HISTORY
HISTORY.
For over 95 years, Lezzer Lumber has been serving the Pennsylvania building industry through its business dealings and its support of the local community.
In 1927, Michael H. Lezzer, along with his cousins, Charlie and Lewis Sandri, founded the Lezzer-Sandri Lumber and Farm Equipment Co. The business was located on State Street, Curwensville. In 1949, Lezzer, along with his sons Maurice and Ken, diversified the lumber division of the business naming it Lezzer Lumber Co.
The business’ office and warehouse were located on State Street where they remained until 1971 when a destructive fire forced the business to move to its present site on Schofield Street. After the move in 1971, the company expanded from a traditional lumber company to a home center servicing builders, remodelers, commercial contractors and homeowners.
What started in the small town of Curwensville has grown and evolved throughout its 95+ years of operations to include 11 retail stores, a truss manufacturing facility and three commercial door locations which service not only Pennsylvania but surrounding states.
“We are a family-owned business. Many people appreciate that we are not a box store,” Dave Lezzer said.
In 1972, the retail store opened at DuBois and the Indiana site was established in 1977 and Butler in 1980. In 1983, the Pennsdale retail store opened and a year later a retail store started at State College. In 1996, Lezzer acquired White Brothers, a commercial door manufacturer, and renamed the facility Lezzer Commercial Doors located at Williamsport. In 1999, it opened Lezzer Commercial Truss Systems manufacturing facility at Curwensville.
The company reorganized in 2000, forming Lezzer Holdings which transformed the company into business-specific divisions. Lezzer Holdings is now the parent corporation of all Lezzer companies and is headquartered at Curwensville. Mike Lezzer, CEO; David Lezzer, president; and K.C. Lezzer, vice president.
In 2004, a retail store was established at Harrisburg and in 2007, Lezzer acquired J.H. Brubaker Lumber Co., a lumber and building materials retailer servicing Lancaster County, renaming the company Lezzer Lumber. The acquisition adds retail stores in Lancaster and Manheim.
Lezzer purchased Construction Resources United at Forest Hills, Md., renaming the company Construction Solutions Unlimited. More commonly known as CSU, the division provides installed framing packages including exterior doors, windows, roofing and siding for new construction projects. In 2011, the company relocated, now operating at Manheim. In 2017, Lezzer Lumber purchased People's Building Supply, extending its reach to eastern PA.
In 2021, Lezzer Lumber was ranked the 32nd largest lumber and building materials supplier in the United States by LBM Magazine. Currently 485 employees work for the company at its stores, factories and facilities.
“When I look back at what my Dad and my brother Ken started and how we have grown from 6-8 employees at the most to the more than 400 we employ now, it is just amazing. I can’t believe it,” Maurice Lezzer said several years back.
HISTORICAL TIMELINE.
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1927The Sandri-Lezzer Lumber and Farm Equipment was founded in 1927 by Michael Lezzer and his cousins, Louie and Charlie Sandri. The three men specialized in building materials and farm equipment sales and repair.
