Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 9

120 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 9 The secret behind the company’s internal success is maintaining a culture of personal growth, continuous improvement, and opportunity complemented by a vibrant, informal, and inclusive work environment. In addition, the firm offers training opportunities to staffers through a dedicated in-house training department set up about eight years ago. “One of our values is personal and professional growth, so we emphasize training and development,” says Rhone. “One of the ways we make training fun is offering staffers training that is required for their positions, as well as for things they are interested in. We believe this approach keeps people curious, moving forward, and constantly looking for ways to improve.” Weston Forest operates as a just-in-time (JIT) distributor, a focus tightly coupled to its operations. “We are always participating in the market and always buying inventory,” explains Rhone. “Our operations combine distribution and remanufacturing where we bring in wood species from all over North America and concentrate them in our various facilities. We then distribute them to end-use customers, other wholesale distribution channels, or transform them into value-added products like custom pallet components. Our promise to our customers is that we’ll have what you need, which means we are always sourcing for enough product.” Weston Forest’s operations have not escaped the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has compelled the company to run a tight ship considering supply chain disruptions, primarily affecting lumber supply. “Despite the supply challenges, implementing tight controls has had a positive impact on enabling us to turn our inventory over frequently and still have everything that our customers are asking us for,” shares Rhone. “Due to these tight controls, our volumes and revenue have increased year over year.”