Sheboygan Falls-based Richardson Industries Inc. has sold Richardson Lumber Company to Drexel Building Supply.
As part of the agreement, a new Drexel Design Studio will operate in the former Richardson Design Center.
Drexel president and owner Joel Fleischman and Richardson Industries chief executive officer Gary Kane said the strategic move allows their individual companies to build on their respective core competencies. Kane said the business decision allows Richardson Industries Inc. to better focus its time and resources on the expansion of two manufacturing divisions: Richco Structures and Richardson Yacht Interiors.
“Richco is in the midst of a major expansion at the Haven plant that has already resulted in the addition of 60 new full-time positions in 2013,” said Kane. “I fully expect that will continue in 2014. We are very hopeful that this agreement with Drexel opens a whole new exciting market for Richco.”
Drexel’s Kiel location will continue to make daily deliveries to the Sheboygan Falls area to serve industrial companies, farmers, builders, remodelers and do-it-yourself clients.
“We look forward to having the community come into our new Design Studio in the very near future and to continue to help the people of Sheboygan County with their building material needs,” said Fleischman.
The move also strategically aligns with the expansion of Richardson Yacht Interiors into the custom kitchen cabinet market. The company will be working with Paul and Sandy Entringer who reacquired Paul’s Cabinet Shop, Inc. in October 2013.
“Richardson is about to embark on a unique partnership with the Entringers which will undoubtedly serve both Paul’s Cabinet Shop and the expanded Richardson Yacht Interiors extremely well.” Kane said. “While we are sad to exit the Richardson Lumber Company as the community knows it, we are pleased that this move will allow us to actually increase job opportunities in Sheboygan County at Richco and Richardson Yacht Interiors.”
The existing staff of Richardson Lumber will be immediately interviewed for possible openings at the other Richardson business units as well as Drexel Building Supply.
