No business survives without trust.

The news today was reporting a major breech of trust by Volkswagen. Turns out that they built over 11 million cars with a system planted in each one that gave a false emission reading. The company will end up spending billions to correct the error and billions more in fines.

Customers trust businesses to get it right. For us it comes with assuring good lumber goes into our product. Our pallets must be nailed securely. Our treated wood must have the right chemical appropriately added. Our product must be loaded safe and secure. There’s a bunch that goes into it.

We trust you. To handle our raw material responsibly. We spend close to $170 million on materials. Responsible stewardship of our materials will determine our success.

We trust you to give your best effort-every day. We trust you to mind yourself and others to eliminate injury. We trust you to treat customers like your jobs depend upon it-because customer loyalty and satisfaction will determine whether we get to keep doing our job.

I am a fan of the late Truett Cathey who founded the great chain Chik-Fil-A. He said this about business success:

“I believe no amount of business school training or work experience can teach what is ultimately a matter of personal character. Businesses are not dishonest or greedy, people are. Thus, a business, successful or not, is merely a reflection of the character of its leadership.”

I take that charge seriously. I will endeavor to lead in a way that cultivates your trust. The folks on formal leadership roles will endeavor to do the same. I hope all of you will reflect honesty and integrity in all we do.