Keim Lumber Begins 100th Year
Keim Lumber Begins 100th Year
By John D. Swaffer
Press Release June 2010
May, 2010 marked the beginning of Keim Lumber Company’s 100th year in the building materials industry. Having begun as a small rough lumber mill on 1¾ acres, Keim Lumber has evolved & expanded to become a leading building material supplier. Today Keim occupies nearly 40 acres and has over 625,000 square feet under roof. In addition Keim has two offsite rail sidings. With their large warehousing capacity and the capability of buying material by the train car, Keim is able to offer top quality material at very reasonable prices.
Keim Lumber began in the early 1900’s as “Keim Brothers” in the heart of Stevenson, Ohio. (Now Charm Ohio, or locally known as “Putchtown” which means “little clump”) By 1911 Mose J. Keim and his brother John had set up a saw-mill, and soon after built a two story planing mill for manufacturing finish lumber. Part of this building is still being used. In the 1930’s, Mose’s son, Roman, took an interest in the business and the name changed to “M. J. Keim and Son”. Business picked up as the depression waned and in the 1940’s they began selling plywood, built a small dry kiln, and built the first of many storage sheds. In the 1950’s , M. J. Keim and Son began manufacturing hardwood flooring, expanded the buildings and added an office and hardware store. During the 1960’s present owner and president, Bill Keim, Roman’s son, joined the team and the business became known as “Keim Lumber Company”. In the 1970’s a new store was built “up on the hill.” In the1980’s the building was expanded to 30,000 square feet of show room. Finally in 2007 the present 120,000 square foot showroom was opened. From an original work force of 5 people, Keim Lumber has increased to over 350 employees, including Bill’s son Robbie Keim, who as vice president, represents the fourth generation of the Keim Family to be involved in the business.
Keim Lumber operates one of the most unique building supply facilities in the world. Those who travel around the country and the world repeatedly comment, “There is nothing like it.” Keim Lumber’s unique, beautiful showroom has made Keim Lumber truly a “destination” in Ohio. In addition to being a full service building material supplier, Keim manufactures trim, doors and custom millwork. In the heart of Ohio’s Amish country, Keim Lumber Company’s skilled craftsmen express themselves not in words, but in wood. Keim Lumber’s clean, well-stocked showroom, its quality materials, and its friendly, knowledgeable staff cause people to say, “I love to shop there.”
Bill and the entire Keim family say “Thank you” to the many loyal customers from near and far who have contributed to the success of Keim Lumber Company. During this 100th year, the entire staff of Keim Lumber invites you to come out to “Putchtown” and experience for yourself the success of another family owned and operated business in our great country of America.