Page 20 - Jan_Feb 19 Reporter

ed o ersaw a sta o t at e uded an e em lar le el o ride
in da to da work a ti ities ed elie ed t at t e ans amil
ride and dedi ation to t e usiness was ontagious rom t e er
eginning

founders; namely to provide the Sudbury
market with an organization that could
supply all types of building materials and
equipment.
Born and raised in Shanghai, China and
not directly related to the Evans family, Ted
Evans joined the company in an entry level
capacity in 1952, shortly after graduating
from the University of Toronto with a degree
in Civil Engineering. In a self-admitted
low-key fashion, Ted steadily learned the
business and worked his way into positions
of progressive responsibility. In 1961, he
assumed the position of General Manager;
and a decade later, he became President.
With the able assistance of Comptroller
and Assistant General Manager Jerry Giff,
Merchandising Manager Erik Lind and Store
Manager Phil Brown, Ted oversaw a staff
of 50 that exuded an exemplary level of
pride in day-to-day work activities. Having
married Margarite Claridge, H. M. Claridge’s
daughter, Ted believed that the Evans family
pride and dedication to the business was
contagious from the very beginning.
Ted Evans attributed his company’s
the ranks, became President and H. M. of January 1944, Mr Andress retired and success to family pride and to a
Claridge became Secretary. The Evans was succeeded as President by Mr Claridge. management philosophy based on
family identity remained, as D. H. Andress During Mr. Claridge’s long tenure, the name fundamentals and consistency. In the
and H. M. Claridge married the daughters of of the firm was changed yet again this latter connection, the importance of
Thomas Evans and W. A. Evans respectively. time to Evans Lumber and Builders Supply quality service and product knowledge
For the next eleven years, the company Limited. The name, which proved an equally was never forgotten. Accordingly, the
showed steady growth and stability under well known corporate moniker in the lumber company displayed an uncompromised
Mr Andress’ direction. and building supply industry, was chosen commitment to provide employee training
Almost fifteen years later on the eve to accurately re ect the aim of the original via LBMAO seminars, product knowledge
video presentations and Dale Carnegie
courses, among other services provided
by the association. In fact, Comptroller
and Assistant Manager Jerry Giff, was once
Chair of the LBMAO’s Education Committee.
The company also believed at an early date
the importance of supporting initiatives
to present LBM retailing to young people
as a viable career alternative. Particularly
noteworthy in this regard was Evans
involvement in the Future Building ’88
exposition held in Toronto in May 1988.
hile ed vans remained a firm
advocate of consistent and fundamentally
sound business practices, he was also quick
to stress the importance of e ibility and

20 LBMAO Reporter - January-February 2019 www.lbmao.on.ca