For the first time in its 100-year history, Soo Mill & Lumber Company has gone outside the family to find a new president of the iconic Sault Ste. Marie hardware and building supplier.
Effective November 24, 2016, Randy Aikens succeeds Lynn Hollingsworth who will retire after leading the family-owned business since 2008.
In a Nov. 22 news release from Soo Mill, Aikens is an “accomplished senior executive in the building supplies sector” to serve as the third generation firm’s next president.
Aikens brings with him years of retail and commercial contractor industry experience, mostly recently in St. Albert, AB where he was Prairies operations manager for Metrie Canada, North America’s leading manufacturer and distributor of interior finishings.
Along with managerial stints for Rona Ontario and Revy Home & Garden in Alberta, Aikens ran his own renovation and contracting company for more than a decade.
“Having grown up in a contractor family and having learned about our industry at the grassroots level, I saw the opportunity with Soo Mill as a great fit for me because it is a highly respected and successful family business,” Aikens said in a statement. “My wife Dana and I are also very happy about moving to Sault Ste. Marie. We are both small town people and will feel right at home here.” “
Randy is a great addition to Soo Mill,” Hollingsworth said. “Going forward, his experience, capabilities and leadership skills will ensure continuity and consistency for our customers, contractors and employees. Randy embodies the values, principles and beliefs that have guided Soo Mill for more than a century.”
Now in its third generation of family ownership, Soo Mill has stores in Sault Ste. Marie, Elliot Lake and a roof truss manufacturing plant.
Fremlin Hollingsworth founded the company in 1915. Following him as Hollingsworth presidents were Simpson, Lynn (Sr.), Ian, John and Lynn.
