E-dealer becomes global ruith logistics software

retailers who do have warehouses are starting to see that we can offer them better pricing and products than anyone else."

While the U.S. market accounts for l5Vo of their sales, the company's global reach continues to expand. A workforce that speaks 22 differentlanguages helps the company do business in more than 50 countries. "In some countries like China, our business was initially just finding the best manufacturers with whom to establish partnerships," Banks said. "Now we are starting to sell back into those markets and reaching some of the furthest corners of the globe."

As an example, the company recently sold and shipped its first pallet of flooring to a buyer in the Seychelles-one of the most remote and costly places in the world to ship products to. "That is how our shipping and logistics system has been built," he said. "Not only can we get the lowest prices for a customer in Los

Angeles or New York, but we can also offer the best pricing virtually anywhere in the world."

As customers get used to the concept, more of the business is conducted online. "At first most new customers wanted to call in and speak to someone about their order, particularly with the large quantities that they were ordering," said Booth. "What we are finding now is that once customers have made that first order by calling directly, they see the quality and customer service that we provide and feel a lot more comfortable completing subsequent orders online."

In August, the company secured an additional $7 million in private equity financing to help accelerate BuildDirect's continued growth. "We want to keep building this company into an international success story," said Banks. "I would love it if one day I could pass a very successful business on to my children."