Brandon McGuyer is the vice president and operations manager at B&R Lumber was founded in 1958 by Brandon’s grandfather and now is owned by his father, Bobby. The company manufactures block and stringer styles using high-level automation, including robotics and an integrated sawmill to produce high-quality, food-grade pallets.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever received?
McGuyer: Your employees make the business. I think that holds true for most any company. The integrity of our products truly does depend on the people who have their hands on them every day.
Pallet Enterprise: Have you recently started pursuing any new markets/product lines?
McGuyer: We have recently dabbled in the reconditioned pallet market due to one customer’s needs. It’s definitely a tough time to be in recycling for many, but we believe the market will recover in time.
Pallet Enterprise: What is one thing you do at your company that is different from other pallet companies?
McGuyer: We specialize in clean, dry, food-grade pallets to a level that is very unique in the industry. We have a lot of storage under roof and a great process that has proven successful for many years.
Pallet Enterprise: What is one of the hardest business decisions you have ever made?
McGuyer: Having to cut log prices due to a market downturn. Material suppliers are critical in the pallet business. Some of the smaller guys really feel the drop come directly out of their weekly paycheck.
Pallet Enterprise: How do you go about your workday to stay productive and on target?
McGuyer: I make a list each afternoon for the next day’s plans and goals. Each new day seems to have a unique situation or breakdown that requires some shuffling around to make everything work. My notes help me recover after having to change my original plan to stay on point.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the biggest challenge your company is currently facing?
McGuyer: Like many companies, dependable labor. Thirty years ago, training for many individual jobs in our facility could be accomplished in a few hours or a day. Now, due to our high level of automation, training can take weeks or longer for most positions.
