warehouse associate

warehouse worker

inside sales representative

forklift operator

sales trainee

Hardwoods Specialty Products

Regarding the Livermore location, I would personally say that it wasn't the best experience.

The only thing that made it somewhat worthwhile was management being supportive and working with me when I needed schedule accommodations due to personal circumstances. Both managers are great managers who care about the company and actually want to see the company succeed.

The main problem I had working here was actually some of the other coworkers themselves. I as a worker, tried to carry myself with a sense of professionalism, courtesy and respect....the same cannot be said of some others. On many occasions, I was talked down to, yelled at and belittled for navigating on how to do my job by said coworkers. One certain person, although good at his job, was EXTREMELY unprofessional, callous and unprincipled at times in their interactions with me and sometimes during team meetings. He used profanities during team meetings speaking with aggression to express their dislike of something that would happen on the floor, they consistently micromanaged me, belittled me, clapped at me and sometimes expressed annoyance just for asking them a question on something I didn't know. Another gentleman would just raise their voice towards me and get annoyed whenever I accidently did something wrong or just innocently misunderstood something. And one person straight up told me, after me only working there just 2 weeks, that I was slow, the others were talking about me behind my back and that I needed to pull my own weight...

Along with my own personal problems coupled with such an unprofessional and unhealthy atmosphere, I finally decided to leave and I'm honestly glad I did.

In conclusion, during my time at hardwoods, though I liked the management and they were supportive and worked with me, one of the biggest flaws they have is in WHO they hire. Sure, the people who work there are good at what they do and that's all fine, but just because you're good at what you do, doesn't make you a good coworker. This eventually can affect the climate of the job and makes people not want to come in and work, especially like in my case, where I was targeted numerous times while other workers were not. This sense of hiring people who can "just get the job done" isn't always the best business practice especially if you don't want your company to become a revolving door that has a high turnover rate--which leads to my final point.

The work culture/environment. I do honestly believe that things like aggression, profanities and yelling need to take a backseat and most definitely shouldn't have any part in a workspace of all places which only leads to a very toxic work atmosphere. The guys who targeted me for example, were very rude and seemed to get off on it. They were very  unprofessional, and condescending. Such people should not be working in a job at all if they can't learn the basic fundamentals of respect. And that's just the issue, just a slap on the wrist is what happens when things like this happen here. No real accountability, no corrective actions--just a "don't do this again, that's not nice". We're all adults working at the same place so why not be mature, overcome problems together and work on each other's strengths and weaknesses as a team---not clown on and belittle each other with profanities or the raising of voices. Unfortunately those are some of the people that work there and I do truly believe that if Hardwoods had more of an active HR culture and worked on creating a more professional environment, it wouldn't leave much room for these kinds of people to be working there, let alone certain people becoming targeted.

It is my understanding that the Livermore location will be relocating to Stockton last I heard when I left. If this is so and you happen to read this review before applying just be wary and cautious of these individuals. You’ll know who they are if they are there.

It all comes back to management. If they can just do a better job of refining their hiring process and implement an active HR culture that's actually involved--this place would honestly be one of the best places to work-- and who knows, despite my own personal circumstances, I probably would've figured out a way to stay...



What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part in my opinion is it's a small crew based work Zone with maybe 8 to 10 people per shift, there is no point system and for the most part is laid back which for me it makes my work ethics exceed or Excel. There are times that it's really fast paced environment which is good anyway I'm overall people are easy to talk to no one's breathing down the back of your neck constantly as long as you're doing your job nobody there to criticize. The managers and supervisors are extremely easy to talk to everyone it's like a family there

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part is only when they get large amount of orders in at one time then you have to really put it in gear to get those done. Other than that is basically really a stress-free environment.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Everyone is like family there and they do have lunches quite often brought in for the crew. The crew you work on is only around 8 to 10 people so it's like a little family everyone does get along.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Well you come in they have coffee machines water machines refrigerators for your lunch and the break room, go grab you some Go Go Juice jump on your forklift you already have your orders laid out and your work bin, and began to pick pull and stack your orders to be loaded on outbounds for the day. Some days are not as busy as others some days you'll be in a very fast-paced environment

If you started with Hardwoods 20 years ago and are still on the team, congratulations you are probably making pretty sweet money. If you are working in the warehouse or inside sales you get squat. Even though they ask the guys on the desk to manage multimillion dollar accounts they pay $33,000/yr with an expensive (but good) insurance policy. Need to initiate profit sharing and get into the 21st century with the training and compensation of new employees.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great teamwork, excellent managements & decent salary.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Sometimes, long working hours but you get overtime compensation.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very professional, supportive and inclusive environment.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
This is a fast-paced job, no time to get bored.

Would have been a great company to work for if the management team would listen to what the problems are and fix them. They don’t listen. It’s hard to sell amazing products when it’s being delivered destroyed, or would send the wrong product. Overall they are ant growth but don’t want fix their problems. Fix the operations and train on how to pull things properly and the company wouldn’t be bad. 

I have been working for Hardwoods Specialty Products in Renton, WA for almost 3 years. I am very happy with all aspects of this company and my management really cares how our work environment helps us fulfill out goals as people, not just as worker bees.  They have really ensured we and our customers are taken care of during this crazy Covid-19 times and I am SO thankful to be a part of it!

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great place to work.
Great coworkers.
Great company.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
It was allwaus fun working at HW

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
High standards, good materials great comunication 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
At the ware house is all ways busy time moves fast loading and unloading materials

Prepare to take the workload of multiple employees outside of your role. The days are very fast paced and you are forced to learn "trial by fire" mentality. The experience was well needed but overall I believe it would have been healthier to have found a different opportunity with a more secure competitor.

Not much opportunity for advancements if you come in at the warehouse level. So don't bust your butt and give it all got, cause you aren't going to be rewarded. 

 like being stressed ? this is the job for you.  lots of know it alls with emotional issues from being overwhelmed and overworked for low pay. I would not recommend this job unless you are young and desperate for a job.  I only work there because I’m optimistic for a change for the better 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Warehouse associate 22 salaries reported	$21.20 per hour
Warehouse worker 5 salaries reported	$23.40 per hour
Inside sales representative 10 salaries reported	$25.75 per hour
Forklift operator 6 salaries reported	$23.58 per hour
Sales trainee 6 salaries reported	$24.58 per hour

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