Prosales articles from December 2004

Prosales archives from December 2004

"Truly better" sales with Therma-Tru[R] doors.(Studies Show)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... You want to grow your business by providing customers with the best possible entry and patio door systems available. Your customers want doors they can sell and install with confidence that help them reduce callbacks, enhance client loyalty and...

Classic-Craft[R] Mahogany Collection[TM].(New Products in 2004)
December 1, 2004... * Therma-Tru's popular new Classic-Craft[R] Mahogany Collection[TM] fiberglass entry door system proves that beauty is more than skin deep with a high-style, high-performance system that delivers the rich look of mahogany with the performance...

Classic-Craft[R] Rustic Collection[TM].(New Products in 2004)
December 1, 2004... * The Classic-Craft[R] Rustic Collection[TM] reflects the warm and inviting entryways of Tuscany and the American Southwest, with strong, simple fines and the look of hand-crafted quality. Available in 8' and 6'8" heights and 3' and 3'6" widths...

Fiber-Classic[R] and Smooth-Star[R] Hinged Patio Door Systems.(New Products in 2004)
December 1, 2004... * The Fiber-Classic[R] and Smooth-Star[R] Hinged Patio Door Systems deliver fiberglass durability with the rich look of stained or painted wood (respectively), and they won't warp, rot or crack like wood or dent, rust or corrode like steel....

Never a dull moment: the top trends in 2004 kept the industry on its toes.(Editor's Notes)
December 1, 2004... This year seemed to fly by in a whirlwind of business activity. Sales reached record levels for many dealers, while M&A activity heated up with deals such as the sell-off of the last Wickes locations and the late September announcement that...

Giving back.(Family Affair)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Wow! On behalf of the Torrisi family and our extended family here at Jackson Lumber & Millwork, I want to thank you and the staff at PROSALES magazine for the wonderful article that came out in the October issue ("Family Affair," page 64). ...

Double feature.(Family Affair)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to be featured in your magazine ("Reaching Out," September, page 62) and to be selected to speak at the NLBMDA/ProSales Industry Summit. We are very appreciative of the honor. Chris did a great article...

The whole package: product exhibitions, educational sessions, record attendance, and a special visitor marked the building components manufacturers conference.(Pro Watch)
December 1, 2004... Dark-stilted secret service agents stood sentry and security radios squawked at the 2004 Building Components Manufacturers Conference (BCMC), held Oct. 6-8 in Charlotte, N.C., and anticipations were running high for a mysterious opening keynote...

Tech trends: now more cost effective and easy to use, GPS technology is offering dealers improved functionality and more flexibility to automate fleet tracking.(Pro Watch)
December 1, 2004... It's all in the details, at least when it comes to many of the latest improvements vendors are making to global positioning systems (GPS) for fleet tracking. GPS is becoming an increasingly valuable and more affordable business tool for dealers...

Remodeling market strong.(Yard notables)
December 1, 2004... The remodeling market is strong and getting stronger, according to a presentation during the Remodeling Show, held Nov. 7-9 in Chicago. "Remodeling Industry Futures and Forecasts" was presented by Kermit Baker, senior research fellow for...

Dunn Lumber Celebrates 100 years.(Yard notables)
December 1, 2004... Last month, Daytona Beach, Fla.-based dealer Dunn Lumber (www.dunnlumber.com) kicked off its 100th anniversary year-long celebration, which will end next November, 100 years after the company's founding in 1905. According to Sam Dunn, Dunn...

Hurd Millwork.(Editor's Product Pick)
December 1, 2004... After focusing exclusively on windows and patio doors for 85 years, Hurd Millwork has added its first-ever line of entry doors. The doors are available in insulated steel, stainable steel, steel with a wood-veneered interior, smooth fiberglass,...

The Home Depot donates 250,000 volunteer hours to celebrate 25th anniversary.(Yard notables)
December 1, 2004... The Home Depot celebrated its 25th anniversary by donating more than 250,000 volunteer hours during the week of Sept. 27-Oct. 2. In coalition with nonprofit organizations Hands On Network and KaBoom, more than 1,000 projects were completed...

Wood Truss Council of America.
December 1, 2004... On Oct. 7, the Madison, Wis.-based Wood Truss Council of America inducted Kendall Hoyd as its 21st president. Hoyd, who has served on the board of directors since 1998, is president and part owner of Idaho Truss and Components Co. in Boise,...

The Empire Co.
December 1, 2004... ... The Empire Co., a Zeeland, Mich.-based distributor, promoted Thomas B. Highley, formerly VP of sales and marketing for the pro dealer division, to president. In addition, Dennis Berry is assuming the role of VP of sales and marketing, and...

