In 1911, a small lumber mill with just four employees was established by Mose Keim and his brother John. The business was initially known as Keim Bros. The family-owned business grew over the years and in the 1930s, Mose’s son Roman joined the company, and the name changed to M.J. Keim & Son. The business expanded in the 1940s and 50s and included dry kiln, hardwood flooring, plywood, an office, and a building materials store. 

In the early 60s, Roman’s son Bill took on a significant role in the business and was responsible for purchasing products and handling most of the daily responsibilities. Bill's father taught him “you’ve got to have it to sell it” and “give it to him while he’s here”. This philosophy became a key aspect of the Keim brand. Today, we attribute Keim’s unmatched selection to this mindset. 

When Roman suffered from headaches, he would travel out west to enjoy the fresh mountain air, as he was an avid hunter. In his absence, Bill would run the business. Bill listened to what customers needed and was quick to respond. He purchased the first truck and Keim now made deliveries. As the business expanded, so did the delivery fleet. Keim’s current expertise in warehousing and delivery are highly valued by customers within 150 miles.  

Bill managed the business with his “Maverick Mind” and could easily recall hundreds of phone numbers and prices from invoices, leading many to believe he had a photographic memory. In 1974, the first store on the hill was built, and three years later, Bill and his wife Carolyn became the third-generation family owners. They owned together, worked together, and planned for the future together.  

Carolyn created a warm atmosphere for the employees and supported Bill in many way, including purchasing Christmas gifts every year for employees and their children. Robbie Keim, Bill and Carolyn’s first child grew up in the business and learned the ropes of the family company. In 1993, Carolyn passed away suddenly from cancer, leaving a hole in the family and the business. Around the same time there was a fire in the mill. Despite the fire and the loss of his wife, Bill persevered for the sake of his children and the business. 

In mid-1993, Robbie began working full time and gradually learned the core aspects of the business. Bill remarried in 1994, and the Keims became a blended family, and the new family members contributed to the company's growth and development at different times. 

In 1998, Robbie married Karen, and they began working together in the business. Karen supported from home as children came and their family grew. 

Bill had a big dream, which was to keep Keim Lumber on the map. He would often cleverly say that Charm, OH was the center of the world. In 2002, construction began on Keim Home Center, a project that took five years to complete and included 50,000 board feet of Cherry milled on-site. In the years after construction was complete, Bill was diagnosed with cancer and his health began to decline. By 2010, Robbie had risen to lead the company and was named President in 2014, just before Bill passed away. 

In 2019, Jim Smucker became the first non-family President of Keim Lumber Company, and the company rebranded as Keim to reflect the growing diversity of product and service offerings. In 2022, Robbie and Karen became the sole owners of Keim, and they took an active role, serving as both owners and employees. 

Today, Keim serves professionals and retail customers and has expanded, now owning a hardware store in Mt. Hope and a contractor sales office in Columbus. Warehousing has been added to accommodate the over 65,000 items available in-stock every day. Keim has become the destination and trusted source for all things home, building, and woodworking. 

Keim has one noble purpose, which is to Build the Kingdom Together through Diligent Stewardship and Abundant Generosity. The company has undergone significant growth over the recent years, including increases in the number of employees, variety of customers, and products offered. The Keim family continues to carry on the legacy of their ancestors, committed to the company's vision and values. 

Last updated August 2024