Neil Sackett, President/CEO, and Jeff Donley, COO, of Carter Lumber, congratulate
Scott Gandy, President, and Brenda Onley, VP, of Kempsville Building Materials.

“We’re Back”! That’s the message Scott Gandy President of Kempsville Building Materials and Brenda Onley Vice President recently delivered to employees and customers. The Chesapeake, Virginia, building materials supplier was sold in 2006 to Stock Building Supply. After learning of Stock’s intention to shut down the local branches and put all the employees out of work, the pair went looking for a partner to rebuild Kempsville Building Materials - and found Carter Lumber.

“These employees are the people who are responsible for everything we have been able to achieve,” said Gandy and Onley. “We did it for them more than anything.”

Carter Lumber, one of the nation’s largest building materials suppliers, and put together a deal to acquire both the Chesapeake and Newport News, VA facilities. Headquartered in Kent, Ohio, Carter Lumber operates 195 locations in ten states.

“We’re proud to welcome Kempsville Building Materials into the Carter Lumber Family of Companies”, said Neil Sackett, Carter Lumber President & CEO. “Our partnership will not only revive a great company, but will enable us to work with some great employees and customers while we grow the business”.

Under the new agreement, Kempsville Building Materials will continue to provide builders and do-it-yourselfers with a broad range of building materials and the customer service to support the sales. Besides lumber and mill products, the company supplies trusses, engineered wood products, prefabricated wall panels, roofing, siding, windows, doors, and insulation products from leading manufacturers. The company has also opened an install division as well as expanding their gypsum offerings.

“Reviving the Kempsville name was extremely important for our employees and customers”, said Gandy. “Partnering with Carter Lumber will allow us to return the pride and heritage of our great company”.

“Our strategy with acquisitions is what we believe sets us apart” says Jeff Donley Carter Lumber Sr. Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. “We believe it’s important to maintain the people, heritage and brand name that have built the business over the years. Coming in and not changing who the company is in the market lets business run as seamlessly as possible and provides less disruption for both customers and employees.”

In addition to Kempsville, Carter Lumber has made three other acquisitions in the last few years including Holmes Lumber of Millersburg, Ohio, Kight Home Center of Evansville, Indiana, and Griggs Lumber of Point Harbor, North Carolina. According to Jeff Donley, “as long as we see opportunity, we will continue to look for companies that will enable us to gain market share”.

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FACTS ABOUT CARTER LUMBER:

• Carter Lumber is the ninth-largest building-material supplier  in North America; 195 stores in 10 states (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia).
• We employ more than 3,000 people.
• The first Carter Lumber store opened in 1932 in Akron, Ohio.
• Established in 1932 by W.E. Carter, Carter Lumber is headquartered in Kent, Ohio.

Please visit www.carterlumber.com for more information about Carter Lumber’s products and services.