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Browne’s Home Center, Friday Harbor, Wa., unveiled its major remodeling during a VIP Night and ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 15, followed the next day with a community-friendly event that attracted over 500 customers and neighbors.

Parent TAL Building Centers renovated the existing space, which included combining several buildings into one cohesive space, which enlarged the retail area from 14,000 sq. ft. to 28,450 ft. Within the revamped space, customers can expect such modern amenities as a dedicated design center, full-service paint center, specialized contractor sales desk with a unique art installation, and for the retail customer, an efficient line queue for checkout.

With the larger footprint, the core categories of paint, electrical, plumbing, hand and power tools, and lawn & garden were bolstered with enhanced offerings. Browne’s also added more home goods, clothing, pet supplies, RV and marine.

The location also boasts a 27,000 sq. ft. all-organic garden center.

The recent 2023 LMC Leadership Summit in Columbus, Oh., brought together LMC dealers for a pivotal moment in leadership evolution, focusing on practical concepts to shape their future. 

The event was led by Kathy Pearson, president and founder of Enterprise Learning Solutions, who shared insights on achieving “Business Excellence.”

John Humphrey of North Atlantic Corp., Somerset, Ma., noted, “The LMC Leadership Summit is an important setting for current and up-and-coming industry leaders to build relationships with one another, and to discuss innovative ways to improve our businesses in the near future.” 

Dr. Angus Fletcher, an Ohio State professor known for his leadership development work, introduced “Simple Not Easy,” a new leadership training program rooted in the wisdom of U.S. Army Special Operations. Dr. Fletcher’s sessions tackled leadership challenges with practical solutions, providing insights into cognitive barriers and actionable strategies for improvement. 

Melissa Johnson, VP of Cameron Mitchell Premier Events & Community Relations, discussed how faith in people and a culture of hospitality have driven Cameron Mitchell Restaurants’ success. This conversation highlighted the importance of culture in shaping the company’s identity and operations. 

Dr. Fletcher continued to empower leaders on the second day, offering insights into envisioning the future, team empowerment, emotional intelligence, and innovation. Attendees learned techniques for sharpening foresight, making informed decisions, and navigating complex situations confidently. 

Lanny Rubin, assistant VP of technology staff operations at Nationwide Insurance, shared Nationwide’s success in crafting a strategic multi-year plan while enhancing the customer experience. Lanny emphasized the importance of aligning long-term planning with a company’s vision and values. 

Kelsey Paasch, founder of Contour Consulting, guided attendees in designing deliberate steps and routines for their leadership journey. Real-life examples and proven strategies facilitated the creation of personalized strategic plans. 

The Summit was more than just an event; it was a platform for transformation, set to redefine leadership in the LBM industry. Attendees left Columbus inspired and ready to pioneer a new era in leadership excellence with practical insights and a memorable networking experience. 

“The Summit was a practical source in giving me tactical ways to strengthen my leadership as an individual and improve our team as a whole,” said Allison Carter, Builders Supply Co., Lancaster, S.C.

Aubuchon Co. signed on as an affiliate of Ace Hardware and will rebrand the majority of its locations.

Over the next three years, 76 of its 112 stores will be rebranded to Ace, while the others will remain independent due to their proximity to existing Ace stores. 

Seattle, Wa.-based electronic lumber marketplace startup Yesler is looking to expand its team after raising $5 million.

Matt Meyers, founder and CEO of Yesler, told the Puget Sound Business Journal that his company currently has about a dozen employees, all based in the Seattle area. He said the funding could allow Yesler could to double its workforce in the next 12 to 18 months, with the majority continuing to be based in the region.

Park Hardware celebrated its grand opening in Severna Park, Md., with special events, product demonstrations, live entertainment, and giveaways for home improvement shoppers on Sept. 15.

Representatives from the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce kicked off the celebration with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Following the ceremony, participants enjoyed product demonstrations with representatives from brands like Big Green Egg and Diablo Tool, as well as live entertainment from the School of Rock House Band.

The first 100 community members to visit the new store received a voucher for a free sub from Truck of Deliciousness food truck, as well as a voucher for a free snow cone from Go Melvo Snoballs. Community members also had the opportunity to win door prizies, including Park Hardware-branded apparel, a Solo Stove, and a MiniMax Big Green Egg.

Park Hardware and Zeskind’s Hardware & Millwork owner and president Rick Miller Jr. acquired Clement Hardware in April, which carried a reputation of having knowledgeable staff who know their customers by name, and immediately began a store redesign, changing the name to Park Hardware.

“It wouldn’t feel right putting my family’s name on a Severna Park icon,” Miller said. “This store belongs to the people and the town of Severna Park, and so Park Hardware is the only option in my opinion.”

