ProBuild Continues to Prosper
While Texas Lumberyard Closes after 62 Years

Some companies, like ProBuild, are continuing to acquire other companies, despite a slower housing market nationwide. However, companies like Prets Lumber in Galveston, Texas, are being forced to close.

ProBuild Holdings purchased Florida-based Granger Lumber-Hardware, a distributor of lumber, millwork and roof trusses. Founded in 1946, Granger Lumber-Hardware operates two Jacksonville area locations servicing contractors, remodelers and do-it-yourselfers. Terms of the sale have not been disclosed.

According to a ProBuild company release, the Granger Lumber-Hardware acquisition provides ProBuild with access to a top 25 market in Jacksonville. With this purchase, Pro- Build continues to strengthen its presence in Florida which grew by 13 locations in 2007 through acquisition.

“The addition of the Granger locations allows us to expand our service to national and regional builders while maintaining our high standards of customer service to local custom builders,” explained Buddy Ables, president and chief operating officer of ProBuild’s East region. “Integral to this transaction is the retention of key leadership in Randy Rogers, Dennis Burrows, Craig Mullins and Dan Mitola.”

“We are excited to join ProBuild, an organization that will provide the business with significant long-term growth opportunities,” said Randy Rogers, president and general manager of Granger Lumber-Hardware. “Our associates will experience great opportunities as we go forward.”

While ProBuild is increasing its reach in Florida, other companies around the country are finding no other choice than to close their doors.

Prets Lumber Co. has a sign on its door that says, “Everything’s Got to Go.”

“It’s a bit surreal,” said Tony Prets in Galveston’s The Daily News. Prets has worked at his family’s lumberyard for 35 years (since he was ten years old).

The article says that Prets Lumber Co. prospered for years and had a loyal customer base, but it has $1 million in debt from a failed expansion and has suffered due to chain stores.

“Prets owes county taxing entities more than $60,000. The store, down to three employees, is struggling to pay for insurance. Sales are averaging about $500 a day, not enough to cover expenses. There’s no cash to buy inventory to sell,” the article states.

Tony Prets says that he could have handed the keys over to a liquidator and walked away, but “he wanted to see it to the end.”

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