GL Veneer

For most people, March 1, 1977, was just another Tuesday. But for Lewis “Bo” Grittman and Leslie Levin, it was the first day in the 40-year journey of GL Veneer. “G” for Grittman, “L” for Levin, GL began as a plywood and face manufacturer supplying the high-end case goods markets in Los Angeles. But the guys weren’t new to the business. In fact, Leslie helped develop the veneer grading standards that the Hardwood Plywood Veneer Association (HPVA) still uses today. In 1979, Bo Grittman left GL Veneer and Leslie’s son, Jeff Levin, joined the company, making GL a family effort — and formidable manufacturing/marketing combo. Together, the father and son team steadily grew the business through the 1980s and 90s. By 1997, GL Veneer had diversified their product offering into three lines — Hardwood Plywood, Panel Products, and Leveneer™ Flexible Veneer. Sales took off, prompting the expansion of GL’s production space in Huntington Park, CA, to today’s 150,000 square-foot, modernized facility. A giant of the industry and visionary businessman, Leslie Levin lead GL Veneer to a position of strength and flexibility. In 2006, Jeff took the torch from his father, continuing the company’s growth and innovation — including WallWood™, wooden wallpaper invented by GL. Recently, Daniel Levin joined his dad, Jeff, at the helm of the family business. Now three generations strong, GL continues expanding with new product lines, including an extensive collection of beautiful live-edge slabs.