In 1942, LMC partnered with Georgia Hardwood to get carloads of lumber from LMC Dealers to the War Department. This partnership is an important milestone not only in LMC's history but in the history of the LBM industry. In 1945, the LMC Board of Directors authorized a modest advertising and direct mail program designed to promote the company as an outlet for lumber yard products throughout the East. A new ELMCO trademark was created to identify only the highest-quality ELMCO products. Asphalt roofing, sidewall shingles, and red cedar shingles merited the label. A quarterly newsletter called the ELMCO Leaf was created to promote the ELMCO brand and share information with the Stockholders.
Pictured: Bellingham, WA in 1947 - Lewis Ham (LMC), Victor Olson (President of Bellingham Plywood Corp), Charles B. Wolf (LMC Stockholder), and Jesse Snavely, Jr (LMC Stockholder)
Building relationships through plant tours was on the agenda early at LMC as it still is today. In 1947, LMC traveled to Vancouver, Oregon, and Washington for the entirety of August. Bonds formed from the trip led to a reunion dinner in Atlantic City, NJ for all who attended the following November.
Perseverance keep LMC on its feet during years of successes and challenges. The patience paid off in when LMC celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 1965. As LMC grew in the years after the war, both the premises and the team began to scale, too. It was during these formative years that LMC laid the foundation for the co-op it is today.
Some of the highlights of these years include:
• Robert C. Fraunberger became the first paid President of LMC in 1955
• 56 LMC Dealers in 1955 • Purchased our first office building in Wayne, PA in 1959 for $54,000
• LMC Purchases reached 70 million in 1960
• 56 LMC Dealers in 1955 • Purchased our first office building in Wayne, PA in 1959 for $54,000
• LMC Purchases reached 70 million in 1960
Pictured: LMC President Robert Fraunberger
Pictured: 17th Annual in Atlantic City, NJ
