Joseph A. Hardy III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph A. Hardy III
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| Born | January 7, 1923 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | January 7, 2023 (aged 100) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Pittsburgh |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of 84 Lumber, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, and Hardy World |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 8, including Maggie Hardy Knox |
Joseph Alexander Hardy III (born January 7, 1923 – died January 7, 2023) was an American businessman. He was famous for starting and leading two big companies: 84 Lumber Company and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.
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About Joseph Hardy
Joseph Hardy was a very successful businessman. He built a huge company from the ground up. He also created a well-known resort. He was known for his strong leadership.
Starting 84 Lumber
Joseph Hardy started 84 Lumber in 1956. It began as a small lumber yard. The company sold building materials. It grew quickly over the years.
Growth and Changes
In the 1970s, 84 Lumber opened many new stores. They had 229 stores by the end of the decade. In 1984, the company planned to open 30 more. They also updated their existing stores. They changed from simple lumber yards. They became modern building materials stores.
At first, 84 Lumber only accepted cash. But in 1987, they started allowing customers to use credit. This change helped the business grow even more.
New Leadership
In 1992, Joseph Hardy decided to step back. He had run 84 Lumber for 34 years. He handed over the daily tasks to his daughter. Her name is Maggie Hardy Magerko (now Maggie Hardy Knox). She had been an Executive Vice President.
Expanding the Business
Under Maggie's leadership, 84 Lumber kept growing. They opened their 400th store in 1997. The company started focusing on professional builders. They hired many new sales representatives. This helped them serve contractors better.
84 Lumber also wanted to reach people who did projects themselves. These are called "do-it-yourselfers." In 1999, they opened their first retail store. It was called 84 Plus. These stores had two separate sections. One part was for contractors. The other was for DIY customers. Over 100 84 Plus stores opened.
Facing Challenges
The early 2000s were very good for 84 Lumber. They had record sales in 2002. They opened 18 new stores in 2004.
However, in 2008, the housing market crashed. This hurt the building supplies market. 84 Lumber's profits dropped a lot. The company faced tough financial times. They were almost bankrupt in 2009.
Maggie Hardy Magerko worked hard to fix things. She reorganized the company. She also sold some company properties. Her efforts helped turn the company around. Sales increased significantly from 2012 to 2013.
Today, 84 Lumber is a top supplier. It provides building materials to contractors. It also helps people who build things themselves. It is a leading privately owned company.
Other Ventures
Besides 84 Lumber, Joseph Hardy also founded Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. This is a large resort. It is known for its beautiful setting.
Public Service
Joseph Hardy also had an interest in politics. He ran for Fayette County commissioner in 2007. He won the primary election. However, he later decided to end his political career. He announced he was backing out of the general election.
Personal Life
Joseph Hardy served in World War II. He was a communications officer. He worked in the US Army Air Corps. After the war, he went to college. He earned a degree in engineering. This was at the University of Pittsburgh.
He was married several times. With his first wife, Dorothy, he had five children. His youngest daughter, Maggie, now leads 84 Lumber. Joseph Hardy passed away on his 100th birthday. He died on January 7, 2023. He often said he wanted to give away his money. He wanted to help improve people's lives.
