HBSD_0423

THE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE

From solar catchers to forest keepers, leading companies explore ways to protect the planet.

The Orgill Advantage: Knowledgeable, Dedicated Reps

One of Many Bryan Gilbert 19 years with Orgill Texas Rep

One of Many Scott Rizzoto 21 years with Orgill Northeast Rep

TOP

Mission Possible with Margo Cronin, manager trainee, 84 Lumber.

INDEPENDENT

A new frontier for Blue Ridge Lumber: This Jersey dealer acquires Gumble Brothers Home Centers in Pennsylvania.

Company culture is a big topic at the NLBMDA’s Spring Meeting.

29 Swiped out: card fees are on the legislative agenda.

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The One-on-One Video Series

Interviews with industry leaders, including Lowe’s EVP of human resources Janice Dupré, who described Lowe’s efforts to support the skilled trades. Check out more at YouTube.com/@HBSDealer

The Weekly Rundown, plus the Stat of the Week

Sign up for the Saturday Edition of HBSDealer’s industry-leading newsletter, featuring the Top Three Story of the Week Rundown — now bolstered by the Stat of the Week.

Nominations are open for leading women

HBSDealer seeks nominations for Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply honorees in two categories: “Business Excellence” and “Rising Stars. Find out more at the official event website: HBSDTopWomen.com.

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We protect what matters most ª

From the Editor

In Mississippi, a chainsaw ministry

From Nabors Home Center in Amory, Mississippi, you can look out and see where the tornado seemingly stopped in its deadly tracks.

The store was spared.

“It’s kind of a weird feeling that I can’t explain,” owner Lee Nabors said. “Because we’re going to be so super busy the next two years rebuilding the town when so many are struggling and

of recovery center. The store is typically closed on Sundays, but March 26 was not a typical Sunday in Amory, Miss.

“We were able to open up and try to help with needs as far as tarps and water, just basically whatever the people needed at that time,” Millette said. “Our staff and crew volunteered to come in to stay open on Sunday. We’re just trying to be there to help them with whatever needs they have, to provide good customer service and to just take care of their needs.”

While Nabors Home Center was playing its role at its four Mississippi locations, Lee Nabors was playing his.

A long time disaster recovery volunteer for Chickasaw Baptist Disaster Relief, and more recently Samaritan’s Purse, Lee grabbed his gear — including helmet and chainsaw — and went to work with his volunteer crew.

The Samaritan’s Purse team descends on towns after hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, whatever it is, a with tractors, chainsaws, heavy equipment. They clear trees off people’s houses, clear driveways, all the time watching out for live wires and other dangers.

“Chainsaw ministry” is how they describe their effort at disaster sites.

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BRAND MANAGEMENT

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EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Clark kclark@ensembleiq.com

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Hardware Editor Tim Burke tburke@ensembleiq.com

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SUBSCRIPTION QUESTIONS contact@HBSDealer.com

Amory, Mississippi was just one town in the path of a violent storm that ripped across Mississippi and Alabama on the night of March 24. The National Weather Service tallied 20 reports of tornadoes across the two states. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reported 25 deaths.

Lee and his wife and co-owner Millette made the 40-mile drive from their home in Houston, Miss., through swaths of devastation. They soon learned that in addition to their store, the homes of the staff escaped the brunt of the damage.

With that knowledge, it didn’t take long for Nabors Home Center to assume the role

“Whenever you work after a hurricane, everything’s blown over,” Lee explained. “But after a tornado, everything is just all twisted up. It’s very hard to cut the trees and get them down and get them to the road.”

But it will happen, one tree and house at a time.

“I just love working and getting hot and sweaty,” Lee said. “I enjoy doing it.”

