About Us
A first-generation Polish immigrant in Chicago – with U.S. Air Force service during Vietnam and prior work experience at the Chicago roofing and siding distributor Logan-Long – Mr. Richard Guzior credits his many successes and blessings to God and the opportunities and obligations inherent in the American Dream.
“In American history, much has been said and written about ‘self-made’ men and women,” he says. “Well – I, like so many of my customers – am one. All of us understand and desire to work for the American Dream, provide for our families, and stand behind our work with pride. We believe that hard work, honest labor, and each other’s complementary abilities and strengths will help us succeed together.”
With minimal formal education and little business experience, Mr. Guzior joined Logan-Long, starting at the bottom in shipping. He worked long hours, learned the business top to bottom, earned promotions – and had an epiphany:
Take care of your customers and they will keep coming back.
TAKING RISK
In 1978, after his employer was forced to sell, he partnered with business associate Richard Sawilchik to launch Richards Building Supply Company. The two Richards divided their duties: Richard J. Guzior took charge of sales and operations, while Richard Sawilchik assumed the accounting and credit duties. In 1986, Richard J. Guzior bought out his partner.
By then – through working unimaginable hours in those early years, through raising the bar to deliver a signature quality level of service to customers — Richards Building Supply Company had attained success. But initial success, if not perpetuated by innovation and growth, soon atrophies. The Guziors – husband Richard and wife Christine, with their young family of seven children — took a giant risk in buying out Richard’s partner. “It’s inescapable; if you’re not growing, you’re at risk of dying,” Richard stresses.
GROWING THE BUSINESS
Since 1986, Richards Building Supply Company has expanded from eight locations to 60+ across 14 states. In June 2019, the Guziors’ named their son, Ronald (“Ron”) to the position of CEO/President. Family-owned and focused, their six remaining adult children have business roles within the company as well. With Ron at the helm, the company is well-positioned for continued growth and doing what drives them, “serving, solving and celebrating” customer, partner, and employee wins for generations to come.
And, Richard J. Guzior’s role going forward? In 2004, he began his own informal, orderly transition toward retiring and pursuing his passion for philanthropy of basic human needs.
When we can help you grow your business, then we can grow together!
“Yes, Richards Building Supply Company helps build homes,” he says. “But we also are striving to build and expand long-term relationships with our customers, employees, and vendors. We take this role very seriously. Not only are we supplying reliable products and services, but we are also helping our customers build the future means to produce, to fulfill aspirations, to nurture families and new enterprises.”
PURPOSE
Our faith drives us every day to work hard and cheerfully serve our employees, customers, business partners, and nearby communities. We believe there is a direct correlation between our principles and 40 years of successful growth. For Richards Building Supply to continue growing, we must take steps to make sure we leave a legacy of serving to our seven kids, and 16 grandchildren.
In 2005, The Guzior Family Foundation was one of our first steps to impart what’s important to us.
Our mission: Helping educate children and basic human needs through Christian morals and values.
We are also humbled to see our employees continue that same passion by donating to the Red House Relief, Employees 1st Fund that provides for employees in need after a crisis. Just one of the many initiatives to empower our employees to give.
Some of the most fulfilling moments in our lives are when we give.
– Richard J. & Christine Guzior
