MacGregor Companies - Gordon A. MacGregor (1916-1987)
Abstracted From "Idaho, gem of the mountains," by Merle W. Wells and Arthur A. Hart, Northridge, Calif., Windsor Publications, 1985, p. 230.
Gordon Angus MacGregor, a broad-shouldered Scotsman, went into south central Idaho's forests fifty years ago as a young logger, and with vision and innovations built a private family empire in logging, construction, mining, livestock, and land.
Logging was MacGregor's first love, an enthusiasm he inherited from his father, who brought his family from Minnesota to Cabarton in Valley County to work for the Boise Payette Lumber Company. As success followed success, MacGregor bought the site of then-abandoned Cabarton in 1940, and the surrounding land at later dates, and in 1985 he and his immediate family operated three integrated ranches in three counties, totaling 22,334 acres, under the name MacGregor Land and Livestock Company.
MacGregor's business and holdings have changed over the years, but land, livestock, and timber remain the core of his operations. The land, and accompanying livestock, is an integral part of the MacGregor Companies, which include the Pressure Treated Timber Company of Boise.
After working for Boise Payette for ten years, MacGregor began his own logging operations in 1944 as the MacGregor Logging Company. He soon became recognized as one of the largest independent loggers in the Pacific Northwest. He logged as much as seventy million board feet of timber a year. The logging company gradually branched into road construction and earth moving, and in 1951 MacGregor purchased the Triangle Construction Company, head- quartered in Boise, and renamed it MacGregor Triangle Company. In 1956 a new headquarters building was constructed on Gekeler Lane off Federal Way. In the 1950s the company engaged in logging, ore hauling out of Stibnite to Cascade, construction, open pit mining, livestock operations, and land development Two other construction companies were purchased and by 1960 MacGregor began closing out its logging division and concentrated on construction for public agencies and private companies in seven western states.
Also in 1960 MacGregor kept his hand in the timber industry by founding the Pressure Treated Timber Company, which treats forest products with preservatives by means of pressure. The firm expanded over the years under the leadership of Robert Darrow as president and general manager. From its computerized plant at 3200 Gowen Road, Pressure Treated Timber also produces precision-cut log buildings sold in twenty two states, including Alaska, and in Japan.
In April 1981 MacGregor sold MacGregor Triangle, but still has a financial interest in the company. He credits the success of the firm to his nephew, Tom MacGregor, who still serves as president. Gordon MacGregor maintains an office in the headquarters building.
MacGregor serves as chief executive officer of the ranching and wood-products companies. His daughter, Carol MacGregor Bettis, serves as corporate secretary of both the Pressure Treated Timber Company and the MacGregor Land and Livestock Company. A son, Jock, is operating manager and vice-president of the ranching operations. Its board of directors consists of MacGregor and his wife, Nell, and their three children, Carol, Jock, and David MacGregor.
Source: internet archive
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