Kirchner Building Centers History
History In 1906, Charles Kirchner came to Kansas, Illinois with the dream of starting a retail lumber company. He was able to fulfill his dream during that year with the opening of Kirchner Lumber. Over the next several years Mr. Kirchner opened lumber companies in the neighboring communities of Marshall, Casey, Ashmore, Redmon and Westfield, Illinois.
During the late 1920's Mr. Kirchner's son, George Kirchner, joined him in the business and became a partner in the Company. During the 1940's as roads and modern transportation became more effective, the smaller stores located close together were consolidated. The company was incorporated in 1961 as Charles Kirchner & Son, Inc. DBA Kirchner Building Centers.
In 1963, George Kirchner's oldest son, Charles L. Kirchner became General Manager of the corporation. During the next few years, the company closed two more locations leaving only two remaining stores, located in Kansas and Marshall, IL.
In 1972, Charles L. Kirchner was elected President of the corporation and began a campaign to generate renewed growth. The Andrews Lumber Company in Charleston, Illinois was purchased during 1974. The Company expanded again in 1982 by adding a new location in Mattoon, Illinois. In 1985 the Company purchased the Hunter Webb Lumber Company in Ogden, Illinois, allowing access to the Champaign and Danville markets. In 1993, Charles Kirchner & Son, Inc. purchased the McGinnis Lumber Company in Casey, Illinois. The expansion continued in 1996 with the purchase of the Danville Cash & Carry Lumber Company in Danville, Illinois and in 2000 with the purchase of the Paxton, Illinois location. Kirchner Building Centers grew again in March of 2006 with the purchase of a lumber yard in Newton, Illinois. Today there are nine Kirchner Building Centers located throughout East Central Illinois.
On January 1, 1998, the fourth generation of family leadership became reality when Kurt Kirchner was elected President. Charles L. Kirchner assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer. The expanded management team is focused on even more positive opportunities for customers, employees, and future generations to come.
Kirchner's growth has been due primarily to being able to service communities and rural areas with a greater selection of quality building materials and hardware at affordable value prices. LOCALLY OWNED MEANS - WE CARE!
During the late 1920's Mr. Kirchner's son, George Kirchner, joined him in the business and became a partner in the Company. During the 1940's as roads and modern transportation became more effective, the smaller stores located close together were consolidated. The company was incorporated in 1961 as Charles Kirchner & Son, Inc. DBA Kirchner Building Centers.
In 1963, George Kirchner's oldest son, Charles L. Kirchner became General Manager of the corporation. During the next few years, the company closed two more locations leaving only two remaining stores, located in Kansas and Marshall, IL.
In 1972, Charles L. Kirchner was elected President of the corporation and began a campaign to generate renewed growth. The Andrews Lumber Company in Charleston, Illinois was purchased during 1974. The Company expanded again in 1982 by adding a new location in Mattoon, Illinois. In 1985 the Company purchased the Hunter Webb Lumber Company in Ogden, Illinois, allowing access to the Champaign and Danville markets. In 1993, Charles Kirchner & Son, Inc. purchased the McGinnis Lumber Company in Casey, Illinois. The expansion continued in 1996 with the purchase of the Danville Cash & Carry Lumber Company in Danville, Illinois and in 2000 with the purchase of the Paxton, Illinois location. Kirchner Building Centers grew again in March of 2006 with the purchase of a lumber yard in Newton, Illinois. Today there are nine Kirchner Building Centers located throughout East Central Illinois.
On January 1, 1998, the fourth generation of family leadership became reality when Kurt Kirchner was elected President. Charles L. Kirchner assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer. The expanded management team is focused on even more positive opportunities for customers, employees, and future generations to come.
Kirchner's growth has been due primarily to being able to service communities and rural areas with a greater selection of quality building materials and hardware at affordable value prices. LOCALLY OWNED MEANS - WE CARE!