84 Lumber
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Building materials |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Founder | Joseph A. Hardy III |
| Headquarters | Eighty Four, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Maggie Hardy (President and Owner) |
| Products | Building materials including siding, decking, windows and trim, roofing supplies, trusses, kitchen and bath design studios |
Number of employees | 5600 (2020) |
| Website | www |
84 Lumber is a privately owned American company specializing in building materials, established in 1956 by entrepreneur Joseph A. Hardy III. Taking its name from its original headquarters in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, it has evolved into the largest privately held supplier within the U.S. construction sector. In 1992, Hardy's daughter, Maggie Hardy, took over as president and owner, guiding the company to exceed $1 billion in revenue during her initial year.
By 2020, 84 Lumber operated more than 250 locations across 30 states, employed around 5,600 individuals, and achieved annual revenues surpassing $3.9 billion. Its operations extend to component manufacturing plants, door shops, installation centers, and wood product facilities. That year also saw the introduction of over 30 kitchen and bath design studios integrated into existing stores, broadening its service and product range.
The company offers an extensive selection of building materials including siding, decking, windows and trim, roofing supplies, and trusses—serving professional contractors and builders throughout the nation.
History
Situated south of Pittsburgh, 84 Lumber originated in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, a rural farming community. The business was launched by Ed Ryan, Jack Kunkle, Joe Hardy, along with his brothers Norman and Bob Hardy, who collectively invested $84,000 to purchase land and buildings for expansion. Ultimately, ownership consolidated under the Hardy brothers.
84 Lumber was an innovator of the cash-and-carry sales approach, requiring payment by cash or check while charging delivery fees for items customers could not transport themselves. Throughout the 1960s, the company grew swiftly by operating with low overhead costs and a straightforward warehouse style designed to meet commercial customer needs. By 1981, it had expanded to 339 stores—283 of which opened during the previous decade—with revenues reaching $478 million.
In 1984, the company embarked on a growth initiative aiming to open at least 30 additional stores and renovate existing outlets into enhanced building materials centers. By 1987, it supplemented its cash-and-carry policy by introducing credit payment options.
After leading for 34 years, Joe Hardy appointed his daughter Maggie Hardy as president and owner in 1992, transferring majority ownership—80% of company shares—to her by 1993. Under her guidance, sales hit $1 billion in 1993 and the chain celebrated its 400th store opening in 1997.
In 1999, the “84 Plus” retail concept was launched in Graysville, Tennessee—conceptualized by Maggie Hardy Knox—to boost profitability through higher-margin merchandise. The company exceeded $2 billion in annual sales by December 2002. By 2004, it had added 18 new stores primarily targeting metropolitan areas previously considered unprofitable.
The housing market collapse in 2009 severely affected sales volume. Confronted with potential bankruptcy, Hardy Knox personally invested funds and implemented strategic store closures to restore financial stability successfully.
In 2013, revenues increased by 27% year-over-year to reach $2.1 billion. Since then, the company has steadily expanded both its store network and manufacturing operations each year.
A significant expansion onto the West Coast was announced in 2016, followed by the opening of its largest retail location in Chesterfield (Richmond), Virginia in 2019.
In 2017, 84 Lumber debuted its inaugural Super Bowl commercial titled "The Journey," portraying a mother and daughter migrating from Mexico to the United States but being obstructed by a border wall. The advertisement generated controversy due to its political undertones; Fox initially rejected an earlier version featuring the wall scene amid sensitivities surrounding U.S. border policies under President Donald Trump.
Awards
In 1991, 84 Lumber secured the top position on ProSales magazine's “Dealer 100” ranking and has maintained a presence on the list every year since, achieving fourth place in both 2019 and 2020. Forbes acknowledged the company in 2016 as one of America's Best Midsize Employers and among the Largest Private Companies, with a subsequent recognition in 2018 as one of the nation's Largest Private Companies. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette honored 84 Lumber as a Top Workplace within the Greater Pittsburgh area in 2018. In 2019, Forbes included the company among America's Best Larger Employers, while INC. Magazine featured it in their “INC. 5,000” listings for consecutive years, 2019 and 2020.
Philanthropy
The company has contributed to numerous organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Justin Jennings Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Musicians' Village, Red Cross, and United Way. In 2019 alone, 84 Lumber provided $1.39 million in charitable donations and initiated a nationwide collaboration with the Fisher House Foundation to aid military veterans and their families, allocating $525,000 to support the construction of new Fisher Houses. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it donated $500,000 to the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to help address food insecurity.
Veteran Support
As a prominent supporter of the Fisher House Foundation—which supplies temporary lodging for families of patients at nearby VA hospitals—84 Lumber had contributed more than $1.1 million by June 2020. The company also emphasizes hiring veterans, with individuals possessing military experience representing over 10% of its total workforce.