ENAP.
December 1, 2004... ... New Windsor, N.Y.-based co-op ENAP held its second annual Forest Products Strategic Conference in September. During the conference, dealer-members from Eastern United States met with forest product manufacturers to begin developing business...

York Mfg.
December 1, 2004... ... Sanford, Maine--based laminated copper flashing producer York Mfg. is expected to move all of its laminated copper fabric flashing to non-asphaltic adhesives by January, citing the ability to offer the new flashing at the same price and...

Huttig Building Products.
December 1, 2004... ... St. Louis, Mo.-based Huttig Building Products announced its new five-year $160 million credit facility, arranged by LaSalle Bank National Association, replacing a three-year $150 million asset-based facility with a $130 million revolving...

Valley Forge, Pa.-based manufacturer CertainTeed has opened its West Sacramento, Calif., window fabrication facility, which produces several of CertainTeed's insulated products.
December 1, 2004... ... Valley Forge, Pa.-based manufacturer CertainTeed has opened its West Sacramento, Calif., window fabrication facility, which produces several of CertainTeed's insulated products. In addition, the company was named Vendor of the Year by York,...

Save the date.(Calendar)
December 1, 2004... * International Builders' Show/Jan. 13-16/ Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla./ Contact: 800.368.5242; www.buildersshow.com * ProSales Excellence Awards Breakfast at the International Builders' Show/Jan. 14, 8 a.m.-10 a.m./...

It's not easy being green: what the LBM industry needs to know about the LEED Green Building Rating System.(NLBMDA Briefings)
December 1, 2004... If you sell wood products, you need to know more about the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association...

NLBMDA advocacy corner.(NLBMDA Briefings)
December 1, 2004... Get Hands-on Experience on Capitol Hill. Each summer, the Blair Collings Internship program provides an opportunity for the child or grandchild of a dealer-owner or employee of a NLBMDA member to work at the NLBMDA headquarters in Washington,...

Command performance: empowerment is the catalyst for positive corporate changes.(New Dimensions)
December 1, 2004... Have you ever felt totally frustrated and completely ineffective? I'm sure you have. This feeling can be the result of a number of factors, but most likely it stems from work, and more specifically, a lack of employee empowerment. And chances...

Doctor's orders: useful sales lessons are everywhere--even at the hospital.(Firing Line)
December 1, 2004... While undergoing a medical procedure recently I discovered that salespeople are everywhere--even in white lab coats. So I'd like to share with you a few of the things I learned from my visit to the doctor that can help you diagnose more sales...

Sales pioneers: to chart new growth, you must continually innovate and stay one step ahead of the competition.(Sell Sheet)
December 1, 2004... It has been said that the only constant is change, and that certainly has been the case recently in the building industry. Some of the most dramatic shifts include industry consolidation, technical evolution, and new regulations, to name only a...

Team builders: the 2004 NLBMDA excellence in human resources award recipients are setting new standards by establishing atmospheres that foster professional growth and corporate and industry leadership.
December 1, 2004... For pro dealers, recruiting and hiring motivated, dedicated employees continues to throw a wrench into what otherwise has been an economically prosperous decade of record-breaking construction activity, one characterized by the emergence of new...

Growth opportunities: Dixieline lumber's value system of promoting from within keeps morale high, motivation charged, and turnover low.(Dixieline Lumber)
December 1, 2004... If you're looking for an example of dedicated employees, look no further than San Diego-based Dixieline Lumber, where employees bleed the company colors--literally. Ten years ago, outside salesman Mike Plutner, then still a load builder in the...

No holding back: with an emphasis on unity, motivation, and support, Timberland Lumber Co.'s HR efforts are paying off for individuals and the team alike.(Timberland Lumber Co.)
December 1, 2004... When Tom Slater first joined Timberland Lumber Co. four years ago, he never imagined that one of the perks of his employment with the Brazil, Ind.-based pro dealer would be sitting in on a speech from the president of the United States. Hired...

Wheels of progress; the technologies under the hoods of today's delivery trucks are providing for more efficient hauling, more comfortable driving, and a cleaner environment.
December 1, 2004... For most lumber and building material dealers, corporate truck fleets not only drop loads at jobsites, they also deliver a mobile branding message to contractor customers via logos and slogans ablaze on their sides. But what gets painted on the...

Honor roll.(By The Prosales Staff)
December 1, 2004... Each year ProSales receives dozens of stellar entries for our Excellence Awards program, showcasing innovative dealer projects state-of-the-art facilities, and all-around great ideas. This year was no exception. In addition to the five...

