Nestled in northwest Connecticut's Berkshire Mountains, Washington Supply has always been surrounded by green. Three years ago, the dealer began returning the favor by deciding to become a regional leader in green building. Not long after that and nearly 3,000 miles way, executives at another dealer took similar action: Parr Lumber launched its GET REAL! program of environmentally friendly and sustainable products. Read more
Spiral Bound
More than 90% of the dealers responding to a ProSales survey last fall reported collecting and sharing green product and building practices information with their customers. When it comes to recommending green products, however, only 25% of those dealers have a formal program in place. And of those that do, a ProSales spot check shows stark differences between dealers on how they decide what gets on their list of recommended products. Read more
More Than Just Fun
Dealers serving theme parks and zoos say dabbling in monkey business can be profitable. Read more
Green Horns
Kim Freeman wants to go green. So do her customers at EKB Kitchens and Baths in Beacon, N.Y. But those good intentions often wilt once Freeman and her clients enter the green certification jungle. Freeman's dilemma reflects a problem with the residential green movement: there's a big difference between being green and proving--to someone else's satisfaction--that you actually have done so. Anecdotal evidence suggests that gap is getting wider. Read more
Malibu's Idea of a Lumber Yard / Stock's Recovery Plan / Ply Mart's Mahaffey Brothers Are Back / More... Read more
ProSales' website has kept a close eye on the still-unfolding story of the 51% sale of Stock Building Supply to a private equity group and Stock's subsequent entrance into Chapter 11 bankruptcy law protection. Read more