Ferguson Lumber earns dual 2026 industry honors

Ferguson Lumber Corporation, a fifth- generation family business serving West Central Indiana, has earned two of the home
improvement industry’s top honors for 2026, receiving recognition as Indiana’s Hardware All Star from Hardware + Building Supply Dealer (HBSDealer) magazine and as the Independent ProDealer of the Year from Hardware + Building Supply Dealer and the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA).
Together, the honors recognize a business whose roots stretch back more than 150 years while continuing to evolve to meet the changing needs of contractors, homeowners, and the communities it serves.
Ferguson Lumber was selected as Indiana’s 2026 Hardware All Star as part of HBSDealer’s annual program recognizing outstanding independent hardware and building supply businesses across the country. The publication highlighted Ferguson Lumber’s long history in West Central Indiana, its continued family ownership, and the leadership of fifth-generation President Joe Collings.
“The success of the company has been due to the principle that we have always taken a genuine interest in the customer,” Collings said. “Our entire staff works to make sure each and every customer point of contact is both positive and productive. That principle will continue to be a major focus in the future.”
That same commitment to customers, employees, and independent business also helped earn Ferguson Lumber national recognition as the 2026 Independent ProDealer of the Year. Presented by HBSDealer in partnership with NLBMDA, the award recognizes high-performing independent lumber and building material dealers who demonstrate excellence in customer stewardship, employee commitment, workplace culture and industry leadership.
For Collings, the recognition reflects a philosophy that has guided Ferguson Lumber through generations of change.
“Our whole philosophy has been working with people and making things better,” Collings said. “Being independent allows us to adapt, solve problems, and respond to what our customers and communities need. Just as important, it gives our people the opportunity to contribute ideas and help determine how we move forward.”
That ability to change without losing sight of the company’s core principles has been central to Ferguson Lumber’s longevity. While its contractor customer base remains at the heart of the business, the company has continually adjusted its approach to the market, invested in facilities, and provided opportunities for its team to help shape the organization’s future.
Collings has also been an active advocate for the independent lumber and building materials industry, including service with NLBMDA. He said the opportunities created through an independent, family-owned business have made his career personally rewarding and reinforced his commitment to preserving Ferguson Lumber for future generations.
“I want to see the preservation of the business and see us reach another plateau in the years to come,” Collings said. “The goal is to provide the avenue for our existing staff to keep moving forward.”
Ferguson Lumber will be formally recognized as the Independent ProDealer of the Year during the 2026 ProDealer Industry Summit in Chicago in October.