Dayton, OH Requarth Lumber Sold to Schockman Lumber Group

A historic hardware purveyor that sold lumber to aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright is taking flight to new ownership. 

Requarth Lumber of Dayton, Ohio, which was founded in 1860, has been sold to Schockman Lumber Group, located about an hour from Dayton. According to the Dayton Daily News, the F.A. Requarth Co. board of directors chairman, Alan Pippenger, shared in a statement: “While the sale of the Requarth Co. is one of the most difficult decision members of my family and I have ever made, we have great confidence for its future under the ownership of the Schockman Lumber Group and the Bruns family,” Pippenger said.

Pippenger, who is the great-great grandson of Frederick Requarth, shared his views on the business with HBSDealer, way back in 2010.

“For us, adaptability was the big thing. We aren’t the same company that we were 150, 100 or even 50 years ago. You have to be willing to give up on what’s not working anymore.” 

He added: “The 150 years <in business> is nice, and there’s a place for that, and we’re proud of that. But ultimately, we have to be the best choice for our customer today, and that’s where we’re spending most of our focus.”

Now in its 165th years in business, the company is changing hands. Dayton Daily News shares:

“Members of my family are keenly aware of the rich history of the Requarth Co. Five generations of family spanning 165 years serving homeowners, industry and contractors, is a remarkable feat,” said Bruns, president of the Schockman Lumber Group.

It adds a statement from Alan Lee, Requarth's general manager:

“I’m sensitive to the historical value of the company to the family. That’s why it’s so encouraging and important that the Schockman Group is also family owned and operated while maintaining local management and staff. We look forward to continuity and new opportunities for growth.”