In 1962 when Laurelhurst Distributors was founded, current CEO Jeremy Chase’s grandfather did not know that his business, started in a garage, would grow into a multi-state RV industry distributor.
The company has become a multi-state distributor, and to accommodate its clients, the company moved its Portland, Oregon, distribution center this August. The warehouse is now located on Portland’s north side and features 10 outside loading bays and several inside bays as well.
The larger, less-fragmented space enables Laurelhurst team members to accomplish tasks faster and easier — and keeps the company from growing further into the Laurelhurst neighborhood in Portland. Chase said the company had been expanding — nearly quadrupling in size — in the same location since 1962. Only recently did Chase gain the authority to move the company.
“Our old location was a fairly old building, and maybe 10,000 square feet in a residential area,” Chase said. “We have moved into a beautiful, new 25,000-square-foot facility and we are bringing on tons of new product.”
The CEO said he had rented flex space throughout Portland to store products and not turn away potential outlets for company growth. As national distributors moved out of the Portland area from various acquisitions, Portland dealerships began seeking new distributors. Laurelhurst was there to fill the gap.
“That really hyper-inflated the bubble there for the growth,” Chase said.
The CEO said adding truck loading bays at the new site increased efficiency.
“It is taking 3-4 minutes with one person on a forklift, instead of all employees in shipping and receiving going outside and unloading the trucks in the street,” Chase said. “Something that was a couple hours to complete is now five minutes.”
The larger space has allowed Laurelhurst Distributors to move into more hitch work. Previously, some product had to be stored outside. With almost twice as much warehouse space, steel products can remain inside and dry, Chase said.
“Having the space is allowing us to move into markets we before were unable to service our customers with, because of space constraints,” he said.
The CEO said the global supply chain blockages created longer fulfillment times. Laurelhurst changed its approach to purchasing, which can be supported with its new facility.
“We have been buying bigger orders,” Chase said. “One of the unforeseen issues was the supply chain break down. It has been more of an OK, let us order 3-4 months, instead of relying on vendors to have stock to ship.”
He noted that vendors “across the board” have had less stock to ship. In turn, the distributor stocked further ahead during all seasons, which has helped secure steady business.
“Probably in another five years we will be looking for another, larger building,” Chase said.
