Carter Lumber Acquires Kempsville Building Materials
Neil Sackett, President/CEO, and Jeff Donley, COO, of Carter Lumber, congratulate
Scott Gandy, President, and Brenda Onley, VP, of Kempsville Building Materials.
92 jobs saved
“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.
“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.”
In stepped 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, 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
Ganley. “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. By 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, NC. 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:
- 9th-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).
- Employs more than 3,000 people.
- Opened its first store 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.