The Voorhees family has a deep-rooted passion for woodworking that seems to be in their blood. Ed Voorhees inherited this love from his father, who was an architect and a professor at the University of Virginia. After serving in the Air Force in the early 1960s, Ed pursued his interest in woodworking by studying at the National Hardwood Lumber Association School in Tennessee.
In 1981, he founded his own lumber business on a 9-acre property in Greer. Originally named Ed Voorhees S4S, the company focused on making boat parts but later shifted gears to offer custom interior trim and various wood products. In 1996, the business adopted the name Tidewater Lumber and Moulding Inc. Today, it provides over 30 types of lumber and premium wood products for both residential and commercial projects.
“It all started with our love for wood and the feelings we get from wooden structures and architecture,” Ed Voorhees shared, highlighting the company’s core values.
### A Family Legacy
Louis Voorhees, Ed’s son, carried on the family tradition by joining the company in 1994. Now, after three decades, he serves as the general manager, guiding a team of 24 individuals. The family connection runs deep, with Ed’s wife and daughter also contributing as bookkeepers. Recently, the company welcomed Louis’s son, Luke, marking its transition to a third-generation family business.
“My father built a strong foundation,” Louis Voorhees said. “I was fortunate to join in and grow the company further, and I hope my son will continue this journey.”
Tidewater Lumber and Moulding has expanded its product range over the years, producing interior trim along with hardwood flooring, doors, countertops, and cabinetry, among others. The company stands out due to its extensive selection of high-quality wood products, often collaborating with architects and designers to create tailored solutions, including in-house produced specialty carving knives.
Louis explained that this versatility makes Tidewater appealing to builders, as they can source multiple items from one location.
Most of the lumber comes from just 150 miles around Greenville, requiring about four months of preparation involving air and kiln drying before processing. The variety includes types such as red cedar, maple, cherry, and walnut. Tidewater also prides itself on being one of the nation’s top distributors of cypress wood.
### Customized Projects
Tidewater Lumber and Moulding handles around 250 projects yearly, with its strong network and established reputation allowing them to work across 24 states in the last year. About 70% of these projects involve high-end custom homes, with work extending into South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.
“We take pride in helping people create something they’ll enjoy for the long term,” Ed said, adding that this motivation drives their work.
The company is also involved in commercial projects, including custom wood tabletops and paneling for Clemson University using reclaimed lumber from the site. “While many classrooms there are concrete, adding wood elements brings warmth to the space,” Louis noted.
Tidewater’s work can be seen in various prominent locations throughout the Upstate, such as Unity Park in Greenville and the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.
As they look ahead, the Voorhees family hopes to expand Tidewater further, with plans to open more physical stores selling finished wood products crafted at their Greer facility. “We are always exploring new avenues and seeking to innovate our offerings,” Ed concluded.
### The Origin of the Name
The name Tidewater Lumber and Moulding was inspired by Ed’s fondness for Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. He drew from the area’s straightforward architectural style and utilized products from the Tidewater Colonial Moulding Series for inspiration.
When Louis started with the company, it was still referred to as Ed Voorhees S4S, a technical term in the lumber industry referring to lumber that has been smoothed on all four sides. Louis suggested a name change based on the recognition of Tidewater Moulding in the industry.
### Sales Breakdown
Louis provided an overview of the company’s sales, which fall into three equal categories:
– Hardwood flooring
– Molding
– Lumber
### Did You Know?
Tidewater Lumber and Moulding is recognized as one of the largest cypress distributors in the country, having supplied this type of wood for over 35 years. Grown in the Southeast’s wetland areas, cypress is known for its soft blond color and versatility for both indoor and outdoor use.
