Archives

Doug's Take On Things - The Lumber Business Ain't What It Used To Be... And That's The Good News

James Hardie® Boothbay Blue Fiber Cement Siding

When most people think of a lumberyard in the traditional sense of the word, they envision stacks of 2x4’s, 2x10’s, pre-cut studs and lots of wood products.  Today’s modern lumberyard provides so much more, including engineered wood products (I-joists, laminated beams and LVL’s), finger joint and primed boards (Windsor One), composite decking (Portico and Procell), PVC trim boards (Kleer), cement fiber siding (James Hardie), medium density fiber board (MDF) and ultra-lite fiber board moulding and trim (KB Ultra) just to name a few.  Let’s not forget the various types of tools, fasteners and hangers required to properly install these products - from pneumatic stainless steel to hot dipped galvanized and Yorktown copper flashing.  It has certainly become a much more technical environment.

Do you remember when every load of lumber went out with a simple 50 lb carton of 10d common, 8d common or 7d cement coated coolers?  How often did we hear “Don’t forget to send some nail aprons,” to hold all of those hand driven nails. Wow, how times have changed!

Sometimes I get nostalgic for the good ol’ days, when my job as a lumberyard operator and your job as a contractor were simpler and much less technically oriented.  However, these new products have been very instrumental in growing our business, and I believe that these new products will contribute greatly in enhancing the outcome and profitability of your projects.

My goal for Kuiken Brothers is to be able to provide our professional contractor customers the latest in new, brand name products along with the expertise required to sell them.  I strongly urge you to embrace the “New Era” in construction and learn as much as you can about these new products.  Try them on your next project.  I firmly believe you and your customers will find it mutually beneficial and rewarding.  

It’s not just about wood anymore.

Douglas Kuiken
President
Kuiken Brothers Company, Inc.

++ Back to top ++

DCI Door Acquisiton

On December 8th, 2005 Kuiken Brothers Company purchased the assets of Director Commercial Industries, LLC (DCI). DCI has offered its customers a fully coordinated package of quality doors, frames, and hardware for the past 25 years. Now, with its operations and capabilities merging with those of our subsidiary - Elmwood Supply in Garfield, New Jersey - we will be able to serve you more completely than ever before. The DCI acquisition enables us to provide their expertise and entire product line - including Pioneer Industries' hollow metal doors - over a significantly enlarged delivery area. The complete interior "package" will now be available through Elmwood Supply. With one call you now have access to products stocked in great variety and depth: drywall, steel studs, commercial ceiling tiles and grid, wood doors and hardware, hollow metal frames and doors, as well as custom hardware. For more information, please call Ken Kuiken, Vice President and manager at Elmwood Supply. He can be reached at (973) 772-0044. www.ElmwoodSupply.com

++ Back to top ++

We are pleased to announce the opening of our newest showroom, KB Concepts, in Morris County, NJ this Spring. The KB Concepts showroom will be a professional, consultative environment designed as a destination for custom builders, remodelers, architects and your clients. Featuring over 30 unique window, kitchen and millwork displays in real home settings, a walk through KB Concepts will help you and your clients envision the latest in design and innovation for any new home or remodeling project. 35 Route 10 East Succasunna Morris County, NJ - Minutes from Route 80 exit 30.

Coming soon: Our 7th lumberyard location. Located directly behind the KB Concepts Showroom, this new 12 acre site located in the heart of Morris County will provide all of the products and services you have come to expect from Kuiken Brothers. Stay tuned for more information at www.KuikenBrothers.com/kbconcepts.

++ Back to top ++

Kuiken Brothers Hires Millwork Manager

We are pleased to announce that Dan Hughes has accepted a position with Kuiken Brothers Company as our Millwork Manager.

The role of Millwork Manager is a new position for KBCo. With a strong and expanding emphasis on millwork at KBCo, it has become increasingly important to have someone of Dan’s caliber managing and solidifying our efforts. Moving forward, Dan will oversee our efforts for all millwork related products to include kitchens, doors, windows, miscellaneous millwork, etc.  Dan will be working closely with all levels of KBCo management and our vendors to successfully enhance our millwork selection, showrooms, sales and operations.

