The Softwood Forest Products Buyer - March/April 2024

Retail Review
Bliffert, Portage Lumber Merger Will Deliver More Building Support,
Products To Central Wisconsin Market
Bliffert Lumber, headquartered in Milwaukee, has merged with Portage Lumber
Do-It-Best in Portage, WI.
Portage Lumber was founded in 1953 and has offered building materials,
hardware and home decor in the Portage market for the majority of its 70 years in
business.
Portage Lumber Do-It-Best attributes its strong position in the market to its
focus on customer service. Kimberly Dorn, the general manager of Portage Lumber,
represents the third generation of the Dorn family’s ownership and management
and will continue to run this branch.
“We believe that merging with the Bliffert family of companies allows us to
continue to serve our customers and community for generations to come,” said
Dennis Dorn, CEO of Portage Lumber.
Bliffert Lumber, which sells Douglas Fir, Hemlock and White Fir, and
Knotty and Yellow Pine, among other Softwoods, has served contractors and
homeowners in southeastern Wisconsin for over 120 years.
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“We are always looking to merge in other great lumber families like the Dorn’s
that share our values,” said Eli Bliffert, vice-president of Bliffert Lumber. “We
are very excited to extend our reach into Central Wisconsin and beyond. We are
stronger together.”
For more information, go to www.bliffertlumber.com.
Hayward Lumber Acquires Economy Lumber
Hayward Lumber, the Campbell, CA-based pro-dealer, has announced that it
recently acquired Economy Lumber.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Economy Lumber is
also located in Campbell.
Following the acquisition, Hayward Lumber’s expanded footprint will include
eight lumberyards, six design centers, a pro tool and repair shop, one truss plant,
four rail yards, and a combined workforce of approximately 270 employees
across California. Across these locations, they are able to offer species such as,
Cedar, Douglas Fir, Fir, Green Douglas Fir, Hemlock-fir, Pine, Ponderosa Pine,
Redwood, Southern Yellow Pine, Spruce, Spruce-Pine-Fir, Sugar Pine and White
Fir.
Hayward Lumber officials
said the union of the two “local,
family-owned businesses is a
significant step forward for the
companies and their communities.”
Founded in 1936, Economy
Lumber is the first lumberyard
in the unincorporated district of
Santa Clara County, known as
Burbank. It carries solid sawn
framing lumber in common sizes
and grades.
The company later relocated to
Campbell. Under the leadership of
John Saunders, the third-generation
president and CEO, Economy
Lumber has played a “vital role in
the region’s construction industry,”
according to sources.
Both companies are members
of LMC, the Wayne, PA-based
forest products and building materials
buying group.
The pro-dealers also noted
that in addition to their business
initiatives, Hayward Lumber and
Economy Lumber are “actively
involved in community projects.”
For more information, go to
www.haywarddlumber.com.
84 Lumber Opens New Component
Plant In Florida
84 Lumber, among the nation’s
largest privately held building
materials supplier, announced the
opening of its new component
plant in Winter Haven, FL.
The company’s primary
component plant in the state of
Florida, was scheduled to open its
doors for operation by the end of
January.
Florida has historically been a
strong market for 84 Lumber and
the “component element will remain
a priority moving forward.”
“This location will not only
generate new business but will
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Page 20 Softwood Forest Products Buyer • March/April 2024