pin the decision to a certain price point,” he said, “but if budget is a
swirls of burls stirred a life-long interest in wood. “These products determining factor, I have several go-to woods that are rich-looking
but also economical.”
gave me great pride in my business and prompted me to learn more. I
read books, listened to the elders, and visited veneers mills domesti- Business today is good, Scott reports, although he says he sometimes
cally and in Europe. I learned a lot and hopefully my kids can get the must suppress his “tool envy” for European machinery. “A well-made
same experience one day.”
and -maintained saw from Germany is good for 40+ years!” he ex-
claimed. “I also have a great fondness for some of the older, cast-iron
American machinery.” Another major struggle is in the department of
skilled labor. “Luckily, I have found many friends from the European
community who are excellent, and I look forward to working with
them for the next 40 years,” he said.
Scott says he is blessed to be able to work with something he is
passionate about. “I truly do love wood,” he said. He added, “I have
many to thank for our growth over the years, starting with my mom
and dad, who put a lot of hard work and time into growing the busi-
ness. We also have many great employees who have been with us
for more than 20 years. These great people are more like family than
coworkers, I have known them for so long. I also would not be where
I am without my many wonderful customers.” ❖

8 PROFILES • Volume 15 • Issue 3, 2015 • www.cabinetmakers.org