Continuously operating since 1837, Building Materials Inc. was incorporated in Massachusetts on June 21,1930.  Originally started by the Harrison family as a division of the Borden & Remington Co, it operated to supply the masonry materials necessary to build the granite mills of Fall River.  At the turn of the 20th century, Willard Petty (the Sandman) of Assonet fame operated the Company until turning over the reins to Warren Sanford.  By 1937, it operated yards in New Bedford, Fall River & Newport. In 1941, it opened a Ready–mix concrete plant in Fall River. At the death  of Warren Sanford in 1967, Gerrit Sanford, his nephew bought the company, eliminated the ready-mix operation and established the current retail form of business. In 1991, at the time of Gerrit’s retirement, present control succeeded to his son Winthrop.