Have you seen hardware store heroism? Share it with us at news@hbsdealer.com

CORPORATE OFFICERS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jennifer Litterick

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jane Volland

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER Ann Jadown

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER Joe Territo

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS Derek Estey

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Levi Smith, CEO, Franklin Building Supply

Steve Sallah, CEO, LBM Advantage

Tom Cost, owner, Killingworth True Value Brad McDaniel, owner, McDaniel’s Do it Center

Joe Kallen, CEO, Busy Beaver Building Centers

Permissions: No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

connect with us

Ken Clark Editor in Chief

After the storm: Hardware store owner Lee Nabors in Wren, Mississippi, just outside of Amory.

Chris Beard Director, Building Products Research John Burns Real Estate Consulting

Matthew Saunders Vice President, Building Products John Burns Real Estate Consulting

Timothy Papandreou Founder & CEO of Emerging Transport Advisors

Lowe’s brings refreshment to the mix

Lowe’s customers are now more likely to hear, “would you like a Coke with that?”

The Mooresville, N.C.-based retail giant described drinks from Coca-Cola as one of its signifi cant fourth-quarter merchandise moves, along with clothing from Carhartt, electrical boxes from Hubbell, and a wide range of electrical tools from Klein Tools.

Adding a “portfolio” of Coke brands is a convenient play for busy contractors, according to Bill Boltz, executive vice president of merchandising for Lowe’s. The move will “reduce the number of stops pros make before going to the job site, which is important since time is money for these customers,” he said.

Those four moves are just the tip of the ice cube. Around the store Lowe’s said it will continue to build on customers preference for new and innovative products with continued

enhancements to assortments.

“We are expanding on our popular Kobalt 24-volt platform with new tools and technology,” said Boltz, “including a cordless Kobalt nailer that can instantly fire 1,100 nails on a single charge.”

The company expressed optimism

regarding its new Ego zero turn radius mower with what is described as the industry’s first e-Steer technology.

Also, the retailer said it is upgrading its paint departments and has started the launch of Stainmaster paint. This is Lowe’s first-ever private-label brand paint.

The merchandise highlights were served up during the company’s latest earnings call, which also delivered expectations for 2023 comparable-store sales to be in the range of flat to negative 2 percent.

CEO Marvin Ellison added: “There is a wide range of confl icting opinions on what’s going to happen in the macro environment in 2023. From our perspective the core drivers of our business, disposable personal income, home price appreciation, and the age of housing stock, remain supportive.”

True Value expands its lineup

True Value Company purchased certain assets of Nova Wildcat Shur-Line Holdings, Inc., including the Shur-Line and WordLock range of products.

Shur-Line and WordLock were two of the most prominent brands of New Jersey-based H2 Brands (formerly World & Main), which fi led for bankruptcy in early 2023.

In its Cary, Ill., paint manufacturing facility, True Value has actually been the manufacturer of many of Shur-Line’s products over the last three years, said John Vanderpool, divisional president, True Value Manufacturing & General Paint.

“Acquiring Shur-Line’s products is an excellent strategic fit for True Value as we continue to invest in our strong portfolio of paint and paint products,” he said.

with detail edge, and combination padlock.

WordLock’s product line includes combination padlocks, bicycle locks, car key locks and more. WordLock allows consumers to set and change their own combination from thousands of possible word and letter combinations.

The move mark’s True Value’s third

acquisition in 12 months, following the 2022 purchases of Yenkin-Majestic paints a year ago, and Agway Farm & Home Supply in October.

CEO Chris Kempa described the move as “another example of True Value’s commitment to investing in the business, aggressively pursuing growth, and ensuring retailers have what they need to win in the marketplace.”

Lowe’s merchants continue to fine tune the company’s Total Home Strategy.

Shur-Line deck pad the WordLock 5-dial

We have an aggressive growth strategy, and Do it Best makes it happen. Do it Best is partnering

LET’S GET GROWING T G

Our merchandising and LBM expertise, retail insights, store design, and growth-driven mindset have propelled member-owner Ryan Ringer’s family business into an eight-location powerhouse. Join a company that’s committed to taking your business as far as you can dream it.

Read about Ryan’s success story at doitbestonline.com/GoldBeach.

