Steenbeke sells operations to new company

The building materials and truss manufacturing operations of Boscawen-based Steenbeke & Sons has been sold.

The Steenbeke family sold the operations to Ben Thibault and Hank Martineau of Lumber One LLC. Thibault and Martineau said they will continue to do business under the Steenbeke & Sons name.

Distinctive Kitchens, a kitchen design and remodeling division of Steenbeke & Sons, will continue to be owned by James Steenbeke III.

“While the sale of Steenbeke & Sons marks a somewhat bittersweet point in our company’s 51-year-long history, I could not think of two individuals more qualified and capable of continuing the Steenbeke stewardship than Ben Thibault and Hank Martineau,” said Steenbeke. “Both share our commitment to customer service and satisfaction, and with over 48 years of combined experience, they have the ability to achieve even greater success for the company in the years ahead.”

Hank Martineau will serve as president of Lumber One. He was formerly with Pelham Building Supply, where he worked for 21 years. Thibault, who owns Tibo Lumber, a wholesale lumber company, and Ultratec, a truss and panelized wall manufacturing company, will serve on the board of Lumber One and help Martineau in strategic initiatives to expand and develop new markets.

Thibault and Martineau have no immediate plans for any major changes with the day-to-day operations of the company, they said. “We begin as the new owners of Steenbeke & Sons with a very loyal contractor customer base and a great group of dedicated employees. Our goal will be to build upon the great name and history of this company,” said Martineau.

James Steenbeke said his decision to sell the company — which was founded by his grandparents and has since grown to become one of the state’s largest distributors of building products to professional builders — was motivated by timing and a desire to spend more time with his family.

“Last year was the 50th anniversary of our company, with record sales and earnings. But running both companies myself was just too time-consuming and demanding,” he said. “By retaining Distinctive Kitchens, I can continue to do what I love and have more time to spend with my family.”

Thibault and Martineau said they will continue to operate Steenbeke’s building materials distribution centers in Manchester, Gilford and Boscawen.