Being green is golden

Many family firms have found that being green is not only a socially responsible practice, but also the key to a sustainable enterprise. Babcock Lumber Co, a diversified wholesale distributor of hardwood and softwood lumber, specialty building materials, and kitchen and bath products, is now into it...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Family business 2012-09, p.44
Main Author: Kirby Rosplock
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Corporate histories
Corporate profiles
Environmental management
Family owned businesses
Innovations
Lumber industry
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Many family firms have found that being green is not only a socially responsible practice, but also the key to a sustainable enterprise. Babcock Lumber Co, a diversified wholesale distributor of hardwood and softwood lumber, specialty building materials, and kitchen and bath products, is now into its fourth generation of ownership. Babcock was started by three boot-strapping brothers in 1887 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1948, Fred Courtney Babcock, son of founder E. V. Babcock, assumed the role of patriarch when his father passed away. Under his leadership, the hardwood timber business was transformed into more of a distribution model. Much of the company's green business practices and stewardship principles were born under his leadership. This value of stewardship has been transmitted from one generation to the next through good old-fashioned hard work, education and exposure to the family business.
ISSN:1047-255X