Mission possible

84 LUMBER’S MARGO CRONIN CAN CARRY THE LOAD, AND THEN SOME.

By Andy Carlo

Missions. Supply lines. Discipline. Those are just a few of the concepts that Margo Cronin grew familiar with during her 10-years in the Pennsylvania National Guard. She didn’t know it at the time, but it was all part of an education that prepared her well for her current role as one of 84 Lumber’s Manager Trainees.

“I was very excited on the first day of my job, but I soon realized I had another task that wasn’t laid out in my job description. I had the task of showing my peers I was just that—a peer,” Cronin says. “Right away, my co-workers were asking questions and challenging me on what made me, a female, take a job in the lumber industry.“

Cronin recalls hearing things such as, “You know you’re going to have to load customers up with lumber and stuff, can you handle that?”

It didn’t take Cronin long to answer that question through her actions.

“I’ve experienced this in the past, so it definitely made me chuckle after a few weeks, I was able to show them that I could perform my job, and in some ways even excel at it,” she says.

Cronin says she is a great admirer of all the women that work for 84 Lumber, as well as all of her colleagues who she continues to learn from.

“I’ve learned a lot working for 84 Lumber so far. I also admire that our very own president is a woman who has not only taken on the role but has brought the company to new heights,” Cronin explains.  “I believe 84 Lumber does a great job of rewarding those who put effort into the small tasks and realize that those small tasks, if done right, will eventually become rewards of greater potential.

“I do believe both businesses and women can play a big role in hiring women to do the work, but then after that, it’s on the women to complete the job,” Cronin added.

“Women are great workers because they have the perfect combination of heart and heat, bringing together passion and perseverance to challenging and ever-changing demands. Change doesn’t happen

overnight. It’s in the power of time and determination to even out the perception that both men and women can work together in the same/similar roles and both be successful,” she says.

Cronin’s employer was an enthusiastic supporter of Women in Construction Week in early March. And more than that, the Eighty Four, Pa.-based prodealer and building solutions provider is among the growing number of companies eager to raise awareness regarding the opportunities available to everyone in the construction industry and also to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry.

“Now is the perfect time for women to consider a career in construction,” said 84 Lumber Owner and President, Maggie Hardy. “The construction industry needs more qualified individuals to keep up with the growing demand. There are many different Cronin’s advice to women considering a career in the construction industry: “Come

“I was very excited on the first day of my job, but I soon realized I had another task that wasn’t laid out in my job description. I had the task of showing my peers I was just that—a peer. Right away, my co-workers were asking questions and challenging me on what made me, a female, take a job in the lumber industry.”

—Margo Cronin, Manager Trainee, 84 Lumber

CELEBRATING BIG WINS, SMALL VICTORIES AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

We’re changemakers who build each other up and have each other’s back. Be Part of a People-First Team.

Big goals: Getting better at E-commerce

ORLANDO — At the Do It Best Corp. Spring Dealer Market, e-commerce generated the biggest buzz. The Fort Wayne, Indiana-based co-op unveiled its most ambitious e-commerce and omni-channel vision yet, along with detailed plans to provide members “top tier” technical support to drive sales and increase traffic.

The move comes against a backdrop of cross-industry omni-channel activity. At Lowes.com, sales grew 5% on top of 11.5% growth in the fourth quarter of 2021, the company reported in February. Home Depot Sales leveraging its digital platforms increased more than 4% compared to the fourth quarter of last year, and investments continue in an interconnected retail strategy that brings about 45 percent of online orders into Home Depot stores, according to CEO Ted Decker.

At Ace Hardware, ordering on line and picking up in store is the no. 1 preferred method of purchase at Acehardware.com. More than 90% of Ace Hardware’s digital

We’re putting the industry on the map

The latest additions to the color-coded, continually updated HBSDealer Interactive News Map include ECMD’s acquisition of Madison Lumber Company in Huntsville, Ala.; and Beacon’s acquisitions of Al’s Roofing Supply of Hayward, Calif., and Prince Building Systems of Neillsville, Wis. For more openings, closings and acquisitions, visit HBSDealer.com/map.

orders are picked up in-store or delivered by the local store’s employees.

Same-day in store pick-up is one of the motivating concepts behind the buzz in Do it Best’s new system. The co-op’s new platform – now in its testing phase and expected to launch this summer — marks a major shift in Do it Best’s approach to e-commerce. As opposed to simply making digital tools available to members, the new strategy calls for the co-op to take an active role in the heavy lifting of running an e-commerce business.

The unveiling of the platform, put the spotlight on one of the co-op’s relatively new executives, Allison Flatjord, who took on the role of vice president of e-commerce in January.

“Gone are the days where it’s OK to just put up a sign in your store, calling out your website,” she said.

Some of the other features and benefits described by the co-op include:

Do it Best Corp. is removing cost of entry to participate in the e-commerce program. Gone are the set-up fees and monthly maintenance fees. Members will be charged a fee based on the volume of sales through the site.

The new strategy will feature member microsites integrated with Doitbest. com. Members will have the option of controlling their home page and promoting unique merchandise, but Do it Best intends to handle critical tasks including design, analytics, marketing and search-engine-optimization.

Profit from ship-to-home product sales at Doitbest.com will go to the nearest participating store even if that store had nothing to do with the sale.

“If you’re going to compete and win today, it gets pretty complex pretty fast,” she said. “We are going to be delivering the online experience your customers expect, and an online experience designed to deliver growth.”

Nick Talarico, executive VP of sales and marketing for Do it Best Corp., explained that the opportunity is huge. “And to be clear, I’m not talking about e-commerce as in just shipping packages to customers’ homes, but leveraging e-commerce to drive traffic into your stores through an integrated, best-in-class e-commerce solution that allows customers to buy online and pick up their purchases in store the same day.”

The writing is on the wall for Allison Flatjord and Do it Best Corp.

A new frontier for Blue Ridge Lumber

JERSEY DEALER ACQUIRES ‘THE GEM OF THE POCONOS.’

By Andy Carlo

In recent months, Blue Ridge Lumber has substantially grown its presence in Pennsylvania.

Based in Blairstown, New Jersey, Blue Ridge Lumber has long operated five locations within the Garden State. And in the past eight months, the dealer has purchased two companies with a total of four locations.

In February, Blue Ridge acquired Gumble Brothers Home Centers located in Tafton, Pennsylvania in the Lake Wallenpaupack region. Founded in 1926, Gumble Brothers also provides mill services and produces Douglas Fir timbers.

After the Feb. 22 acquisition closed, Gumble Brothers reopened on Feb. 27 under the Blue Ridge Lumber banner.

“Gumble Brothers is the gem of the Poconos as far as stores are concerned,” Greg Ackerson, president and owner of Blue Ridge Lumber, told HBSDealer.

Blue Ridge has actually been a customer of Gumble Brothers for years. As owner Sue Gumble was deciding it might be time to sell the company, she happened to notice a Blue Ridge Lumber truck in the Gumble Brothers’ yard.

Gumble called Blue Ridge and Ackerson to see if there was any interest. And there was plenty.

“Acquiring Gumble Brothers was too sweet of an opportunity,” Ackerson says. “It was something that was meant to happen.”

Considering the two companies were business partners and it made sense for Blue Ridge to continue expanding into Pennsylvania given its close proximity to the state’s border, a deal was struck.

In July 2022, Blue Ridge Lumber made its official entry into Pennsylvania when it acquired three locations from Cramer’s

Building Centers based in East Stroudsburg. Founded in 1915, Cramer’s Cashway brought three locations with it. While two locations in East Stroudsburg and Mount Pocono were fully operational, a location in Kresgeville had previously been closed.

According to Ackerson, plans are underway to soon reopen the Kresgeville yard, which will give Blue Ridge Lumber four fully operational yards and stores in the state. Ackerson notes that he and his company have been friends with the owners of both Cramer’s and Gumbles.

