Member Spotlight: Wehrung’s Family of Businesses Member Spotlight

BY MELINDA RIZZO

For 75 years community, commitment and customer service have been Wehrung business hallmarks
 
It takes entrepreneurial intuition, legacy persistence and a diverse playbook to stay in business for 75 years.

Three generations of Wehrung men have helmed the Ottsville-based family of businesses, employing about 250 across its established and growing locations.

Jason Wehrung, the third generation to steer the company, is grounded in the values and principals his father Vernon and grandfather Woodrow “Woody” Wehrung taught him – treat everyone with respect, go the extra mile to satisfy customers and always, always do the right thing.

Business at Wehrung’s locations has been brisk with a sustained spike in construction, homeowners clambering for DIY project materials and a hunkered down pandemic-weary population.
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With time on their hands DIY or Do It Yourself property owners have driven sales since the coronavirus hit the U.S. in March, 2020, with no signal the trend is slowing down.

Estimates of the U.S. home improvement sector place its value at roughly $400 billion per year.

And home construction, repair, renovation and additions are expected to continue to be a bright spot in economic forecasts for 2021.

According to a September article published on NPR’s website, deck construction since the pandemic began is up 275%.

“People weren’t traveling or going on vacation, and if they had $5,000 they built a patio or a deck,” Jason Wehrung said.

Wehrung prides himself on well-trained staff, happy to help retail customers by taking time to consult and help them with project planning and materials purchases.
“We don’t install it, but we’ll take the time to answer their (customer) questions,” Wehrung said.

For those who’d rather leave the drills, measurements and lumber or patio pavers to the pros, Wehrung's has a backlog of professionals in the trades to refer to retail customers.
Across all areas – from yard, landscape and garden to repairs and expansion projects he expects the soaring demand to continue well through 2021.

With the purchase of two locations, Wehrung’s Macungie (Doing Business As) Dries Do It Center in Macungie, Lehigh County and Wehrung’s Collegeville Do it Center in Montgomery County, the goal is to expand services and products to a larger, regional audience.

With the expansion of the M&W Precast & Construction Supply, Wehrung’s owned hardware centers, Wehrung’s Specialties (lumber), its flagship Wehrung’s Lumber & Home Center in Ottsville and Solid Products Marketing & Promotions, there are many opportunities to join the Wehrung team.

“We’re looking to fill 35 different positions across the company, and it’s the most vacancies we’ve ever had,” Wehrung said.

Plans to celebrate 75 years in business will include open house events and grand openings for the Wehrung’s Macungie and Wehrung’s Collegeville store locations.
Even with multiple locations, Wehrung maintains the family-owned and operated culture.

In addition to weekly visits to each location, he makes a point of personally keeping in touch with his growing workforce – and customers.
“One of my goals is to know everyone by their first name,” Wehrung said.

For more information visit ​www.wehrungs.com. 

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