Ware-Butler Building Supply Completes Acquisition of Crescent Lumber

On November 2nd, Ware-Butler Building Supply and parent company Pleasant River Lumber completed the purchase of long-time Bangor area building materials retailer Crescent Lumber. With 4 locations – Orrington, Palmyra, Corinth, and Stillwater – the Crescent Lumber addition to the team brings the Ware-Butler Building Supply family up to 13 retail locations statewide: Jordan Lumber in Kingfield, Gorham, Madison 201, Madison Main Street, Mexico, Livermore Falls, Enfield, Waterville, and Greenville coming soon in 2022.

The journey of Crescent Lumber and its long-time owner Tim Bernard is a unique Maine business story that is a perfect fit for the Ware-Butler family. Beginning with Stillwater Lumber in the 1980’s, Tim joined his father Louis “Pete” Bernard’s operation, along with his brother Tom, and began his education in the business. In 1993, Tim purchased Crescent Lumber in Orrington – originally established in 1958. In 2008, Tim added a second location of Crescent Lumber with purchasing the former Corinth True Value at auction and converted it to a full-scale building materials and hardware operation. With the momentum of 2 locations and as the building and general economy recovered in 2011, Tim bought the original family location from his father and made Stillwater Crescent Lumber store #3. In 2017, along with the help of his right-hand man Andrew Sjogren, Tim bought property on Route 2 in Palmyra just off I-95 near the Newport exit. Ten months later, the Palmyra store opened for business.

“When I met Chris and Jason Brochu and we discussed the possible sale, I knew quickly that we had a good fit,” says Crescent owner Tim Bernard. “I liked their vision and they liked what Crescent Lumber brought to the table for their mission, so we did the deal.”

Jason Brochu, Co-President of Pleasant River Lumber says, “Tim built an incredible company with a solid reputation that’s filled with wonderful people. Chris and I are very excited and honored to have his and their knowledge and experience as part of our growing team.”

Tim will stay on as part of the team focusing on customer service and sales for the Crescent locations in support of General Manager Andrew Sjogren. He will also help Ware-Butler’s statewide operation with growth opportunities and projects.

“Ware-Butler Building Supply and Pleasant River Lumber are pleased to add Crescent Lumber to the family,” says Pleasant River Lumber’s Retail Operations Manager Alan Orcutt. “This acquisition will help us solidify our statewide operation and bring an awesome team of people in Crescent’s 4 locations to our retail team so that we can continue to provide value to our customers state-wide. Also having Tim along with his 34 years of experience continue to be part of our team of long-time building materials retailers like Dick Giguere, Mike Phinney, Jonathan Jordan, and Joe Roy, I am excited for what the future holds.”

With the new acquisitions, Ware-Butler/Jordan Lumber/Crescent Lumber/Woodsmith’s Manufacturing will employ 295 people. Orcutt says the four Crescent stores will continue to do business as Crescent Lumber in 2022 and for the foreseeable future.

About Pleasant River Lumber

Parent company, Pleasant River Lumber, currently owns and operates lumber manufacturing facilities in Dover-Foxcroft, Jackman, Enfield, Hancock, and Sanford that specialize in spruce/fir framing lumber and eastern white pine boards. In addition to the mills, Pleasant River Lumber owns Moosehead Cedar Log Homes in Greenville, A&A Brochu Trucking, Chaffee Transport in Clinton, Quality Saw Sales and Service, and A&A Brochu Logging. With the new acquisitions, the Pleasant River Lumber family of companies will employ a total of 687 people working and living in Maine.

Source: Ware-Butler, Inc.