The “wood” shop at the Great Plains Millwork head-quarters in Oakdale is so clean and well organized that you could eat off of the floor and be no worse for it. Open and light-filled, the 30,000-square-foot space sports remarkably high ceilings and, in spite of the humming activity, this visitor found the expansive space peaceful and cool on a very hot, early September day. Maybe it was the soft scent of wood permeating the air that made it seem private, like an urban sanctuary. President Jim Clark explains that Great Plains specializes in doors, windows and millwork of every kind ranging from baseboards and crown molding to banister spindles and rails. In business since 1991, its client base includes upper-end custom home builders, independent contractors, interior designers and, occasionally, custom architects, all of whom require top-notch service. Clark lists such loyalists as Charles Cudd, LeGran Homes, Steiner & Koppelman, DeWitt Homes, Derrick Construction and Kootenia Homes as business mainstays. Recent additions to their client list include Hagsrom Builders Inc. and Husnik Homes.

To satisfy these customers, the shop is filled with rows of framed doors, windows ready for exacting extensions and long lengths of milled wood in many different profiles. In addition to oak, maple and birch, the client can choose from cherry, walnut, cypress, and the current rage, knotty alder, to name only a few species. Also on hand is plenty of paint-grade poplar for those seeking the clean, crisp look of enameled wood. When the visitor remarks on the breadth and depth of product on site, Clark responds matter-of-factly, “We always have at least a million dollars in inventory. No doubt, we are well stocked; you can’t sell from an empty wagon, you know.” No empty wagon here. However, Clark clarifies that Great Plains doesn’t only fill large orders. Many client requests are special orders for custom, high-end jobs. “We get lots of special requests, one-of-a-kind orders from individual clients,” explains Clark. “It is not unusual to have an order for a $25,000 exterior door system … or to have an order for a very unique balustrade in a high-end home. People want their front entry to be just right.” Clark explains that for more than 10 years, the doors and moldings have arrived pre-milled. “Great Plains can purchase pre-milled product cheaper and the quality is just as good as when the company did its own milling,” explains Clark. The company purchases a majority of its doors and trim from Woodland Supply Company in Winnipeg, Canada, and Brainerd Hardwoods in Brainerd, MN. Typically, Great Plains’ doors are delivered pre-hung which ensures a more efficient installation process. For its windows trade, it is a dealer for Andersen Windows.

Recently, Great Plains Millwork has expanded representation to include Andersen’s E-Series and A-Series Windows. “This is a very exclusive window offering,” explains Clark. “We were very fortunate that Andersen has trusted us with their full stable of products.” Clark credits his exceptional staff of approximately 30 for Great Plains’ continued success. He says, “We have built a phenomenal staff. It is exceptional. Most employees have been here more than a decade. They know the builders and the clients trust them. We have built a very good company where people like to work and succeed.” Clark has been in the construction industry in various capacities since 1981. In 1994, he started working at Great Plains Supply as the lumber buyer. Soon he was convinced to become General Manager of Great Plains and since then, he has taken over the company reigns with another partner Dave Franze. “I have sawdust in my veins, I can’t deny it,” Clark adds. “The people in this industry are excellent to work with. There is little pretension. People are open, whether they are employees, clients or vendors. Everyone is a pleasure to deal with.”

In this very competitive building market, Great Plains is tightly focused on quality and service. “Our relationship with our clients is significant,” explains Clark. “When competitors come in with a lower bid, our clients stay with us because of our quality product and relationship. We have had customers for more than 25 years. The longevity is amazing.” The future? “These builders, these clients, they don’t go away,” states Clark. “We service them with the right material at the right place at the right time — service, service, service.”