Today we’d like to introduce you to Libby Smith.
Hi Libby, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello –
We are a multi-generational family-owned and operated business that was established in approximately 1950 by Gil Roberts. My (Libby’s) family, the Upton Family, owned Roberts Supply Co. from 1993 – 2025. After running the business for approximately 10 years for my father, Stan Upton, my husband Nick and I purchased it in 2025. We have always had a focus on a family atmosphere and serving the hard-working community around us and we are continuing that mission. We primarily serve the Logging and Construction industry, but also have a heavy hand in the landscape and arborist industries; with our STIHL outdoor power equipment dealership. We also have a boot, clothing and raingear business focusing on quality, industry-leading brands like Grundens, Viking, Ariat, Carhartt, Filson, Prison Blues, Grunt Style, Key, Hoffman, Danner, Fox River and more! We have everything from safety items, like ear plugs and stop/slow paddles to rigging chain, wire rope, to gloves and socks!
We provide traditional customer service by still answering the phone and we maintain a meager internet presence, as we aim to remain focused on quality of service and personal touch and feel. We feel we can best provide that by utilizing our staff’s communication skills and attention to detail and that is best done person to person. Some of the things we build in our wire and synthetic rope and chain fabrication shop are very intricate and require specific calculations and measurements. We often spend a significant amount of time consulting with the customer on their needs and application for the type of rigging we build them. We can make cable railings, or tie down for Yurts, or even overhead lifting slings. We always want to get it made right, so that the customer is happy and safe on their job. We love the community that we serve and appreciate being part of the industries that build America!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not! We are always facing new challenges, some industry related and some small-business related. The Timber industry is always under arduous regulation and it also tends to follow market trends closely tied to the real estate industry. Some booms and busts are natural economic trends based on market vitality and good old fashioned supply and demand. Some are related to the heavy government regulation and red-tape that the industry constantly faces. There are a lot of State and Federal battles that constantly interfere with productivity.
We dually have small business challenges like trying to afford competitive wages and train highly-competent employees. Though we are blessed with a typical low turnover rate, we still face some of those challenges. We consider our long-term employees family and we think that speaks volumes. We operate internally like every team member matters and putting food on their tables is just as important as putting food on ours! Our customers appreciate building long-term relationships with our team and genuinely knowing and trusting who is helping them.
We also face a heavy-tax burden these days with new taxes like the City Payroll Tax that is just now being enacted and other operational costs such as the high credit card fees and ever-increasing freight/fuel rates, which are just some examples. Running a small business is extraordinarily expensive and time-consuming. We find ourselves often writing letters or attending meetings as extracurriculars to combat some of these ongoing bureaucratic and economic challenges.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a multi-generational family owned and operated logging and construction supply and a small business located in Springfield, Oregon since approximately 1950. We are known for quality rigging, wire and synthetic rope and chain fabrications and top tier customer service! We are also know for selling industry-leading quality clothing, boots and raingear brands and we have a STIHL outdoor power equipment dealership, which is known for it’s quality, reliability and durability as an international brand and is the #1 brand leader in America!
Our slogan is “You’ll Love Our Rigging” and our motto is “Quality in Everything We do!”
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Stop by and see us and all that we carry! You’re sure to find something to fit or outfit your needs! If you don’t find it, we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction. Even if it’s not in our store, we’ll tell you if we know where to find it. We just want to help get you back to work!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.RobertsSupplyCo.com
- Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/robertssupplyco
- Facebook: http://www.Robertssupplyco.com/
