Tindell's Lumber

What Tindell's Lumber does

Tindell's Building Materials is a fourth-generation, family-owned building materials supplier and installer headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, serving professional homebuilders, general contractors, remodelers, and log home builders across East Tennessee. Founded in 1892 by Fate Tindell as a steam-powered sawmill, the company has evolved into a vertically integrated operation spanning 7 retail locations (Knoxville, Sevierville, Maryville, Cleveland, Morristown), a dedicated truss manufacturing plant in Karns, a commodity distribution center, and a custom millwork and log shop. The company is led by President Johan van Tilburg, who joined in 2002 and assumed ownership representing the fourth generation of family control, and employs over 200 team members across the region.

The product portfolio covers framing lumber, engineered wood, roof and floor trusses, roofing, siding, windows, doors, garage doors, decking, cabinets, millwork, log home components, and finishing accessories, supported by a turnkey Installed Sales division. Manufacturing capabilities center on the truss plant, which uses MiTek 3-D design software (SBCA-certified), Hundegger precision saws, two Enventek Retro-C auto feeding component saws, automated lumber Pickline and sorting, four floor truss machines, and ten automated Wizard roof tables, following a major 2023 expansion. The millwork shop supports custom radius/curved trim, handcrafted mantels, staircase parts, and exclusive SBR (Square But Round) railing. Installers are AAMA and InstallationMasters certified, with six full-time insulation crews.

The business model is a sales-led B2B combination of building materials distribution and professional installation, sold quote-by-project to professional builders with just-in-time delivery via an in-house fleet capable of on-site placement. Revenue streams include building materials sales, truss design and manufacturing, installed sales, custom millwork, and kitchen/bath cabinet design through showrooms in Knoxville and Maryville. Customer relationships are reinforced by an annual customer appreciation trip program running since 1985, industry association memberships (NAHB, HBAGK, HBAGC, ORBA), and a Pro Portal for online account management. Tindell's remains privately held with no public ownership or institutional investors disclosed.

Name

Tindell's Lumber

Legal name

Tindell's Building Materials

Website

https://tindells.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Tindell's Building Materials is a fourth-generation, family-owned building materials supplier and installer founded in 1892, serving professional homebuilders, contractors, and remodelers across East Tennessee through 7 retail locations, a truss manufacturing plant, and a custom millwork shop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Materials Distribution

NAICS

Roofing, Siding, and Insulation Material Merchant Wholesalers (42333), Other Millwork (including Flooring) (321918), Wood Window and Door Manufacturing (321911)

SIC

Wholesale-Lumber, Plywood, Millwork & Wood Panels (5031), Wholesale-Lumber & Other Construction Materials (5030), Retail-Lumber & Other Building Materials Dealers (5211)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAOAFAD

Building Materials & Lumber Distribution

Consumer Products & Retail/Wholesale, Distribution & Category Management/Home, Furniture & Home Improvement Distribution

SECONDARYCRAIAEAI

Doors, Windows & Millwork Retail (Interior/Exterior Doors, Windows, Moulding)

Consumer Products & Retail/Home & Furniture Retail/Building Materials & Lumber Retail

Keywords

• Building materials supply
• Lumber distribution
• Truss manufacturing
• Millwork shop services
• Construction installation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Building Materials Sales: Sales of framing lumber, panels, trusses, engineered wood products, roofing, siding, doors, windows, decking, cabinets, millwork, and other building materials to professional builders and contractors.
2. Installation Services: Turnkey installation services providing both materials and labor for garage doors, fireplaces, insulation, windows, doors, shelving, mirrors, bath hardware, shower doors, and other punch-out products.
3. Custom Millwork & Log Shop: Custom millwork products and log home components including handcrafted pieces, custom doors, trim, staircase parts, and log home materials.
4. Truss Design & Manufacturing: Engineering and manufacturing of custom roof and floor trusses with design services, delivered with detailed layout information and connection hardware.
5. Kitchen & Bath Cabinet Design: Cabinet and countertop design services with product sales through cabinet showrooms in Knoxville and Maryville.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tindell's Building Materials is a full-service B2B supplier of lumber, structural components, and finishing materials serving professional builders and contractors across East Tennessee. The company distributes framing lumber, engineered wood, trusses, roofing, siding, decking, cabinets, doors, windows, garage doors, insulation, fireplaces, and millwork, and operates a truss manufacturing plant and a custom millwork/log shop. It also provides turnkey installed-sales services that combine materials supply with professional installation labor for residential and light-commercial projects.

