Direct lmporters of Hardwood Decking, lumber, & Flooring

receive the greatest return on investment by simply managing your human capital resources. Selection and training are the two best levers for improving human capital.

. Resist the "warm body" syndrome. Hire a good fit for the company and do not compromise. Employee selection is often the least effectively executed management activity.

Train continuously using a broad definition of training (mentoring, developmental assignments, special projects, building external networks, providing well-rounded feedback).

Ensure that all employees understand the business: the cost/revenue driver and how they can contribute to the financial success.

7. Measure Performance. Measurement and feedback, like planning, are well-founded principles of human behavior. You can do everything correctly, but if you do not measure performance, you limit the company's ability to adjust. When measuring results, keep these tips in mind: the Richter scale," said president Howard Bagby.

. Measure what matters. Keep it simple.

Focus on a few key success factors.

Remember, what gets measured, gets done.

Manage what you measure.

. Use your performance management system as a strategic tool, not a human resources program.

. Err on measuring more frequently and less in depth.

. Reward along the way and in little steps. Waiting until the end of a major project is often too great a distance from start to finish. Remember, "What you can measure, you can reward."

Revenue, earnings, margins and management are fundamental to a firm's value. Intellectual property, brand image, and "eye balls" add value but, independent from the fundamentals, are usually not enough to support a lasting, high value of any firm. Turning these "secrets" into actions will help create sustainable advantages in your family business.

- James Olan Hutcheson is managing partner and founder of ReGeneration Partners, a family business consulting firm headquartered in Dallas, Tr. He can be reached at (800) 406-lll2 or rr)wv) .re g e ne ration- partne r s.c om.

Reprinted with permission of ReGeneration Partners. No portion of this article may be reoroduced withrtut it.s nermission.

Thieves Hit 84 Lumber

The thieves who hit 84 Lumber in Clarksville, Tn., in late June got away with property valued at $65,000, including lumber, shingles, hand tools, a chainsaw. a forklift. and two trucks.

"They are pretty bold," said police officer Jim Knoll. "You figure they take large trucks that have business logos on them. You'd think that would be pretty easy to find."

In fact, police did recover the forklift and one of the trucks 60 miles away from the crime scene. They are still looking for the second truck and other stolen items.

Rugby Reaches West Coast

Rugby

Architectural Building

Products, Concord, N.H., has expanded to the West Coast with its acquisition of bankrupt wholesaler Lumber Products. Tualatin. Or.

"The acquisition of Lumber Products supports our strategy to diversify geographically, extending Rugby's footprint into key western markets," said David Hughes, Rugby president and c.e.o. "Furthermore, the transaction enhances our product offerings in our core industrial base of products, as well as increases our value-added components and service offerings targeted at the commercial and residential construction sector."

Lumber Products' locations in Tualatin and Eugene, Or.; Kent and

Spokane, Wa.; Boise, Id.; Salt Lake City, Ut., and Albuquerque, N.M., are now doing business as Rugby, while its former distribution center in Chandler. Az.. will be consolidated with Rugby's operation in Phoenix, Az.

The acquisition is Rugby's ninth since 20 10, more than doubling its revenue base and enlarging the company to 20 distribution centers from coast to coast.

Vinyl Siding Recycling Grows

Distributor Eikenhout Inc. has expanded its vinyl recycling program from its corporate headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mi., to all seven of its facilities in Michigan.

In partnership with a regional recycler and siding manufacturer CertainTeed Corp., Valley Forge, Pa., the new program offers contractors easy, environmentally friendly options for disposal of vinyl siding.

Each location now features a large recycling container. For large construction projects, job-site containers are available upon request at no cost to contractors.

Skylights Warm to Sunny Forecast

Slightly rising demand for residential skylights was one of the few bright spots in a new study of the U.S. market for windows and doors by the Window & Door Manufacturers Association and American Architectural Manufacturers Association.

Demand for residential skylights rose 27o from 2010 to 2011. The increase was driven heavily by the continued strength of remodeling and replacement activity, which now represents more than 8O7o of the residential skylight market. For 2012, the market is expected to grow 67o overall. Forecasts indicate continued growth through 2015

The demand for prime windows, however. continued to remain slow in 2011, following housing activity in general, after falling from peak volumes in 2006. The demand for win- dows in new housing decreased by 27o in 2011, though remains slightly ahead of 2009 levels. Demand in 2Ol2 is expected to increase further as the housing recovery begins to gain momentum.

Meanwhi le. remodeling and replacement windows fell by nearly l27o \ersus 2010. In total, the residential window market decreased 97o.

Little change in the segmentation for interior door material types is expected over the next five years. However, significant volume is expected to return to the entry and interior door market as new construction rebounds.

Further, nonresidential construction declined slightly in 2011, tempering growth in the nonresidential entry and interior door catesories.

By Dave Kahle