About Weiss

Introduction

The core business of the Weiss Group is factory finishing, which involves the application of paints and stains to variety of building products. The primary advantages of our systems are lower costs and controlled application conditions that utilize advanced coating technologies not available in older processes or field applications.

Management Team of the Weiss Group

• President Chris Weiss
• General Manager, Washington Facility Matt Weiss
• General Manager, Indiana Facility Steve Richter
• Directory of Technology Mike Weiss
• MIS Development Greg Weiss
• Sales Manager Tony Ellis
• Production/Maintenance Manager Jerry Huss

History

Weiss Prestaining, the first company of the Weiss Group, was founded by Harley & Nancy Weiss as a sole proprietorship in 1973. It began operation in Northern Indiana with a single coating line dedicated to improving the quality of coating for the residential market. We soon learned the available equipment and siding distribution systems were not consistent with the goal, thus we began building application processes and vertical integration in lumber distribution.

By the early 1980’s, the part-time business became a full time operation and three sons joined the company: Matt in sales/marketing ,Mike in production/engineering, and Greg in MIS/finance. Through the early and mid 1980’s, sales continued to grow and in 1986, Chris joined the team, adding his skills in management and accounting.

This business expanded rapidly, and a new facility was constructed in Stillwell, Indiana. At the same time, an industrial market began to materialize. Cedar products started to receive pressure as forest harvest restrictions started to affect supply.

Restrictive forest practices eventually shifted the siding market towards alternatives and in particular, fiber cement sidings. The Weiss Company then began development of a new prefinished fiber cement line. In September 1998, the volumes of cedar priming pushed the Weiss Group to add a facility in Centralia, Washington called Weiss Cascade. The factory is located midway between Seattle and Portland; it is approximately 30 miles from a fiber cement manufacturing facility and 20 miles from our largest cedar primed customer.

The Weiss operations now employ more than 140 people with combined sales over 20 million. All members of the Weiss family are active in the company and as we have passed our 30th Anniversary in operations, the Weiss Group continues to be a leader in the coating industry.