Brooklyn-based The Strober Organization, a major supplier of high-quality building materials to professional builders and contractors in the eastern United States, announced in November that it finalized the purchase of 19 professionally oriented locations currently operating as Moore's Lumber and Building Supplies.

"The acquisition of Moore's Lumber introduces Strober's presence into several additional communities in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, New York and Ohio," said Strober chairperson and chief executive officer Fred Marino. "The Strober Organization has aggressive growth objectives and this acquisition further positions the company to achieve these goals."

The acquisition of Moore's Lumber and Building Supplies follows closely on the heels of Strober's acquisition of The Contractor Yard, 26 locations formerly owned and operated by The Lowe's Companies. The Contractor Yard purchase, which closed in January 2004, effectively doubled Strober's annual revenues. With the acquisition of Moore's, Strober becomes the seventh largest dealer servicing the professional marketplace in the United States. After the closing, the four locations in New York State will report to Bob Gaites, chief operating officer of the Strober Organization. The other fifteen locations will become part of the Contractor Yard, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., and will report to Ben Phillips, chief executive officer of the Contractor Yard
Since 1997, Strober has been on a rapid growth trajectory. The company grew from nine locations in four states and $152 million in sales in 1997 to 72 locations in 15 states and with projected sales for 2004 of $1.1 billion. With the purchase of Moore's, Strober now operates 90 facilities in 15 states. Moving forward, Strober plans to actively seek opportunities to grow the company both internally and through additional acquisitions.