Prosales articles from November 2005

Prosales archives from November 2005

The great debate: what long-term rote will dealers play in production home building?(Editor's Notes)
November 1, 2005... Here's a statistic that will probably make you nervous: Two-thirds of big builders believe that the home building supply chain could be made more efficient if manufacturers would stop protecting their distributors, according to the 692...

Taking control.(Returns)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... Thank you for the information and insight in your article "Adding Value" (August 2005, page 40). I think that a major component that I don't remember you covering was the control that you take on over a project when you are facilitating the...

Calendar.(Calendar)
November 1, 2005... NLBMDA Training Without Travel Teleconference: "Forklift Training and Triennial Review" / Dec 15, 1 p.m. EST / Contact: 800.634.8645; www.dealer.org... International Builders' Show / Jan. 11-14 / Orlando, Fla. / Contact NAHB: 800.368.5242;...

Sunny side up: as home construction in Florida continues to climb skyward, consolidation is heating up and dealers are jockeying to find ways to stay in the game.(ProWatch)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2005... The wave of home builder consolidation that washed over Florida in the spring and summer months carried with it the promise of higher levels of construction and potentially more sales for pro dealers. However, there are some clouds hovering...

South Side Lumber, Co.: Integrity[R] windows: a product and partner this dealer can trust.(INTEGRITY CELEBRATES ITS RED DIAMOND ACHIEVERS)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2005... South Side Lumber, Co. has been serving the building materials needs of contractors in the Twin Cities region since 1907. A third-generation, family-owned business, South Side Lumber has built its reputation on high-quality products and great...

Something to celebrate.(ProWatch Century Club)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2005... Most dealers in today's construction supply industry are enjoying a booming market while facing issues such as consolidation, big box pressure, and the ever-present fear of a housing bubble. But for some companies in the industry, the present...

Online uptick: the construction supply industry is hardly a burgeoning hub of e-commerce, but dealers and pros are starting to connect electronically for everything from sticks to stainless steel nails.(ProWatch Tech Trends)
November 1, 2005... Like many custom home builders, Peter Reich in Shelter Island, N.Y., works long, hard hours. By the time he's done at the jobsite, managing his six-man crew and following up with customers, it's usually well past the end of the business...

Future developments: new technologies may soon help enhance materials handling operations.(ProWatch)
November 1, 2005... Two emerging technologies could transform the workhorse of your yard into a high-tech business solution. The Raymond Corp. is exploring ways to power its forklifts with hydrogen fuel cells instead of batteries and to incorporate radio frequency...

Drill Doctor.(Editor's Product Pick)
November 1, 2005... The five new-generation Drill Doctor drill bit sharpeners sharpen high-speed steel, black oxide, carbide, TiN-coated, cobalt, and masonry bits. The DD750X pro model allows the user to create a custom variable-point angle between 115 and 140...

Edward Hines acquires Cedarburg.(Yard Notables)
November 1, 2005... Edward Hines Lumber Co. announced the acquisition of Cedarburg, Wis.-based Cedarburg Lumber Co., which will expand Hines' service area into southeast Wisconsin and add two yards to its portfolio. According to president Edward Hines in a company...

Hope Lumber hits $1 billion mark.(Yard Notables)
November 1, 2005... Tulsa, Okla.--based Hope Lumber & Supply Co. announced that its 2005 fiscal year revenues reached $1 billion, beating last year's revenue by 32 percent as well as its five-year 22 percent growth average. Hope Lumber (www.hopelumber.com)...

Stanley acquires National Mfg.(Yard Notables)
November 1, 2005... New Britain, Conn.--based The Stanley Works, manufacturer of consumer products, industrial tools, and security solutions, announced plans to acquire Sterling, Ill.-based hardware supplier and manufacturer National Mfg. for $170 million. The...

Dallas-based structural and building products supplier and manufacturer Builders FirstSource announced the election of Robert C. Griffin and Cleveland A. Christophe to its board of directors; both will serve on its audit committee.
November 1, 2005... Dallas-based structural and building products supplier and manufacturer Builders FirstSource announced the election of Robert C. Griffin and Cleveland A. Christophe to its board of directors; both will serve on its audit committee. In addition...

Arch Wood Protection.
November 1, 2005... Arch Wood Protection, the Smyrna, Ga.--based manufacturer of Wolmanized treated wood, announced that its Genuine Wolmanized Residential Outdoor Wood has received the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, effective Aug. 1.

Tendura.
November 1, 2005... Troy, Ala.--based composite porch flooring manufacturer Tendura announced that it has appointed Ned Lawrence as company president. Lawrence had served as the company's vice president of sales since its formation in 2001.

Our coffee cup runneth over: make association involvement a key priority in your life and discover how your participation can enhance your work, your company, and yourself.(NLBMDA Briefings)
November 1, 2005... A friend of mine who manages a trade association here in Washington, D.C., recently told me about a marketing program that a coffee store chain has unveiled. This ad campaign has received a lot of attention because of what it says and what it...

Therma-Tru[R] congratulates Nisbet Brower on its Excellence Award for showroom design--specialty.(ProSales EXCELLENCE AWARDS)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2005... Therma-Tru[R] Doors would like congratulate all 2005 ProSales Excellence Award winners. Your commitment to selling and showcasing only the premiere quality and highest performing products sets you ahead in the industry. Industry leadership...

