Business of the Week – Building Material Supply

You help your community thrive when you shop locally!

Be sure to read The Prowers Journal each week when the Lamar Chamber of Commerce
 and The Prowers Journal highlight a featured Business of the Week.

This week we are proud to spotlight Building Material Supply, located at  224 North Main in Lamar.

Where to begin? The Curry family has been in the lumber and building material business since 1945. First at 501 North Main Street, the Stagner, Inc. facility. Next at 4th & Sherman, Lamar Lumber Company and their present address of 224 North Main Street, Lamar. Building Material Supply was started in 1970 and is celebrating 42 years in business. Dudley Curry and Don Currell were the founders and Curry bought Currell out in 1975 to become the sole owner.

Many changes have occurred over the years. The truss business was expanded in 1981 with the addition of new cutting and assembly equipment at 1110 North Main Street. This allowed the business to grow by manufacturing not only for Lamar but other surrounding lumber yards. Today trusses manufactured in Lamar are all over S. E. Colorado and Western Kansas. Soon after, the store at 224 North Main Street underwent a major remodel. Approximately 7000 sq ft of office and floor space were added in 1983. About the same time the southwest corner of this location (Harbert Gas Station) was acquired for much needed additional parking, and a new 6000 sq ft lumber and building material storage facility was built.

Storage building manufacturing began in 1983. Today many shapes and sizes of buildings are found across S. E. Colorado. In 1980 the business branched to Holly, Colorado and operated in this store until 1985. A store was opened in La Junta, Colorado in 1989 and operated until 2001. The La Junta branch was sold to a local investment group.

Just Ask Rental became part of the business in 1998 which has also been very viable. Many items, from hand tools to larger power equipment are readily available for rent. In 2000 BMS Car and Truck Rental was formed. Passenger cars and pickup are available.

Building Material Supply is a homecenter, which means a large store that specializes in a wide range of material and supplies for home improvement or repairs. The newest addition of merchandise has been Ranchway Feed. Ranchway has been a full-line manufacturer of feed since 1948. Product is purchased at the 224 North Main Street location and loaded at 111 East Maple Street just North of BMS.

Time always takes its toll on buildings and another face lift was done on the present location in 2004 & 2005. The exterior of the building was reshaped and fully stuccoed, and a new parking lot was added.

Building Material Supply has been a True Value Store from the beginning. True Value is a member owned cooperative wholesaler founded in 1948 by John Cotter and today is over 5000 members strong. Building Material Supply is proud to be a member of such an outstanding company for so many years.

Building Material Supply presently has 18 employees in various areas such as sales, yard, rental and manufacturing. Most employees have been with the company well over 10 years. Jack Evans, a company stockholder, is the current General Manager and has been an employee since 1978.

While business is a constantly moving target, Evans would like to recognize the loyalty of his employees as part of the business success. Longevity of employment makes for a smooth, well-oiled machine.

Thank You S. E. Colorado for your trust and continued support. BMS Staff.