MANS Lumber & Home, a leading supplier of quality lumber, building materials, and home design and building services, is celebrating its 125th anniversary as a member of the southeast Michigan community in 2025. Founded in Trenton, Mich., the company was formally established in 1900 by Nick Mans—known then as “N.A. MANS,” in honor of Nick’s father Nicholas August Mans.
To recognize the longevity that MANS attributes to the support of the local community, its long-time partners, vendors, and the employees who contribute daily to the company’s success, MANS is planning a yearlong slate of events, charitable initiatives, and expressions of gratitude through the end of 2025.
“We have a lot to be thankful for,” says MANS President Doug Mans, “and 2025 will be an entire year of giving back and giving thanks. We know our great-grandfather is looking down on us in approval and with his own famous gratitude, upon which he founded N.A. MANS way back in 1900!”
From Humble Beginnings to a Growing Stalwart in the Community
In 1860, Nicholas August left his home country of Germany and moved to Trenton, Michigan to begin selling coal and peat to his neighbors and workers in the community. In 1900, his son formally opened a store in Trenton—the first of many brick-and-mortar locations to come—expanding the family business to supply coal, lumber and other building materials to the extended downriver community.
Over the years, generations to follow would carry on the mission, as the company grew, adding both new locations and a growing team of employees along the way, each time endeavoring to improve lives, beautify communities, and make lasting memories in every homeowner’s project they touched. All in all, it is a timeline that has withstood The Great Depression, astronomical lending rates of the 1980s, a housing bubble burst in 2008, and, most recently, a global pandemic.
Withstanding economic and other headwinds throughout its lifespan, the company even survived a fire that destroyed its Trenton showroom in 1975, a tragic blaze that took six fire departments to extinguish.
“I remember being overwhelmed by the enormous generosity of our friends and neighbors, be they vendors, customers, or even strangers,” recalls Doug Mans. “Our phones were ringing off the hook with offers of support and assistance. Office space, equipment, supplies, whatever we needed…people were coming out of the woodwork (no pun intended) to lend a helping hand in our time of need,” he remembers.
“You never forget those moments,” he adds. “We have more than 125 years of those types of memories. Which is why we’ve spent all of them doing our best to give thanks and give back. That’s what this 125th anniversary celebration is all about. Not us…them.”
Today, Looking Back, and Looking Ahead
As of April 2025, MANS Lumber & Home now has seven locations across a wide swath of southeastern Michigan and employs 335 team members. In recent years, the company has welcomed Dillman & Upton (a highly respected home-improvement and design fixture in the Oakland County community) into the family. More recently, in 2024, both Kurtis Builder Supply and Michigan Timber & Truss joined the MANS family as well, two of the latest strategic partnerships that the MANS Family of Companies has pursued to exemplify the craftsmanship and integrity MANS has built its reputation.
Also in 2023, what was previously known as “MANS Lumber” underwent a thoughtful and strategic rebrand, updating both its visual identity and renaming the business to the current MANS Lumber & Home.
On September 25th, the company hosted a formal celebration event to commemorate its 125th anniversary. The private gathering took place at Shed 3 in Eastern Market and welcomed over 1,200 guests, including customers, vendors, employees, family, and friends.
Additionally and appropriately, the company and family have committed to a series of community initiatives and charitable programs to show their gratitude. Throughout the year, company volunteers will be planting 125 trees in the communities in which the business operates. Additionally, volunteers will install 125 duck boxes in various ponds and lakes across the region, which provide additional shelter/homes where hens can nest in relative safety from predators.
“We are proudly and enthusiastically giving back to the community that has helped to make this 125-year story a reality,” Doug Mans notes. “In doing so, we are honoring our late founder, Nick, who was fond of encouraging his children and grandchildren to ‘Leave it better than you found it.’
“Whether that was in reference to nature during a hunting or hiking expedition, the community in which you choose to set up shop, or a home you are building or renovating, they were his words to live by. And that will forever be our guiding principle: to leave it better than we found it.”
About MANS Lumber & Home
Headquartered in Trenton, Mich., and with offices and retail locations across southeast Michigan, MANS Lumber & Home is a trusted supplier of premium lumber, building materials, and related products serving builders and homeowners. Established in 1900, the company serves the residential, commercial and industrial construction markets, offering a wide range of products and unparalleled customer service. Learn more at www.manslumber.com
