Today’s guest is Dan Richfield from RE-C0 BKLYN. Dan has a sophisticated approach to running his business, something we will take a deep dive into learning about on this podcast.
Who Are Re-Co Bklyn And How Did They Get Started?
The company officially started in January 2012. Dan’s business partner, Roger had been learning and experimenting with a chainsaw mill and a homemade kiln for a few years prior to starting up the business. Dan, however, was a software/web developer. Using his 10 years experience as a successful businessman, Dan partnered with Roger and invested in a kiln, sawmill, bandmill and a yard. Urban lumber has come a long way since the early days of a small group of sawyers to the highly competitive market on the upscale across the states including the New York metro area.
Both Dan & Roger are furniture makers and understand what a furniture maker wants to get from milling and drying wood. Armed with the requisite knowledge, they seek out the right types of logs and mill the right types of cut to make their bespoke products. Meticulous learning of the processes involved in lumber production has lent itself to the sophisticated style of RE-CO BKLYN.
Tracking The Journey From A Log To A Finished Product.
A vast amount of trees are chipped in Brooklyn, NYC. It was the interest in re-purposing these fallen trees that prompted the idea to start up RE-CO BKLYN. Each log is documented at the time of harvesting. The milling process of each documented log is photographed up to the final slab. Over time, the company has built up a good reputation and is frequently contacted by governmental agencies to carry out tree services.
RE-CO BKLYN were commissioned to produce furniture from one of New York City’s largest trees, a European Elm Tree that had come to the end of it’s life cycle after a century and a half.
Running An Efficient Lumber Business.
Dan and Roger are highly efficient and organized when it comes to running the yard, stocking inventory and drying lumber. The client base is a diverse one that includes consumers, home/business owners, designers, architects plus private and public organizations. They enjoy producing lumber and the revenue that comes with it but enjoy making finished products the most.
Additional Wood Products And Services
The additional wood products and services Re-Co offer create more up upsell from a single lead. While the business model has been focused on producing slabs in recent times, Dan & Roger are branching back into reclaimed wood. Another offshoot being ventured into is dimensional lumber, quarter and rift sawed chair and leg stock, and green Red Oak Roubo workbench kits.
What Roles Do Roger & Dan Have At RE-CO BKLYN?
Currently, Dan runs the yard and the drying operation in Ulster County while taking care of the marketing side of things. Roger focuses on the sales aspect of Re-Co which enables him to manage products seamlessly while taking care of the customers.