Craftsmen Hardwoods

In the summer of 1996, Rob Weber, now owner of Craftsmen, faced the life-altering experience of a spinal cord injury due to a tree cutting accident. After several months of rehab, he was offered the idea of selling hardwood lumber by a friend and business acquaintance, Murray Martin, of Mar-Span Home Hardware. Having noted a number of woodworking shops in the southern Ontario region, Murray saw potential for the distribution of furniture grade lumber. Because Rob was raised in the rural Drayton community, it only seemed natural to establish the business close to home.

In October 1996, after meeting with a prospective supplier and some potential customers, Craftsmen opened its doors for business, with a plan to offer good- old-fashioned service and integrity. The business was operated by Rob and one part-time employee, as well as occasional help with accounting from Rob’s sister.

The first location was a 2,700 square foot Quonset hut on a narrow side road, with a very primitive yard. Over the years, Craftsmen has relocated, and twice more than doubled its warehouse size. Today, we have a 35,000 square foot humidity and temperature controlled warehouse in Drayton’s new Industrial Park, featuring a drive-through bay for loading our curtain-side delivery trucks, and for receiving incoming shipments to ensure product remains in a dry environment.

Currently there are 19 full-time employees serving on our Team. They are the heartbeat of this company – from order desk to shipping/receiving to delivery, purchasing and on through administration. Each department is like a spoke in a wheel. All are needed to make it complete; and things “turn” better when we all fulfil our role to the best of our ability. I tip my hat to our Team for their conscious effort in filling our mission and core values.