Alexander Lumber will close several of its legacy lumberyards in central and western Illinois. The Illinois-based company said market research affirmed major metropolitan and mid-sized markets should be the company’s core focus, not rural markets.
Alexander Lumber board of directors chairman Watt Alexander said the company is doubling down on specific markets it believes “offer the strongest opportunity for future growth in a difficult fiscal and economic environment” in a public statement.
As a result, Alexander Lumber’s Canton, Ill., Lincoln, Ill., Monmouth, Ill., Rushville, Ill., and Taylorville, Ill., lumberyards will close. Additionally, the company will merge its Bloomington, Ill., location into its Le Roy, Ill., location and will merge its Gilman, Ill., location into its Watseka, Ill., and Fairbury, Ill., locations.
Alexander Lumber plans to use its additional resources after the closures to forge a stronger brand presence in its remaining markets. President and CEO Russ Katherin said the company will focus on its pro customers in Chicago and mid-sized markets in Wisconsin and Iowa.
“I am excited about the robust growth plans as we move forward. Our new strategic direction allows us to align our resources with the greatest opportunities, while still serving our remaining Central Illinois markets,” Katherin said. “The consolidation also allows us to focus our future acquisition plans on select businesses that align with our core objectives in both existing and new markets.”
