At 84 Lumber: bigger projects

Single-family housing has served 84 Lumber as a staple and a sweet spot since its founding in 1956. But the sweet spot has grown to include the multi-family market, especially as the number of component plants swells to 21 by the end of this year.

“Our projects now encompass a wider range of structures, including apartment complexes with three-to-500 units, hotels spanning 100,000 square feet, and townhomes or condominium buildings for existing residential builders,” said 84 Lumber owner and CEO Maggie Hardy.

For a supplier, there are many operational differences between the single- and mutli-family markets. Multi-family brings new sets of relationships, different product needs, increased complexity in logistics and delivery, among them. Perhaps the overarching difference is best described as the scale and volume of project management.

Central to 84 Lumber’s expanded focus, the company says, are top-quality materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for a broad spectrum of residential and commercial projects.

“84 Lumber’s expansion into the multifamily sector is a natural progression of our business model,” said Hardy. “We’ve applied the principles and operations that made us successful in the single-family market to multifamily projects, allowing us to grow our customer base and take on larger, more complex developments.”

This strategic shift has enabled 84 Lumber to undertake significant projects across the country. Notable achievements include the establishment of 15 multifamily hubs in key markets nationwide, as well as high- profile framing and installation projects in cities like Tallahassee and Gainesville, Florida, and Knoxville, Tennessee. These hubs serve as critical points of service and support, ensuring that 84 Lumber remains at the forefront of the multifamily construction industry.

84 Lumber supported its expanding operations with strategic investments in component plant capabilities. As the company continues expanding across the country, component plants are top of mind. Since 2014, the company has increased its number of component plants from four and is on track to have 21 by the end of this year. Recent openings include facilities in Atlanta, Georgia; Winter Haven, Florida; and a new door shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These plants play a crucial role in bolstering 84 Lumber’s network of stores, streamlining the company's ability to provide materials quickly and efficiently to any of its growing projects.

“Our investment in component plants is a key driver of 84 Lumber’s growth,” noted Hardy. “These plants have become a pivotal resource for the company, working hand in hand with our 84 Lumber stores to provide our customers with the products they need, when they need them. By empowering us to offer more value-added services, our new plants will fuel the growth of our company and continue to create opportunities for our associates.”