I noted with interest the article, "Does Safety Matter?" (July) I thought the article was very well done and underscored a critical component of any successful business: safety. But if the article missed a point, one that should be underscored, it is that dealers that are interested in building successful loss-control programs for their organizations usually have at their disposal eager partners in the various companies that provide property casualty insurance.

I would be tempted to explore the wonderful job that we at Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual do in this area, but the point of my letter is broader. Just about every insurance company imaginable offers, as part of value-added services, loss-control expertise to some extent. There are a handful of companies that focus exclusively on wood-related businesses, whose loss-control departments have a wealth of knowledge and expertise, specifically on lumber and building material dealers. They are more than eager to share this expertise and support a dealer's efforts in this area. It is something that the dealer pays for when buying its coverage from an insurance company. In fact, it should be part of a dealer's buying decision; it should be considering whether the insurance company can add true value to the dealer's safety program.

Further, it is important to recognize that safety pays, and those businesses with better safety track records over time end up paying less for their property casualty insurance programs.

I would like to think that I speak not only for Pennsylvania Lumbermens, but for many of my competitors when I tell you that we stand ready to cooperate and work closely with any insured business that is looking to develop a new safety program or enhance one that is in place.

  • John Smith, CPCU
  • President and CEO
  • Pennsylvania Lumbermens
  • Mutual Insurance Co.
  • Philadelphia

What's Online...

Get ProSales Surveys

ProSales online surveys ask questions about the issues that matter to you and your business: health care, fuel costs, delivery charges, to name a few. Check them all out at www.prosalesonline.com/surveys.

Opinions? We Got 'Em

Survive–and thrive–with advice from our online-exclusive columnists:

Industry veteran Bill Hofius gives three tips to help assure you're among the lumberyards that get through this crisis.

Jon Davis survived a local market downturn that lasted 12 years. In a three-part series, he tells how he got through the storm and how you can, too.

Consultant Jim Enter says free delivery is nice–but get over it, already, times are tough!

Consultant Ruth Kellick-Grubbs extols the values of planning for the worst.

Speak Out!

Send your comments to editor Craig Webb: [email protected] or One Thomas Circle, N.W., Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20005. (Letters may be edited for clarity and space.)

Calendar

The Remodeling Show / Sept. 10-12 / Baltimore / Contact: 866.490.3097; www.theremodelingshow.com ...New Jersey BMD Assn. Management Roundtable / Sept. 11-12 / Atlantic City, N.J. / Contact: 800.269.9603; www.njbmda.org ...Lumbermens Merchandising Corp. Meeting / Sept. 13-15 / Philadelphia / Contact: 610.293.7000; www.lmc.net ...Hoo-Hoo Intl. Convention / Sept. 13-16 / Tacoma, Wash. / Contact: 800.979.9950; www.hoo-hoo.com ...Ace Hardware Fall Convention / Sept. 19-22 / St. Louis / Contact: 630.990.2706; www.acehardware.com ...Eastern Building Material Dealers Assn. Educational Foundation Golf Tournament & Fundraiser / Sept. 24 / Egg Harbor City, N.J / Contact: 717.441.6045; www.ebmda.org ...Building Component Manufacturers Conference / Oct. 1-3 / Denver / Contact: 608.274.4849; www.bcmcshow.com ...ISH North America / Oct. 1-3 / Atlanta / Contact: www.usa.messefrankfurt.com ...ENAP Fall Conference / Oct. 4-5 / Baltimore / Contact: 845.564.4900; www.enap.com ...Journal of Light Construction Live Midwest / Oct. 7-10 / Minneapolis / Contact: www.jlclive.com ...MSLBMDA Fall Conference / Oct. 9-11 / Vail, Colo. / Contact: 800.654.8312; www.mslbmda.org ...Northwestern Lumber Assn.'s Carolinas Mill Tour / Oct. 12-17 / Charlotte, N.C. / Contact: 800.896.5134; www.nlassn.org/MillTour2008.htm ...Do It Best October Market / Oct. 11-14 / Indianapolis / Contact: 260.748.5316; www.doitbestcorp.com