“There is a real appeal to wood – especially reclaimed wood,” states CEO Glenn Ripley. “There is an authenticity, a balance of natural earthi- ness and refinement that appeals to everyone.” EVP of Reclaimed Wood Mark Scianna adds, “They often like the natural look. They don’t want it planed, or cleaned up. They want to leave no question that this is old wood that has been reused. It makes the statement that they are concerned about the environment.” “They had ground up 200,000 board feet for disposal before they thought to call us.” Mission Bell’s work graces the offices of a few companies you may have heard of… LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, Barnes and Noble, McAfee, plus the San Jose Sharks Ice Locker Rooms, Earthquake Stadium, and a huge number of other businesses in the San Francisco Bay area and beyond. The demand for material with a history is growing, and Mission Bell so far owns the market. FOUNDED ON PEOPLE AND VALUES Founded as a cabinet making business in 1959 by Leonard and Marjorie Scianna, Mission Bell has grown to a business of 220 employees, includ- ing office/corporate staff, installers, and the manufacturing floor staff. The second generation of Sciannas are still involved with the company,
and it is transitioning to an employee-owned business. This is a testa- ment to the values-driven family feel of the place, where some employ- ees have twenty and thirty or more years with the company.
Glenn Ripley is proud of the Mission Bell team. “Our people make the difference. They are a mix of young and long term industry experience,
and they are all hungry to grow and learn.”
Glenn has grown with the company, holding several positions of esca- lating responsibility. And Mark Scianna—he and his brothers literally grew up in the company. “We all started sweeping floors, installing, taking on small jobs. We were all in. I remember one of my brothers on his 16th birthday – he had a loaded truck to be taken out that day.” Relationships are very important to this company. Glenn tells me that one of their iconic jobs, the Earthquakes Stadium, had extra meaning because one of Mission Bell’s workers had been a general manager of the soccer team. “It was an emotional connection, to be part of
building a really beautiful stadium.”
MATERIALS MAKE THE PRODUCT
You can’t mention emotional connections without talking about the wood. The Executive Vice-President of Reclaimed Wood is Mark Scianna, and talking with him, his deep love and respect for the material shines through. “I was the President of the company, at one point. It’s nice to be back working with the wood. It’s a natural renew-
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS • APRIL 2016 40 F l a t wa l l s t ake no t i ce . One imp r e s s i onab l e wa y t ha t de s i gne r s a r e i n f u s i ng t he i r de s i gn s wi t h pe r s ona l i t y i s t h r ough a r ch i t e c t u r a l wa l l pane l s by I n t e r l am . The s e a r e g r ea t f o r add i ng de co r a t i ve e l emen t s wi t hou t l o s i ng t ha t s l eek and mode r n l ook . www. i n t e r l am- des i gn . com | 800 - 237 - 7052 |
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