Mutual Materials has expanded its presence in Clark County. The Bellevue-based masonry and hardscapes supply company has relocated to a larger location to accommodate a growing product line.
Construction began on Mutual Materials’ new location at 9921 Northeast 72nd Avenue in May, and the company is transitioning into the facility from its 65th Avenue site through the first quarter.
President and COO Joe Bowen said the company is operating on about eight of the property’s 12 acres, due to some wetlands. A 4,000-square-foot showroom and office was built by Union Corner Construction. Mutual Materials purchased the property in 2004. Bowen said it is a multi-million dollar facility including land and construction.
“We wanted to present a more professional experience to our customers, and it allows us to have the room necessary to display our range of products,” said Bowen.
The company’s previous site was just one acre with a 1,000-square-foot office. The company is evaluating whether to sell or lease the old site.
The increased acreage gives the company the ability to offer a wide selection of natural stone, including decorative rock, flagstone, ledge stone, river rock and veneer stone.
Sales of natural stone are on the rise, said Bowen.
“There has been a trend for a number of years in residential and commercial construction for manufactured and natural stone,” said Bowen.
Mutual Materials also features brick, block, pavers, retaining wall products and manufactured stone.
Jeff Welch is a Battle Ground landscape designer and owner of Escape Design. He agrees that the use of stone and hardscapes has become a growing trend.
“Mixing and matching of stone and concrete pavers has come a long way,” said Welch. “There has been a huge, huge increase over the last couple of years.”
Homeowners have a desire to bring their living spaces outdoors, said Welch. He has seen projects that include outdoor ovens and kitchens, fireplaces and even flat-screen TVs. And hardscapes are a durable and maintenance-free option with a variety of colors to create the desired settings, he said.
Bowen expects a small increase in employees as the transition to the new facility is completed, with anywhere from six to 12 employees total.
Sales to contractors, landscape architects and builders represent the majority of Mutual Material’s business. Bowen said the strong residential housing market has resulted in growth for the company. Homeowners are also showing more interest in enhancing their landscapes, he said.
The Clark County site also serves as a distribution facility, as Mutual Material’s products are available in home centers and lumberyards throughout the Northwest.
Mutual Materials has been in business for more than 105 years and since the early 1970s in Clark County. The company has 12 manufacturing facilities and 17 branches throughout the Northwest.
