Richmond trio buys slate firm

Three Richmond-area businessmen recently acquired Buckingham-Virginia Slate Corp., a 141-year-old business known for producing some of the world's best slate for construction.

The company has hired 38 employees in recent weeks, increasing its employment to 105 as its ramps up production.

Even in the midst of a recession, "we have got some positive things happening at Buckingham Slate," said one of the new owners, Mark Claud, president of the Richmond real estate firm Commonwealth Commercial Partners Inc.

Claud acquired the business last month with Brad Jones, president of Colonial Masonry Inc., and Sam Berger, president of Berger Roofing Inc. The operation previously was owned by Dick Rose for about 14 years, Claud said.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Buckingham-Virginia Slate operates two slate mines on a 500-acre site in Arvonia, where the company is based. The operation also includes a manufacturing plant where slate roofing tile is sawed to correct dimensions and split by hand into shingles.

Universities and churches often use slate roofing, but some home builders also use it.

Founded in 1867, the operation supplies slate to customers all over the world, Claud said. Used in patios and flooring, the slate is best known for roofing for "buildings that, when people build them, are envisioned being around forever," Claud said.
Contact John Reid Blackwell at (804) 775-8123 or .