Foster Lumber Yards, a division of Central Valley Builders Supply, is celebrating its 100th business anniversary in September. Foster Lumber, founded by Gilbert Foster, first opened in 1920 in Vallejo, Calif., and is Solano County’s oldest lumberyard. The company’s original location started as a planing mill before entering the retail lumber business.
Foster Lumber was purchased by Jim and Cecil Jones in 1946 and the business remained in the Jones family until it was sold to Napa, Calif.-based Central Valley Builders Supply.
“We have an incredible history and legacy to continue in Napa and Solano counties,” Steve Patterson, president and CEO of Central Valley, said in a news release. “Not many companies get to see its 100th birthday. Foster Lumber has more than survived, each successive generation has left behind something bigger than itself – leaving a lasting impact on its people, its community, and its customers.”
When purchased by Central Valley in 2018, then-owner and president of Foster Lumber David Jones said the opportunity would make the company better and “make sure the legacy of Foster Lumber is in good hands moving forward.” According to Central Valley, since the acquisition Foster Lumber’s existing customers have access to more efficient purchasing, 41 additional acres of inventory, and five additional wholesale locations in northern California, including Napa, Woodland, St. Helena, American Canyon, and Healdsburg. Central Valley ranked 56th on the 2020 ProSales 100 list.