Product overview

Tindell's Building Materials is a full-service building materials supplier serving East Tennessee builders since 1892. The company operates a multi-division portfolio organized around core product categories: structural materials (framing lumber, trusses & EWP, roofing, housewrap), installed finishing products (doors, windows, garage doors, insulation, fireplaces, shelving, mirrors, bath hardware, shower doors, door hardware), and custom manufacturing (millwork shop, cabinet design, log shop). Their integrated service model combines materials supply with professional installation through their Installed Sales Division, truss design and manufacturing, delivery services, and custom millwork capabilities. The company also maintains a customer-facing Pro Portal for account management. Key preferred vendor brands include Sun Windows, MGM Industries, LP Smartside, Johns Manville, Crown Heritage, C.H.I. Overhead Doors, Heatilator, and Organized Living, among many others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Building Materials Supply Full-service B2B distribution of framing lumber, panels, engineered wood, roofing, siding, decking, cabinets, doors, windows, insulation, millwork and other building materials to professional homebuilders, general contractors, and remodelers across East Tennessee.
• Truss Design & Manufacturing Engineered roof and floor truss design and manufacturing using MiTek 3-D software (SBCA-certified) and automated saws, with design staff holding 120+ years combined experience and connections supplied via Simpson Strong-Tie hangers.
• Installed Sales (Turnkey Installation Services) Turnkey installation bundling professional labor with materials supply for garage doors, windows, doors, insulation, fireplaces, shelving, mirrors, bath hardware, shower doors, and door hardware; AAMA and InstallationMasters certified installers.
• Delivery and On-Site Placement Fleet delivery service using box trucks, dump trucks, lift trucks, and tandem and tractor-load capabilities, including on-site material placement using extended-reach forklifts, enabling single-trip deliveries for jobsite efficiency.
• Millwork Shop (Custom Millwork Manufacturing) Custom millwork manufacturing including fireplace mantels, stair parts, interior and exterior doors, entrance trim, window trim kits, porch rail, balusters, posts, brackets, custom columns, ceiling beams, and radius/curved molding via a custom bending oven.
• Kitchen & Bath Cabinet Design Design services for kitchen and bath cabinetry supported by showrooms in Knoxville and Maryville, offering layout, color, style, measurement, and hardware accessory consultation with cabinet products from Marsh, Bishop, Procraft, and Mantra.
• Log Shop (Custom Log Home Components) Custom handcrafted log home components including log railings, timber trusses, barn doors, 6x8 D-log false corners, round corners, porch corbels, custom fireplace mantels, log siding, and the exclusive SBR (Square But Round) Railing product, with nationwide shipping and installation instructions.

