Harbin historical photo Harbin Lumber Company, Inc. began operation in 1917 after two brothers, Frank Harbin Sr. and John Harbin, were discharged from the U.S. Army following World War I. John Harbin left the business at an early age, and Frank Harbin, Sr. worked in the business until his death in 1950. During the Depression the company took the bold step of building a new lumber yard in Royston, and it was during this time that Frank Harbin, Jr. began his training in the lumber business as a young boy. After school, one of his first jobs was to pick up the nails that were dropped by the carpenters that were constructing the new building in Royston. This building still stands on the very edge of Royston today. Frank Harbin, Jr. began working full time in the lumber business in 1945 following his service in the Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He retired in 1982 after 37 years as president of Harbin Lumber Company. Frank Harbin, Jr.'s son, Barron Harbin, began working for the company in 1972. During his tenure as president, HLC has experienced tremendous growth - under his leadership and direction, the company has added 6 new locations and are actively looking for growth opportunities!

We were one of the first lumber yards to purchase a forklift in 1959. Today we maintain the most modern and up-to-date delivery equipment in the industry, including piggyback forklift trucks, boom trucks, and tarp-sided Millwork tractor trailers. In 1976 we were one of the first companies to develop engineering software to run on personal computers; this program was later marketed and sold throughout the U.S. and Canada. Our first accounting computer was purchased in 1976, and in 1980 we purchased a point-of-sale computer that has been upgraded numerous times since.

The company began the window unit assembly business in the early '50s, and in 1965 we were the first in our area to begin assembling door units. In March of 1985 we built a new door and window manufacturing facility consisting of 12,000 square feet and expanded this building to 24,000 square feet in the following year. In 1972 we began Harbin Homes, later changing the name to Load Star, as our truss manufacturing operation. Today this operation is one of the most technologically advanced truss plants in the world. By some industry estimates, it is one of the top five most advanced within the U.S. In Harbin Lumber Central Office August of 1988 we built a central office in Lavonia to accommodate the growth of the company. Our Athens location began operation in July of 1987, and in December of 1997, the Milledgeville branch was added to the company. In 1999 we built a truss plant located in Midway, Georgia (just south of Savannah). Also in 1999, a new contractor lumber yard was constructed and the old lumber yard location was transformed into a Wall Panel manufacturing facility. In 2000 our Royston lumberyard was transformed into our Installed Sales Center to accommodate the growth in that area we have experienced and anticipate for the future. Our newest addition was the acquisition of the Evergreen (Florence SC) truss plant in June 2004.

We pride ourselves on being progressive and have followed this strategic plan throughout history. Our history has been long, and the future of Harbin Lumber Company lies with competent leadership and employees. We are progressing forward with confidence and continually expanding our service areas as well as adding new product lines. We do this while maintain high integrity and exceptional quality and service.