R J Hoppe Inc.Listing #1535 Listed on: 02/18/2014 WOODWEB Content Editor, Brett Hagstrom, Interviewed Rolf Hoppe in August 2014. Rolf Hoppe owns and operates a 12,500 square foot wood working facility in Newark, New Jersey that was originally started in 1964 by two German immigrants. Being so close to New York City has its advantages, and the building itself has quite a history. Rolf says, “Rumor has it that our shop was at one time a storage warehouse for Macy’s in downtown Newark. Rumor also has it that the building was used as a storage and maintenance yard for the City of Newark’s trolley cars.” The shop has a variety of equipment including: two sliding table saws, a hot veneer press, five table saws, a cross cut saw, an edgebander, drum sander, Ayen dowel machines, spray room with a Kremlin spray pump, fork lift, edge sander, box sander, metal room, compressed air throughout, band saw, shaper, planer, case clamp, pinch roller and a lathe. Rolf says that the Ayen dowel machines are the “workhorses in the shop.” When Rolf started the shop he says that “one job needed a certain machine and another job needed a certain machine. Any profits were put in the bank and invested. That enabled the business to expand to handle larger and more sophisticated projects.” Rolf’s advice for someone looking to start a shop boils down to the idea that “all success revolves around client acquisition and retention. After you acquire a client you must also get paid. If anyone tells you it’s not about the money ask them to pay you 100% up front. The machinery and knowledge will come only if you remain in business.” Rolf works with architects, designers and GC’s, and the business provides a full range of services from design, CAD software utilization and manufacturing, delivery and installation. Work is completed both on spec and on commission. Rolf is fully insured, and his business is a licensed home improvement contractor in the state of New Jersey as well. Times have been tough recently, but Rolf has been able to stay in business thanks to his parents’ help and his wife’s job. He mentions that when business slows, “he cuts back on many items, including expenses, and any non-essential items receive minimal attention.” Rolf’s plan for the next five years is pretty simple – if business decreases the shop doors will close and if things stay steady and/or pick up he’ll keep trying to increase revenue. |
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