For those who just came here and those of us who have been here a long time, this a fine place to be. All of us are reaping the benefits given us by two generations who built a solid foundation for our industry, and a third generation now coming into its own. Not unlike our great country, which came into its own under third generation Americans: Washington, Jefferson, and Madison.
Our first generation leaders, like the late Dwight Hikel, had to possess the tenacity to build a new industry during turbulent, boom or bust cycles, separated from the lumber yards where most of them began. They had to develop the tools, like labor-measurement and mechanization, which systematized their businesses, and produced the profits that enabled growth.
Our second generation leaders, like Dwight’s son Joe, solidified the foundation built by their Dads. They refined the processes mostly underway and computerized them. They began building the factories that would give them competitive advantages. And when, 10 years ago, the economy failed them, they had their Dads to bolster them.
Now our third generation leaders, like Joe Hikel’s sons Jason and Ryan, face no fewer challenges, but they (and we) have been blessed with the collective wisdom and systems of those who preceded them. And they (and we) benefit from a housing industry that seems to have stabilized and come of age. When their grandfathers pioneered this industry, would they have believed that tens of millions of square feet of high density, 4 and 5 story housing would now be componentized? Yes, this component industry is a fine place to be.
Joe Kannapell
3rd Generation American