Two building materials distribution centers in Rocklin, outside Sacramento, and Sanger, outside Fresno, are about to change hands. Boise Cascade announced Nov. 5 that it plans to buy both facilities from Taiga Building Products, with the deal expected to close by mid-November (via Boise Cascade).
The Boise, Idaho, company says the two locations will strengthen its reach across Northern and Central California, the California Coast and Northern Nevada, and expand what it calls its general line product capabilities. Boise Cascade runs 39 distribution locations in the U.S., and the release says these two would extend its presence in California. It also ties the deal to the growth of its recently expanded partnership with James Hardie.
Neither company disclosed a price. The release says closing depends on customary conditions, and Boise Cascade's forward-looking statement language also mentions regulatory approvals.
"This acquisition is a great fit for our business and an exciting next step in our growth strategy," said Jo Barney, executive vice president of Boise Cascade's Building Materials Distribution division.
Taiga, a Burnaby, British Columbia, company that trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange, keeps the rest of its business. Its other locations and products aren't part of the deal and will stay with Taiga, according to the release. Taiga's own website lists Rocklin and Sanger along with Washougal, Wash., as its U.S. customer service centers. As of this writing, Taiga's news page hadn't posted its own announcement of the sale.
"Boise Cascade has a strong reputation in building materials distribution, and we look forward to seeing these locations and teams begin their next chapter at Boise Cascade," said Russell Permann, Taiga's president and CEO.
Two-step distribution like this mostly happens out of contractors' sight. Wholesalers such as Boise Cascade and Taiga sell to the lumberyards and dealers that contractors buy from, not usually to builders directly. But who stocks the dealer's yard affects what's on the shelf, which brands are available and how fast special orders come in.
Why it matters for Contractors
If you build or remodel in the Sacramento, Fresno or Central Valley markets, there's nothing you need to do today. But over the next few months, ask your lumberyard or dealer whether they buy through the Rocklin or Sanger yards and whether anything changes for them: product lines, brands carried, lead times or delivery schedules. The James Hardie connection is worth asking about if you install fiber cement siding or trim, since Boise Cascade specifically tied the deal to that partnership. If you've got a big job coming up that depends on a specific product from your dealer, confirm availability before you lock in a schedule while the handoff settles.