Industry Articles

Enhancing Your Showroom with Inspirational Product Displays

June 3rd, 2024 by Caleb Krugman

SHOW, don’t just Tell. This is a business slogan that resonates throughout our industry when it comes to selling building materials. Customers having the ability to handle a roof shingle, see the exact shade of brown on a deck board, or test the sturdiness of a piece of siding can make all the difference when it comes to their purchasing decision.

At Lumbermen’s, we recognize the importance of a good product display, and we partner with our dealers to showcase our products to their customers in creative and informative ways within their showroom space.

Looking for inspiration? Check out some of the displays that we’ve created:

AZEK & TimberTech

Great American Spaces

Evolve Stone

Outdoor Living

AZEK & TimberTech Decking and Railing

Great American Spaces

Evolve Stone

Outdoor Living

Interested in a display for your showroom? Connect with your Lumbermen’s sales rep and let’s work together!

Lessons From the Show Floor: Rethinking Marketing in the New Year

There’s nothing like an in-person event, especially at the start of a new year, to leave you feeling motivated and inspired. At Lumbermen’s recent Product Fair and Buying Show, I had several great conversations with Dealers about marketing. The range was wide: from “we don’t do any marketing” to “we just hired an agency.” One [...]

Deck the Door with Care: 5 Holiday Decorating Tips

The holidays are the perfect time to add warmth and cheer to your home’s exterior. But before you hang that wreath or wrap your garland, it’s important to make sure your décor won’t harm your door’s finish. These tips will help you create a festive look, without leaving a mark.

A Dealer’s Guide to Getting Found Online: Understanding SEO

What is SEO? Chances are, if you already have a website, you have heard this term used many times. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and it refers to how easy it is to find your company's website, social media, and contact info online. The main way people find this content online is through Google [...]

Managing Client Expectations in the Fall: A Guide for Residential Contractors

As temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, fall often becomes one of the busiest seasons for residential builders and contractors. Homeowners are eager to complete projects before winter weather arrives, and many want everything wrapped up before the holidays. While this seasonal rush can create valuable opportunities, it also brings challenges when it comes to managing client expectations.

Shaping the Future: Recruiting and Developing Emerging Leaders in the Building Materials Industry

We asked our young Employee Owners and interns what it will take to attract top talent and shape the future of building materials.

6 Benefits of Stock and Semi-Custom Cabinets vs. Fully Custom Cabinetry

Whether you’re a designer helping clients bring their vision to life or a homeowner thinking about your own renovation, stock and semi-custom cabinets offer a smart alternative to fully custom cabinetry—providing the look, functionality, and durability you want, often with less stress and at a more accessible price.

Navigating Your Business in Uncertain Times

April 24th, 2024 by Caleb Krugman

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.

Here are my favorite tips for how dealers can plan for continued success now and in the future!

Don’t be afraid to diversify and pursue new channels of business.

Review your sales percentages by channel, i.e. new construction, remodel, multi-family, etc. Identify ways to get more involved in each channel of business to help insulate yourself in the event there is a slowdown in one of the channels.

Review all operating costs and ensure you are maximizing your spend at every turn.

Oftentimes we see sales growth on the topline and are very happy with those results. But with sales growth comes increased operating costs, so be sure you are dialed into the operating costs as a % of sales. That number is very important to pay attention to in order to drive incremental profit to your bottom line.

Are you able to stay cost-neutral but still grow your level of service to your customers?

For example, is there someone who is in a position today that could be better utilized in a different role? Or are there inventory dollars in a product line that is not turning and you would like help exiting that line and getting into a new line? This type of creative thinking allows you to potentially offer an improved level of service to your customers without adding any cost to the bottom line.

Take advantage of your opportunities and use your connections.

Lumbermen’s is positioned to ensure you have a low-risk program and partner. One of our mottos is, “It’s about you, not me.” This means we will identify dealer-specific programming strategies that will help your business have the right product mix at the right price.

Identify new customers or new products.

Think of it in these terms…if I sell the same amount of pieces of the same products to the same customers in the coming year, will my business increase or decrease and will I be happy with those results? If you want to grow your market-share, one of the ways is to identify new customers or new products. Partner with Lumbermen’s to display a new product without stocking it and train up your sales team and customers to capitalize on new opportunities.

Marketing – sales is a contact sport!

Find new and innovative ways to connect with your customers via social media, e-mail campaigns, direct-mail, etc. If you do not have the resources to do this yourself, Lumbermen’s is willing to help. Reach out to marketing@lumbermens-inc.com to connect with our marketing team today!

Can my Distributor partner help me drive sales? YES, WE CAN!

We have Field Sales Reps (FSR’s) and an Events Coordinator that can help drive more leads and engagement to your location. In addition to our Outside Sales Reps, we have layered on additional investments to help you sell more of the things you buy from us.

The goal at Lumbermen’s is to walk alongside our dealer partners and to continue to offer top-notch service and support to help you grow your business. If you haven’t already, please schedule a time to meet with your Sales Rep to discuss a strategy that works for you.

Written by: Shawn Montague, VP of Building Materials

Deck the Door with Care: 5 Holiday Decorating Tips

Managing Client Expectations in the Fall: A Guide for Residential Contractors

Shaping the Future: Recruiting and Developing Emerging Leaders in the Building Materials Industry

We asked our young Employee Owners and interns what it will take to attract top talent and shape the future of building materials.

6 Benefits of Stock and Semi-Custom Cabinets vs. Fully Custom Cabinetry

Don’t Let Customers Pass You By: Keep Your Google Business Profile Fresh

An estimated 92% of all online search traffic happens via Google, which is why it is so important to make sure that your business is easy to find with robust and correct information.

Why Do Entry Doors Leak—And What Can Be Done About It?

Few things are more frustrating for a homeowner—or for the Dealer or installer involved—than discovering that an entry door is leaking. It’s especially concerning during heavy rainstorms, which are common in the hot summer months.

Unlocking Innovation: Door Industry Highlights from the International Builders Show 2024

March 12th, 2024 by Caleb Krugman

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.

Simpson Door Company

One of the first booths we visited was Simpson Door Company, producers of some of the best wood doors in North America. The display that immediately caught our eye was the pivot door system, featuring a Monster XL-sized door for the entry or special space in a customer’s home. In addition to the impressive size, the door opened and shut smoothly and easily. Simpson also offers plenty of customizable options when it comes to style or operations of these pivot doors. Exciting stuff to see from a wood door and truly a differentiating feature!

Neuma Doors

The next stop on the floor were our friends from Neuma Doors, makers of high quality fiberglass entry doors. These guys are known for the style and energy efficiency when it comes to their gliding door systems, and that portion of their display was a big focus of visitors during our time there. A popular topic was Neuma’s Full Lite Gliding Panel door system, as natural light and a maximum viewing area continue to be top priorities for customers in the market.

Therma-Tru & LARSON Doors

Certainly one of the most impressive and comprehensive designs for a booth at all of IBS this year was the one that featured Therma-Tru, Larson Doors, and other products. The massive display offered examples of different Therma-Tru products, with the highlight for most attendees being the massive Veris door display that featured the product’s ability to fold and slide, creating an epic entry option for porches or backyard. Another big hit was the English-style garden display, with its impressive entry door and panel of windows. A big theme for Therma-Tru and Larson in 2024 is connecting the indoors to the outdoors, and they certainly showed off their capabilities to do so!

IBS has us excited for what is to come this year in terms of styles and functionality in the door category. For more information on any of these products, connect with a Lumbermen’s door sales representative.

Deck the Door with Care: 5 Holiday Decorating Tips

Managing Client Expectations in the Fall: A Guide for Residential Contractors

Shaping the Future: Recruiting and Developing Emerging Leaders in the Building Materials Industry

We asked our young Employee Owners and interns what it will take to attract top talent and shape the future of building materials.

6 Benefits of Stock and Semi-Custom Cabinets vs. Fully Custom Cabinetry

Don’t Let Customers Pass You By: Keep Your Google Business Profile Fresh

An estimated 92% of all online search traffic happens via Google, which is why it is so important to make sure that your business is easy to find with robust and correct information.

Why Do Entry Doors Leak—And What Can Be Done About It?

6 Advantages of Storm Doors

September 6th, 2023 by admin lumbermens

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.

Enhanced Energy Efficiency: Storm doors act as an additional barrier to the elements, helping to keep cold drafts and hot air out. This can result in improved insulation and reduced energy bills by preventing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.

Increased Security: Storm doors typically have sturdy frames and reinforced glass or screens, providing an extra layer of security for your home. They can deter break-ins and protect your main entry door from damage.

Improved Ventilation: Many storm doors have interchangeable glass and screen panels. This allows you to enjoy fresh air while keeping insects out during warm months. Proper ventilation can help maintain indoor air quality and reduce the need for air conditioning.

Natural Light: Storm doors with glass panels allow natural light to enter your home, brightening up your entryway and reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.

Extended Door Lifespan: Storm doors shield your main entry door from harsh weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and UV rays. This protection can extend the lifespan of your primary door, saving you money on potential replacement costs.

Easy Installation: Many storm doors are designed for easy installation, making them a convenient and cost-effective home improvement project.

In summary, storm doors provide multiple benefits, ranging from energy savings and security to improved comfort and aesthetics. They are a practical and worthwhile addition to many homes, particularly in regions with extreme weather conditions.

Now through October 31, 2023, you can enjoy 5% savings on storm doors by Therma-Tru and Gerkin.

Ask your Sales Rep for more details!

Evan Breuker Announced as New Outside Sales Rep for Northern Michigan

After gaining experience in various departments of Lumbermen’s, Evan Breuker has a new challenge in front of him as we welcome his customer-focused approach to the Door Division.

Ross Kornoelje – Production Supervison, LP Division

Jack recently shared that he plans to retire in 2026. While it will be difficult to imagine the shop without his steady leadership, he has certainly earned the opportunity after a lifetime of hard work. The good news is that he plans to return part-time to keep his skills sharp—and will even be working alongside his wife, who is also part of the Door Division.