In 1975, Sam Yoder founded Sam Yoder & Son in Greenwood. For the first two years, the company built chicken houses. Recognizing the need for stronger roof trusses in those structures, in 1977 the company started building trusses for all types of buildings.
“Sam Yoder was committed to customer service and using top quality material in trusses,” said Sam’s nephew, Lamar Yoder, company manager. “Fifty years later, our philosophy remains: ‘Work hard and provide top quality products and unmatched customer service.’ Our customers deserve great service, and they still expect the level of quality that we deliver.”
Yoder said, “We get most of our lumber out of Western Canada. There are a couple of mills out there that we use. We find it’s much nicer material. It costs more, but that’s our commitment to quality.”
Sam Yoder and Son celebrates 50 years in business
That commitment is a huge part of why Sam Yoder & Son has continued to operate seamlessly, even through tough times in the construction industry in 2007 to 2010, Yoder continued. “We’ve kept the same name and the same people. Many of our employees have been with the company for 20, 30, even 40 years.” Yoder himself has been with the company for 43 years. There are now 70 employees.
The name remained unchanged in 2011 when Christian and Jamin Hudson of Hudson Management purchased Sam Yoder & Son at a pivotal moment in the company’s history. Facing imminent shutdown by its bank creditors, the business was days away from closing its doors—an outcome that would have put 45 skilled employees out of work and ended a half-century legacy in western Sussex County.
“Sam Yoder & Son has been woven into the fabric of western Sussex County for half a century,” said co-owner Jamin Hudson. “Our commitment to investing in our team and modern manufacturing ensures we can continue creating opportunity for local families.”
The Hudsons not only preserved those jobs but also reaffirmed the company’s reputation for quality, reliability and community service. Although the brothers had no prior experience in truss fabrication, they came from the broader building industry and approached their new role with humility and curiosity. They prioritized listening to long-tenured employees, seeking their insights on what the company did well and where improvements could be made.
Once in place, the Hudsons aggressively stabilized the business. They initiated a series of significant capital investments designed to modernize operations. New machinery, new computers and updated software systems were introduced to streamline production. Heavy-duty equipment was added to strengthen delivery capabilities and improve efficiency.
Under their leadership, Sam Yoder & Son expanded beyond its traditional offerings of roof and floor trusses. Today, the company provides wall panels, LVLs and re-lam beams, supplying builders with a wider range of high-quality structural components. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL), one of the key additions, is an engineered material made from multiple layers of thin wood bonded with adhesive—stronger, straighter and more uniform than conventional lumber. It is widely used for headers, beams, rim board and edge-forming material.
What began as a critical rescue in 2011 has since evolved into a story of renewal and growth—one rooted in local stewardship, forward-looking investment and a steadfast commitment to the families who depend on the company.
Sam Yoder & Son has set the industry standard in quality truss construction for over four decades, and trusses are still a large part of the product line. “From commercial or residential, from hotels to horse arenas, we do it all,” Yoder proclaimed.
Why use engineered wood trusses? The trussed roof system offers the designer the opportunity to create unique, eye-catching and highly individual roofs without breaking the budget. Structures can be designed to take every sort of specialized roofing finish or fashioned to create a wide range of roof shapes. Dual pitch roofs, curved and hipped roofs can all be specified with confidence to suit the demands of each project.
Trusses minimize cutting and framing on the job site, greatly reducing labor cost.
“We don’t build stock trusses,” Yoder continued. “Our floor and roof trusses are engineered with attention to detail and quality. Using leading software, from MiTek, experienced and professional personnel will design the roof or floor system to meet your precise specification. Our trusses are built using precision lasers to ensure that those exact specifications are carried out through production.
A designer will follow each contract or project through completion right up to delivery on site.
To ensure your trusses are built to your specifications, Yoder & Son’s quality control department approves your trusses before they are shipped. Their trucks are equipped with booms so you can have your trusses unloaded and placed on the ground with precision.
Sam Yoder & Son is the preferred supplier to many of the industry’s leading home builders and construction companies throughout Delmarva and beyond, all due to a combination of personal service, attention to detail and the employment of advanced technology.
Sam Yoder & Son has two locations, an office and plants in the original location at 9387 Memory Rd., and another in Nanticoke Business Park, both in Greenwood.
Do you have plans to build? Visit www.samyoder.com to see what Sam Yoder & Son can do for you, or call 302-398-4711.
