114 With all the new business and new departments, space was again at a premium, and in 1986, Western States bought the W.H. Kiefaber plumbing supply property that sat between its two facilities. Originally the site of a paper mill, the Kiefaber building had also been the production facility for the early 1900s Republic Motor Car Company. The acquisition gave Western States over a thousand feet of frontage on Fairgrove and 11 acres of property, making the site more marketable if management ever chose to move. The biggest personnel changes in the 1980s included the retirement of Jim Coleman as General Sales Manager after 27 years of service. The company divided the responsibilities between two men, with Jim Fenske put in charge of sugar sales and Roger Fair responsible for chemical sales. Fred Davis retired as Purchasing Manager after four decades with Western States. Bob Altman also devoted 40-plus years to the Company, retiring as a Secretary-Treasurer in 1989 but remaining a Director. Don Asplan was chosen as the new Secretary, while Chuck Duersch took over as Treasurer. CHAPTER 9 right: In order to expand, Western States purchased the Kiefaber building, a production facility for the early 1900s Republic Motor Car Company.