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An Era of Rapid Growth after World War I
1922 - J. E. Higgins, Sr., retired, passing the presidency along
to his son, James Edwin Higgins, Jr., who was instrumental in expanding
the company through increased market share and acquisition.
The following headline and article excerpt appeared in the July 4 ,1925
“American Lumberman”:
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| Yards of the Cadwallader-Gibson Lumber Company recently acquired by the J.E. Higgins Lumber Company, San Francisco, California |
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“Three West Coast Hardwood Concerns Amalgamated”
“With the acquisition of the Cadwallader-Gibson Lumber Co.’s
interest here, and the purchase of Edward F. Niehaus & Co. Business,
which is being liquidated by the widow of the late Mr. Niehaus, the
J. E. Higgins Lumber Co. has taken the lead as the largest dealer of
hardwood west of the Mississippi River and the largest dealer, wholesale
and retail, in Philippine hardwoods in the United States, if not in
the entire world.”3
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Mindful of customers' needs, "Speedy Service"
was chosen as the Company's new business motto. In order to keep
that promise, two new trucks were added to the existing fleet, and
the yard was set up in such a manner so as to allow "easy access
to all stocks through 14 alley ways and 16 entrances.3
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1927-1928 - The pattern of Higgins’ growth and acquisition
continued:
• The good will and inventory of the Dieckmann Hardwood Company
were purchased, and Dieckmann Hardwood Company ceased operations.
• The inventory of the Hardwood Department of the American Trading
Company was acquired.
• A block at Bayshore Boulevard and Army Street on the Western
Pacific Railroad was purchased from the Ocean Shore Railroad. Modern
hardwood dry kilns were installed, and the first warehouse at that site
was built.
• The good will and inventory of the Richards Hardwood Company
were purchased, and the Richards Hardwood Company went out of business.
1930 - Higgins purchased the Sulmock Manufacturing Company in
Oakland. Renamed Higgins Furniture Manufacturing Company, it continued
in operation until 1937.
1931 - Another branch of the Company, the Higgins Company, organized
two display rooms and offices at 2335 Broadway in Oakland and at Jackson
and Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, manufacturing and installing Venetian
blinds and awnings as well as installing linoleum and all types of resilient
and wood floors. This business was sold in 1938.
Hardwood flooring: an important element in the success
of the whole
An important component of the Higgins product line has always been hardwood
flooring. Even though Higgins purchased most of its flooring in the
East, it also operated a flooring mill in Emeryville in order to supply
rush or special orders, running approximately 100,000 feet monthly.
1929 - J. E. Higgins Lumber Company underscored their commitment
to the flooring industry with the acquisition of Golden State Flooring
Company which became a division of Higgins. It was decided to continue
the use of the respected name maintaining it as a separate enterprise.
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Charlie Wilkins, bookkeeper (on left) and Cliff Coates who originally established
Golden State Flooring in partnership with Harris Mfg. Co. of Johnson
City, TN
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| Golden State Flooring's original location at 475 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, CA |
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