SEARSMONT, ME — Robbins Lumber, Inc., announced the acquisition of two sawmills, expanding the company’s footprint from two locations to four locations. The sawmills in Hancock and Sanford, previously owned by Pleasant River Lumber Co., will retain all 74 employees between the two locations. The company says the acquisition will allow them to build upon its brand of Eastern White Pine production, which the company already produces in its existing locations in Searsmont and East Baldwin.
“Robbins Lumber is recognized for its quality products, safety, and great employees,” said co-owner Catherine Robbins-Halsted. “The addition of these two sawmills along with more than 70 new members of the Robbins Lumber team will not only grow this company’s ability to produce, but it will also grow this company’s reputation throughout the region.”
Robbins Lumber is co-owned by Catherine, and her siblings Jim and Alden Robbins. They are the fifth generation of the family to own and manage the operation, which has been in business for more than 140 years.
“This acquisition is a game changer,” said Jim Robbins. “We are now a four sawmill/planer mill, biomass power plant, and coatings facility company with an expanded customer base. Our geographic footprint now covers a larger area of our state, and we have a strategic plan to continue investing and growing this business.” The two acquired sawmills have been renamed to reflect the purchase. The Hancock location will now be known as Robbins Lumber Downeast, LLC, and the Sanford location will be known as Robbins Lumber Sanford, LLC.
“These two locations will help to make Robbins Lumber even better, and even stronger,” said Alden Robbins. “We are very proud of our existing workforce, and adding the new members of our Robbins Lumber family to the mix will only add to the company’s exceptional reputation, customer service, and work ethic. To put it simply, this is an exciting time for Robbins Lumber.”
Frank and Otis Robbins opened the first Robbins Lumber stave mill in 1881 on the St. George River. Today, Robbins Lumber, Inc. owns and manages 30,000 acres of its own forests and buys logs from more than 150 independent loggers. Headquartered in Searsmont with a milling operation on a 40-acre site, Robbins Lumber’s main location includes a 8.5 MW cogeneration plant, a computerized sawmill, planing mills, and 70,000 square feet of warehouse space.
With the addition of the Hancock and Sanford locations, Robbins Lumber now employs 250 people throughout its four locations.
A purchase price for the two acquired locations was not disclosed.
