The Internet and electronic data exchanges are steadily becoming valuable tools in the supply chain, but in a way that involves instead of eliminates dealers. Read more
To reduce injuries and ensure a hazard-free workplace, dealers need to focus on creating and maintaining a safety program that becomes a part of their corporate cultures, focuses on training, and motivates employees to participate. Read more
Self Starters
Buck Byers and John Shirley claim they barely knew the first thing about component manufacturing when they started out. The co-owners of San Bernardino, Calif. Read more
An automated recording on Hayward Lumber's voicemail system informs waiting callers that this Monterey, Calif.-based dealer has one of the largest fleets of delivery vehicles in the state. Those 119 trucks and vans aren't just the most visible evidence of Hayward's presence in the regions its eight yards serve, however. They are also potent mobile marketing tools. Read more
SpruceWare.NET, the next generation of the company's original SpruceWare product, is a connected business management solution for the LBM industry built on Microsoft's Visual Studio.NET and SQL Server database. Read more
Heavy Meddle
In the mid-1980s, I was hired as the manager for a multi-million-dollar branch of a large truck leasing operation in Denver. We had 14 union mechanics, two salespeople, and two office staffers. My branch secretary was a peak performer at handling the massive volumes of company and governmental paperwork necessary to keep the branch running smoothly. That is, until I took over! Read more
