Guido Materials Celebrates 75 Years Young
In 2011, when Chris Guido, a 4th generation family member, joined Guido Companies to run the lumber division, he could not have envisioned the tremendous amount of growth that was to come. When Chris took over, Guido Lumber Company had just gone through an ownership change and had managed to endure the housing crisis of the previous few years. As the lesser known sister company to the 95 year-old, well-respected Guido Construction Company, Chris saw an opportunity to grow the stagnated lumber business by expanding the window and door segment. Guido Materials’ first big break came in 2016 when, after years of persistence, Marvin Windows and Doors opened Guido Materials as their lead dealer in San Antonio. This made Guido Materials one of only two new dealers in the state of Texas, and the first to open in Texas in more than 30 years. “That was really a pivotal moment for our business,” says Chris. “Guido Lumber Company has been selling lumber in San Antonio since 1947. We have been a reliable fixture in the residential construction scene, but adding Marvin Windows and Doors really helped take our business to the next level, and began our venture into the luxury window and door market. We have not looked back since.”
With Growth Comes Change
In 2018, Guido Lumber Company changed its name to Guido Materials to better reflect its diverse business focus. “We are still experts in the lumber business, but now we are also experts in Windows, Doors, Decking, and Siding. Changing our name, which was a big step for us, helped to reflect that. In addition, the new name gives us the flexibility to add new product categories when it makes sense for our business and for our customers,” says Guido. “In the last five years, we have expanded our window and door product lines to include more luxury brands like La Cantina, Western and Arcadia Steel. In 2020, we opened our Window and Door Replacement Division, which focuses solely on window and door replacements in existing homes. We have grown so quickly in such a short time, it’s been quite a ride,” mused Guido.
New Window and Door Showrooms in Fredericksburg and Austin
The growth hasn’t stopped there. Guido Materials broke ground in 2021 on their new showroom in Fredericksburg, TX (during the height of Covid-19), which will support the ever-growing market in the Texas Hill Country. “We are really excited about our new showroom in Fredericksburg. It’s in a great location, at the corner of Hwy 16 and Friendship Lane, which it makes it easily accessible to many of the Hill Country communities.” Guido Materials has already been operating out of Fredericksburg for several years and is excited to be putting down permanent roots. “It is a wonderful community that we are looking forward to being a part of. Fredericksburg has such rich history and it felt like a natural next step in the long history of Guido Materials,” said Chris. “We will continue to run our lumber distribution out of San Antonio. With our central San Antonio location and easy access to all major roads, we are able to easily deliver to within the city, the Hill Country and beyond,” Chris added.
So, What’s Next for Guido Materials?
Chris says, “Guido Materials doesn’t have any plans to slow down just yet. Our team is busy working on plans to open up a Window and Door showroom in southwest Austin later in the year. In addition to that, we have also been named the Coastline Dealer for Marvin Windows and Doors,” a line of windows and doors that are engineered to provide the best coastal views but withstand the worst coastal weather. “We are excited about all of the growth and change. It’s hard to believe Guido Materials will be celebrating 75 years in business. I am so proud of our team and all of the success we have had and we are looking forward to what the next 75 years bring.”