Carter Lumber
Carter Lumber is a family-owned, fifth-largest U.S. building materials distributor operating 190+ locations across 15 states, serving professional builders with lumber, components, millwork, and kitchen and bath design services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1932
- HeadquartersKent, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Carter Lumber does
Carter Lumber, operating under the legal entity Carter-Jones Companies, Inc., is a family-owned U.S. building materials distributor founded in 1932 in Akron, Ohio and headquartered in Kent, Ohio. The company operates over 190 company-owned retail locations across 15 states in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast, ranking as the fifth-largest building materials supplier in the United States with $2.7 billion in 2025 sales. Its product portfolio spans the full building lifecycle, from structural lumber, engineered wood products, roofing, siding, and drywall through interior millwork, flooring, kitchens, and baths, with go-to-market centered on professional builders rather than retail consumers—a deliberate pivot executed in 2005 in response to big-box competition.
The company's technical differentiator is vertical integration: 13 component manufacturing plants produce pre-fabricated roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels that reduce job-site framing labor and material waste, while 10 specialized millwork locations—anchored by a 125,000+ sq ft Millersburg, Ohio facility expanded by 26,000 sq ft in fall 2024—produce custom millwork, pre-hung doors, and commercial casework for healthcare, corporate, institutional, and retail customers. Carter Kitchen & Bath showrooms provide 3D design, cabinetry, and countertops under vendor partnerships with KraftMaid Vantage, Merillat, Cambria, Kohler, Moen, and others. The platform operates under multiple regional brands (Carter Lumber, Holmes Lumber, Kempsville Building Materials, Kight Home Center, Townsend Building Supply, and Gaster Lumber and Hardware), each retained post-acquisition to preserve local market relationships.
Carter Lumber's revenue model is transaction-fee based on physical building materials sales augmented by professional services for design, installation, and estimating, plus financial services via in-house credit programs tailored to construction cash-flow cycles. Pricing is quote-based and volume-negotiated with professional builder accounts, supported by the Yard Rewards loyalty program. Customers include custom home builders, production home builders, remodelers, multi-family developers, and commercial construction clients, all served primarily through dedicated outside sales representatives and direct delivery to job sites.
Carter Lumber firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carter Lumber
- Legal name
- Carter-Jones Companies, Inc.
- Website
- https://carterlumber.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1932
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Carter Lumber is a family-owned, fifth-largest U.S. building materials distributor operating 190+ locations across 15 states, serving professional builders with lumber, components, millwork, and kitchen and bath design services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carter Lumber industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Building Materials Supply
- NAICS
- Prefabricated Wood Building Manufacturing (321992), Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing (337212), Wood Window and Door Manufacturing (321911)
- SIC
- Retail-Lumber & Other Building Materials Dealers (5211), Prefabricated Wood Bldgs & Components (2452), Wholesale-Lumber & Other Construction Materials (5030), Lumber & Wood Products (No Furniture) (2400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lumber & Timber Retail (Dimensional Lumber, Plywood, OSB) (CRAIAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Structural & Framing Components Retail (Trusses, Joists, Beams, Engineered Wood) (CRAIAEAJ), Doors, Windows & Millwork Retail (Interior/Exterior Doors, Windows, Moulding) (CRAIAEAI), Wood Trusses, I-Joists & Framing Components (IMADADAD), Planing Mills & Lumber Surfacing (IMAMABAE)
Keywords
Where Carter Lumber is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kent
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices13 records
Markets served
Carter Lumber business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Building Materials Sales: Core revenue from selling lumber, building materials, and construction supplies to professional builders through a network of over 190 locations across 15 states. Revenue is generated through product sales with pricing based on market conditions and volume purchases.
- Component Manufacturing: Revenue from manufacturing and selling pre-built trusses, wall panels, and engineered wood products through 13 component plants. This adds value through pre-fabrication and reduces job site waste for builders.
- Millwork Sales: Revenue from selling custom millwork, pre-hung doors, stock moulding, and commercial casework. Millwork specialists provide advanced product knowledge and custom solutions.
- Kitchen & Bath Design Services: Revenue from kitchen and bathroom design services including cabinetry sales, countertops, and full design consultations. Services support custom builders, production builders, remodelers, and multi-family projects.
- Installed Services: Revenue from installation services where Carter Lumber coordinates and provides installation of building materials as a value-added service to customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Professional Builder Account Pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Carter Lumber product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carter Lumber supplies lumber, building materials, and construction products to professional builders through 190+ company-owned retail locations across 15 states. The company also manufactures pre-fabricated roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels at 13 component plants, produces custom millwork and commercial casework at 10 specialized millwork hubs, and provides Carter Kitchen & Bath design services. Value-added builder services include delivery, installation, estimating, in-house credit, outside sales, and the Yard Rewards loyalty program.
