By Kathy Bowen Stolz
“My dream is to have my own lumber yard,” a young Doug Ashy would tell his wife Claire.
And 60 years ago that dream became a reality when he leased a small lumberyard on Johnston Street in Lafayette with the financial help of a silent partner’s $30,000. “I don’t know how we did it with $30,000, but we did,” Doug marveled.
He and Claire also marveled that the company survived a fire that destroyed their original location. Its survival was thanks to the generosity of their competitors, who offered their trucks, their merchandise, their warehouses, whatever was needed to put them back in business. The small company that started with one delivery truck and four employees has grown to 11 locations across Louisiana and now employs more than 350 employees!
“Seeing the business grow over the years has been a source of deep pride for our family. We are so thankful to the community we serve and are always trying to find the best ways to show gratitude to our customers,” Steven Ashy, Jr., CEO, said.
To commemorate its 60th anniversary, Doug Ashy Building Materials was in the midst of collecting raffle tickets to give away a $6,000 gift certificate to its stores on March 28 when the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic changed their plans. Because the country was sheltering in place, the anniversary celebration was postponed.
“The community has really showed its resilience during these tough times. Our employees have worked really hard during this pandemic to adapt, and our customers just keep on working hard as ever. The people in this industry are just tough as nails. My grandfather always said to his employees that you better get to the store before our customers do because these people have work to do,” Steven, Jr., stated.
Upon the retirement of founders Doug and Claire Ashy in 2002, the business was entrusted their three sons – Steve, Doug, Jr., and Kenny Ashy. Under the leadership of the three brothers, the business expanded with the purchase of lumberyards in Breaux Bridge, Covington and Lake Charles. The brothers also expanded the Ashy brand to include a specialty store, Louisiana Building Specialties, LLC, which sells premium custom doors and windows.
Steve, Sr., explained, “We always listen to the customer and find ways to get them what they need to build nicer, bigger and better things. The decision to expand was based on many factors but really just came back to one thing – providing better materials and service to our customers. We hire people to travel the country to find the latest and greatest products in the construction industry to bring into our stores. This is what makes our company a bit unique. Our customers are professionals. They know a lot. We have to constantly educate our employees so these professionals have exactly what they need.”
Over the past three years, the three Ashy brothers retired from the business, and their sons stepped into leadership roles. Doug “DJ” Ashy, III, son of Doug Ashy, Jr., was promoted from vice president to president in 2018. In 2019, Steven Ashy, Jr., became the company’s new CEO, and his brother Michael Ashy was promoted to executive vice president. In 2020 Cullen Ashy was made vice president of operations.
Steven, Sr., stated, “My brothers and I like to say we grew up in the business, but these boys actually grew up in these lumberyards. They know this business inside and out. Each one has been mentored for years. We are so proud of them. They bring so much energy and spirit to work. They won’t just carry on the family business. I really think they’re going to make it better.”
Steven, Jr., added, “We all grew up in the stores. Some of my first and greatest memories were formed between the green roofs and the tiled floors of our various locations. We always knew we were going to join the business.” Three of the four earned business management degrees from LSU to help prepare them.
The company’s board of directors includes the four Ashy cousins and trusted advisors with various professional backgrounds. The board makes all of the important company decisions. “We really have great team of advisers that provide us with good information,” Steven, Jr., emphasized.
“We also have great managers in our stores. All of the store managers are long-term employees that really understand how to take care of our customers,” stated Steven, Jr.
And that’s a typical story for Doug Ashy Building Materials employees. Most employees join the company when they are young and keep working for the Ashys. Danny Melancon, the Lake Charles store manager, has a typical story. “I started with the Ashys right out of high school. Basically, I did it all. Swept the floors, drove the truck, sales, dispatch and management.”
That cross-training pays off. Jerry Habbit, who has been with the company for more than 50 years, said, “We have the most proficient expertise people that I’ve seen anywhere in any lumber yard.”
Jerry recalls his first day of work, “I called my cousin Doug, Sr., in 1970 after I was discharged from the military and said I needed a job. Without missing a beat, Doug said ‘You start tomorrow, and, if you prove yourself, the sky is the limit.’” Jerry currently works in contractor sales.
As Steven, Jr., explained, “Our employees really take care of the customers, and we love them for it. We mostly hire locals and rarely recruit outside of the town unless it’s to bring in someone with special expertise. That’s how we’ve been successful.”
DJ agreed, “Our employees are like family to us. I actually have known some employees my whole life. Their loyalty and commitment to serving our customers is remarkable. We are very proud of the team we have.”
The modest business founded in 1960 now reaches across the State of Louisiana from Lake Charles in the west to the Covington store just north of New Orleans. Doug Ashy serves the entire Acadiana area with its locations in Lafayette, Breaux Bridge, Rayne, New Iberia and Ville Platte. It has four locations in its home base of Lafayette: two full service lumber yards plus Louisiana Drywall & Roofing Specialties and Louisiana Building Specialties.
Under the leadership of Doug, Sr., the company also added two specialty stores in Lafayette: Doug Ashy Rentals and Doug Ashy Flooring and Decorating Center. Doug, Jr., noted, “We just felt that we could provide the one-stop shopping experience my father envisioned by adding these two stores, and they have been wonderfully successful over the years. His ideas were really ahead of their time.”
Michael added, “The goal of our stores is to offer our customers everything they need to build or remodel a home with the best and latest and greatest products. We have created entire departments to provide a one-stop shopping experience for doors and windows, paint, flooring, decorating, kitchen and bath design, millwork, cabinet shop and rentals. We cater to both contractors and DIYs [do-it-yourselfers]. If you want to build something – start where the professionals start – at Doug Ashy.”
DJ noted that “We’re ahead of the curve when it comes to new technology. Utilizing the latest technology, we are able to match colors, to design decks and to lay out kitchens to fit your specific needs. We know time is cost in this industry, so we invest in technology as much as possible to save our customers time.”
Cullen continued, “Our company has an advanced delivery system that utilizes a fleet of over 60 vehicles that include pickups, boom trucks, Moffit trucks and millwork trailers of various sizes to ensure that the materials are brought to the job sites undamaged and on time. We go above and beyond to get the materials on the jobsite undamaged and on time.”
When it comes to pricing, DJ noted, “We belong to Lumbermen’s Merchandising Corporation (LMC), which is the largest building material buying group in the country. LMC Dealers are part of something bigger, an elite network of over 370 members with more than 1,300 locations in all 50 states and the Bahamas. Together they represent over $12 billion in combined retail sales. LMC gives us the purchasing power we need to stay competitive, and they also keep us updated on new and innovative products.”
The four cousins now inherit the business in the midst of a pandemic. But their fathers are not nervous. Steven, Sr., spoke for all: “They know what to do. They’re going to take care of the customers first – whatever that may be. That is what we taught them to do. That is what our father taught us to do. For some, it’s a slogan. For us, it’s all we know.”
For more information on Doug Ashy Building Materials, visit www.dougashy.com or any of its stores.