Industry Articles

Eight months into his new role, Lumbermen’s VP of Building Materials Jeff Malloch discusses the company, market trends, and dealer opportunities.

After a long, dark winter, Midwest homeowners are eager for fresh air and sunlight, making spring the perfect time to promote storm doors to your customers.Lumbermen’s proudly offers a comprehensive inventory of Larson Storm Doors, ensuring we are your go-to source for their products.

Growing your decking business requires more than just quality craftsmanship—it takes strategic planning and effective customer engagement. Whether you’re looking to attract new clients, improve your sales approach, or enhance your brand’s visibility, having the right tools and knowledge at your disposal is essential. Here we explore three key strategies to help you expand your reach and increase your success.

When meeting with Dealers to talk about marketing, I usually ask if they are using email marketing. Often, they aren’t—despite having a decent list of names and email addresses. The truth is, email marketing is a powerful tool for strengthening relationships with customers.

Decking season is upon us and if the forecasts are accurate, the opportunities will be immense. In this article, we’ll share actionable steps and valuable insights to help you elevate your sales game and drive success in 2025.

As part of Lumbermen’s exciting expansion of Door Manufacturing and Distribution operations in Minnesota, we were thrilled to welcome Shawn Klysen to our team as Senior Sales Advisor in December.

In this Q&A, Shawn shares his insights on the industry, his plans for driving success in Minnesota, and what excites him most about joining the Lumbermen’s family.

When temperatures drop to zero degrees or below, it’s common for door dealers to receive calls from homeowners concerned about condensation and frost forming on their windows and doors. Aluminum components like ADA sills and astragals are more likely to form frost during these conditions due to the transference of exterior cold, mixed with warm moist air in the home.

Are the events you plan aligned with what your customers really want? It’s important that they genuinely enjoy their time with you, so why not ask them what they’d like to do? You might be surprised by their suggestions.

As the weather cools and we prepare for what’s predicted will be a particularly cold winter, now is a great time to promote your storm door offerings. In this article, we share actionable steps and valuable tools to help you elevate your sales game and drive sales!

We asked the Lumbermen’s Marketing team members to each share one tip Dealers can consider when amping up their marketing efforts this fall.

“I really believe that there is a difference between motivation and discipline,” shares Shawn Montague, Vice President of Building Materials. “So finding disciplined people who are intrinsically motivated…that’s one of the first things that we look for.”

Join us for a conversation about how Lumbermen’s approaches this topic and gain insights to help enhance strategies and development of your own sales team in the building materials industry and beyond.

While the ride in the building materials industry has been pretty incredible the past couple of years, the truth is that a potential slowdown is looming. We can hope for changes addressing inflation and high interest rates, but in the meantime the focus should be on what you can control. Choose to take this time to finally take a breath and reevaluate your business and strategy.

During this conversation, Shawn Montague, Vice President of Building Materials, dives in to the balance of achieving great results, while also caring for others. “Developing relationships with your customer requires providing value, while also achieving an understanding of each customer’s needs,” he shares.

Join us for a conversation about how Lumbermen’s approaches this topic, and gain insights to help enhance your own customer relationships!

Every year, Las Vegas welcomes members of the building industry to the International Builders Show, and Lumbermen’s was there, along with thousands of other folks from around the world! There is so much to see and do, it is hard to take it all in, so here are some highlights from our friends in the Door industry and what they are excited about in 2024.

In this episode, Shawn Montague, VP of Building Materials, talks about strategies and expectations for 2024. “Find a way to create win-win scenarios between all the people that are involved in your business” was one strategy shared.

Lumbermen’s toured GM Wood Products, showcasing their DuraFrame rot-resistant door jambs and DuraTech laminated jambs, offering durability and long-term warranties.

When it comes to creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your home, few design elements rival the timeless appeal of natural elements like stone and wood. Not only do they bring a touch of elegance, but they also add warmth and character to any space. Here we explore the transformative power of these products when used as accents – just in time when interior home projects are on the rise.

Storm doors are often an overlooked feature in many homes, yet they offer a wide range of benefits that can enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of your living space. Here we explore the many advantages of storm doors, from energy efficiency and security to natural light and improving indoor comfort.

            Time to talk door color trends and in this article, we shine a light on popular exterior door colors. Last year, we saw Black become the color of choice for homeowners when it came to painting their exterior door, and according to Fixr.com, Black was once again king in […]

Spread some holiday cheer this season without scratching your beautiful front door! ‘Tis the season to decorate, and that means sprucing up your front door! As homeowners, we want the entryway to our home to appear merry and bright, especially when the in-laws arrive. Here are some holiday tips from Lumbermen’s Door Division to ensure […]