When you think of delivering "what you want, when you want it", who today comes first to mind? For most of us, it's likely to be Amazon Prime.
But who envisioned this same business ethos as early as the 1910's and 1920's? How about Weyerhaeuser Company? Huhhh? Weyerhaeuser indeed. Although we think of logging and lumber as the foundation of the company, they were also leaders in sales and marketing during the early days. The following photo of the Snoqualmie Falls sawmill in 1919 makes it seem a little incongruous for the company to be worried about delivering what customers want when they want it. Such monster logs were challenge enough.
Photo courtesy University of Washington Libraries, KIN075, Darius Kinsey photographer, circa 1919
Most certainly Weyerhaeuser's logging and milling technology led the way, but their sales force was also among the best with an extensive warehouse distribution system spread around the country - truly unique during this period. Weyerhaeuser's focus on export markets also set the standard. They defined the problem/opportunity faced by the more than 35,000 lumber retailers they supplied as: ‘Where can I find a mill that will give me what I want in the least possible time?’ Sounds like Amazon. The Weyerhaeuser Salesman's Log dated July 14, 1922 describes the extent to which they were willing to go in this pursuit - taking 80 key customers and sales people on a round trip multi-week train voyage from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Everett and Snoqualmie and back again.
What I admire most about business leaders such as Bezos and Frederick Weyerhaeuser is their ability and patience to maintain a long term vision and outlook in the face of conventional wisdom - in sharp contrast to Wall Street and national/local politicians who look no further than their wallet. The lack of greed and their caring for the welfare of others is also prominent in both men. We have much to learn from these leaders and from our history.
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