Eikenhout : Roofing, Siding and Windows

Trains and Eikenhout

Eikenhout began in 1894 in Grand Rapids, MI at the same location where the current corporate office operates.  Being right next to the railroad tracks and downtown train station has attracted several groups who have taken pictures in front of our building.  The Lansing Motorcycle Club, pictured above, is only a portion of the entire group of 30 plus motorcyclists on their 1920 Gypsy Tour.  Even horses and their delivery wagons enjoyed the Eikenhout backdrop.

The railroad is positioned only feet from our buildings.  Noisy at times, but historically it has allowed products to be received quicker and easier at our corporate office.  This close proximity to the speediest delivery system at the time helped cement Eikenhout’s place in the mind of contractors throughout West Michigan.  To think that this has been going on since 1894 is an amazing thought.

Today the railroad isn’t delivering to Eikenhout.  GPS, trucks, tracking systems and our sheer volume of material ordered gives us an edge over our competition.  Semi trailers are being unloaded every day at Eikenhout.  When our contractors need material, they don’t want to wait until next week to get it ordered and then wait for a scheduled truck.  At Eikenhout we have designed an active system that is as responsive as it is accurate.  That’s always our goal.

The train still rattles the windows, the last minute stragglers still run to the train station, and the gates often slow traffic down to a quick halt.  All reminders of an Eikenhout past that enjoyed material shipments from the busy railroad while providing the perfect photo backdrop for out of town groups.