The new store includes Zeskind’s Door & Window Showroom, a decorative/architectural hardware showroom featuring a combination of doors, windows, and decorative hardware. It also offers comprehensive home improvement products and services. The store’s modern design; clean, organized layout; and wide product selection all combine to make it an ideal resource and destination for both DIYers and professional contractors alike.

Working closely with his co-op team at Do it Best—an international distributor of hardware, lumber, and building material products—Miller planned the new store redesign, ensuring each detail was carefully thought out to provide the best possible shopping experience. The store retained all full- and part-time employees of Clement Hardware.

“This project means a lot to me personally, having grown up in Severna Park,” said Miller, who is a Severna Park native. “I can’t emphasize enough the amount of respect I have for the Clement family, and their amazing team of people. Having the opportunity to carry on the legacy of this store is a responsibility we do not take lightly.”

Stine Home & Yard, Sulphur, La., has acquired the assets of 51-year-old Fruge Lumber, Eunice, La.

“We’re excited to locate in Eunice, a community we’ve been serving peripherally for many years from our Crowley and Jennings stores,” said CEO Dan Stine. The Eunice store opened Aug. 28 as the 11th Stine location in Louisiana.

Boise Cascade, Boise, Id., is adding a door shop in Commerce City, Co., a suburb of Denver. The 127,000-sq. ft. millwork facility is scheduled to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2023 and is expected to begin production shortly after the first of the year.

“We are excited that this new facility will allow us to expand our offering of pre-hung doors and other millwork products in one of the country’s fastest growing markets,” said Bud Skinner, millwork business development manager.

“Our new state-of-the-art facility in the Denver market will complement our full-line distribution business,” said Jerry Bandel, Denver branch manager. “We look forward to providing high service levels and we will work to integrate and leverage our sales team’s abilities as we ramp up the millwork production capabilities.”

Two employees and five contractors were arrested in connection with a theft ring that cost Cason Builders Supply, East Flat Rock, N.C., an estimated $180,000.

According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the workers were selling Cason inventory to local businesses without Cason’s knowledge or consent.

Employees Jose Ruben Huerta and Marcelino Huerta were charged with, respectively, 40 counts and 18 counts of felony larceny by employee and felony conspiracy. Facing multiple counts apiece for aiding and abetting are the owners of A&L Landscaping, HH Concrete, Ramirez Landscaping, Primo’s Wall Masonry, and JHCC Construction.

One longstanding lumber location and one newly acquired are embracing the new branding under Mead Lumber with a name change. Teague Lumber in Kansas City, Mo., and Rock Creek Lumber in Red Lodge, Mt., will now operate under the Mead Lumber name. This name change streamlines the Mead Lumber brand across its 52 operating locations in nine states.

Teague Lumber’s transition comes a year after its acquisition by Mead Lumber in 2022. Rock Creek Lumber was purchased by Mead Lumber in 2016, and the name change aligns with Mead Lumbers new branding efforts.

Both locations will continue to provide the same level of dedicated service and product offerings that their communities have come to trust. The rebranding is a change in name, with operations at both sites remaining consistent.

Customers and those interested in learning more about these changes are encouraged to visit the Mead Lumber website, to get in touch with the respective locations directly, or contact Mead Lumber’s Marketing department.

Nation’s Best, Dallas, Tx., has acquired two-unit Adams Building Supplies, Inc. of Georgia. 

Founded in 1917, Adams is a fourth-generation business caters to the high-end custom home builder segment with a heavy mix of premium lumber and building material products. “Our continued growth comes from adding best-in-class stores across the country,” said Kevin Pierce, regional VP for Nation’s Best. “Adams Building Supplies has become a market leader, with well-run pro stores offering top-notch drive-through indoor yards. With locations in Hartwell and Toccoa, they’re also strategically located midway between Nation’s Best locations in the Carolinas, which will only strengthen our network and serve the area even better.” 

Sister and brother owners Andrea A. Anderegg and Julian Adams are excited for the future of their family business. “It takes a lot of dedicated people to run a successful business and we’ve been blessed to have a team of trusted managers and associates over the years. We’re thrilled to know that Adams Building Supplies will now be in the hands of an experienced home improvement company like Nation’s Best and that our valued team will continue to be there every day to serve our community.”

Adams Building Supplies are the first Georgia-based businesses for Nation’s Best, now with 51 locations in 15 states. As part of Nation’s Best’s strategy, Adams Building Supplies will lease the real estate from the owners, maintain operations under their existing name, and retain the core team overseeing company operations alongside Nation’s Best, which will provide the strategic and financial support necessary to drive optimal growth and profitability. 

