According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, DuBell Lumber Co., a lumber supply company based in Medford, Pennsylvania south of Philadelphia has closed all of it branches, ending a 97 year run. "It is with a heavy heart that we must report that DuBell Lumber has ceased operations effective immediately. All locations are closed,” the company said on its Facebook page. David DiMedio, a DuBell vice president, said "It’s because of mismanagement and investment issues.”
Dubell operated stores in Medford, Cherry Hill, Pleasantville, and Winslow, along with a distribution center in Vineland, a truss plant in Millville, and a kitchen and bath showroom in Vineland, according to the company’s website. The shutdown eliminated 157 jobs, according to a layoff notice that the firm posted with the New Jersey Department of Labor.
Since the 2008 recession, "independent lumber companies have seen more closings and consolidations,” said Rob Totaro, director of communications at the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association., which represents independent lumber dealers. Competition from big stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s is ongoing and intense. Families have been getting out of the business when the next generation goes in different directions. And many dealers are unable to find enough labor to keep up with demand.
Since the beginning of 2019, four companies and 20 store locations have closed throughout the country, compared with six store and six company openings, according to Prosales Magazine, which monitors the sector. A similar number of closings and openings occurred in 2018.
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