Our lumber and other building materials were first delivered by wagons pulled by mules. Our logging operation employed the use of oxen. We supplied lumber and building materials all over Middle and South Georgia and to many of the businesses and homes throughout the area. Sales for the first year of business was $10,000 and employed five people. At one point there were over one hundred people employed in all phases of the business.

The second generation, J “Willis” Shiver Jr. and his brother Merritt took over management of the company right after coming through “The Great Depression”. Being patriotic Americans, we were honored to have secured a contract with the U.S. Navy in World War II to supply wooden boxes and crates.

In the early 1960’s, the business became more of a retailer of lumber, building materials, hardware, paint and floorcovering. The saw mill, planing mill, and most of the manufacturing was phased out.

The third generation, John “Johnny” Willis Shiver III took over as the manager in 1985 when the company computerized its operations and upgraded the lumber yard with a 40,000 square foot steel and concrete drive thru lumber storage facility. As the industry progressed, so did Shiver Lumber moving forward from mule drawn wagons to diesel trucks with piggyback forklifts.

The fourth generation, James Wade Shiver, like all the previous Shivers before him, began working here in his early teen years and rejoined the team full time after graduating college in 2009. Shortly thereafter Shiver Lumber expanded their product offerings by becoming a dealer for Redwing, Irish Setter, Ariat, and Georgia Boots, Carhartt clothing, and the Big Green Egg. In 2013 Shiver Lumber again expanded operations to include Construction Rental Equipment.