Henson celebrates 50 years of service to Hood County

Henson, a building material enterprise located in Cresson, is celebrating its 50th anniversary of servicing the Hood County area.

HISTORY

Operating under the three divisions of lumber, metal and millwork, the Henson brand was first established in 1973 by Jerry Henson and was originally called Henson Lake and Ranch Supply.

“It started off as like supplying for boat docks and things like that around the lake and then in the early 90s (Jerry) converted it as a company into Henson Building Materials,” said Todd Garner, executive vice president of Henson Enterprises. “It was still on (Highway) 377 where Henson Metal is currently. Then early 2001, they split the one company into two — Henson Metal and Henson Lumber, so that's kind of the family tree of the Henson company.”

SERVICES

Henson services the counties of Hood, Johnson, Parker and Tarrant. Henson Lumber and Henson Millwork are both located at 11900 County Road 917 while Henson Metal can be found at 9200 E. Highway 377.

“For Henson Metal, we sell metal products for the metal building business,” Garner said. “If people are building a barndominium or anything ranch-related, whether they need fencing or metal buildings, that's what Henson Metal does. We also have a little small hardware store right here on 377.

“On the lumber side, we have multiple services. We have our lumber which is any kind of building materials related to lumber like stick frame and sheathing, and then we also sell millwork which would include like doors, windows and trim."

LOYAL EMPLOYEES

Today, Garner said Henson has a total of more than 100 employees — and many have worked there for years.

David Fulkersin, general manager of Henson Metal, began working for the company in January of 1984.

“It's been a great company to work for,” he said. “There’s a few of us that have been here for quite some time, and we’ve all enjoyed it.”

Casey Wallace, chief operating officer of Henson Lumber, has worked for the company for 27 years.

“Jerry Henson hired me, and he passed away in ‘01,” Wallace said. “He definitely laid the groundwork for the continued success for what we’re having now.”

“Both (Wallace and Fulkersin) have been with Henson for a long, long time,” Garner said. “At one point — I'm not sure if it's the case now — we did a tenure of how long people have been at Henson and our average tenure was over 10 years. We have long-term goals. We want Henson’s to be a place where people feel like they can retire from.”

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

To celebrate the company’s success, Henson held a 50th anniversary celebration on Dec. 6, which featured ribbon cuttings with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Granbury Chamber of Commerce and the Godley Chamber of Commerce.

Catering was provided by Del Norte Tacos of Godley, Boo-Rays of New Orleans of Crowley and The Local Café of Granbury. Boise Cascade, a manufacturer of wood products and wholesale distributor of building materials located in Dallas, provided barbecue for the event.

Radio station 92.1 Hank FM also joined in the festivities, celebrating with door prizes.

“We had builders, we had suppliers and we had community members who came,” Garner said. “We're estimating — not just our people — but we're estimating over 250 people who came throughout the day, from the morning until mid-afternoon.”

“It's quite an accomplishment,” Wallace said on the company’s 50 years of service. “Especially in today’s time when you don’t see any business with a long tenure. All of the independents are selling out to the big lumberyards, but I'm very happy that I'm part of it.”

COMPANY SUCCESS

One major accomplishment of the company that Garner is particularly proud of is the recognition that Henson Lumber received in the LBM Journal, described by Garner as the “national rag for lumber dealers.”

“We were listed in the LBM Journal in the top 100 lumber dealers in the nation in terms of revenue,” Garner said.

According to its website, the LBM Journal is the leading media company serving lumberyards, building material distributors, wholesalers, manufacturers and service providers.

“It’s a great accomplishment,” Garner said. “We have a great group of people here. The customers feel like our family as well. It's just a good thing to have.”

FUTURE GROWTH

Garner said he is excited about the future growth for the company that is expected to take place over the next decade.

Fulkersin said he was “glad to be a part of the 50th anniversary,” and is looking forward to “continuing growth and continuing expanding in the metal division."

“We have a great group of customers and vendors,” Wallace added. “I love this industry and I think this market we’re in is going to be good for a long time. I don't see anything for Henson’s, but a bright future and growth that’s going to take place.”

"It’s businesses like Henson's that are the stronghold of the Cresson community," said Cresson Mayor Teena Putteet-Conway. "They employ so many workers from all the cities in and around our little town of Cresson. We are so thankful for all those jobs and all those opportunities. There’s also a strong executive leadership team that makes Henson's a top quality provider for not only lumber but everything that goes with lumber in metal and all the necessary items for building. Hats off to Todd Garner and his team and a wonderful celebration."

Garner said he is thankful for every customer, employee and partner who has helped the company reach this huge milestone.

“It's good to recognize our customers, our employees and our suppliers, because without any of them, we wouldn’t have stayed in business for 50 years,” he added. “It was a wonderful event, and I was glad to see the turnout.”

For more information on the company, go online to hensonlumber.com.