J. Gibson McIlvain continues to live up to its industry-wide reputation, but it owes its current prominence to its pre-Revolutionary War antecedents. The McIlvain family has owned and controlled one of America’s finest lumber suppliers since before the country’s States were even formed, let alone united.
A time-tested, family-owned business like ours gives consumers rare value, just as plantation-grown timber typically falls short of the stronger old-growth wood. Hugh McIlvain took a chance when he started a small lumber business on the outskirts of Philadelphia. That risk would grow into a great and formidable enterprise that would support his progeny for the next 7 generations.
Consider this: no motor vehicles were available to deliver logs or sawn wood products to clients or job sites for more than 100 years of this company’s history. Orders and customer connections were mostly based on word-of-mouth recommendations and face-to-face interactions, with deliveries made by horse-drawn carriages and, later, steam-powered railways.
Many bridges that let people migrate west were built with McIlvain lumber, as were historic American institutions like the White House and Smithsonian. Premium wood products, meticulous quality control, and individualized customer service were the same traits that made the company successful when those buildings were built, and they are also the same attributes that make the company successful now.
Wood Products of the Highest Quality
J. Gibson McIlvain’s wood products were initially limited to domestic hardwoods and softwoods. Our headquarters were erected in White Marsh, Maryland, near Baltimore, and additional warehouses were added in New England and on the West Coast as our inventory storage demands rose. The company expanded its offerings through the years to include pre-made millwork and imported exotic woods, resulting in international collaborations with saw mills from Africa to Europe and South America.
Observant Quality Control
We have the best quality control in the industry, with in-person visits and long-term partnerships with saw mills all across the country and around the world, as well as our customary three inspections before shipping. We make certain that our suppliers are (1) legitimate, (2) environmentally conscious, and (3) committed to providing high-quality wood.
Before each shipment is shipped to us, we thoroughly verify the harvesting and drying techniques utilized and appoint independent third-party inspectors to conduct a thorough inspection. When the lumber delivery arrives in Maryland, we check it carefully again, and we check the lumber again after it has been sawn and stacked, and then again before it is shipped out to clients.
Customer Service with a Personal Touch
While technology has greatly increased our client base, we remain committed to the same old-fashioned ideals that our company – and country – were founded on. Our consumers benefit from open communication and detailed information, as well as convenient order tracking. We can tell you that whether you visit us in person or call us, we’ll do our best to understand your project demands and deliver the premium quality wood products you want, meeting your unique specifications to the letter.
J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber has been strong through many changes in our world and in our country, providing timeless quality and old-fashioned customer service.
