Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Payne.
Michael, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Northeastern Fence was started in 1955 by my grandfather, Ralph Leo, He was a mason after he came back from WWII in which he served in Navy. As the story goes, he built a wall that took almost a week and he met a person whom put up a chain link fence in 2 days and made as much money has he did. He decided that day to get in to the fence business. He worked out of his house in Everett as a fence installer then moved to Melrose for a few years before a gas station explosion forced him to find somewhere else to run the business, He chose Route 1 in Saugus, MA as what he hoped to be a long term stay. Well we have been in the same location since 1964 so 50 plus years is definitely a long term stay! That house in Everett is also the house I grew up in. I was very lucky to be able to see my grandparents every day back when I was a kid and the simple kind of man that he was, he stayed on Liberty St in Everett till the day he died in 2003.
We installed for about 30 years until he decided to put away the post hole digger and try his hand at fence distribution only. In this time period we grew to use almost all of our 7 acres of land and made some major improvements with new buildings and storage warehouses to be able to meet the demand that the 80’s brought us. It was in 1980 or so that I have my first memories of muddling around the yard and as a 10 yr. old boy I found all the piles of chain link and wood fascinating enough to explore them frequently, My first job was picking up nails that fell to the ground and for this I was paid a penny a nail. After my grandfather got wind of the guys throwing them on the ground on purpose to help my financial status he quickly changed the rules to a nickel for every bad nail I found. I then learned for the first time how quickly you can stop earning money and I liked making enough for an ice cream or to take some swings at the batting cages down the road.
In 1989 I decided to join my grandfather for good. To me he was Vince Lombardi, John Wayne, and Ronald Reagan all in one. He was my hero and now I can work with him every day and learn the biz. Well I learned how the economy can both keep the biz sailing smooth or almost sink the both if you are not careful for those were the yrs. of economy slowdowns and crises. What I can say is that the best years of my life until I got married were spent with him and watching just how good of a person he was and how he helped so many “fence guys” starting out. In 1997 I got married and took a much more active role with the company. My Uncle Ed, whom worked alongside my grandfather retired and my grandfather was slowly getting weaker, While it saddened me to see this I was very motivated to keep the ship afloat and to learn everything I could about not just fences but how to truly run a business that has been around so long.
Well that was 20 yrs. ago. I decided to try installing again and now it’s a small but very important part of our company. Our good name that has been built upon 62 years of working hard to always do the right thing for the customer is stronger than ever. Family business is not easy and keeping it alive and not forgetting what makes us who were are in both the good times and bad times makes me the proudest. We have one family The Neffs, whom has been with us since the day we moved to Rt 1. First Tom Neff then Dave Neff (my sales manager and been here since I was 6 in the mid 70’s) and all of his kids, and some nephews have all worked here. Without them there would be no Northeastern Fence. We have seen Highs and Lows, and many different product changes from Chain Link and Cedar to Pvc and Aluminum we have tried to stay ahead of the curve and because of the employees and their work ethics, teamwork, and pride we have been a leader for over 7 decades.
Right now I believe we are the second oldest same family, same location business on route 1 in Saugus and there have been thousands of companies come and go since we started, For a little fence company to be able to say that is unfathomable yet very satisfying to me and I hope to keep it going another 7 decades or so.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anything but smooth!
Anytime there is a family business it is not easy. One time I quit to become a bartender because I thought that would be a lot less stressful but quickly I realized that I truly love the family biz and have to go forward, always.
From shortages to bad economies, too many months lost due to the crazy weather of New England this is not a biz for the faint of heart.
I liken it to the book The Old Man and the Sea — You spend all summer trying to catch the big fish and when you finally do, the sharks eat it on the way home=.
In My biz it’s sort of like that. Its takes most of the year to start making money then when the winter comes it takes whatever money you make back and you just need to tread water until the fish come in again.
Please tell us about Northeastern Fence and Supply.
We sell fence products to the homeowner, the contractor, and to fence companies around the area. We also have a small installation arm of the biz as well. During the winter we sell pellets and logs to keep you warm in the winter.
We are known for having everything, always when it comes to fence. We like to say we have the highest quality fence at fair prices which makes great value for you the customer.
Our size, 7 acres of fencing materials and being in the biz so long helps us stay ahead of any bad trends that can occur and we are always open, all year long.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is playing baseball with my dad and my friends. Playing baseball and having my family watch me at the games was the biggest thrill. Back in the day on Liberty St in Everett in a few minutes there would be 10-15 kids all around my age playing sports every day. No technology needed, just a strong will to play hard. I will never forget those days and the friendships made.
Contact Info:
- Address: 74 Broadway (RT1N)
Saugus, Ma 01906 - Website: www.northeasternfence.com
- Phone: 781-233-3324
- Email: nefence@aol.com
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