May 2010 Table of Contents

Feature
Emerging Force: U.S. LBM Emerging Force: U.S. LBM

U.S. LBM isn't even a year old yet, but this holding company, led by president and CEO L.T. Gibson, already operates scores of lumberyards in six states and is on track to post annual sales of $325 million. Read more

ProSales 100
2010 ProSales 100: Still Fighting 2010 ProSales 100 2010 ProSales 100: Still Fighting

Building material dealers found operating conditions in 2009, if anything, worse than the year before. Read more

ProWatch
Scanning/OCR Technology Scanning/OCR Technology

Automation hasn't eliminated Jamie Renfro's job, but it has helped her work twice as fast. Read more

Build it Right Build it Right

With the new standards for the federal Energy Star Qualified Homes program issued earlier this year, it's likely that the term "thermal bridging" will increasingly make its way into your conversations with homebuilders and framing contractors. Read more

Yard Notables
NAHB: Construction Costs Took 59% of Total Home Price in 2009 NAHB: Construction Costs Took 59% of Total Home Price in 2009

Because of a change in surveying techniques combined with lower land prices and profit-taking, the percentage of a typical single-family home's price attributable to building materials, lot preparation, and building permits rose to 58.9% in 2009, the highest percentage in 15 years, the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) latest Construction Cost Survey indicates. Read more

Flurry of Deals, Expansions, Closings Mark LBM's Spring

Sign makers have had a busy time this spring, thanks in part to a robust number of acquisitions, openings and closures at construction supply facilities across America. Read more

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