Photo / Jim Neuger
Ware Butler has a store at 38 Lily Bay Road in Greenville, which will be consolidated as part of the Hammond Lumber acquisition.
Updated: 2 hours ago
Hammond Lumber to acquire Ware-Butler, expanding retail and manufacturing footprint
Photo / Jim Neuger
Hammond Lumber Co. has stores across Maine, including this one on Moosehead Lake Road in Greenville.
Hammond Lumber Co. announced plans to acquire Ware-Butler Building Supply in a move that will expand its retail and manufacturing capacity and strengthen its standing as one of the largest independent building material retailers in the Northeast.
With the addition of around 280 Ware-Butler employees, the combined company will employ more than 1,200 people across 34 retail locations in Maine and New Hampshire. The deal, announced Tuesday, is set to close on July 31.
“This is a meaningful opportunity to continue a legacy shaped by trust and longstanding relationships,” said Mike Hammond, president and CEO of Belgrade-based Hammond Lumber. “In the months ahead, we’ll be focused on listening, learning and supporting the people and communities who have built these businesses.”
The transaction includes 15 Ware-Butler retail locations in Maine: Corinth, Dixfield, Dover-Foxcroft, Gorham, Greenville, Kingfield, Livermore Falls, Madison (Route 201), Madison (Main Street), Mexico, Orrington, Palmyra, Stillwater (Old Town), Waterville and West Enfield.
However, Hammond Lumber said it will consolidate the Dixfield, Greenville and Orrington locations into nearby Hammond branches “to optimize resources and better serve local customers.” In Greenville, Hammond's much larger store is just down the street from Ware-Butler.
Two family-owned businesses
Hammond Lumber, a fourth-generation business founded in 1953, is buying Ware-Butler from Pleasant River Lumber Co. Inc. Pleasant River, based in Dover-Foxcroft, bought Ware-Butler in 2020 and followed up with several add-on acquisitions.
Hammond Lumber is ranked No. 2 among Maine's family-owned firms in the 2025 Mainebiz Book of Lists, while Pleasant River is ranked No. 4. At the time the list information was compiled, Hammond had 900 employees, while Pleasant River had 738. (The list of Maine's largest family-owned businesses also includes competitor Hancock Lumber, at No. 5, with 633 employees.)
“We have a deep respect for Hammond Lumber Co. and the values they stand for,” said Jason and Chris Brochu, co-presidents of Pleasant River Lumber, in a joint statement. “This was a thoughtful and deliberate decision, and we’re confident that Hammond is the right long-term steward for the Ware-Butler team, its customers, and the communities they serve. We look forward to seeing the continued success of the company under their leadership.”
Hammond Lumber said that it will keep on all Ware-Butler employees as part of the integration, including relocation to nearby branches if necessary.
Further details
The transaction includes Ware-Butler’s wall panel manufacturing facility in Stillwater and two metal roofing production lines under the Peak Metals brand, located in Stillwater and Palmyra.
Hammond said those assets will expand its in-house manufacturing capabilities, particularly for framing packages and custom roofing systems, which aligns with customer demand for high-quality, prefabricated building components.
Pleasant River Lumber will continue to own and operate two spruce sawmills in Dover-Foxcroft and Enfield, which are not included in the acquisition.
Mainebiz web partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments