R.P. Lumber, a family-owned building materials retailer and home center based in Edwardsville, Illinois, said it has agreed to acquire Bender Lumber, a long-standing building supply company with deep roots in Southern Indiana.
The acquisition will bring R.P. Lumber’s total footprint to 99 stores across seven states, extending the company’s Midwest presence while adding eight Indiana locations that serve professional builders, remodelers, and a growing base of do-it-yourself customers. Bender Lumber operates full-service lumberyards in Bedford, Bloomington, Columbus, Linton, Madison, Martinsville, Paoli, and Washington.
Founded in 1931, Bender Lumber was later purchased in 1963 by Harold Bender and his son John Bender. The company has built a reputation around product quality, customer service, and community involvement over decades of serving local construction and remodeling markets. The release also notes John Bender’s broader entrepreneurial profile, including his role in the founding of Pizza Hut.
R.P. Lumber said it expects a smooth transition with no disruption to customer service or product availability, and that existing employees will remain in place. The companies already share many of the same vendors and technology, according to the announcement, and R.P. Lumber said it plans to invest further in technology, equipment, and inventory to enhance the customer experience.
The deal follows R.P. Lumber’s October 2025 acquisition of the two-location Dye Lumber operation in Indiana, which the company said brought its Indiana presence to ten locations after the Bender Lumber addition. R.P. Lumber described the acquisition as a cultural fit between two neighboring operators with similar values and an emphasis on local communities, adding that it plans to host local events at each store to recognize Bender Lumber’s legacy as the integration begins.
KEY QUOTES:
“I’m proud that we are selling Bender Lumber to R.P. Lumber. I have been friends with Jason Plummer and his father for a number of years. I believe they operate their business very much like we try to operate our business.”
“I believe this transaction will benefit our employees, customers, and the communities where our stores are located. As a family business, we wanted it to continue with a similar culture. We think R.P. Lumber is the right choice.”
“When you treat people the way you’d want your own family treated, they remember. That kind of trust doesn’t just help you build a business — it helps the next generation carry it forward.”
John Bender
“Bender Lumber is more than a business — it’s a legacy. John Bender, his brother Paul Bender, and their entire team have built something truly special. Their commitment to honesty, customer service, and community involvement aligns well with our values at R.P. Lumber. We’re honored to sustain that vision.”
“Every community we serve matters. We believe in local leadership, local decision-making, local involvement, and just being a good neighbor. That’s what Bender Lumber has always stood for, and that’s what we will continue to uphold.”
Robert Plummer, CEO of R.P. Lumber
“Mr. Bender is the kind of person you hope to meet in business — honest, humble, and deeply principled, with a great sense of humor to boot.”
“His approach to leadership and his respect for employees and customers have made Bender Lumber a cornerstone of the Indiana building community. We have long respected the entire Bender Lumber team, and we are grateful for the opportunity to build on the foundation laid by Mr. Bender, his brother, Paul, and their father.”
“Bender Lumber’s team members are known for their expertise and their genuine care for customers. I’ve been in their stores and am always impressed with the level of service and attention each customer receives. We’re excited to welcome them into the R.P. Lumber family and continue supporting the communities they have served so well.”
“We are humbled to be part of this story, and we are committed to writing the next chapter with the same care and integrity that the Bender family has shown Southern Indiana for many decades.”
Jason Plummer, President of R.P. Lumber
