Paul Ferry is the Summer Face of MFMA
The Face of MFMA is a quarterly initiative where we interview our members and ask them to share some perspective on their job, organization, daily life, and how they are making an impact on the sports flooring industry.
Paul Ferry of Western Hardwoods Inc was named our Summer Face of MFMA. We share his insights in the interview below.
How did you get started in the sports floor industry?
Paul: I got started in the sports flooring industry working with my father in the summers when I was 12 years old.
Who was the biggest influence in your career?
Paul: My father has had the biggest influence on my career. From those early summers and even now, his vast experience of not only hardwood but other floor coverings has provided wisdom and insight into how to manage the unconventional challenges I face in the field.
How does your company help the sports flooring industry?
Paul: In the mid-1990s, the NBA changed the location of the 3-point arc to make it closer to the key; they eventually moved it back to its original position. Our company was called in by the Seattle Sonics to repair their floor, after the arena carpenters attempted to sand off the line themselves. It was close to the start of the season, and we didn’t have time to sand the entire floor and repaint all of the graphics. We made the decision to sand the area around the keys and up to the 3 point arc locations. Sanding this portion of the floor resulted in a lighter color under the 3-point arcs, in contrast with the darker look on the remainder of the floor. The Sonics loved this new look! A few years later when the Sonics changed their colors and logos, we stained the area under the 3-point arcs white to replicate the contrast. To my knowledge, this was the first time the stained look was implemented in the NBA. Shortly thereafter, the design concept of staining portions of gym floors was followed by numerous NBA and college teams. I believe this simple “fix” unleashed an unprecedented opportunity for creativity in our industry.
What do you feel are your keys to success?
Paul: My success in business results from having great relationships with customers. Taking the time to do things correctly and having reliable employees to perform the work forges strong connections that stand the test of time.
What one thing has impacted the sports flooring industry the most in your career?
Paul: Using a riding sanding machine has made a big impact for my company. In many industries, time is money, but this is especially true for those of us who do work in schools. Using a riding sander has allowed me to multiply time, which is incredibly valuable in those short summer months.
What is the weirdest thing you have ever seen done to a sports flooring surface?
Paul: We do work for a local school district that ended up having some major finish adhesion issues. This district was using an outside janitorial company to supply labor, as well as some questionable finish products for their annual maintenance coats. Every summer for the past 8 years or so, we re-sand two of their schools. Because of the lack of adhesion of the defective product, we discovered that we can peel all the layers of finish off the floor that are stuck to the faulty layer. Using a utility and putty knife, we peel the finish off in sheets prior to starting the sanding process. We found this to be less time consuming than constantly having to unclog our ram horns.
How has the sports flooring industry changed since you started in the industry?
Paul: Two major changes in the sports flooring industry that I have experienced are the types of floor systems we install and the use of vinyl for graphics and stencils. Using adhesive stencil products allows us to achieve a much more creative and consistent look, while also saving a huge amount of time. It was a relief to finally be able to get rid of my overhead projector and tracing paper.
What is your best advice to someone starting out in the industry?
Paul: Owning and operating a company requires a lot of money and patience. It can take months to get paid for jobs that are run through a state funded contract. Also, take your vacations in the winter.
Paul was born and raised in Seattle and grew up in the surrounding area. He graduated from Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, WA in 1986. After high school he went on to play two years of Junior hockey in the USHL for the Sioux City Musketeers, before being recruited to play college hockey at Bemidji State University in Minnesota. He spent four years at Bemidji and was an All-American during his senior season. During his time in college he met his wife Elizabeth and they moved back to Seattle to start their life together. In 1992, Paul began working full time for Western Hardwoods. It was a family business that his father and grandfather started when he was in high school. He spent every summer working in the sport flooring industry since he was 12 years old, and he knew that was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He and his wife have a daughter April, a son Mitchell, and a daughter-in-law Haley, who all live in the Phoenix area. Since their kids live in Phoenix, they decided to purchase an early retirement home where they can spend time with them. When not working (which seems like never), Paul enjoys golfing and spending time with family in Arizona.
Paul Ferry
Western Hardwoods Inc
