HARDWOOD RECORD 



39 



,1;AI; \ IV.W (IF I'LANT. NORTH CRANCII FLOOltl.N'Ci COJIPANY. 



ncss. paying only slight attention to the hard- 

 wood feature. As such it continued for eighteen 

 years, but being keenly observant of trade condi- 

 tions and of the growth of Chicago, it was soon 

 apparent to the oflicials of the company that the 

 manufacture of hardwood flooring was fast com- 

 ing to be a great factor in the industry. 



Accordingly the business was reorganized in 

 1906. The officers elected, who are still serving. 

 were: W. C. Hull, president: F. II. I.ongenecker, 

 vice-president, and H. F. Brand, .secretary. The 

 first two gentlemen are vice-president and sales 

 manager respectively of the Oval Wood Dish 

 Company of Traverse City, Mich., and men of 

 wide activity. yU\ Hull is the moving spirit of 

 the Michigan company, reputed to be one of tlie 

 largest of its kind in the world. It manufac- 

 tures wood dishes and clothes pins that And their 

 way to the markets of the world. 



The determination of these men to devote their 

 energies entirely to the manufacture of hardwood 

 flooring proved their wisdom. Three years is a 

 short term in which to establish any business, 

 but a concern that handles 000,000 feet of 

 mapie and 150.000 feet of oak every twenty- 

 four days is surely making splendid progress. 

 The company has not always found progress 

 smooth sailing, for in 1907. a year after the 

 reorganization, lire completely destroyed its 

 plant. But "from ashes cities rise"' found ap- 

 plication here. 



The present plant is modern in every sense. 



In the manufacturing department there are nine 

 machines — four flooring and live end-matching 

 machines. These machines are of the latest pat- 

 tern, the product of the American Wood Work- 

 ing Machinery Company's Aurora plant. There 

 are five dry-kilns having a capacity of 40,000 

 feet each. The yards are arranged with great 

 convenience along the north branch of the Chi- 

 cago river, and property immediately across the 

 street has just been added owing to increased 

 business. 



The company has seyenty-flve employes in all 

 departments. The highest grade of skilled labor 

 Is the rule of the company and it is widely 

 stated that the North Branch Flooring Company 

 lias one of the best organizations of any similar 

 loncern in the United States. The officials them- 

 selves sa.v that they aim always to get the best 

 labor and to treat their men as men. Because 

 of this there have been mighty few resignations. 



The North Branch Flooring Company makes a 

 specialty of maple flooring in the ratio of three 

 lo one. The lumber is obtained from the Oval 

 Wood Dish Company direct, an arrangement that 

 insures the best quality that money can buy and 

 selected stock as well. The oak is purchased in 

 the open market, but here also the same fixed 

 purpose of "buy nothing but the best" obtains. 



In the manufacture of maple flooring this con- 

 cern stands among the highest. One feature 

 ^\hioh it emphasizes is the manner in which the 

 fl(»c)ring is prepared. Instead of a square groove 



into which the tongue fits the under edge of the 

 top lips of the groove is rounded so that the 

 tongue will not interfere with the nails. The 

 rounded edge insures an even surface of the 

 finished floor. By a series of tests the company 

 has demonstrated that a perfectly smooth floor 

 always results. Similarly the same attention is 

 paid in the preparation of each piece of flooring, 

 insuring uniform accuracy. The flooring ma- 

 chines, it might be stated in this counection. 

 were made from special patterns prepared by 

 .Mr. Brand and the superintendent of the plant, 

 after an experience of many ye.nrs. 



The company supplies the yard trade and con- 

 tractors direct. The business is confined entirely 

 10 Chicago, though the officials state that it is 

 I he only exclusive hardwood flooring concern in 

 the state. Standard widths are made, of course, 

 yet the equipment is suited to all special sizes 

 desired. 



The personal equation in this company must 

 not be overlooked. The man who directs its 

 forces is the genial and strong H. ,F. Brand, for 

 thirty-five years identified with the local lumber 

 business. One may go far to find a man with a 

 l\indlier spirit. Around three score yeiirs of age, 

 he shows no trace of the devastation of time and 

 never a day"s work does he miss. He is without 

 ceremony and show, and is one of those who 

 frees, knows and acts, and while not laying claim 

 to the prophetic, he is shaping in his small way 

 '•he destiny of the trade. 



.MAMF.VCTI'UINi; DEPARTMENT. NORTH BRAMll 

 FLOORING COMPANY. 



i:xti:ri()i; 



VI KW OF PLANT. NORTH BRANCH 

 FLOOR ING COMPANY. 



