By Dimitra Lavrakas

ince 2007, Pacific Alaska Lumber, or PAL, has provided wood products that not only look good but stand the test of time, and it does so with high marks for client satisfaction. As the company motto says, “We measure our success one client at a time.”

“First and foremost, it is our staff and their extensive product knowledge,” says PAL President Vint Jones. “We help clients decipher complex specifications and make sure they get the correct product for the job. Equally important is our knowledge of the unique logistics requirements of shipping throughout Alaska. We make sure the right product gets to the right location in a timely and efficient manner.”

Jones tried his hand at sales and found it a better fit, eventually moving into commercial sales under Director of Operations Stan Smith at Spenard Builders Supply.

“He’s probably one of my biggest mentors, in terms of what I’m doing now,” he says.

Jones moved to Washington to be near his father, who was dealing with cancer. While there, he worked for wholesale timber trading organization Pacific Western Lumber and learned the process of purchasing from mills and selling lumber to a wide variety of customers throughout Alaska.

Pacific Alaska Lumber doesn’t fell trees and mill them; it works with numerous mills in the Pacific Northwest to source lumber to meet client specifications. In addition to providing lumber, engineered wood products, building supplies, and more, it works with subcontractors to make custom industrial ground mats for use in the construction and oil industries.

Jumping into lumber trading at a time when the US housing bubble had burst was a significant challenge. But Jones said it presented unique opportunities: mills whose “order” files were stagnant were more willing to work with a new company that might be able to move their product.

Gary Newman specializes in solid sawn timbers and glulam beams for all types of timber frame construction. He has a wealth of knowledge in the fabrication of timber and glulam to prepare them for their job specific use.

Bryan Borovec is the company’s treatment specialist. His vast knowledge of available wood treatments allows him to find just the right treatment for every application ranging from railroad ties and remote boardwalks to marine pilings or exposed wood in a commercial structure.

Jones notes that the company would not succeed without office manager Patti Smith, who “pretty much does it all.” Smith came on board at the very beginning and has been instrumental in the company’s success.

The staff of five operate two locations: one in Lakewood, Washington, and the second in Anchorage.

“We’ve formed relationships with a network of vendors and manufacturers to ensure our customers can be confident they’re getting quality products at the best available price,” says Jones.

Pacific Alaska Lumber has provided nearly a million mainline railroad ties over the past eighteen years, for Alaska Railroad Corporation’s tie replacement and maintenance program.

“Additionally, we have provided a wide variety of other treated and non-treated wood products to include trestle/bridge timbers, walkway planks, shims, and wedge blocks,” he says.

Alaska Railroad Corporation Contract Administrator Lee Thompson says Jones has his bidding process dialed in and never fails to deliver a solid product.

“I don’t know that he’s ever lost a bid. He’s been our supplier for years and years, and just does a great job,” Thompson says. “His ties always come in in excellent shape, exactly what we need.”

“We’ve really focused on diversification, so we don’t get into the position of having all our eggs in one basket,” Jones says. “Structural timber, to put it in baseball terms, those are our singles. That’s consistent, year in, year out at around 10 to 25 percent.”

Jones says membership in the Associated General Contractors of Alaska has been helpful in securing future work and making connections.

“The two biggest benefits are access to your Plans Room and being listed in your members directory, which has put our name in front of new potential customers,” he says.

Pacific Alaska Lumber has built a broad and diverse network of mills which has proven to be as valuable as its broad and diverse network of customers. “Most of our wood comes from the Pacific Northwest, primarily Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. For certain species we have vendors in British Columbia, Asia and South America that we use,” Jones says.

He says he sees Pacific Alaska Lumber’s primary job as providing a quality product at a competitive price for customers.

“If that means doing something a bit different tomorrow than we did yesterday, we’re willing and able to change with the times,” Jones says.