• Late 1940s
  Bill Akins, the owner of a lumber yard in Monkton, Ontario, relocates his business to the charming village of Shakespeare, partnering with George Brewer, a Listowel businessman, to establish Akins-Brewer Lumber. They focus on selling various types of lumber, including spruce, pine, fir, cedar, and rough hemlock.
• 1960
  The business changes ownership, as a group of Stratford businessmen acquires it. Under their stewardship, Akins-Brewer expands its inventory, explores new markets, and experiences growth in sales.
• 1977
  Akins-Brewer Lumber is purchased by its employees, becoming Akins-Brewer Lumber (1977) Limited. Despite maintaining its independence, the company faces challenges competing with national chains.
• 1985
  Akins-Brewer joins Castle Building Centre Group, a renowned cooperative buying group with numerous retail outlets across Canada. This partnership enables Akins-Brewer to leverage bulk purchasing, resulting in lower prices and enhanced competitiveness.
• Present
  Akins-Brewer Lumber, now Adams Building Supply, remains a valued and trusted provider of lumber and building materials in the Shakespeare community. With deep roots in the area, they continue to serve as a full-service supplier, catering to the needs of contractors, DIY enthusiasts, and farmers alike. Their knowledgeable sales staff remains dedicated to offering exceptional service, ensuring that customers receive the assistance they need for projects of any size.

• Late 1950s to Early 1960s
  Originally known as Dorland Lumber, the store transforms into Allen Lumber when William Allen, a former store manager at Beaver Lumber, purchases the business in 1963. With a focus on quality products, outstanding service, and fair pricing, Allen Lumber quickly gains a reputation for excellence.
• 1964
  Howard Pursel, another former Beaver Lumber store manager, joins Bill Allen as the store's manager. Their combined expertise and dedication propel Allen Lumber to become one of the most respected building supply stores in Oxford County.
• Agreement with BOLD/Castle
  In 1964, Allen Lumber forges an agreement with BOLD, which later evolved in Castle Building Centres, a cooperative buying group based in Mississauga. This allows the store to maintain its independence while benefiting from the collective purchasing power of Castle's network of independent lumberyards.
• Early 2000s
  In preparation for a transition in ownership, plans were made to sell the store to Jamie Adams, a step-grandchild of Bill Allen. Jamie completed a degree in Economics and Business at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, positioning him to take over the business.
• 2002
  The official ownership transition occurred, and Jamie Adams became the new owner of Allen Lumber, marking the beginning of a new era.
• 2006
  

  - Allen Lumber underwent a significant renovation and expansion, tripling its size from 1,200 square feet to accommodate a comprehensive line of hardware and building materials. The yard was reorganized, warehouse racking was added, and improvements were made to increase operational efficiency and organization. To reflect the improved product lineup and affiliation with the Castle Buying Group, Allen Lumber rebranded as Allen Building Centre. The building exteriors were given a fresh new look in line with Castle Building Centre's branding. This transformation resulted in a vastly expanded store space, improved operational efficiency, and a symbol of dedication to customer service and diverse options for building and hardware needs.

  - Allen Building Centre is recognized as Outstanding Retailer of the Year by the Woodstock District Chamber of Commerce.

• 2012
  Allen Building Centre receives another recognition for Outstanding Commercial Achievement.
• Present day
  Allen Building Centre, now known as Adams Building Supply, moves to an entirely new, state-of-the-art location on Parkinson Road in Woodstock. Yet to this day, it continues to uphold the values instilled by its founders. With a strong commitment to outstanding service, knowledgeable staff, and fair pricing, Adams Building Supply has become a trusted provider of building materials and supplies in Woodstock, Ontario. The company prides itself on delivering exceptional customer service, ensuring that every customer receives the support they need for their projects. Through the transition from Allen Building Centre to Adams Building Supply, the dedication to these core values remains unchanged.

At Adams Building Supply, we are dedicated to being your ultimate destination for all building and hardware requirements, as we strive for constant growth, innovation, and enhancement to provide unmatched service and value. Building upon the legacies of Akins-Brewer Lumber and Allen Building Centre, Adams Building Supply is committed to expanding our offerings, extending our product range, and enhancing our expertise to cater to the evolving needs of our customers. With our unified brand, we are confident in our ability to achieve enduring success and exponential growth as a trusted partner for building and hardware supplies.

As a member of Castle, Canada's premier buying group, we're proud to be a trusted building supply partner for builders, contractors, and consumers since 1963.

Castle dealers are known for delivering quality and value, and at Adams Building Supply, we're no exception. Our independence is our strength, allowing us to know our communities, our customers, and their needs, enabling us to grow and succeed.