Red Oak Timber is Bienville Business of Year By Mary K. Hamner Sam Pullig, President of Red Oak Timber Company of Castor, Louisiana was one of several businesses in Bienville Parish to receive the Community Business Award presented by the Arcadia/Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce at their annual chamber banquet. Pullig has worked in the timber business for over forty years, beginning at age twelve when he worked for his father Bob Pullig in the summertime hauling short pulpwood. "I've seen good times and bad times through the years, and lots of change." Pullig said " My Dad believed in working hard to make a better life. He was the best Dad that ever lived!" Sam's father, Bob Pullig, opened Castor Woodyard May 16, 1968. "This was the first time he had ventured into the timber business for himself," Sam said. "I was fifteen years old and we shipped our short wood by rail from Anderson Switch on the old L & A. line to Pineville Craft in Pineville. The railroad was then critical to our business." "After I had graduated from Castor High School, I began my college 'career' of 7-8 years. I spent a couple of years at Louisiana Tech, then went on to East Texas Baptist College, and finally graduated from Northwestern. My Mother, Clovis Pullig, had early on decided that I would. I graduated from college one night and went to work hauling pulpwood next morning." Pullig said. "Looking back now, I realized that I wasn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Toward the end of 1980 when I was twenty-three years old I had come to hate the timber business. Labor was a problem, insurance rates were high, I was in court dealing with labor related issues at least once a month and we weren't making any money at all. I looked at and considered going into another type of business. After having traveled full circle, I borrowed money to operate the timber business on from a Coushatta bank. With only about $100,000 in assets, thanks to Mr. Tisdale and my Dad's good credit record, I was able to obtain a $450,000 loan. "Dad and I had considered bankruptcy at least twice but we hung on and struggled through. Today going bankrupt is looked upon as just a decision. Back then it was considered a disgrace. Looking back, I know I became stronger because of those experiences. It made me appreciate the good times. It's the journey that counts." "In May of 1983, Castor Wood Yard became Tree Buyers and, out of desperation we started our first long wood mechanized operation. We started buying timber and made money the first year. The timing was perfect-the overseas market had opened up and the price of logs went to an all time high. We hired more logging jobs and the timing was right for buying land and timber. I met my current partner Lee Mudd and Don Hawthorne who retired in 1996. We began investing in land and today the business extends into East Texas, southern Arkansas, as well as in North Louisiana. Tree Buyers became Red Oak in 1989. Don't ask me why- it was just a name we all liked." "In my experience of forty something years in the business world, three people stand out as having influenced and guided me in a positive way." Sam continued. "My Dad's honesty and integrity and work ethic branded me for life. Lee Mudd, my business partner taught me so much and still furnishes a guiding hand in the business. Duane Cloud, a former Castor High graduate, CPA and bank president always has time to talk to me and always furnishes correct advice. He's the first guy I would call if I had a problem." "The road we've traveled for the most part has been a fun experience. There have been many changes. Now the wealth of our company is in our land holdings. The Haynesville Shale is the greatest thing that's ever happened to us financially. Our land holdings in the "hot spots" yielded enough money to pay off all our bills. For the first time since that first big loan in 1983 we are out of debt!" Pullig said. The Red Oak Timber Company's office building located at 6420 Highway 792 just north of Castor opens at 7 a.m. each weekday. Carol Nelson, Judy Cox, and Sandra Sanford keep the business operation moving smoothly. Three foresters, Lynn Coffey, Tommy Cloud and Joseph Pullig guide five crewmembers and four truck drivers. Red Oak also has four sub contractors who haul timber to various mills. The timber operation has been scaled back somewhat due to the depressed economy. The Red Oak office staff begins their day at 7 AM; timber crews get to work at break of day. "We're all hanging in," one employee said. "Still hauling logs!" Offshoots of Red Oak Timber include Red Oak Properties, an upscale housing development in Haughton, La., and JSP Realty, managed by Joseph Pullig, Sam and Becky Pullig's son. JSP Realty buys buildings and currently owns Downtown Post Office Shreveport, Chase Bank in Ruston, and the Department of Health Building in Shreveport plus others. Sam and Becky, who make their home in Ashland, Louisiana, also have a daughter, Rachael Chapman, and one grandchild. |