Blue Ridge Lumber makes big entrance into Pennsylvania
In recent months, Blue Ridge Lumber has expanded into Pennsylvania while substantially growing its presence in the state.
Based in Blairstown, New Jersey, Blue Ridge Lumber has operated five locations within the Garden State. But in the past eight months, the dealer has purchased two companies with a total of four locations.
Last month, Blue Ridge acquired Gumble Brothers Home Centers located in Tafton, Pennsylvania in the Lake Wallenpaupack region. Founded in 1926, Gumble Brothers also provides mill services and produces Douglas Fir timbers.
After the Feb. 22 acquisition closed, Gumble Brothers reopened on Feb. 27 under the Blue Ridge Lumber banner.
“Gumble Brothers is the gem of the Poconos as far as stores are concerned,” Greg Ackerson, president and owner of Blue Ridge Lumber, told HBSDealer.
Blue Ridge has actually been a customer of Gumble Brothers for years. As owner Sue Gumble was deciding it might be time to sell the company, she happened to notice a Blue Ridge Lumber truck in the Gumble Brothers' yard.
Gumble called Blue Ridge and Ackerson to see if there was any interest. And there was plenty.
“Acquiring Gumble Brothers was too sweet of an opportunity,” Ackerson says. “It was something that was meant to happen.”
Considering the two companies were business partners and it made sense for Blue Ridge to continue expanding into Pennsylvania given its close proximity to the state’s border, a deal was struck.
In July 2022, Blue Ridge Lumber made its official entry into Pennsylvania when it acquired three locations from Cramer’s Building Centers based in East Stroudsburg. Founded in 1915, Cramer’s Cashway brought three locations with it. While two locations in East Stroudsburg and Mount Pocono were fully operational, a location in Kresgeville had previously been closed.
According to Ackerson, plans are underway to soon reopen the Kresgeville yard, which will give Blue Ridge Lumber four fully operational yards and stores in the state. Ackerson notes that he and his company have been friends with the owners of both Cramer’s and Gumbles.
Ackerson said he is grateful that both dealers reached out to Blue Ridge Lumber when it was time sell.
While Blue Ridge Lumber originally didn’t have actual plans to expand into Pennsylvania, Ackerson said he didn’t want to give up the opportunity to purchase Cramer’s Cashway given its proximity.
“Our headquarters is located in Blairstown, which borders Pennsylvania. So it is a natural progression,” Ackerson says.
Blue Ridge Lumber was founded in 1960 by Donald and Grace Ackerson. They leased a small portion of Read’s Apple Jack distillery and started to build their dream selling rough lumber. After steadily building the business from the ground up, they purchased the entire building in the early 1970s.
Don and Grace worked together for 32 years building a very successful business, which employed over 25 people in the late 1980s. Blue Ridge Lumber now employs over 125 associates.
Don retired in 1992 with Greg taking over as president of Blue Ridge Lumber.
The recent combined moves have now given Blue Ridge a very strong presence in the Pocono Mountains region.
“This was a lot to take on in the past eight months but it’s a real compliment to our team,” Ackerson adds “We are doing extremely well.”