Forks Lath & Plaster traces its roots back to the 1950s, when Elwood Braaten founded Braaten Drywall in East Grand Forks, MN. Elwood quickly earned a reputation for high-quality drywall installation and finishing, which lead him to become a pioneer in metal stud framing—laying the foundation for what would become a trusted name throughout the region.

Gerry Roach, the founder of Forks Lath and Plaster, was proud to work alongside Elwood and his team.  But after many successful years of framing buildings and hanging drywall, Braaten Drywall began to wind down.  As the company phased out, Gerry recognized an opportunity to carry the craft forward and build a legacy of his own.

In the fall of 1996, Gerry launched his own venture.  What began as a one-man team working out of his garage, steadily grew into the most known plastering company in the tri-state area. By 1997, Forks Lath & Plaster was officially born. That same year, FLP secured its first steel stud framing contract for the Grand Forks County Office building.   The Grand Forks County Office building sustained significant damages due to the record flooding that struck the area.  As a result, the County Office had to be rebuilt from the ground up. This was a particularly significant first framing and drywall project for FLP—as it was a meaningful opportunity to rebuild such a vital community cornerstone and since then, we’ve never looked back.

From day one, FLP has been about more than just steel stud framing and drywall. It’s been about family, honesty, and integrity. Gerry believed in creating a workplace where people could support their families and take pride in their craft.  His dedication to quality and integrity laid the foundation for a legacy that thrives today, where each team member feels valued and driven to uphold the same principles.

In 2018, Jared Roach took the reins and now leads FLP with the same core values that started it all.  Today, FLP is home to over 50 employees, and while we have grown significantly over the years, we’ve remained steadfast in our commitment to excellence, family values, and the well-being of our employees.  Our story is a testament to hard work, innovation, and a commitment to excellence that spans generations.