Celebrating a Legacy: Henry Bouma Retires After 50 Years with Lumbermen’s Inc.

After an extraordinary 50-year career at Lumbermen’s Inc., Henry Bouma is stepping into retirement—leaving behind a legacy defined by dedication, adaptability, and unwavering customer focus

The Bouma family, including Henry’s father, founded Lumbermen’s in 1955. Henry began his journey with Lumbermen’s as a youth, helping in the warehouse and literally growing up with the business. As an adult, he stepped into the Specialty/Kitchen & Bath Division at a time when the product offering centered around Westinghouse Micarta high-pressure laminate. In 1976, Henry played a role in a pivotal transition to Wilsonart laminate—now the industry leader. “It was a great move for us,” he recalls. “Wilsonart was great product then, and is now the leading manufacturer of high-pressure laminate.”

From the very beginning, Henry recognized what mattered most to customers: speed and service. “Our customers wanted daily delivery so they could service their customers well,” he says. “Lead times and availability of product were what set us apart from the competition.”

Over the decades, Henry witnessed—and helped navigate—tremendous changes in the building materials industry. “In the ’70s and ’80s, almost all kitchen countertops were made from high-pressure laminate. Then in the ’90s, solid surface materials became popular. And over the last 25 years, granite and quartz took over.” Lumbermen’s adapted every step of the way, always staying “ahead of the curve” to meet shifting customer tastes and emerging product trends.

Henry also saw how logistics and installation timelines evolved in importance. “When someone is remodeling their home, they don’t want to be without a kitchen for long. We often have to wait until the cabinets are installed before templating the countertops, and then turn them around quickly so they can move forward. That speed matters.”

Even as the products and technology changed, Henry believes the foundation of Lumbermen’s success remained the same: relationships and trust. “In the beginning, our customers already had sources for all their products. To win their business, we had to show them they could trust us to deliver what they needed—on time, every time, at a competitive price.” Decades later, that core value still drives the company’s approach.

Another core value to Henry has been the Lumbermen’s vision: “To be the first choice of employee owners, customers and supplier partners, while striving to serve our communities with the resources entrusted to us.” Henry lived that vision to the fullest during his tenure, and many employee owners, past and present, took the chance to share memories of his impact on them and the West Michigan community during an open house celebration for him this past June.

As Henry retires, he leaves behind not just a storied career, but a living example of what it means to serve customers with integrity, curiosity, and care. His insights and work ethic have shaped the company’s Specialty/Kitchen & Bath Division and have contributed meaningfully to Lumbermen’s reputation in the industry.

Henry will remain on the company’s Board of Directors, and while he may be stepping away from the day to day happenings at the company, his legacy will remain woven into the story of Lumbermen’s for years to come.

Source: Lumbermen’s, Inc.