In 1905, C.W. Upton started the business that the Greater Rochester Area would come to know and support – it became Dillman & Upton in 1910. After four generations, Dillman & Upton has sold to Mans Lumber and Millwork, another century-old, Michigan family-owned business.
Dillman & Upton has been supplying materials to a large portion of construction projects built or remodeled in Oakland County. They also specialize in lumber, millwork, window, decking, and kitchens/baths, including remodeling. Mans Lumber and Millwork, who specialists in lumber, millwork, window, decking, and kitchens/baths, has acquired Dillman & Upton’s home improvement center, showroom, and lumberyard.
The Dillman & Upton name, their location, and their employees will all stay the same. “It will be good,” said Brad Upton, co-owner of Dillman & Upton. “It was a long and hard decision, but it’s the right fit. We’ve known them for 30 years, they are like-minded, and all the area builders know them.” Mans Lumber and Millwork are also over 100 years old with five generations of history. The Dillman & Upton’s next generation was not part of the succession plan for the Rochester landmark. The next best thing was selling to another family-run Michigan company.
“Mans Lumber has the nicest lumberyard I’ve seen,” said Upton. “They have more capacity to deliver, which will be better for our customers.” Dillman & Upton brings a strong installation component to the table, set to benefit Mans Lumber.
With more than 200 years of combined experience in the lumber and building materials business, the acquisition of Dillman & Upton also creates the state’s largest family-owned provider of home improvement services and lumber and building materials. “At Mans Lumber and Millwork, we are continually improving on the construction and home improvement experience for our customers across southeast Michigan,” said Doug Mans, president, Mans Lumber and Millwork. “Dillman & Upton share our focus on excellent service, and this partnership and location will provide our Oakland County customers with an improved range of services, products, and support.”
“This partnership will help us to continue to grow and improve our ability to compete in today’s incredibly diverse and rapidly changing marketplace,” said Brad Upton and Todd Upton, co-owners, Dillman & Upton. “We have had a relationship with Mans Lumber and Millwork for decades, they’re already like family, and now is the best time to join forces.”
After 41 years, Brad Upton is longer an owner. But he will carry on, with overseeing the day-to-day operations. The Dillman & Upton name will stay, the employees will all have jobs (in fact, they’re hiring), and the long history of this family-run, Rochester business will continue.
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