Throwback Thursday: 150 years in the making
(Back row from left): Devon Campbell, corporate accounting manager; Pete Beckmann, senior accountant; Dave Dittmer, president, Lumbermens; George Finkenstaedt, VP market development; Paul Hylbert, CEO; Frank Perry, VP human resources; Bill Brakken, CFO; Darin Coder, director of finance and accounting; Jason Remik, internal auditor. (Front row from left): Brenda Klingerman, executive assistant; Jeannette Stearns, administrative assistant; Ann Nguyen, tax manager; Noah Gottula, internal auditor.
The Sept. 5, 2005 issue of Home Channel News, the forerunner of HBSDealer helped celebrate a milestone for Lanoga -- a 150th anniversary.
A bit of history: the company was founded in 1855 as Laird & Brothers. It wasn't until 1979 that the company took on the name "Lanoga" — a nod to its heritage: "La" for Laird, "No" for Lairds' co-founding cousins (the Nortons), and "Ga" for Galco Distributing, acquired in 1978.
Lanoga's heritage lives on today through subsequent M&A activity that led to ProBuild Holdings; and eventually to today's Builders FirstSource.
During the mid-to-late 19th century, Lanoga secured its place in LBM history by expanding its holdings from Minnesota to the Pacific Northwest and partnering with Frederick Weyerhaeuser. The 2005 article quoted Martin Laird Koldyke, chairman. "We were without question instrumental in the creation and development of the U.S. timber industry," he said.
Do you have memories from the days of Lanoga? Share them with us at [email protected].