Philanthropy Important to Simpson Strong-Tie

By Zoe Francis, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Simpson Strong-Tie specializes in creating products to build stronger homes and buildings, but the company is also devoted to building stronger communities.

The Hacienda-based company has donated untold dollars and supplies to support worthy causes in this country and around the world.

"We feel fortunate as a company that we can reach out and help people in times of need," company president Terry Kingsfather said. "It ties back to our core value of doing what's right. In addition to our company donations, we also match our employees' donations up to $1,000 each year."

"We have employees who have been with the company for 20, 30, even 40 years," he continued. "It's because we put people first. That starts with our employees and extends to our customers and the communities we live in."

Simpson Strong-Tie's largest philanthropic endeavor has been with Habitat for Humanity International. Last year alone, the company donated a quarter of a million dollars to support the charity that relies on volunteer work and supplies to build homes for low-income families.

"Habitat for Humanity's mission to provide families with access to safe, affordable housing aligns very well with our company's commitment to provide products that help build safe, strong homes," Kingsfather noted. "Supporting Habitat for Humanity is a great fit for our company."

The company's 2013 donation to the international charity includes $35,000 to help sponsor the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Oakland and San Jose. The former U.S. president and his wife are ardent supporters of Habitat for Humanity. Their work project falls under the auspices of that charity.

Simpson Strong-Tie feels so strongly about the charity that the company has invested more than $1.5 million in cash and product donations since 2007. When the Carters helped with the Bay Area projects, 30 Simpson Strong-Tie employees donated several days of volunteer time at the work sites.

Last year, Simpson Strong-Tie also donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross to help with disaster relief in the wake of tornadoes and severe storms that ripped through Oklahoma, plus another $10,000 to the Red Cross to help victims of the catastrophic flooding in Colorado.

Beyond American borders, the company donated $50,000 to help the Red Cross provide food, shelter, emotional support and other assistance in the Philippines to aid people affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Simpson Strong-Tie was founded in 1956 when a neighbor asked Barclay Simpson if he could help make a product to connect the ends of 2x4's for a roof structure. It was that request for a joist hanger that led to the creation of what is now the leading connector brand in the industry.

"Barclay was happy to help him out, and that's how the company started," Kingsfather recalled. "Barclay believed it was important to build a brand that people trusted. And since that first order for a connector, we have stayed true to our core values of quality, innovation, providing the best customer service and doing what's right."

Simpson Strong-Tie's structural products are recognized for helping homes and buildings resist high winds, hurricanes and earthquakes.

The company has more than 2,200 employees, several U.S. and international manufacturing locations and an extensive network of retailers who sell its products. While it is a global company, it is proud to have several manufacturing plants in America that make all of its connector products.

Learn more about Simpson Strong-Tie at strongtie.com.

Photo: Simpson Strong-Tie is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity, and has donated more than $1.5 million in cash and products. Additionally, employees across the country participate in builds in their local areas. Pictured here are employees and company leaders from the Pleasanton headquarters at a multi-family home building site in Walnut Creek.

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