In the 75-year history of Nu-Wool Co., LLC, the name of Henry Venema holds a special place. After devoting an impressive 48 years to the company, Henry is moving on to retirement. His departure marks the end of an era, but he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
Throughout Henry’s time with Nu-Wool, he assumed a diverse set of roles. Serving as a foreman, working in quality control, leading as a plant manager, driving trucks, working in sales, doing customer service, participating in product and equipment development, and training customers are some of the many positions he has held over the years. The versatility of his career at Nu-Wool showcased his steadfast reliability and commitment, alongside his willingness to learn, lead, and grow throughout his career. Though, it also had contributed to his expertise—of both the company and the product.
“From day one, I believed in the product,” Henry reflected, “75 years later, the product is still the same. Saving people money by using something they discard.”
Throughout his time at Nu-Wool, there were several events that almost led the company to bankruptcy. Back in the 1970s, when Henry first started, there was a roof collapse at the old plant location in Hudsonville, Mich. On top of that, the company had experienced multiple fires that also threatened to ruin it. At one point or another, Nu-Wool had also experienced a lack of resources, such as a lack of boric acid—the crucial fire retardant added to Nu-Wool cellulose insulation.
But despite these events, Nu-Wool continued in stride, instead growing and flourishing over time. “God’s hand was always on the company watching out for it, or we would have never made it,” Henry emphasized when reflecting on these trials.
The leadership of Nu-Wool also played a part in the company’s ability to bounce back and flourish despite the early adversities they faced. Henry reveres the late, former president of the company, Fred Henderson, as being pivotal to Nu-Wool’s growth over the years.
Fred had a vision for the company, and it involved the people working in it. He took time to focus on hiring quality employees and trusting them to do their job with limited oversight. On top of this, Fred motivated all employees to be better people and promoted them to the top of their capabilities. He wanted to see people thrive and acknowledged that they had a place in the success of Nu-Wool. Nobody went unnoticed under his leadership, and everyone—from workers to customers—felt valued and seen.
“Nu-Wool leadership has always had a vision for people and a vision for the product,” said Henry. This company culture is one of the reasons Henry was so inclined to stay for so many years!
Nu-Wool has always been a visionary company, and this is also shown through its relentless spirit of innovation. Henry explained how Nu-Wool made a variety of other products over the years in addition to cellulose insulation. From animal bedding to hydroseed mulch, there were many different products that existed at one point or another.
However, one of those innovations, the Nu-Wool WALLSEAL system, really put Nu-Wool on the map, so to speak. Created in the 1980s, the WALLSEAL process allowed Nu-Wool to go from being a seasonal enterprise to a year-round powerhouse. Prior to this boom, Nu-Wool only did attics and was closed during the slow months. It was around this time the company began to focus solely on cellulose insulation and began targeting new construction markets, and WALLSEAL helped Nu-Wool to get their foot in the door.
This innovative process helped Nu-Wool to truly flourish and was accomplished by the leadership and oversight of Fred Henderson. Though, a feat like this was only made possible by also having quality employees like Henry who were capable of handling the influx of new business, while also having a strong working knowledge of the WALLSEAL system and the cellulose insulation product. Henry played a pivotal role in bringing the WALLSEAL to the marketplace, as he was the one who certified and trained all dealers in using the new system.
While surely a lot of things have changed over the course of 48 years, some things will always remain. The cellulose insulation product Nu-Wool champions is still a superior insulating product made from recycled paper. The WALLSEAL system is still a major component of the company. Innovation continues to be a focus, with the introduction of new products such as ECOCELL cellulose batts and blankets, and INSULDRI foundation insulation. And the company culture of trust, empowerment, vision, and relationships remains, propelling Nu-Wool towards continual growth.
"...a legacy of profound dedication, the power of perseverance, the beauty of genuine connections, relationships, and expertise, and a spirit of unwavering faith..."
As Henry prepares to bid farewell to the familiar rhythms of Nu-Wool and embrace retirement, the company finds itself in a bittersweet position—grateful for Henry’s immeasurable contributions over 48 years and yet keenly aware of the void his departure will leave behind.
Yet, amidst the farewells and well-wishes, there is a deep gratitude and respect for Henry’s enduring legacy—a legacy of profound dedication, the power of perseverance, the beauty of genuine connections, relationships, and expertise, and a spirit of unwavering faith that will continue to inspire and guide Nu-Wool on its journey into the future.
And though his footsteps and voice will no longer echo through the halls, his spirit and lasting legacy will continue to guide and inspire all those who follow in his footsteps. While Henry’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable era, his contributions and character has helped pave the way for a new generation of Nu-Wool Co., LLC.
