It’s always heartening to see a company with deep roots in Lancaster County continue to thrive and grow. Having weathered the pandemic and subsequent supply chain issues, GR Mitchell, Inc., which is based in Willow Street, has announced it is, indeed, growing.
The company recently announced that it is acquiring Ironstone Building Materials, a local favorite building-materials supplier that serves both homeowners and construction professionals. After months of preparation, the contract between the two independent building-material dealers is complete.
From its Elizabethtown beginnings in 2000, Dave O’Connor’s auction-flipping hobby-turned-business grew in size and popularity, culminating with the brand Ironstone Building Materials and becoming synonymous with special promotions on quality building materials. With a focus on decking, railing, doors, cabinetry and trim, Ironstone found its permanent home on Hempland Road in East Hempfield Township in 2011 and proceeded to achieve recognition in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and other locations.
Years later, as Dave approached retirement, a succession plan for the business emerged due to a local connection (this is Lancaster, after all!). Dave’s son, Jesse, attended high school with the current owner of GR Mitchell, Tom Keller. When approached by Jesse, Tom jokingly responded with a chuckle and directive to “Just leave the keys under the mat.” Those casual conversations quickly turned into potential for two of the last independent players in the local building-supply industry to come together as one entity.
Ironstone’s name and reputation as the most budget-friendly supplier in the region will go unchanged, as will the staff who all are staying on-board at the Hempland Road location. But the combined buying power of these two leading suppliers has already caught the attention of the nation’s largest manufacturers, whose unique buying programs will be extended to customers of both entities.
GR Mitchell, Inc.’s roots extend back to the 1800s. The company incorporated in 1969. Today the company is best known as the region’s preferred supplier of lumber, windows, doors, cabinetry, custom millwork, hardware and more. It’s design center provides clients with beautiful kitchens and baths. Last year, GR Mitchell won the category of Best Kitchens/Baths in our annual reader’s survey.
For additional information, visit GRMitchell.com.
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