Christmas 2024
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” ~Shedd
As we celebrate this Christmas season, I am reminded of the incredible story of risk and trust that surrounds the birth of Jesus. Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, their trust in God's plan despite the uncertainties, and the risks they took to bring Jesus into the world inspire us deeply. This story, found in Luke 2:4-7, highlights the faith and courage required to embrace the unknown and trust in a greater plan.
Just as Mary and Joseph trusted in God's plan and took significant risks, we too have embraced new opportunities and challenges with faith and determination. Our expansion into new markets, including the Carolinas, Alabama, Florida, and Texas, and the acquisition of Cedar Supply, reflect our commitment to growth and our belief in the potential of these ventures.
2024 has been a year of remarkable growth for Contract Lumber. We have expanded our footprint significantly, opening new facilities and setting volume records for shipments company-wide. These milestones are a testament to our collective hard work and dedication. As exciting as our emerging market activity has been our established markets have also performed at a very high level exceeding customer expectations time and again - cementing decades old business relationships with some of our most valued customers.
We are incredibly grateful for our loyal employees and customers. Your unwavering support and investment in our growth plans have been instrumental in our achievements. By taking care of our employees, we ensure that they, in turn, take care of our customers, creating a cycle of excellence and care that defines Contract Lumber.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited about the opportunities that lie before us. Our goal is to deepen our relationships within our expanded footprint and create additional opportunities for our employees. We are committed to remaining customer-focused and agile, ready to respond to the needs of those we serve.
On a personal note, my travels across our various markets this year have been incredibly rewarding. Hearing new customers express their desire to do more business with Contract Lumber is a true testament to our dedicated employees and their customer-focused approach. This reinforces my belief that with a flat, agile organization, nothing can stand in the way of our continued success.
Merry Christmas to everyone - if you’re looking for peace I pray you find it in Jesus Christ this season.
Sincerely,
Jim Bieser
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”