REPORT: Keim Lumber names new president
Keim Lumber has named Jim Smucker as the company’s new president.
Smucker is the first non-family member to hold the position of president at Keim Lumber and has more than 25 years of experience.
In a news release posted on The Daily Record, Keim said, “The family and shareholders of Keim Lumber see business as an opportunity to build the kingdom of God. Business as a mission has been a calling for me for much of my life.”
Robbie Keim announced this past February that he would step down as president after more than four years in the position.
Eric Slabach, interim president at Keim Lumber, said in the release, “We believe Jim Smucker embodies the vision, mission and values of Keim Lumber. He has a deep faith which guides his management practices, strong leadership experience, is a developed team-builder, strategic thinker and visionary. He has much experience working with Amish and Mennonite employees, customers and communities.”
Smucker joins the Keim Lumber team after working more than 25 years for his own family’s business, Bird-in-Hand Corporation, a tourism destination located in Pennsylvania Amish Country. He served as president and chief operating officer for 14 years. More recently, Smucker served as vice president for enrollment and student life at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va.
Based in Charm, Ohio, Keim began in 1911 as a rough lumber mill with only four employees. Today, Keim operates a a 50-acre complex with more than 700,000 square feet of retail, office, warehouse and millwork production space as well as nearly 500 employees.
Smucker is the first non-family member to hold the position of president at Keim Lumber and has more than 25 years of experience.
In a news release posted on The Daily Record, Keim said, “The family and shareholders of Keim Lumber see business as an opportunity to build the kingdom of God. Business as a mission has been a calling for me for much of my life.”
Robbie Keim announced this past February that he would step down as president after more than four years in the position.
Eric Slabach, interim president at Keim Lumber, said in the release, “We believe Jim Smucker embodies the vision, mission and values of Keim Lumber. He has a deep faith which guides his management practices, strong leadership experience, is a developed team-builder, strategic thinker and visionary. He has much experience working with Amish and Mennonite employees, customers and communities.”
Smucker joins the Keim Lumber team after working more than 25 years for his own family’s business, Bird-in-Hand Corporation, a tourism destination located in Pennsylvania Amish Country. He served as president and chief operating officer for 14 years. More recently, Smucker served as vice president for enrollment and student life at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va.
Based in Charm, Ohio, Keim began in 1911 as a rough lumber mill with only four employees. Today, Keim operates a a 50-acre complex with more than 700,000 square feet of retail, office, warehouse and millwork production space as well as nearly 500 employees.