Sarah Humphreys explores a variety of new insulation products on the market. More
October traditionally is the time when, now that the summer business frenzy has ebbed, you can spare a few minutes from daily concerns, look to the future, and ask "What's Next?" We've been asking that question, too. This month, we report on seven trends that we believe will influence what and how you'll sell. Some trends will take years before they become big deals. Others will have an impact as early as January. All deserve to be tracked on your personal radar. More
US LBM's East Haven (Conn.) Builders Supply acquired a truss manufacturer, while its Edward Hines Lumber unit took in the former Wille Lumber in Illinois. Meanwhile, Garris Evans of Greenville, N.C., confirmed it has acquired New Bern (N.C.) Building Supply. More
Initiatives by two of the premier green certification schemes are pushing the... More
When I travel the country speaking to dealers, I pay attention to how you respond to my words and slides. Robust laughs and heads nodding in agreement mean that particular bit will be kept for the next presentation. And over the past year and a half, one statement has consistently produced a strong reaction: What you know matters more than what you sell. This month's focus on green construction provides proof. We found one of the first moves builders make when they decide to go green is to ask their dealer what it takes to be green and what to buy. Builders also rely heavily on dealers to know the various green building standards. More
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. More
More than 90% of the dealers responding to a ProSales survey last fall reported... More
Lumberyard executives split sharply over the presence--and sometimes the value--of green construction in their communities, but a solid majority are greening their own operations even as they report reduced sales and weak profit prospects in 2009, a new ProSales survey finds. More