Quantifiable outcome

• First truss plant in Tennessee to earn SHARP Safety Award from TOSHA in 2000
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LMC (Lumber Merchants Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTindell's is a member of LMC (Lumber Merchants Association), a building materials dealer network. 'Together We Build' tagline indicates strategic alignment.
• Simpson Strong-TiecoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for truss to truss and truss to beam connections with hangers. Provides structural framing connectors for truss products.
• MiTek USAcoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for 3-D truss design software. Tindell's design staff uses MiTek software certified by SBCA.
• WeyerhaeusercoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for engineered wood products including TimberStrand LSL (Laminated Strand Lumber) and Trus Joist products.
• SBCA (Structural Building Components Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTindell's design staff are SBCA certified. The association provides training and certification standards for structural building component manufacturers.
• AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTindell's installers are certified by AAMA for residential and light commercial installation, with training through InstallationMasters certification program.
• NAHB (National Association of Home Builders)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational industry association for home builders. Tindell's provides resources links and maintains membership.
• HBAGK (Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional home builders association. Tindell's sponsors and participates in association activities.
• HBAGC (Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional home builders association in greater Chattanooga area.
• ORBA (Ocoee Region Builders Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional builders association for Ocoee region.
• Royal Caribbean (Odyssey of the Seas)minorOthersCruise line for the 40th Annual Customer Appreciation Trip in 2027. Provides vessel for Greek Islands cruise.
• Prestige Global Meeting SourceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTravel management company professionally managing the annual customer appreciation trips.
• Sun Windows & DoorscoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for windows and doors. Host of Window Mill Trip events where customers tour facilities.
• MGM IndustriescoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for windows. Co-host of Window Mill Trip events with Sun Windows.
• C.H.I. Overhead DoorscoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary garage door supplier. Tindell's offers expert installation through their own service department.
• Marsh CabinetscoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred cabinet vendor for kitchen and bath cabinet offerings.
• Procraft CabinetrycoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred cabinet vendor representing full line of superior cabinet companies.
• Bishop CabinetscoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred cabinet vendor for contemporary designs, including Creative Images mirrors.
• HeatilatorcoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred fireplace manufacturer offering gas, electric, and wood burning options.
• MonessencoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred fireplace manufacturer offering vent free options and custom log sets.
• VELUXcoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for skylights as part of window offerings.
• Crown HeritagecoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for millwork and moulding products.
• MetriecoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for millwork and moulding products.
• Copper Creek HardwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred door hardware vendor offering builder-grade and luxury designer hardware lines.
• Montana Forge HardwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationHigh-end luxury designer hardware partner under Copper Creek, offering premium solid-forged brass products.
• Johns ManvillecoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred insulation vendor providing high quality insulation products ensuring energy savings and comfort.
• DuPont (Tyvek)coreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred housewrap vendor for weather barriers.
• Atlas RoofingcoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for Pinnacle Pristine shingles with Scotchgard Protector.
• DuxxbakcoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for composite decking with patented water-shedding design.
• FiberoncoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for composite decking products.
• TimberTechcoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for composite decking.
• James HardiecoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for cement siding products.
• LP SmartSidecoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for engineered wood siding and trim.
• Southeastern EnclosurescoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for frameless, semi-frameless, and framed shower doors.
• Quality EnclosurescoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for shower door products.
• Organized LivingcoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for closet systems and shelving including freedomRail, Select, and Vue product lines.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Builders FirstSource: Largest US supplier of building materials, lumber, and manufactured components to professional builders. Relevant as a national pro-channel incumbent that competes for the same East Tennessee builder relationships, though it operates at vastly greater scale.
• ABC Supply Co. Largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding, windows, and exterior building products in North America. An incumbent competitor on the exterior-envelope categories that Tindell's distributes regionally.
• Foundation Building Materials: Specialty building products distributor focused on insulation, roofing, and drywall, with national footprint competing in installed product categories that overlap with Tindell's Installed Sales Division.
• Boise Cascade: Major manufacturer and distributor of engineered wood products, lumber, and building materials supplied to dealers and builders. Relevant as a structural-wood supplier that competes at the manufacturing tier for truss and EWP business.

Direct peers

• 84 Lumber: National lumber and building materials retailer/dealer serving professional builders and do-it-yourselfers with stores, truss plants, and installed services. Closely comparable model to Tindell's combining materials supply, manufacturing, and turnkey installation.
• McCoy's Building Supply: Family-owned regional lumber and building materials dealer serving builders in the South and Southwest with retail locations, truss manufacturing, and millwork. Highly comparable in operating model and family ownership culture.
• Spahn & Rose Lumber: Regional lumber and building materials dealer in the Midwest and Southeast, family-owned, serving professional builders with stores, truss, and installed services. Comparable regional-dealer model focused on pro-builder relationships.

Regional players

• Lansing Building Products: Regional specialty distributor of exterior building products including windows, siding, and millwork serving builders across multiple US regions. Comparable in pro-channel focus and installed services model.

Others

• Stock Building Supply (now part of Builders FirstSource): Historic competitor name in pro-oriented lumber and building materials distribution in the Southeast; mentioned to acknowledge the regional competitive landscape in East Tennessee markets.
• LMC (Lumber Merchants Association): Cooperative-style building materials dealer network of which Tindell's is a member. Not a direct competitor but an ecosystem peer that provides procurement, branding, and benchmarking context for independent lumber dealers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TindellsBuildingMaterials
• Facebookfacebook.com/TINDELLS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tindell's-building-materials/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/tindellsinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tindell's Lumber