Happy Holidays

Greetings Customers & Friends,

I hope everyone had some time to spend with family and friends over the Thanksgiving weekend. Many years ago, I closed up shop for four days over the Thanksgiving weekend to give employees a break to rest and hopefully spend some quality time with people close to them. Also, wanting the time off myself, and as was typical with my habits back then, I didn’t like to ask of others what I wasn’t willing to do myself. Everyone enjoyed the time off. Now, here we are decades later and things have certainly changed. We’re now promoting Black Friday specials. Who would have thought. I hate shopping. 😊

2024 was Parkerville’s best year ever since we began operations in 2006. The corporation was actually formed with the State of Connecticut in December 2005. In 2024, PWP finalized the purchase of a 65,000 board-foot lumber collection in Manchester, VT., finalized the relocation of fixtures, lumber, machinery, forklifts, and a flatbed truck from The Woodery in Lunenberg, MA,
and acquired our Downtown Manchester location at 49 Brainard Place. This year PWP has also invested significantly in industry-specific operating software that has been being built, and staff being trained since this past February. The system will “go live” in early February 2025. It’s a big project that we think will better serve our needs as well as help us in serving our customers’ requirements. Please be patient with us as we transition after the first of the year.

Next year, 2025 will be the 46th year since I began my career as a professional woodworker, forming a one-man operation called New England Country Woodworking. It all started in 1979, shortly after I finished 2 + years of service in the Peace Corps working in Ghana.

In the early 90’s the company name changed to Harris Enterprise Corp., with a DBA of Harris Woodworking. The Company was sold in 2003 to a group which didn’t have lumber sales in their future plan. While still employed there I negotiated to buy the hardwood sale portion of the business back from them and Parkerville was born. Harris Woodworking closed in 2008.

None of this would be possible without our unbelievable team that we have here at Parkerville. For all of them, I am forever grateful. Now, more than ever, I have to rely on my staff to grow the company to new levels. In 2024 PWP was fortunate to add Stacey Jones (VP of Operations) and Cathy Phelps (Business Analyst) to manage our front office. They make a great team and are doing a fantastic job, both eager to see the company grow.

For the past 5 years, Russ Foerschner has been managing our architectural millwork / large projects division with his team which includes Rob Calderoni, who has been with Parkerville for 8 years in various positions. For the past several years Rob has been our Senior Estimator. These two are responsible for maintaining workflow and important, valuable relationships with our commercial and larger residential customers. Brandon works with Russ to produce our shop drawings and provide engineering and programming for the equipment on the shop floor. Behind them is our work force on the floor, Mike, Chris, Brian, Sam, Skip, Gavin, and Krzysztof are the skilled force that make it happen.

Most of you that have visited us in the past have probably met Dave Norman. Dave is the face of our lumber division and greets most of our customers that come in our doors. He’s the one with a headset on and frequently sitting in front of his bank a half a dozen computer screens. His desk looks like command central. Dave has worked with me at Parkerville for just over 13 years. Dave is one of the hardest-working and most dedicated employees that I’ve ever had working with. Dave manages our front-end crew that services our walk-in customers. Scott, Matt, Nathan, Jeff, Kristian, Shane, Brenon, and most recently Keyshawn are the team that will assist you when you arrive. 

Brendan Harris is the middle of my 3 sons and has been hanging around the shop since he was a little boy. He has worked just about every job in the shop and after college and a few other things, he made his way back to Parkerville. It brings me indescribable joy every day to be able to work together with him. Brendan is a problem solver and does a little of everything here.

A little over 3 years ago, I formed a partnership with Mark Summers, as did my son Brendan. Mark is a tech entrepreneur and a PWP customer. Mark supports our vision and plan and has supported the growth of PWP. I’m thankful for the partnership with Mark and the relationship that we have developed with Mark and his family.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the support from all of you. You, our customers, are the reason for our success. We don’t take you for granted and will work hard every day to continue to earn your business and support. I feel fortunate to have made my living doing what I truly enjoy. I thank you all so much.

Don’t forget about our Downtown Super Sale this Saturday at our wood warehouse in downtown Manchester at 49 Brainard Place from 9-2, where we open our storage warehouse to the public for the last time this year.

I hope to see you there, and at our main shop at 580 Parker St.

Wishing you all peace, health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year. We will be here to help you.

Sincerely,

David Harris, President

Parkerville Wood Products, Inc.