Back to basics: McCabe Lumber opens a showroom with a simple, streamlined design and organized product displays.(Showroom Design)
December 1, 2004... Prior to designing its Loveland, Ohio showroom, McCabe Lumber set several objectives for designer Pete White mad White Design & Production: create a McCabe brand experience; establish two distinct entrances for builders and consumers; and...

Southern comfort: Reico Kitchen and Bath brings the comforts of home into its Richmond, Va., showroom.(Showroom Design)
December 1, 2004... When Springfield, Va.-based Reico Kitchen and Bath redesigned its Richmond, Va., showroom in June 2003, comfort was top of mind--both that of its consumer customers and its pro clients. While the aroma of fresh-baked cookies, free gourmet...

Inside out: to improve its customer service, Zeeland lumber started from within.(Marketing/Customer Service Program)
December 1, 2004... In the summer of 2003, Zeeland Lumber was going full throttle. With a reputation for being the price champion in its market, the company had been experiencing tremendous growth over the past decade. But success was beginning to take its toll,...

Customer connection: Tindell's launches online contractor account access as a value-added service and an internal cost saver.(IT/E-Commerce)
December 1, 2004... With a relatively modest investment of 80 man-hours and $ 2,500, Knoxville, Tenn.-based pro dealer Tindell's has developed and launched the forward-thinking "Tindell's Customer Connection,' an IT program created in-house that provides...

Coming to order: centrally located and optimally organized, Koopman Lumber's new distribution center is boosting efficiency and improving customer service.(Facility Design)
December 1, 2004... Facing a growing business but also growing logistical challenges as it balanced receiving special orders and stocking commodity merchandise at three filled-to-capacity yards, Whitinsville, Mass.-based Koopman Lumber invested $1.8 million in...

Winning hand: industry pundits weigh in on Harvard's recent LBM supply channel study and offer a glimpse into how dealers can stack the deck in their favor to ensure viability and profitability in the future.(Market Matters)
December 1, 2004... Dave Beck is no gambler. Despite several years as the vice president of construction for Pulte Homes' Las Vegas operations, Beck prefers to make the safest wagers he can when it comes to securing adequate supplies of lumber, panels, drywall,...

Making an impact: impact drivers pack a punch that's catching the attention of tool users.(Product Monitor)
December 1, 2004... You've no doubt heard the phrase "Don't judge a book by its cover." The same principle can be applied to cordless impact drivers, compact power tools that pack a lot more punch than their small sizes might indicate. Cordless impact drivers...

All the trimmings.(Product Monitor)
December 1, 2004... Composite trims, which may be either wood/plastic, cellular PVC, polyurethane, or vinyl, come in several different material formulations, weights, dimensions, and textures, but they all claim better performance than wood exterior trim,...

CertainTeed.(Hot Finds)
December 1, 2004... Centennial Slate asphalt roofing shingles combine patent-pending shingle cutting and granule blending to create the appearance of a blended slate roof. Constructed with two full-size 18-inch-by-36-inch base shingles, Centennial features four...

L.B. Plastics.(Hot Finds)
December 1, 2004... Ready to Assemble Gate Systems are designed to fully adjust during installation. The systems are manufactured with extruded PVC and rigid reinforced aluminum corners, and they feature heavy-duty glass-reinforced molded polymer/stainless steel...

Owens Corning.(Hot Finds)
December 1, 2004... Cultured Stone exterior cladding is available in a new Rockface texture, which features a sharp rectilinear shape and distinct edges. Available in five colors, Cultured Stone Rockface accommodates the popularity of both contemporary and old...

Elk.(Hot Finds)
December 1, 2004... Elk CrossTimbers offers the appearance of natural wood on composite deck boards, fascia, and fence pickets using an embossed or brushed finish. Decking accessories include 4-inch-square posts for handrails and 1-inch-square corner trims, post...

Alcoa Home Exteriors.(Clear the Air)
December 1, 2004... Ventura Hidden Vent Soffit works with the home's ventilation system by creating an air circulation loop, pulling in outside air through the rafters and under the roof. Secured by a locking system featuring a rollover nail hem, the soffit is...

Under fire: in the name of the environment, domestic terrorists are attacking home builders and the pro dealers that supply them.(View From Big Builder)
December 1, 2004... I used to think that "NIMBY" was a cute word. The moniker--an acronym for Not In My Back Yard--was coined in 1980 by the head of the American Nuclear Society to describe activists opposed to nuclear power plants in their communities, but has...