SACO — A sixth generation, family-owned lumber company plans to make Saco the home for its next location.

Hancock Lumber was established in 1848 and today has 550 employees. Hancock Lumber includes a timberland company, a sawmill division and a network of retail lumberyards, kitchen design showrooms and a truss manufacturing facility. The company reports it’s the world’s largest manufacturer of Eastern white pine boards.

The company plans to add to its existing network of lumber yards, showrooms sawmills and manufacturing facilities in Maine and New Hampshire by adding a 15th location in Saco.

Hancock Lumber plans to build a state-of-the-art lumberyard and kitchen design showroom on 11 acres it has acquired near the corner of Route 1 and Cascade Road. The company plans to open the Saco store at 941 Portland Road in the spring of 2020.

Company officials believe the Saco location will position itself to better serve customers in southern Cumberland County and northern York County. The company stated in a written statement that this area is the “hub of continued economic development,” and the Portland Road address is highly visible with easy access to Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, Biddeford and I-95.

“Hancock Lumber has been working with builders and homeowners in the greater Saco community for decades. Our new store will allow us to serve those clients even better and connect more broadly with the construction industry in the region,” said Hancock Lumber President Kevin Hancock in a written statement.

The proposed Saco location will open up opportunities for new relationships with builders, remodelers, and homeowners in the sprawling Saco market, the company said.

“We are thrilled that Hancock Lumber has chosen Saco for their business expansion, featuring a new lumber yard and kitchen design showroom,” said Denise Clavette, planning and development director for the City of Saco in a written statement. “Hancock Lumber will be joining the development surge happening along our Route 1 opportunity zone, joining businesses representing multiple industries and sectors. This location will enable Hancock Lumber to better serve customers in Saco and the neighboring communities in York and Cumberland County. Welcome to Saco!”

Hancock Lumber will post periodic updates on the construction online at www.HancockLumber.com/Saco.

— Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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