The Hanson family

Product Knowledge

Product: OLFA MXP-L die-cast aluminum utility knife

Manufacturer: Osaka, Japanbased OLFA.

Knowledge: Here’s a heavy duty cutting tool encased in a single piece of metal, pressure formed for durability. The OLFA snap-off blade concept allows users to restore a sharp edge in seconds, simply by snapping off a piece of the blade at the scored line. The MXP-AL version offers an autolock mechanism, as opposed to the wheel-like locking mechanism of the MXP-L. Exclusively distributed in North America by Corelle Brands.

Fun fact one: OLFA is an abbreviation of two Japanese words that translate to “to break a blade.”

Fun fact two: Founder Yoshio Okado (1931-1990) invented the snap-off blade after ruminating on two ideas: 1) the sharp edges of broken glass and 2) the easy snap of chocolate bars breaking into segments.

For Tri-State Building Center, lobbying is all in the family

Brett Hanson, owner of Tri-State Building Center in eastern South Dakota, says he benefits from high quality legislative representation on both a federal and state level. And he’s particularly proud of the way South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson has contributed to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement, recently signed into existence by the president and the Senate. But Hanson is not about to slow down his crusade to promote education and legislation to benefit small businesses like his own. In an interview with HBSDealer, Hanson quickly shared his passion for participating in the legislative process. “I really enjoy seeing our representatives in Washington,” he said. “They seem to always listen and take time to meet with us. And while that’s something I take great pride in, the greatest part is watching my son and daughter experience and learn about this amazing process — and watching them learn first-hand how our country is run. “This country’s political situation takes a lot of heat, with its non-stop infighting,” he added. “But there’s so much more to it. When I can bring my children [Colter, 15; Andra, 13] to the Capitol and all the places that played an integral role in the development of our country, when I can teach them about the process and get them interested, that’s what this country is all about.”

One memory in particular stands out: the sight of Iowa Congressman Dave Young pulling Hanson’s son, Colter, onto the stage at the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association’s 2018 Legislative

From left: Brett, Andra and Colter Hanson on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Conference and introducing him with the words: “Here is the future.”

As a board member of the NLBMDA and representative of the Northwest Lumber Association, Hanson is an ambassador of the NLBMDA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., set for March 23-25. It’s never been more important to participate in the legislative process, he said. Consolidation continues to put smaller businesses at disadvantages when it comes to their ability to monitor and comply with regulations, he said.

“I wish I could go door to door, to every lumberyard and small business, to stress the importance of these associations,” he said. “The voice we have as a group is the most important thing.”

“I really enjoy seeing our representatives in Washington. They seem to always listen and take time to meet with us.” —Brett Hanson, Owner, Tri-State Building Center