Lawrence Lumber Chain Moves To Close Acquisition Family-Owned Company In Woburn

WOBURN, MA -- The final piece of the acquisition of Woburn's oldest continually operating business fell into place last week as City Council approved the transfer of E.G. Barker's operating permit to its new owner, Jackson Lumber & Millwork. Terms of Jackson's acquisition of Barker, which had been family-owned since 1887, were not disclosed. In addition to its new Woburn location, Lawrence-based Jackson has locations in Amesbury, North Andover and Raymond, N.H.

"It has been a goal of ours for many years to have a location closer to Boston that would allow us to better serve our many customers in Greater Boston," Jackson President Mark Torrisi said in a statement when the deal was announced earlier this summer. "After carefully exploring our options, we determined that acquiring E.G. Barker Lumber would be the best solution for our needs."

The sale was originally reported in August by the Wicked Local Woburn. For Barker Lumber owner John Denison, the sale ends his 39 years at the head of the company.

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"I considered other options, but I know that this is the best option for our Barker customers, our employees and myself," he said in a statement. "Our acquisition by Jackson will increase opportunities for both our customers and our employees."

Last week's action by City Council passed 8-0, with Ward 7 Alderman Lindsay Higgins abstaining.

For now, Jackson will keep the Barker name. The company has a showroom at 10 Jefferson Avenue in Woburn. The company also has a lumberyard across the street from its showroom at 36 Prospect Street. The company has 20 employees, none of whom are expected to lose their jobs when the sale is finalized on October 2.

For more on this story, see Wicked Local Woburn.

Photo by nmai.si.eu via Wikimedia Commons.