Celebrating our industry at the 2005 Industry Summit.(NLBMDA Briefings)
November 1, 2005... The 2005 NLBMDA/ProSales Industry Summit provided an opportunity for more than 300 dealers, suppliers, and families to enjoy educational sessions, networking events, and the breathtaking scenery of Vancouver, British Columbia. During the fall...

Rent or own? Deciding between in-house labor and subcontractors for installed sales often comes down to economics and the size of your program.(New Dimensions)
November 1, 2005... It's a debate that has raged since installed sales began to take hold in our industry: Do I use subcontractors as installers or should I hire an in-house crew and start from scratch? As complicated as it may seem, the decision really boils down...

Off to the races: slow and steady or fast and furious? The end result is usually the same.(Firing Line)(Short Story)
November 1, 2005... "Got a minute?" Ken asked as I was walking back to my office. "Not really," I said. I had just been paged for a phone call. "Take a look at this, will you?" he said, pointing to the set of prints he'd been studying all day. "I've...

The NLBMDA needs you! A personal invitation to join the national association representing the needs of your company and industry.(Outlook)
November 1, 2005... Last year Andy Stanley, the dynamic pastor of The North Point Community Church in Atlanta, gave a sermon titled "Intentional Apprenticing." "The church should be irresistible," Andy explained. "People should wake up on Sunday morning and find...

Holding ground: M&A activity will maintain a solid foothold in the pro dealer space if the resident at housing market decelerates.(Dispatch)
November 1, 2005... The robust pace of new-home construction continues to drive mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity within the construction supply industry, yet many observers question the sustainability of this unprecedented run and remain skeptical about...

Tuned in: by learning to be a better listener, you will become a great sales leader.(Sell Sheet)
November 1, 2005... You are in the midst of an important and productive meeting with a client. But as you listen to him your mind begins racing with ideas. You begin thinking about what you might say next and, as you contemplate your comments, a brainstorm of a...

Top honors: 2005 ProSales Excellence Awards.(Company Profile)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2005... For the fourth year running, a panel of industry experts convened in Washington, D.C., in late July 2005 to choose the recipients of the PROSALES Excellence Awards, our annual competition that this year selected best-in-class pro dealers in the...

Studies show: advance your style with new designs by Therma-Tru[R] doors.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2005... The challenge: Your customers want doors they can sell and install with confidence to add style to the homes they build and remodel, reduce callbacks, grow their margins and enhance their brand recognition. The solution: Therma-Tru...

The power of two: for small and large dealers, forging closer partnerships with contractors can lead to increased efficiencies and profits for both parties.(Market Matters)
November 1, 2005... When Ron Alberts started as the director of purchasing at Village Homes, a 566-unit home builder based in Englewood, Colo., nearly three years ago, he saw a lot of open holes--not the least of which were incomplete window installations by his...

Go for launch: new entries in the power tool market may find success if they can fill underserved niches.(Product Monitor)
November 1, 2005... In the past year, several new pro-targeted power tool brands have debuted on the American market, likely drawn by the booming construction industry and the market size, among other factors. Both imported and homegrown, the new brands are here...

Vinyl generation.(Product Monitor)
November 1, 2005... Vinyl siding continues to be one of the most prevalent cladding materials used in new home and remodeling projects. The latest offerings include new profiles, added insulation, advanced color technology, and more. Charter Oak Energy Elite...

Stairframe.(Hot Finds: Tools & Hardware)
November 1, 2005... A Stairframe 16-gauge welded-steel modular stair stringers are designed to fit nearly any height while cutting trimming time in half. The stringers fasten onto wood, steel, and concrete building frames and, if risers are used, require no middle...

EZ Stairs.(Hot Finds: Tools & Hardware)
November 1, 2005... B EZ Stairs Composite Cleat attachment brackets make building stairs out of composite decking materials faster and easier, the maker says. The adjustable parallel brackets attach to the tread support, the load-bearing riser, and the composite...

Great Neck Saw Mfrs.(Hot Finds: Tools & Hardware)
November 1, 2005... C Great Neck Saw Mfrs. The Tru Close Quarter hacksaw features a retractable brace that can be adjusted to expose as much of the blade as necessary for working in confined spaces and also prevents the blade from kinking during use. The tool has...

Remington.(Hot Finds: Tools & Hardware)
November 1, 2005... D Remington Ideal for repetitive, quick fastening, the Model 479 Power Trigger features a trigger on its grip that activates the tool, allowing the user to work in confined spaces without a hammer. The location of the trigger on the grip...

MatrixXtreme.(Hot Finds: Tools & Hardware)
November 1, 2005... E MatrixXtreme Designed to speed plumbing and electrical line installation through I-joists, SpeedLine separates lines so they meet code restrictions and reduces the number of holes that have to be cut in a joist. After a 5-inch hole is cut,...

Work hard, play hard: a little time out for employee and customer entertainment can take the edge off of a hectic business season and solidify sales opportunities for the coming year.(Viewpoint)
November 1, 2005... With the summer building season behind us and end-of-the-year inventory and finances coming up next month, the "autumn pause" is here. As contractors go non-stop and fuel record sales year after year, however, the pause is getting shorter and...