Ownership expands at Siwek Lumber Le Sueur
Siwek Lumber LeSueur announced its ownership team has expanded.
Joining the ownership group of the Minnesota-based prodealer are Shane Sinell, Jordan Sinell, and Ryan Schroer.
All three are Le Sueur natives, current employees of the operation. Together with Dave Siwek and Jason Pranghofer, they form the new ownership group.
Shane Sinell started in the business in 2011, following a career in the Army. Shane engages in yard operations, product delivery, and servicing customers in the retail area, yard, and on jobsites.
According to Swiek Lumber, Shane is passionate about the industry and stated, “I want to continue to provide the community with quality materials and great customer service.”
Jordan Sinell started in 2019 after working different realms of jobs all for local Le Sueur employers. Jordan focuses primarily on retail Sales and accounting and is a hands-on person, always ready to lend a hand in the yard when needed.
“I have only been in the lumber business for a short amount of time, but every day is a new day to learn something and that is what I enjoy,” Jordan said. “I enjoy working here because of the great community and its people. The people are what really makes business and company really go and grow.”
Ryan Schroer started at the yard in 2013 after working for other local employers. Schroer focuses on yard operations and puts his decade of experience under two different owners to work daily to improve workflow.
“I look forward to continuing to serve the community of Le Sueur and the surrounding area in the future!” Schroer said.
Siwek Lumber's legacy
The company operates locations at Le Sueur and Jordan, Minnesota.
Established in 1933 in Minneapolis by Dave Siwek’s grandparents, Siwek Lumber was born from a family trying to survive the Great Depression. Having been laid off from his job, Joe Siwek Sr. got permission from his former employer to dismantle retired wooden boxcars. The wood was bundled and sold as heating firewood along with loose coal picked up along the rail lines.
The dealer survived a devastating fire in its main building in 1984 but returned with an added hardware store. Another second fire in 1989 at its storage site prompted the purchase of a larger distribution site closer to the manufacturing towns south and west of the inner city.
In December 2019, the former Interstate Building Supply was purchased and became Siwek Lumber Le Sueur.
“As community members, their commitment to building a sustainable business that serves Le Sueur and the surrounding area is unmatched,” Dave Siwek, president of Siwek Lumber Le Sueur said. “I am proud of each of them for their unique talents and how they work together as a team with all the employees to make us better each day.
“When purchasing the business, these men were key pieces as I recognized them to be the future of the organization,” Siwek added.
Over the years, the company has made numerous improvements. This includes two new warehouses, a loading dock, a retail showroom remodel, hardware reset, new racking for improved product storage and efficiency, along with hard surfacing improvements throughout the site.
“I am extremely excited to be a part of this new generation of lumbermen to Le Sueur and the surrounding area,” said Jason Pranghofer, owner and great-grandson of founders, Joe Sr. and Francis Siwek. “Shane, Jordan, and Ryan are highly intelligent guys who each bring a different skill set to the table.”
Pranghofer noted that the growth of ownership will translate into solid service in the community.
“What makes this such a great adventure for these guys is they are helping their friends, neighbors, high school alumni and community members with the knowledge needed to support the area,” he said. “ I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”
