14 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah Getting to Know Cory Alder – President of Alder Sales Corporation Why did the company’s founding members decide to start the company? Alder’s started as a restaurant supply company during the Great Depression. George Alder had been working in that business, and the company he worked for failed. He and his four sons decided they would open their own business out of the necessity of needing a job. They were successful in the restaurant supply business until the early 1950s. However, in the late 1930s, they started a division selling architectural specialty products like accordion doors. The restaurant supply business began to slow down in the early 1950s, and the family focused their efforts on architectural products. All the founding members were Alders. What was their family relationship with each other? G. Alfred Alder founded the company with his four sons, Lin, George, Don and Gerald. Each gave their attention to the business; however, other interests came along at different times for Lin, Gerald and George. My grandpa Don was the one who ended up staying with the business. Please tell us about the history of Alder Sales Corporation. In particular, what would you like to say about the three generations that came before you? Don was my grandfather. After the passing of his father, he started the process of buying out his three brothers. That buyout was completed in the 1960s. My father was the youngest of five children. His older siblings chose not to be in the family business. My dad started working at Alder’s at the age of 18. As my dad was the youngest sibling, his parents were aging out of the business, and my dad was asked to take over at a very young age. With the help of very good mentors in and out of the business, he took the company into steady 40-year growth. He acquired more product lines and expanded our footprint into the surrounding states of Nevada, southeastern Idaho and western Wyoming. Cory Alder is president of Alder Sales Corporation, title sponsor – and valued friend – of AIA Utah. As title sponsor, Alder Sales Corporation enjoys supporting the community. Like AIA Utah, they also believe in the goal of a better-built environment. By partnering with the AIA, Alder’s unique conscientiousness assists the community in expanding the quality of life. AIA Utah recently interviewed Cory about the company, its history and future direction.
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