Hammond Lumber will acquire building supply company

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff

Hammond Lumber Co. will acquire a building supply company later this month.

That acquisition of Ware-Butler Building Supply will expand Hammond Lumber’s footprint to 34 locations with more than 1,200 employees across Maine and New Hampshire.

The deal is expected to close by July 31, the company said Tuesday morning. The sale price wasn’t disclosed.

“This is a meaningful opportunity to continue a legacy shaped by trust and long-standing relationships,” Mike Hammond, president and CEO of Hammond Lumber, said in a statement. “In the months ahead, we’ll be focused on listening, learning, and supporting the people and communities who have built these businesses.”

Ware-Butler, which was founded in 1925 and acquired by Pleasant River Lumber in 2020, has locations in Corinth, Dixfield, Dover-Foxcroft, Gorham, Greenville, Kingfield, Livermore Falls, Madison, Mexico, Old Town, Orrington, Palmyra, Waterville and West Enfield.

Once the acquisition is completed, Hammond Lumber intends to consolidate Ware-Butler’s locations in Dixfield, Greenville and Orrington with its existing locations.

All Ware-Butler workers will be offered jobs with Hammond Lumber.

“We have a deep respect for Hammond Lumber Company and the values they stand for,” Jason and Chris Brochu, co-presidents of Pleasant River Lumber, said in a statement. “This was a thoughtful and deliberate decision, and we’re confident that Hammond is the right long-term steward for the Ware-Butler team, its customers, and the communities they serve. We look forward to seeing the continued success of the company under their leadership.”

As part of the deal, Hammond Lumber also will acquire Ware-Butler’s wood panel and metal roof production, expanding its in-house manufacturing capacity and helping the company meet customer demand for prefabricated building material.

The sale won’t affect Pleasant River Lumber’s spruce sawmills in Dover-Foxcroft and Enfield.