03/28/2024
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By Cara Beth Lewis

For 75 years, family-owned and operated Bladen Builders Supply has offered quality materials and personal service to those in and around Bladen County. As a full-service builders’ supply store, BBS offers everything required for residential and commercial construction, from framing and roofing supplies to doors, windows, plumbing, electrical, paint, flooring, hardware, and treated lumber.

Lane Greene, the owner, explained, “Bladen Builders is, and has always been, a family-owned and operated business. In 2018 my father and I purchased sole ownership of the company. Due to the death of my father in July 2021, I share ownership with a family trust.” He added, “My dad graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1978 and came back to Elizabethtown where he worked at Bladen Builders Supply for 43 years until his death.”

Like his father, Lane also returned to Bladen County to run the family business. He stated, “I am very thankful for the seven years I spent working with my dad when I returned to Bladen Builders after I graduated from The Citadel and completed my military service with the National Guard.”

For 20 years, Bladen Builders Supply has operated at its current location in Elizabethtown. When the business first started 75 years ago, the family also operated a lumber mill, which went hand-in-hand with the builders’ supply. Even after the lumber mill was no longer in operation, the builders’ supply services continued and still do today.

Bladen Builders Supply is a part of the Do It Best Corporation – member-owned hardware, lumber, and building materials cooperative. It is the second-largest corporation in the industry. Lane added, “We have decades-long relationships with most of our suppliers. Those relationships and the continuity of our supply chain vendors have been key in meeting our customers’ needs during the product shortages and supply shortages created by the pandemic and allowing us to be competitive with our sales. We have an experienced, knowledgeable staff, and we believe our personal service is unparalleled.”

According to Owner Lane Greene, the goal is as follows:

“Our goal is to give our customers the best products at the best price and the best service available from ordering in-store to delivery at the job. To do this, we are constantly evaluating new products, attending trade shows, enrolling our staff in various classes and instruction, and assessing ways to market our business and to streamline and improve our business practices internally.”

Even some of the most successful and lasting businesses face challenges and hardships. However, the strength to persevere is what defines the integrity of the business. According to Lane, Bladen Builders is not exempt from this. He stated, “Without a doubt, the death of my dad has been the biggest challenge to us recently. Supply and demand issues related to the economy arise with particular products from time to time, and the pandemic presented those issues as well.”

The 75-year-old supply store has stood strong throughout challenges over the years. According to Lane, the support of others is what keeps the business strong. He elaborated, “I am so grateful for our talented staff and the many loyal and experienced contractors and skilled builders who have continued to support our business and offered constructive advice on how we can grow and improve moving forward. We are very thankful for the support of this community, and we work hard to justify our customers’ continued support of Bladen Builders.”

In Bladen County, housing has been identified as a major focus for growth in order to support a larger workforce and provide families with affordable options. Bladen Builders Supply recognizes this and strives to do its part in the present and future to contribute. The owner says, “We are working hard to keep pace with growth so we can be a good business and community partner for these plans throughout Bladen County.”

Bladen Builders Supply is hiring! Owner Lane Greene stated:

“We are always interested in motivated, reliable individuals who have experience in building material sales, or are willing to learn, or who could work as drivers or delivery personnel. If there are no current openings in your area of interest, we retain applications we receive so that we can contact the applicant if a position becomes available. We also have some part time positions available from time to time, or seasonally. Apply in person at Bladen Builders Supply.”

Bladen Builders is located at 1206 W. Swanzy Street in Elizabethtown.

Hours are:

Monday – Friday:  7:30 am until 5:00 pm.

Saturday:  8:00 am until noon.

“Bladen Builders is excited to partner with our customers and our community to expand housing availability and business and industry growth as our local economy comes out of the pandemic. We look forward to the opportunity to provide quality materials and superior customer service for any building material needs you may have.” -Owner, Lane Greene.

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