Product overview
Carter Lumber is a building materials supplier operating as a platform of brands serving professional builders and homeowners. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio including its core Carter Lumber brand (lumber, building materials across 190+ locations), manufacturing services (pre-built trusses and wall panels from 13 plants), Carter Custom Millwork (custom millwork and commercial casework across 10 locations), Carter Kitchen & Bath (design services and cabinetry), and several acquired regional brands (Holmes Lumber, Kight Home Center, Kempsville Building Materials, Townsend Building Supply). The company also provides builder services including delivery, installation, estimating, and a Yard Rewards loyalty program. Products span the full building lifecycle from structural components (lumber, engineered wood, trusses) through exterior finishes (roofing, siding, windows, doors) to interior finishes (millwork, flooring, kitchens, baths).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Lumber and Building Materials Core product line including lumber, engineered wood products, roofing, siding and trim, windows and patio doors, drywall, insulation, flooring, exterior and interior doors, millwork and stair parts, decking and railing, ceilings, bath, kitchens, and locksets sold to professional builders through 190+ company-owned retail locations across 15 states.
- Trusses & Wall Panels Pre-built roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels manufactured at 13 component plants, designed to reduce job-site waste, save framing time, and increase efficiency for professional builders facing skilled labor shortages.
- Carter Custom Millwork Custom millwork division with 10 millwork-focused locations and skilled craftsmen in Millersburg, Ohio producing custom architectural elements including columns, beams, arches, custom kitchens and cabinetry, custom office and retail spaces, plus stock moulding and pre-hung doors.
- Commercial Casework Custom commercial casework solutions manufactured at a 125,000+ sq ft facility in Millersburg, Ohio for healthcare, corporate, institutional, athletic, and restaurant/retail facilities, including reception desks, nurse stations, lockers, and display cases. The facility invested $70,000 in new automation software and completed a 26,000 sq ft expansion in fall 2024.
- Carter Kitchen & Bath Design Services Full kitchen and bathroom design services for custom builders, production builders, remodelers, and multi-family projects, including cabinetry, countertops, and full design-to-installation support using advanced 3D design software for visual renderings.
- Delivery Services Specialized delivery of building materials to professional builder job sites, ensuring materials arrive reliably as part of the comprehensive service offering.
- Installed Services Installation services for building materials where Carter Lumber coordinates and provides professional installation as a value-added service to builder customers.
- Estimating Services Professional estimating services helping builders plan and cost their construction projects.
- In-House Credit Financing and credit services for professional builders through Carter Lumber's in-house credit program, providing flexible payment terms for construction projects.
- Yard Rewards Loyalty Program Loyalty program allowing professional builder customers to earn points towards trips with every purchase, incentivizing continued business based on purchase volume.
- Outside Sales Account Management Dedicated outside sales representatives who cultivate relationships with professional builders, visiting job sites and offices to provide estimates, credit services, and ongoing account management.
- Engineered Wood Products Engineered wood products including I-joists, LVL, and other structural wood components for residential and commercial construction.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced framing and cycle time for builders using pre-built trusses and wall panels
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Carter Lumber
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Carter Lumber technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Carter Lumber partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Gaster Lumber and HardwarecoreAcquired in May 2026, Gaster Lumber is a three-location building materials supplier serving the Savannah, Georgia metro area. Founded in 1985, it remained family-owned and operated until acquisition. Operates as part of Coastal Carolinas market under Market Vice President Brian Sento.
- KraftMaid VantagecoreKraftMaid is one of the largest and most recognized brands of cabinetry for the home, offering the widest selection of styles, finishes, storage solutions, and decorative elements in built-to-order cabinetry. Carter Lumber carries KraftMaid Vantage products through their Kitchen & Bath division, featured prominently in Kitchen of the Month showcases.
- MerillatcoreMerillat is a great American cabinetry company based in Michigan, part of Masco Cabinetry, providing quality cabinetry since 1946. Available through Carter Kitchen & Bath showrooms.
- CambriacoreCambria is the only family-owned, American-made producer of natural quartz surfaces. Featured as countertop option in Carter Kitchen & Bath designs.
- KempercoreKemper Cabinetry began in 1956 as one of the first companies to respond to demand for built-in wood cabinets. A certified member of KCMA's Environmental Stewardship Program, demonstrating sustainability commitment.
- Quality CabinetscoreQualityCabinets offers multiple depths of wall, base and vanity cabinets in a wide variety of sizes, wood species, door styles and color combinations (more than 500) at an incredible value.
- DeltacoreDelta brand is a leading innovator in water products, living by three tenets: water has the power to transform, there can be magic in simple solutions, and innovations flow from human insight.
- KohlercoreKohler Co. is a global family of brands that leads in enhancing customers' sense of gracious living. Products include bath hardware and kitchen hardware through Carter Kitchen & Bath.
- MoencoreMoen is dedicated to designing and delivering beautiful products that last a lifetime, using customer insight to drive design process with innovative and reliable products.
- Omega CabinetrycoreOmega uses hand-selected woods, top-of-the-line hardware and hand-applied techniques to create custom cabinet looks. Based in Washburn, Iowa with over 30 years of history.
