L.G. Isaacson Co. Appreciates Its Longevity and Loyal Customers

Date: April 04, 2018

L.G. Isaacson Co. has not only helped Pacific Northwest locals for over 100 years but it has successfully kept the business a family matter.

“The L.G. Isaacson Co. was founded in Aberdeen, Washington–a coastal logging and lumber

town in Western Washington–by my grandfather L.G. Isaacson in 1911.  He was 38 years old at the time and was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He arrived in the United States in about 1900. We are the fourth-generation in the small family business. We have 15 employees with seven being Isaacsons,” said current owner and NFIB member Charlie Isaacson.

L.G. Isaacson’s business model is an industrial supply distributor that caters to its base industry of forest products like logging and lumber mills. It also works with industrial contractors. The business operates out of three locations in Washington–Aberdeen, Longview, and Tumwater.

With such a long track record, the Isaacsons have learned quite a bit about how to run a competitive business.

“Our uniqueness comes from four generations that value longtime employees, customers, and suppliers. Being a small business in a changing marketplace, we must continue to sell to people who value service at a fair price,” he said. “We have been able to adapt to the changes in the marketplace by having good relationships with customers and suppliers over the years.”

Although L.G. Isaacson has found its niche alongside other larger industrial supply distributors, it still faces issues that many other small business owners across the country know too well.

“One of our biggest challenges continues to be hiring people with a work ethic that fits L.G. Isaacson. Many are lacking which is a large concern going forward,” he said.

NFIB recently revealed in their Small Business Optimism Index that hiring competent workers remains the largest problems for small business owners.

“The success has been having long-term dedicated employees  who like working for a solid small family business,” Isaacson said. “I am enthused about the future of L.G. Isaacson. Whether online or brick-and-mortar, good business people will fill a need for the customer.  We are problem solvers and not order takers.”

After many years at work, Isaacson plans on retiring relatively soon. He wants to pass the L.G. Isaacson torch to the next generation of Isaacsons.  

 

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