Southern Indiana Business Report
Bender Lumber, a Southern Indiana lumber company founded in 1931, has sold its eight locations to R.P. Lumber Co., a family-owned building materials supplier and home center based in Edwardsville, Illinois.
The acquisition was announced by R.P. Lumber in January and was finalized Feb. 13, according to a news release from R.P. Lumber. The purchase of Bender Lumber increases its number of stores to 99 across seven states.
Bender Lumber has locations in Bedford, Bloomington, Columbus, Linton, Madison, Martinsville, Paoli and Washington. It has provided building materials, hardware and contractor support to builders, remodelers and homeowners. Current owner John Bender, known for his entrepreneurial spirit, was one of the founders of Pizza Hut.
“I’m proud that we are selling Bender Lumber to R.P. Lumber. I have been friends with Jason Plummer and his father for a number of years. I believe they operate their business very much like we try to operate our business,” said Bender.
“Mr. Bender is the kind of person you hope to meet in business – honest, humble, and deeply principled, with a great sense of humor to boot,” said Jason Plummer, president of R.P. Lumber. “His approach to leadership and his respect for employees and customers have made Bender Lumber a cornerstone of the Indiana building community. We have long respected the entire Bender Lumber team, and we are grateful for the opportunity to build on the foundation laid by Mr. Bender, his brother, Paul, and their father,” added Plummer.
Bender Lumber has more than 100 employees across its locations.
“Bender Lumber’s team members are known for their expertise and their genuine care for customers. I’ve been in their stores and am always impressed with the level of service and attention each customer receives,” added Plummer. “We’re excited to welcome them into the R.P. Lumber family and continue supporting the communities they have served so well.”
The news release noted the companies are working closely to ensure a seamless transition, with no disruption to customer service or product availability. Existing employees will remain in place, the companies already share many of the same vendors and technology, and R.P. Lumber will invest in additional technology, equipment and inventory to enhance the customer experience.
“I believe this transaction will benefit our employees, customers and the communities where our stores are located. As a family business, we wanted it to continue with a similar culture. We think R.P. Lumber is the right choice,” added John Bender.
The acquisition also reflects R.P. Lumber’s broader commitment to growth and regional investment. With locations across Illinois, Missouri, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana, R.P. Lumber continues to expand its footprint while staying true to its small-town roots. The acquisition of Bender Lumber follows R.P. Lumber’s October 2025 acquisition of the two-location Dye Lumber operation in Indiana, now bringing the company’s footprint in the Hoosier state to 10 locations.
“Every community we serve matters,” said Robert Plummer. “We believe in local leadership, local decision-making, local involvement, and just being a good neighbor. That’s what Bender Lumber has always stood for, and that’s what we will continue to uphold.”
The company plans to host local events at each store to celebrate the new chapter and honor the legacy of Bender Lumber.
“We are humbled to be part of this story, and we are committed to writing the next chapter with the same care and integrity that the Bender family has shown Southern Indiana for many decades,” said Plummer.
For more information about R.P. Lumber and its new Indiana locations, visit www.rplumber.com.