To enhance its presence in the U.S., Chilean-based Empresas CMPC SA has agreed to acquire Heritage Millworks, LLC (dba Powell Valley Millwork), Lexington, Ky.

“This is a fundamental step in the history of CMPC,” said Luis Felipe Gazitúa, chairman of the board at CMPC. “Although our products have been marketed in the United States for decades, we will now be able to produce them here, drawing on the experience and know-how of a specialist company like Powell Valley Millwork.”

A global corporation with more than 100 years of providing sustainable solutions, CMPC has long been an innovator in the marketing of wood, cellulose, packaging products, sanitary products, non-home products, and tissue paper. The acquisition will add a leader in domestic millwork manufacturing to a global company with industrial and business activities in a dozen countries across the world.

“This investment decision is an important step in our strategic growth plan in the United States and brings us closer to our customers in North America, which is a fundamental pillar of our strategic plan,” said CEO Francisco Ruiz-Tagle. “At CMPC, we are convinced that natural fiber-based products are the mainstay of the economy today and especially in the future.”

Radiata pine holds a significant position as one of the most consumed millwork products in the U.S. market. The Powell Valley facilities have the production capacity to supply volume programs across North America plus the location to provide streamlined logistics with robust customer service.

“As the market continues to evolve, we recognize the need to adapt and seize opportunities to thrive in the dynamic landscape of our business,” said Juan Pablo Pereira Sutil, managing director, CMPC Wood Products. “By combining our production capabilities, we aim to secure a larger market share and introduce a broader range of products, including radiata pine and poplar offerings, while serving our customers with a much stronger value proposition.”

“The decision to partner with CMPC marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Powell Valley family,” said Jimmy Thornberry, president of Powell Valley Millwork.

Powell Valley has a strong history in manufacturing dating back to the early 1990s when Jimmy and his father, Jim Thornberry, began at their Jeffersonville, Ky., location. With nearly three decades of industry experience, the company has maintained growth in market share and profitability by introducing new programs while keeping a commitment to customer service.

CMPC and Powell Valley have aggressive growth plans in the U.S. and will begin expanding the assets at both production sites to maintain their existing poplar programs and facilitate the introduction of radiata pine manufacturing and distribution from Kentucky. Powell Valley currently employs more than 200 personnel with immediate demand for hiring skilled positions.

Hoyt’s Ace Hardware, Rancho Cucamonga, Ca., will close by Oct. 20 after 97 years in business.

The business was founded in Ontario, Ca., by S.M. Hoyt—grandfather of current owners—and relocated four decades ago to Rancho Cucamonga.

At 73, co-owner Frank Nelson is ready to retire. He floated sale of the 11,200-sq. ft. through the Ace Hardware network, but got no takers. So he, his two brothers, and his sister decided to sell the two-acre property and it is now in escrow.

Mid-America Lumbermens Association has merged with Northwestern Lumber Association to create one of the largest building material trade associations in the industry. 

MLA represents building material dealers and suppliers in Arkansas, Kansas & Missouri, while NLA covers Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. The combined organizations will operate under the Northwestern Lumber Association umbrella until further notice and will represent over 1,800 building material dealers and over 150 suppliers/manufacturers.

NLA president Cody Nuernberg said, “Joining these long-time industry support groups together as one is a momentous occasion and one that has been diligently planned over the past four years. NLA has served as the managing partner of MLA since 2019 and has enjoyed helping the organization grow its membership footprint and its offerings. By merging the MLA and NLA membership base, the association expands networking opportunities for all members, connecting them to broader resources for products, services, education opportunities and advocacy. This merger also allows for broader reach for education and event offerings and will extend our visibility to invite new members into the organization. We are stronger together!

MLA president Brett Thorne added, “This is an exciting announcement for our members and all the dealers and suppliers that have supported our region over the years. Together, we are expanding our community and increasing the opportunities for growth and support that our retailers require. We are excited to officially join NLA and continue to ‘build’ a thriving industry!”

As part of the merger, all MLA members in good standing will receive membership with Northwestern Lumber Association until Sept. 30, 2023. NLA will continue to produce MLA’s annual events and educational offerings and provide field support via a dedicated regional field manager.

Mark your calendars for Monday October 2, when Kruse Enterprises, Albuquerque, N.M., will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special party. Drinks begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner.

The company was formed in 1998 by Don Kruse and his son, Greg Kruse. Don was one of the original founders of Sagebrush Sales in 1964 and ran the business until 1995, when Greg took over as president, until 1998, when it was acquired by Idaho Timber Corp.