In 1964, Francis and Alyce Buechel decided to “bet the farm,” convert their 125-acre property into a quarry, and launch their eponymous business. Now, 60 years later, Buechel Stone has grown to become a leading force in the natural stone industry. As son and second-generation president Scott Buechel begins to plan for retirement, he and vice president Mike Buechel discuss the family’s storied stone.
When was the company founded and by whom?
Scott Buechel: It was founded in 1964 by Francis and Alyce Buechel. I believe it was in the Spring of the year.
Mike Buechel: We are currently celebrating 60 years of family ownership.
Tell us about the family connection.
SB: They were my parents. They sold half of the company to their three sons. In 2002, we bought out my oldest brother. In 2016, my brother Tim sold his shares to his son Mike, making this the start of the third generation. That being said, we are in the second and third generations.
Why is this the business your family is in?
SB: My parents had a 125-acre farm, where some of the fields were very close to the top of the ground. When my dad would plow those fields, more often than not he would break shears off of the plow and would need to head to a local blacksmith to get the plow fixed. A different company came along, saw how the stone was so close to the top, and asked if they could come in and extract that stone. One day, when Pa came home for lunch with a local landscaper, he called my mother and said they wanted to order some flagstone. He said he would tell the owners of the other company, but Mom said, “It sounds like they want to order the stone from you.” That is what started Buechel Stone quarry.
What is the best part of being involved in your family’s business?
SB: I think having parents who instilled good moral values in us helped direct the family business. A family business is not always easy, but having strong parents reminds us that if we have conflicts at work we leave them at work.
MB: Family business is hard. A good family business should consider all stakeholders in decisions, because everyone here is “your family.” Although hard, it is also great: Less bureaucracy, quicker decision making, and the ability to do things that allow you to think for the next 25 years, not just next quarter’s results.
Cherished family business milestone:
SB: Being given the opportunity to be part of the second-generation family business at the ripe old age of 19 years old.
MB: Biggest one was probably making it through the 2009 recession. It hit us pretty hard. A lot of people here stepped up to help. It was truly humbling.
Vacations, together or separately?
SB: A true vacation was separate as everyone needs some alone time. Sometimes, a vacation may have included a convention that we went to and then we would go together with the wives.
MB: Separate, but being further down in the generations, I think it’s probably pretty normal. Back in the day, the brothers used to take vacations together from time to time.
Ten years from now, I hope our family business will …
SB: Continue to be known as a premier leader in the stone industry. Branching out in new regions to reach our Big Hairy Audacious Goal or “BHAG.” I will not be involved in the business as I am today, but I would love to help celebrate the 10-year goal we set up and know we met that goal.
MB: Accomplished our BHAG goal!
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