Original article appeared in LBM Journal and was written by:
Amy Novak
September 2, 2026
Over more than four decades, Nelson Lumber has grown beyond the traditional lumberyard model by developing an in-house design team and earning a reputation for distinctive custom homes.
Tucked away in a quiet northwestern pocket of Wisconsin lies the picturesque town of Hayward. Home to the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, the modest population—less than 3,000 people—swells in the summer months, with tourists flocking to the area to enjoy all that the pristine lakes and dense forests have to offer: fishing, boating, hiking, hunting, and skiing.
Hayward is a tight-knit community known for its locally owned businesses, including Nelson Lumber & Home, Inc. Together with its sister company, the Floor To Ceiling Store, Nelson Lumber occupies a 7-acre campus that serves as a one-stop shopping destination for both homeowners and contractors. Homeowners can find what they need to build, remodel, decorate, and furnish their homes, while contractors have access to a full range of building materials and supplies.
Tucked away in a quiet northwestern pocket of Wisconsin lies the picturesque town of Hayward. Home to the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, the modest population—less than 3,000 people—swells in the summer months, with tourists flocking to the area to enjoy all that the pristine lakes and dense forests have to offer: fishing, boating, hiking, hunting, and skiing.
Hayward is a tight-knit community known for its locally owned businesses, including Nelson Lumber & Home, Inc. Together with its sister company, the Floor To Ceiling Store, Nelson Lumber occupies a 7-acre campus that serves as a one-stop shopping destination for both homeowners and contractors. Homeowners can find what they need to build, remodel, decorate, and furnish their homes, while contractors have access to a full range of building materials and supplies.
Nelson Lumber was founded in Hayward in 1981. Over more than four decades, the company grew beyond the traditional lumberyard model by developing an in-house design team and earning a reputation for distinctive custom homes, particularly lakefront homes designed around each owner’s vision, the site, and its views.
In 1995, Nelson Lumber opened the Floor to Ceiling showroom, expanding a decorating business that had already operated within Nelson Lumber for more than a decade.
Nelson’s competitive advantage shines through the lens of architectural excellence. Each project is thoughtfully designed under the leadership of newly appointed CEO James Mellom, who is an AIA-credentialed architect. Mellom served as director of design for 11 years prior to taking the reins in August 2026. “Our greatest strength is the range of expertise we bring together under one locally owned organization,” says Mellom. “A customer can begin with design, work through budgeting and product selection, connect with an experienced local contractor, purchase the building materials, and coordinate cabinetry, flooring, countertops, fixtures, and interior finishes through our Floor to Ceiling store. Our integrated approach creates continuity from the first sketch through construction.”
Because Nelson specializes in custom lakefront homes, their experts not only understand the design aspects of a project, but they also understand the site, climate, and logistical challenges unique to northwest Wisconsin. “Customers are not simply buying materials from us; they are gaining a knowledgeable local team that helps them make better decisions earlier and avoid costly surprises later,” says Mellom.
Nelson is now a 100% employee-owned company, which is somewhat rare in the LBM industry. Employee-owned models notably give employees a stake in the long-term success of the business, while providing above-average worker pay and better job security. Because of this model, Nelson employees are inherently invested in the outcome of projects, which shines through in their comprehensive concept-to-completion strategy. Mellom notes that, “Our employee-owned structure allows people to build a career while sharing in the value they help create. We focus on making the ‘everyday things’ as rewarding as possible. That includes creating a respectful workplace, competitive compensation, opportunities to learn, clear responsibility and the ability to see how your work affects the customer and the company.”
Many LBM dealers face the same modern-day challenge of developing the next generation of skilled employees, both at the dealer level and more broadly within the construction trades. Mellom acknowledges this challenge, but also views this as one of Nelson’s greatest opportunities. “The companies that create meaningful career paths, invest in training, and connect with young people early will be best positioned to serve customers for decades to come,” says Mellom. “We are taking an active role rather than waiting for candidates to find us. Members of our team serve as directors within the Northland Area Builders Association and on advisory committees for local technical colleges. Those positions help us support scholarships, strengthen construction and design programs, share what employers need, and introduce students to the wide variety of careers available in the LBM and building industries. Internally, we are also focused on mentoring, cross-training, and giving younger employees real responsibility and a visible path for advancement.”
Nelson participates in industry and educational events with the goal of creating relationships with students before they enter the workforce. Adding younger members to the Nelson design and operations teams is a focused effort, while also ensuring experienced employees continue to adapt to new technology programs. “We also rely heavily on internal knowledge sharing,” says Mellom. “Experienced employees have decades of practical product and construction knowledge, and intentionally passing that knowledge to the next generation is one of our most important investments.”
Mellom has a deep appreciation for Nelson’s roots and a clear vision for its future. “My immediate priority is a thoughtful transition that protects what Nelson Lumber already does well while preparing us for what’s next,” he says. “That means listening to our employee-owners and customers, maintaining strong contractor and vendor relationships, developing our people, and improving our systems. We would not pursue growth simply for the sake of becoming larger. We want disciplined, sustainable growth within our existing market. We see opportunities in strengthening the connection between architectural design, building
materials, and interior selections. Nelson will remain open to future expansion or acquisition opportunities if they fit our culture and benefit our employee-owners, but continuity and team development will always come first.”
In addition to being motivated by the people he works with and the community Nelson serves, Mellom is also inspired by seeing an idea become something real and lasting. “In our industry, a conversation can become a set of plans, a delivery of materials and, ultimately, a home where a family will spend generations. There is a direct connection between the quality of our decisions and the quality of someone’s everyday life. As I prepare for my new role at Nelson Lumber, the opportunity to protect what has been built over the past 45 years while helping the next generation of employees grow into ownership and leadership makes the work especially meaningful.”
Founded: 1981
Locations: 1 with a sister company, Floor to Ceiling, located on the same campus
Employees: 30
Customer base: 70% pro / 30% DIY
Ownership: Employee owned
Primary business ERP/software: Epicor Eagle. Preparing for a transition to BisTrack
Primary Buying Groups/Co-ops: Manion’s, Wausau, US Lumber
Top 3 Brands by Revenue: Marvin Windows, LP SmartSide, CertainTeed roofing
