Although ProBuild is a new force in the professional building industry, we have a long history of success in every region of the country. The genesis of our organization began in 1997 when Fidelity Capital, which invests private equity on behalf of Fidelity Investments, acquired the Strober Organization, a leading supplier of building materials to professional builders and contractors in the Northeast. Fidelity Capital identifies, invests in, and grows businesses it believes have the potential to become successful, independent contributors to Fidelity Investments. Recognizing an opportunity in the fragmented professional building field, Fidelity teamed with current Vice Chairman Fred Marino to acquire the 85-year-old company and initiate an aggressive growth strategy.

Over the next nine years, Strober acquired strong regional brands, extending its reach to the mid-Atlantic and south-east markets. While each Strober brand retained operational autonomy, they all benefited from Fidelity Capital’s technical, financial, and human capital expertise, offering more fully integrated solutions to local and regional builder customers.

By year-end 2005, Strober had become the sixth largest professional building materials dealer in the United States, with 91 locations in 15 states.  Seizing on the opportunity to continue its expansion and provide unprecedented national coverage for the country’s largest builders, Fidelity formed ProBuild to create the largest nationwide provider of professional building materials. The growth opportunity was soon fulfilled with the acquisition of Lanoga, the nation’s third largest professional building materials dealer with more than 320 lumber and building product distribution, manufacturing and assembly centers throughout 24 midwestern and western states. Following the Lanoga acquisition, ProBuild completed the acquisition of Hope Lumber and Supply, the 8th largest professional building supply dealer in the United States with over 50 locations across 9 southeastern and south central states.

Today, ProBuild continues its aggressive growth strategy, aligning with top professional building dealers to expand the company’s national footprint and diversify its product and services offerings.
Click here to read more about our growth strategy.