About Us
Since 1940, Westwood Building Materials, “The House That Service Built” has been providing a complete line of quality drywall, insulation, steel framing, lath and plastering and masonry materials for commercial and residential contractors as well as homeowners of Southern California at competitive pricing. Our extensive inventory and our everyday commitment to service have helped us build everlasting relationships with both our customers and our vendors all throughout Southern California.
Dedicated To Superior Service
Our commitment to superior service means jobsite delivery and stocking that is custom designed to meet your jobsite conditions. Our professional stocking service has made us a supplier of choice throughout Southern California. Our expert service results in convenience for our customers through quick, knowledgeable and efficient handling of their will call needs. Whether you’re a large contractor or a homeowner, when you pick up materials at Westwood Building Materials you will not be waiting in line or chasing down a yard attendant to get the materials that you need. We belong to a nationwide network of independent gypsum dealers that gives us greater purchasing power along with the ability to take care of our customer’s needs anywhere in the country.
History
In the late 1930’s then plastering contractor partners, Al Johnson and Loyd St. John, felt that there was a lack of reliable service orientated material suppliers on the Westside of Los Angeles. So in 1940 they teamed up with Harry Kissel, who worked for one of the largest material suppliers in the Los Angeles area, and started Westwood Building Materials. Their beginnings’ were very modest with one truck and a thousand square foot building that they built themselves. Shortly after they opened, the United States was drawn into World War II. Due to the war building materials were unavailable, so in order to keep the business alive Westwood started to sell animal feed. In 1946, with the post war building boom in full swing, the business moved into a larger facility on Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles. From this facility, Westwood continued servicing the lath and plastering industry along with industrial materials to the aircraft industries. In 1958, as the interstate highway system in Los Angeles was expanded, Westwood moved into a larger facility at our present sight in Lawndale. To this day, Westwood remains locally owned and operated by both the third and fourth generation of the St. John family. And as in 1940, Westwood Building Materials still strives to be “The House That Service Built”.
Our Team
Westwood Building Materials long term success has been directly proportionate to the strength, character and values of our dedicated employees. Our team averages over 25 years of experience in handling the day to day needs of our contractors, homeowners and vendors. Each and every day, we strive to be the “The House That Service Built.”