Dual monitors showing a Vimeo video of a lumberyard and a content management platform with editing tools.

Maximizing Every Square Foot: Inside Naples Lumber Smarter 4-Acre Build

From a PowerBin® automated storage system to A-frame, pallet, and cantilever racking—plus a drive-thru building and 3-sided shed—this new greenfield site packs high performance into a compact footprint.

Split-screen view of a video page featuring a man in teal shirt and a web interface for content management.

New Location - Venice, FL

For over 25 years, Ron Labbe has been the owner and operator of Naples Lumber & Supply, southwest Florida's premier building materials supplier. It's safe to say, he knows lumber. And he knows the lumber business. So, when he was ready to build a new second location in Venice, he had a clear idea of what he wanted but needed help refining the vision and bringing it to life.

"Lots of folks could have built a metal building for me - but only one company can literally help build my business," said Labbe. "I've worked with Clint Darnell [CT Darnell Construction] for years, and when I explained what I was looking for, he was practically finishing my sentences before the end of our phone call."

"Lots of folks could have built a metal building for me - but only one company can literally help build my business."

Large outdoor metal storage racks filled with pipes and materials under a blue sky at an industrial yard.

Like-Minded Vision

Having enjoyed a long and productive relationship with Ron over the years, Clint agreed. "I knew exactly what he was thinking. We have a long working history with Naples Lumber & Supply and have a very good understanding of their business, products, and market. We didn't need much time to ramp-up and get the ball rolling."

The give and take between Labbe and Darnell was seamless. "Clint and his team took my vision and rolled with it," said Labbe, "without much explanation, they understood what I was looking for and made it even better."

According to Clint, the Venice location would be designed to replicate the best aspects of the main store in Naples - including a similar flow and product storage and handling - but in a much smaller footprint. "We agreed a 'mini me' version of the Naples location was the smart play - a consistent layout already familiar to customers. It was up to the CT Darnell design team to leverage the space for maximum capacity and super-efficient flow."

With only four acres to work with, CT Darnell Construction and Naples Lumber & Supply did just that.

"Building a new location can be daunting," said Ron, "but I knew after one phone call, I could trust Clint and the CT Darnell team to design and build the type of smart, efficient lumber operation our customers have come to expect from Naples Lumber Supply."

What Did They Build?

4-acre green field site
29,500 sq. ft. pre-engineered office/retail/warehouse building

PowerBin® automated storage system with 100 bins
A-frame racking for molding
Pallet racking for plywood

29,000 sq. ft. cantilever rack drive-thru building with 7 narrow aisles

Utilizes Combi-Lift narrow aisle forklift

9,500 sq. ft. pre-engineered 3-sided shed

Spacious warehouse interior with metal shelving, stacked materials, and a forklift on concrete floor.

Lumber yard aisle with stacked wooden planks on metal racks and a yellow forklift under a metal roof.

Large outdoor storage area with metal shelving holding building materials under a blue sky.

As a full-service design-build partner, CT Darnell Construction has a 40-year history supporting the LBM industry. We are the only company that specializes in LBM, with an unparalleled reputation in the category and we are licensed in all 50 states.

Start a Conversation

4500+

Facilities Improved

Top 10

Metal Building Contractor

All 50

Licensed in All 50 States