Previously, Dan worked for the Andersen Window Corporation for approximately ten years. Over the past four years, Dan has been involved with a company which marketed, sold and installed kitchens, doors, trim and general millwork. As you can see, Dan has a wealth of knowledge and experience which he will be able to immediately apply to the KBCo operations.  Dan is open to all suggestions and input.  Feel free to call, write, or send him an email if you think that we can improve our service to you in the millwork category.

Daniel Hughes
Millwork Manager
Email:  dhughes@kuikenbrothers.com
Phone:  201.652.5705 ext. 352
Fax:  201.652.0111

++ Back to top ++

New Stock Products

Tendura – New Color!
Tendura is now available in a medium gray that will fade to a light natural weathered gray which requires no painting. 

TenduraPlank provides the traditional beauty of a tongue-and-groove porch without the splitting, cracking, or splintering of fir or treated lumber. By combining the warmth of wood with the durability of plastic in a composite material, TenduraPlank is made to last a lifetime.

Buyers Note:  Kuiken Brothers stocks what is known as TenduraPlank Classic in the 3 1/8” face – 8’, 10’ & 12’ lengths.  The classic product comes pre-primed on all 6 sides (does not need priming before installation) and is ready for a topcoat of either alkyd or latex paint.  The classic product is also available as special order in 14 & 16’ lengths and they also (as of last year) have 5 ¼” face flooring available in all the above mentioned lengths.  The 3 mouldings they offer for nosing are available in a half round, quarter round and ogee profiles – all mouldings are 10’ lengths. KBCo location stocked at:            
www.tendura.com

Procell Decking. 
Forerunners of the Composite Decking Category:
People are choosing Procell Decking Systems over all other leading decking brands for the same reasons: longer life, longer color retention and more compliments from the neighbors.

1. Solid core PVC technology
2. No wood fillers that can compromise color retention
3. Colorfast solutions from Americhem® for longer lasting, vibrant colors
4. Advanced UV inhibitors to prevent thermal breakdown and provide cooler surface temperatures
5. Embossed wood grain texture gives the classic look of stained wood
6. Insect and termite resistant
7. Environmentally friendly, contains no harmful chemicals
8. Stocked in Clay, Slate Grey, Brownstone and Ivory.

Kuiken Brothers will now be stocking Procell Decking at our Midland Park location (can be transferred to all other locations within 2 days)

Product Upgrades

NEW! Andersen® 400 Series High-Performance™ Low-E4™ Glass
Andersen® recently announced that their 400 Series products will now be manufactured with Low-E4™ glass, the next generation of energy-efficient, low-maintenance glass.

1. Protective film on the inner and outer glass surfaces – saves time and money on masking and cleaning.
2. Low-maintenance exterior glass coating – reduces water spots up to 99% when activated by sunlight.
3. This glass will also continue to deliver on the great benefits that Andersen® High Performance glass is known for
4. Low-E4 glass is an Andersen exclusive that is standard on Andersen® 400 Series Products

Portico - New Color!

Portico is adding to their product selection with a brand new color, Brown.
Our customers had great success with Portico in 2005.  In fact, our customers purchased so much Portico last year that if all of  boards were placed end to end, the boards would stretch from our Wantage yard all the way to Philadelphia, PA!  We are looking forward to another great decking season. Stop by all of our lumberyards for samples and information.

++ Back to top ++

++ Back to top ++

Upcoming Events:

Kuiken Brothers Product Expo 2006
Yes, it is the year of the expo.  Stay tuned for more information on the days events, including new products from featured vendors, installation seminars, Architect AIA credit opportunities, and much more! 

Features:

Architect’s Tab ~ A new feature to KuikenBrothers.com.!
This new architect’s tab will have a listing of all of our vendors that offer AIA/CES credit opportunities, many of which are certified for health, safety and welfare.  Choose which classes you are interested in and we will put you in contact with that vendor to set up a session.  Also, this tab will give you easy access to the CAD drawings of our KB Mouldings. www.kuikenbrothers.com/architects

++ Back to top ++