Arnold and Debbie Schouten announced that they have formed an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and have sold all of their stock to the ESOP Trust for an undisclosed amount.

The Schouten's established Lumber Traders Inc. in 1984 to acquire and operate Angeles Millworks & Lumber Co., Inc. which was founded in 1906, and Hartnagel Building Supply, Inc., founded in 1960. Since then Arnold and Debbie have built the Company into an operation that employs 61 people. The Company carries the True Value line of products.

Lumber Traders is well known for its involvement and support of many local community activities.

After exploring the possibility of a sale to a third party, Arnold and Debbie decided to keep the Company locally owned and transfer ownership to its current managers and all employees through an ESOP. Arnold and Debbie stated that …. "the ESOP was the best course of action, protecting the character of the Company, its employees and its commitment to the local community." Arnold and Debbie will remain active in Company operations throughout the transition.