Economy Lumber Company's products have built up Tulsa's skyline both new and old for the past eight decades.
"We don't have doors, windows, roofing or drywall - just lumber and plywood," said manager Michael Manley. "Oak hardwood lumber in 3-by-4s and 14-by-14s in up to 16-foot lengths and plywood come from mills in Missouri. We maintain a large yellow pine lumber and plywood inventory which, due to lower freight rates, delivered from Arkansas mills. Louisiana and Texas mills are used when necessary."
No frills, in other words. Economy Lumber has survived the "great" economic downturns, from Recession to Depression, by staying diversified in both the housing and supplying materials for major construction projects such as the BOK Center and ONEOK Field, the Tulsa Drillers' ballpark.
It wasn't always easy.
"During the 2008 housing crash many mills, logging companies, lumber, plywood and trucking companies closed down throughout the country," Manley said. "The housing industry drives the lumber and plywood (price) market and it appears to be improving such that some mills have reopened, but it will take a long time to reach 2008 levels. Many mill employees went to other industries and are not likely to return to the mills."
Harry H. Poarch Sr. started ELC with his wife Bertie Mae and brother Glenn after Poarch Brothers Lumber in Kingsport, Tenn., went bankrupt in 1927 during the Great Depression.
In 1932 Tulsa lumber entrepreneur Howard Hanna offered Poarch Sr. $200 per month to run his Tulsa facility, said son Harry H. Poarch Jr., 79, current ELC owner.
Economy Lumber first opened at 535 E. 5th St. near a rail spur in near-east downtown and has been Poarch family-owned ever since.
During the 1940s and 1950s the company built 200 homes in the Bartlesville, Collinsville and Tulsa metropolitan area through a subsidiary. Poarch Sr.'s "philosophy was to promote the lumber yard business by building houses - the goal being to make the lumber yard profitable. If any money was made on the sale of the houses, that was a plus," said Poarch Jr.
The company moved to its current location, 4221 E. Pine St., in 1984. Poarch Sr. died of a heart attack in 1957 and Bertie Mae died in 1978, his son said.
It is operated by third-generation members, including Manley and wife Cindy Poarch-Manley, corporate secretary, and Harry Jr.'s daughter. Bryce Manley is fourth generation and employed as yard supervisor.
Manley contended that Economy Lumber can beat the "big box" stores on price and service, including major projects.
"We have bid six-figure requirements (projects worth $100,000 or more) on occasion beating out these stores on price," he said. "To enhance our competitive position we belong to a building material buying group made up of 180 companies with 280 stores throughout the Midwest and southeast United States."
Economy Lumber has survived in a diminished sector. In 2010 Oklahoma Forestry Service officials said, "Oklahoma's forest industry is struggling with the economic downturn and a diminished home building market.
"The number of small sawmills is at a low level in state history, with operations closing or reducing their operations. Forestry no longer remains the attractive option for some landowners," says their report.
State forester John Burwell said some of the associated threats - insect or disease outbreaks, wildfire, drought and urban sprawl - have been mapped, but the greatest threat to the timber industry is the stalled housing market.
Warehouses are full of construction materials, and consumers have cut back on their usage of paper goods. This has resulted in less site preparation and planting, which hurts sales of seedlings and chemical applications.
Manley said the company is 90 percent wholesale, but it is open to the public.
Economy Lumber Company
Address: 4221 E. Pine St.
Founded: 1934
Owner: Harry H. Poarch Jr.
Employees: 10
Phone: 918-835-4933
Fax: 918-835-4935
Email: lumber@elctulsa.com
Link: tulsaworld.com/EconLumber
Phil Mulkins 918-699-8888
phil.mulkins@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Building on lumber
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