Matthew Kuiken

Kuiken Brothers has been a Bergen County staple for over 100 years. Matthew Kuiken, a Ridgewood resident, is now in charge of many of the day-to-day operations. Matt describes how his Dutch immigrant ancestors started the business and how it has evolved through depressions, wars, and suburban development.

Matt tells me about the importance of railroad transportation in getting their lumber all the way from the Pacific Northwest to New Jersey. We talk about the impact Covid has had on business, his experience as a kid working long hours in the yard, and how the recent volatility in lumber prices has affected their operations.

Matt describes his management style in running so many locations—with hundreds of employees—while also serving customers across the nation. And he tells us how Kuiken Brothers stands apart from its competition.

This is a jam-packed episode filled with management insights about a capital-intensive family business.