At the 2025 LBM Expo, Rex Lumber Company debuted something unexpected.
Amid conversations about performance lumber, modified wood products, and long-term durability, visitors were treated to a handcrafted American flag: a Betsy Ross–style design fabricated from Accoya®, Accoya Color®, Kebony®, and Grad® rails.
The piece became the centerpiece of our booth, sparking questions, conversations, and curiosity throughout the show:
- Why a flag?
- Why these materials?
- Why now?
These are great questions, and the answers reveal not only Rex Lumber’s deep respect for craftsmanship but also a powerful connection to American history, innovation, and the company’s own legacy.
The Inspiration Behind the Flag
The idea for the flag came from Rex Lumber President Craig Forester, inspired by the upcoming America 250 celebration marking 250 years since the nation’s founding. For Craig, the timing felt especially meaningful. Growing up in Monmouth County, New Jersey, he developed a deep appreciation for Revolutionary War history, particularly the Battle of Monmouth, one of the war’s largest and most pivotal battles. Today, that same county is home to Rex Lumber’s Englishtown Yard, creating a natural connection between personal history and the company’s present-day footprint.
That sense of historical continuity extends to Rex Lumber’s headquarters in Acton, Massachusetts, a town deeply woven into the opening moments of the American Revolution. Acton’s Minutemen famously marched to Concord on April 19, 1775, with Captain Isaac Davis becoming the first commissioned officer killed in the conflict. For Craig, these places represent courage, conviction, and commitment to principle: values he felt were worth honoring as both the nation and Rex Lumber approach milestone anniversaries.
Why a Betsy Ross–Style Flag
For Rex Lumber, the circular star design represents the unity of the original colonies and the ideals that shaped the nation’s founding: craft, collaboration, and shared purpose.
Our flag serves as a tribute to those early principles and the communities that helped define them, including Acton, Massachusetts, and Monmouth County, New Jersey. It reflects a moment in history that continues to inspire connection and craftsmanship, which is exactly what the flag achieved on the LBM Expo show floor.
Bringing the Flag to Life Through Custom Millwork
The flag’s construction showcased Rex Lumber’s premium product lineup and its custom millwork capabilities: an area where Rex truly stands apart from many competitors.
The project brought together four core products:
- Accoya® — chosen for its creamy, natural tone and exceptional dimensional stability
- Accoya Color® — providing the grayish-blue field that anchors the design
- Kebony® — selected for its rich, reddish-brown color and durability
- Grad® Rails — forming the structural foundation and precise layout of the flag
After finalizing the design, milling took place at Rex Lumber’s Doswell, Virginia facility, where both moulding and Grad groove machining capabilities are housed. This in-house expertise allowed the team to execute the project with rare precision and flexibility.
The stars also required a creative solution. Greg and the team used template-making tools typically reserved for custom mouldings to create star prototypes. Once refined, a local customer contributed by cutting the final stars using a CNC machine, reflecting Rex Lumber’s collaborative, relationship-driven approach.
More Than a Display Piece
While the flag was an instant draw at LBM Expo, it served a larger purpose.
It opened conversations about Rex Lumber’s ability to combine premium modified wood products with custom fabrication, showing customers not just what the materials are, but what they can become. The flag illustrated how Accoya®, Kebony®, and Grad® can work together in creative, durable, and visually striking applications.
As Rex Lumber looks ahead to 2026, the significance deepens. Next year marks both America’s 250th anniversary and Rex Lumber Company’s 80th anniversary. In addition to upcoming trade shows like NY Build, versions of the flag will be displayed prominently at Rex Lumber yards (including the Englishtown, NJ location), serving as a lasting symbol of heritage and craftsmanship.
A Symbol of What’s Possible
Much like the U.S., the flag was built from diverse elements. It reflects Rex Lumber’s belief that strong foundations matter, whether in buildings, materials, or ideas. By combining European-engineered wood products with American ingenuity and custom craftsmanship, Rex Lumber created something that honors the past while looking hopefully toward the future.
At Rex Lumber, we believe the best way to start a conversation about innovation is with a story worth stopping for. You can read more about how New Jersey is celebrating America 250 here.