- SilestonecoreSilestone is the leader in quartz surfaces, exported to over 80 countries, creating strong brand with undeniable global reputation for kitchen and bath surfaces.
- American StandardcoreAmerican Standard has led the way in developing innovative bathroom products for over 140 years, including high-performance toilets, stylish faucets, and wellness products.
- Diamond CabinetscoreDiamond is one of America's top cabinetmakers with award-winning innovative cabinetry. Products emphasize beauty, function, strength, and performance.
- Wolf CabinetrycoreWolf Home Products has over 175 years of experience and is one of the largest suppliers of kitchen and bath cabinetry in the nation, offering premium products without premium prices.
- TimberlakecoreTimberlake manufactures kitchen and bath cabinets for every type of homebuyer from entry level to move-up to luxury, organized into three cabinet series.
- WilsonartcoreWilsonart Engineered Surfaces is a world-leading manufacturing organization driven by a mission to create innovative, high-performance surfaces. Available in solid surface materials for casework.
- Shaw FloorscoreShaw Floors is passionate about creating beautiful homes founded on innovative design and lasting function, offering hardwood, tile, and vinyl flooring through Carter Lumber.
- Bradley CorpcoreBradley Corp provides state-of-the-art washroom fixtures and accessories with beautiful natural product materials, unique eye appeal, sustainability, and maintainability.
- Decora CabinetrycoreDecora Cabinetry is hand-crafted in Jasper, Indiana, an American woodworking and furniture-making hub. Emphasizes exquisite detail and superior service.
- Townsend Building SupplycoreAcquired in October 2024, Townsend Building Supply is a building materials dealer with six locations in Southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Founded in 1944, it remains family-owned and now operates as part of Carter Lumber Family of Companies under its distinct brand.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Carter Lumber competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- White Cap (formerly HD Supply Construction):
- Foundation Building Materials: Foundation Building Materials is a specialty distributor of building products including insulation, drywall, ceilings, and exterior systems. It overlaps with Carter Lumber in building products distribution to professional contractors but focuses on interior and specialty categories rather than lumber and structural components.
- Builders FirstSource: Builders FirstSource is the largest US supplier of building products, manufactured components, and value-added services to professional builders, formed via the merger with BMC Stock Holdings. As the public-market leader, it competes directly with Carter Lumber in truss manufacturing and lumber supply but at significantly greater scale.
- ABC Supply Co. ABC Supply is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding, windows, and exterior building products in North America, serving professional contractors across 900+ locations. It overlaps with Carter Lumber in building materials distribution but specializes more in exterior products than structural lumber.
Direct peers
- 84 Lumber: 84 Lumber is a privately-held building materials retailer and component manufacturer serving professional builders, operating over 250 locations across 30+ states. It is the most directly comparable peer to Carter Lumber in terms of customer focus, product breadth, and vertical integration into trusses and wall panels.
- US LBM: US LBM is a PE-owned (Blackstone) distributor of building materials with over 400 locations serving professional builders, remodelers, and homebuilders. It is one of the largest private competitors to Carter Lumber and pursues a similar roll-up acquisition strategy.
- McCoy's Building Supply: McCoy's Building Supply is a privately-held family-owned building materials retailer operating 85+ locations across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi. It competes directly with Carter Lumber in serving professional builders with lumber, components, and millwork in adjacent geographies.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Carter Lumber social profiles
Digital presenceCarter Lumber financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carter Lumber leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Carter Lumber subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Carter Lumber funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carter Lumber M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carter Lumber
What does Carter Lumber do?
Carter Lumber supplies lumber, building materials, and construction products to professional builders through 190+ company-owned retail locations across 15 states. The company also manufactures pre-fabricated roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels at 13 component plants, produces custom millwork and commercial casework at 10 specialized millwork hubs, and provides Carter Kitchen & Bath design services. Value-added builder services include delivery, installation, estimating, in-house credit, outside sales, and the Yard Rewards loyalty program.
Is Carter Lumber a public or private company?
Carter Lumber is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Carter Lumber founded?
Carter Lumber was founded in 1932. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Carter Lumber based?
Carter Lumber is headquartered in Kent, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carter Lumber make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Building Materials Sales are the primary driver. The others are component Manufacturing, millwork Sales, kitchen & Bath Design Services and installed Services.
Who are Carter Lumber's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are White Cap (formerly HD Supply Construction), Foundation Building Materials, Builders FirstSource and ABC Supply Co.. Direct peers are 84 Lumber, US LBM and McCoy's Building Supply.
Does Carter Lumber have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carter Lumber.
What industry is Carter Lumber in?
Carter Lumber's product category is Building Materials Supply. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIAEAA, Lumber & Timber Retail (Dimensional Lumber, Plywood, OSB), with a secondary code of CRAIAEAJ, Structural & Framing Components Retail (Trusses, Joists, Beams, Engineered Wood). Its NAICS code is 321992 and its SIC code is 5211.