Big C Lumber Logo
Big C Lumber Granger
Our History

Incorporation

North Liberty Lumber and Coal Company is incorporated.

1904

William Michael Hass Joins

William Michael Hass moves to Indiana to work for Isaac Colburn and George Bales.

1907

Partnership Formed

Hass, Colburn, and Bales each acquire 1/3 interest of North Liberty Lumber and Coal Company.

1909

Corporation Dissolved

Corporation is dissolved, but North Liberty Lumber and Coal Company continues to operate.

1919
Big C Lumber Logo

Westville Location Opens

A location in Westville, IN is opened, marking the beginning of the Big C Lumber story.

1921

Three Oaks, MI Yard Acquired

A lumberyard in Three Oaks, MI is acquired, originally built by Dwight Warren.

1923

Reincorporation

Business reincorporated with Hass & Bales each owning half of the company.

1926

South Bend HQ Established

Hass moves to South Bend, IN, and into the newly constructed Belleville Lumber, which becomes the main headquarters.

1928

Roseland, IN Yard Acquired

A lumberyard in Roseland, IN is acquired, forming part of the Niles Lumber Company.

1928

Expansion

Other lumberyards were acquired in Lydick, New Carlisle, Lakeville, and other locations.

1921-28

The Great Depression

Hass lumberyards took land as payment for contractor’s accounts, owning over 300 lots.

1929-39

George Bales Passes Away

George Bales passes away.

1934

Hass Wholesale Formed

Hass Wholesale is formed to supply lumber and materials to Hass’s lumberyards.

1939

Sawmills Acquired

Hass acquired sawmills in Mississippi and Michigan to secure lumber supply during the war.

1939-45

Portage Realty Formed

Portage Realty is formed to manage the lots acquired from contractors.

1941

Hass Millwork and Hass Concrete Formed

Hass Millwork is formed as part of Hass Wholesale, and Hass Concrete is also formed.

1941-45

Marshall County Lumber Acquired

Hass acquires Marshall County Lumber in Culver, IN, and a ready-mix concrete company.

1943

Majority Ownership

William Hass attains majority ownership of Hass Wholesale and its related companies.

1944

Belleville Lumber Relocation

Belleville Lumber relocates to downtown South Bend, now where the Century Center parking lot is.

1946-55

North Liberty Machinery Company Opens

Hass opens North Liberty Machinery Company, later traded for Western Avenue Lumber Company.

1950

Big C Cashway Name Introduced

The "Big C Cashway" name is first used, allowing customers to pay cash and pick up lumber themselves.

1967

Marshall County Lumber Sold

Operation assets of Marshall County Lumber Company are sold, forming Princess Management Services.

1968

Princess Builders Founded

Princess Builders was founded, focusing on pre-fab houses, operating until 1976.

1972

Triangle Truss Founded

Triangle Truss was founded at the site of the current Granger location, lasting until 1976.

1974

First Contractor Appreciation Dinner

The first Contractor Appreciation Dinner is held in the winter with 600 attendees.

1975

Princess Homes Property Sold

The property of Princess Homes in Mishawaka was sold.

1976

Locations Liquidated

The North Liberty and Westville locations were liquidated, leaving only the Roseland and Three Oaks locations.

1981

First Computer System Installed

The first computer system is installed at the Roseland location.

1981

Granger Facility Opens

The Granger, IN facility opened in March, marking a significant milestone for the company.

1987

Indianapolis Yard Acquired

A lumberyard in Indianapolis, IN is acquired, expanding the company's reach.

1989

McKinley Lumber Acquired

McKinley Lumber in Mishawaka, IN is acquired, further strengthening the company's presence in Indiana.

1990

Indianapolis Yard Shuts Down

The Indianapolis yard shuts down, marking a strategic consolidation.

1991

Home Lumber Acquired

Home Lumber in Goshen, IN is acquired, expanding the company's operations in Indiana.

1992

Karch Lumber Acquired

Karch Lumber in Middlebury, IN is acquired, continuing the company's expansion in the region.

1993

The Big Scene Created

"The Big Scene" is created to communicate changes and share company history with employees.

July 1993

Eau Claire Lumber Acquired

Big C Lumber acquires Eau Claire Lumber Co. after the business was owned by the same family for 66 years.

February 1994

Granger Location Repurchased

The former Triangle Truss location in Granger is repurchased, becoming the hub for contractor and corporate sales.

1994

Wilson Lumber Acquired

Wilson Lumber in LaPorte, IN is acquired, adding one of Indiana's oldest lumberyards to the company.

Late 1994

Farver Lumber Acquired

Farver Lumber in Shipshewana, IN is acquired, expanding the company's footprint in the state.

Late 1996

Kauffman Lumber Acquired

Kauffman Lumber in Schoolcraft, MI is acquired, further expanding into Michigan.

1997

Do it Best Becomes Hardware Supplier

Do it Best becomes the hardware supplier of Big C Lumber, with all stores converting over two years.

1997

Goshen Store Sold

The Goshen store, which was open for only six years, is sold. Contractor salespeople are moved to the Elkhart location.

1998

Retailer of the Year Award

Big C Lumber is named the 1998 Retailer of the Year by the Indiana Lumber and Building Supply Association.

January 1998

Leadership Transition

Roger Foley steps down as President & CEO, promoting Matt Magor to the position. Roger Foley becomes Chairman of the Board.

February 1999

Hipskind Building Supply Acquired

Hipskind Building Supply in Coloma, MI is acquired, expanding the company's reach in Michigan.

March 2001

Broadview Lumber Acquired

Broadview Lumber is acquired, adding yards in Kendallville, MI, Fort Wayne, IN, and Auburn, IN, marking the company's biggest acquisition to date.

2004

Koppenhofer Lumber Acquired

Koppenhofer Lumber in Grovertown, IN is acquired, continuing the company's expansion.

2005

Lutterbein Lumber Acquired

Lutterbein Lumber in Edgerton, MI is acquired, expanding the company's footprint in Michigan.

2012

Michiana Truss Acquired

Michiana Truss in Dowagiac, MI is acquired, enhancing the company's product offerings.

2015

Stevenson Lumber Acquired

Stevenson Lumber in Adrian, MI is acquired, further expanding operations in Michigan.

2015

Delton Pole Building Company Acquired

Delton Pole Building Company in Delton, MI is acquired, marking the most recent expansion of Big C Lumber.

2022