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1949In 1949 Michael Lezzer and his two sons, Maurice and Kenneth purchased the lumber and building materials portion of the business to begin Lezzer Lumber Company. Since that time Lezzer Lumber has been a leading retailer in brand name building materials serving Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
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1972Lezzer Lumber retail store opens in DuBois, PA
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1977Lezzer Lumber retail store opens in Indiana, PA
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1980Lezzer Lumber retail store opens in Butler, PA
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1983Lezzer Lumber retail store opens in Pennsdale, PA
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1984Lezzer Lumber retail store opens in State College, PA
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1996Lezzer acquires White Brothers, a commercial door manufacturer, and renames the facility Lezzer Commercial Doors in Williamsport, PA
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1999Lezzer Truss Systems manufacturing facility opens in Curwensville, PA
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2001Lezzer Holdings formed, reorganizing the company into business type-specific divisions. Lezzer Holdings is the parent corporation of all Lezzer companies and is headquartered in Curwensville, PA
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2004Lezzer Lumber retail store opens in Harrisburg, PA
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2007Lezzer acquires J.H. Brubaker Lumber Company, a lumber and building materials retailer servicing Lancaster County, and renames the company Lezzer Lumber. The acquisition adds retail locations in Lancaster, PA and Manheim, PA
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2009Lezzer acquires Construction Resources United located in Forest Hill, Maryland and renames the company Construction Solutions Unlimited. More commonly known as CSU, the division provides installed framing packages, including exterior doors, windows, roofing and siding for new construction projects. In 2011, the division was relocated and now operates out of Manheim, PA Lezzer Transportation formed, operating as a common carrier to provide transport services for the Lezzer companies, as well as non-Lezzer businesses, primarily in the Marcellus Shale gas industry. Lezzer Transportation is headquartered in Curwensville, PA
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2010Lezzer Energy Services formed, servicing the Marcellus Shale gas industry with installation of drill and frac containment systems, pit liners, rig and swamp mats and drill site supplies.Lezzer Energy Services operates out of Curwensville, PA
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2015Lezzer Design Center opens in Lewisburg, PA as a stand alone inspiration and design center. Also, the 11th Lezzer Lumberretail store opening in Hollidaysburg, PA.
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2017Lezzer acquires People’s Building Supply in Stockertown, PA, making it the 12th retail location in Pennsylvania. The acquisition expanded Lezzer Lumber into the Lehigh Valley region and surrounding areas. Lezzer Lumber opened the Lezzer Design Center in Exton, PA (just outside Philadelphia) in the fall of 2017. The Design Center offers builders, contractors, homeowners and developers full kitchen and bath services from design to cabinetry and counterttop selection and more.
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2022Maurice Lezzer, our CEO and the son of the late Michael Lezzer passed away on January 10th, 2022. Also known at ‘Moe’, his many years of guidance and leadership have crafted and inspired today’s leadership at Lezzer Lumber. Although he is dearly missed, his impact and leadership will always live Lezzer acquires Green Hills Lumber in Mohnton, PA, making it the 11th lumberyard location in Pennsylvania. The acquisition expanded Lezzer Lumber into the greater Reading area.
Lezzer Holdings, Inc. now operates under a third generation, with the sons of Maurice and Kenneth Lezzer directing the daily activities. (Pictured from left, David Lezzer, Michael Lezzer, K.C. Lezzer)
TODAY.
OFFICERS
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Michael F. Lezzer – Chief Executive Officer
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David M. Lezzer – President
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Kenneth C. Lezzer – Executive Vice President & Secretary
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Julie A. Seighman – Treasurer
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Jay R. Lee – Chief Financial Officer/Asst. Secretary & Asst. Treasurer
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John R. Lloyd – Chief Operating Officer
GENERATION TO GENERATION.
From generation to generation, one thing has remained the same…you can count on Lezzer Lumber to provide quality products and outstanding service at a competitive price.
Lezzer Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries currently employ more than 485 people. Our staff includes knowledgeable professionals in building materials sales, CDL truck drivers, yard workers, buyers, accountants, support staff, manufacturing personnel and jobsite supervisors ready to assist in any of the multitude of services offered.
PHILANTHROPY.
Lezzer Lumber has been known for their generosity throughout the years. Some of the local charities that have benefited from Lezzer’s support are food banks, fire departments, hospitals, civic organizations and underprivileged children, for which Christmas has been provided each year. The Lezzer family and employees played a key role in the construction of the Alan Fairman Center, a community recreation facility located at the Curwensville Area High School. Lezzer Lumber also contributed to the Workforce Development and Technology Center at the Penn State DuBois Campus. We are proud to be the sponsor of the Lezzer Lumber Football Classic, which features the top high school football prospects in central Pennsylvania.
