Building Trust

Just as Home Lumber of New Haven Inc. provides the literal framework for new homes, the company’s family-owned history has laid the figurative groundwork for the current generation.

Lineage in Lumber

The business was founded in 1957 as Harlan Lumber by A.D. Delagrange. The company moved from Harlan to New Haven in the early 1960s and became Home Lumber of New Haven Inc. In 1962, John A. Korte became the managing partner, joining Carl Lung and silent owners A.D. Delagrange and Delbert Delagrange. Over time, A.D. and Carl sold their interests. In the mid-1980s, John David Korte and Alan Korte became minority owners and took on an active role in managing the company. In 1994, Delbert passed away, leaving John A. Korte and his sons John David and Alan as owners. Today, Home Lumber is owned and operated by Brent Korte, Eric Korte and Chad Korte. Chad Korte serves as the president.

As a third-generation owner, Chad Korte takes pride in the fact that his family has run its business on the principle that quality people, as opposed to price alone, can put them ahead of the competition.

Service Sets Us Apart

“We’re very service-oriented,” says Korte. “There’s nothing we sell that customers can’t find elsewhere, but our customers choose Home Lumber because of our professional service.”

That focus on service is what customers have come to expect over the years. Many of the 50 employees have been on the team for more than 20 years—several have over 40 years with the company!—and have formed relationships with builders and contractors. According to Korte, Home Lumber primarily services these  two groups in their need for construction supplies. A typical order might consist of a framing package for a home. But Home Lumber provides more than just 2x4s and plywood. Home Lumber also sells and installs garage doors and openers, Andersen^® windows, Majestic^® fireplaces and exterior decks.

Old-Fashioned Approach to New Business

You’ve heard the old adage “location, location, location” when it comes to real estate, but the concept is true for Home Lumber, too. Korte and his team remain in New Haven with good reason. 

“New Haven has a hometown feel where family values are important,”  Korte says. “That family-like feel is why our business relies mostly on word-of-mouth leads, as opposed to cold calls.”

While the Home Lumber approach to new business may be old-fashioned, its technology is not. Korte cites a recent investment in accounting, ordering and customer relationship management software that has made Home Lumber more efficient.

Also related to efficiency, Korte  explains how the recession impacted the business. Although unsettling at the time, Home Lumber came out stronger on the other side.

“It definitely made us smarter and more efficient,” he says.

Korte is optimistic about the projected increase in the new home market: “It’s nice to see it growing at a slow, steady pace.” 

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