Ackerson said he is grateful that both dealers reached out to Blue Ridge Lumber when it was time to sell.

While Blue Ridge Lumber originally didn’t have actual plans to expand into Pennsylvania, Ackerson said he didn’t want to give up the opportunity to purchase Cramer’s Cashway given its proximity.

“Our headquarters is located in Blairstown, which borders Pennsylvania. So it is a natural progression,” Ackerson says.

Blue Ridge Lumber was founded in 1960 by Donald and Grace Ackerson. They leased a small portion of Read’s Apple Jack distillery and started to build their dream selling rough lumber. After steadily building the business from the ground up, they purchased the entire building in the early 1970s.

Don and Grace worked together for 32 years building a very successful business, which employed over 25 people in the late 1980s. Blue Ridge Lumber now employs over 125 associates.

Don retired in 1992 with Greg taking over as president of Blue Ridge Lumber.

The recent combined moves have now given Blue Ridge a very strong presence in the Pocono Mountains region.

“This was a lot to take on in the past eight months but it’s a real compliment to our team,” Ackerson adds “We are doing extremely well.”

Blairstown, N.J.-based Blue Ridge Lumber has made moves in neighboring Pennsylvania.

For Blue Ridge Lumber, first came Cramer’s Building Centers, then came Gumble Brothers Home Centers.

SUSTAINABILITY MINDERS

From solar catchers to forest keepers, and all the ways LBM and hardware do good.

By HBSDealer Staff

Sustainability means many things to many businesses. For the hardware and building supply industry, it’s not only an opportunity to win loyalty from customers, it’s a chance to plant seeds for future customers and future savings.

It’s a trend in boardrooms. It’s also a trend in the aisles of the neighborhood hardware store.

When asked for in-store trends, Jared Littmann owner of K&B True Value in Annapolis, Md., offered a green response. He pointed to sales of chemical-free products such as live lady bugs. “Our customers really like to see environmentally friendly products,” he said. “And they like to see when we eliminate products that are not so good for the environment. We like to give our customers options, and that segment has really grown.”

Sustainability strategies have taken root in companies of all sizes, from single-store retailers to Home Depot and Lowe’s, and the myriad manufacturers who supply them.

These strategies include plans to reduce carbon, renew energy and expand their solar power and recycling efforts to make sustainability a way of life in business — and a way of life on earth.

It’s good timing too, since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, just published its report on the state of planet earth. “Keeping warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels requires deep, rapid and sustained greenhouse gas emissions reductions in all sectors.” Examples given from the report included, “clean energy and technologies; and low-carbon electrification.”

Sustainability leaders are familiar with the report. And on the following pages are highlighted some of the things they are doing about it.

THE NEW EVOLUTION OF BUILDING MATERIALS

ACRE elevates building materials to a whole new level.

ACRE isn’t wood. It isn’t a traditional composite. It’s a brand-new material engineered from rice hulls that combines convenience, durability, beauty, and sustainability.

With less static or dust than PVC, ACRE is easy to stain or paint, has smooth edges and a limited-lifetime guarantee, ACRE raises trim, decking, millwork and siding to a whole new level.

BRINKMANN’S PAINT & HARDWARE

Brinkmann’s Paint & Hardware, a True Value dealer, calls itself the world’s first net-zero energy retailer.

The hardware store has dedicated itself to erasing its carbon footprint completely, it said. Besides LED lighting inside and out, the company’s Miller Place location, “has a rooftop solar array — a bank of 304 photovoltaic cells — that generates power for the building during the day,” said the company.

And there’s more.

“Since Miller Place, we built a new ground-up building to house our headquarters, store and offices in Sayville, N.Y. That one is also green: Solar, geo, LED, and highly insulated,” said Ben Brinkmann, owner.

The Sayville building is net zero thanks to solar array producing power and geothermal HVAC system conserving energy use, said the owner. “It is also lighted by 100% LED fixtures, highly insulated, and has a white ‘cool roof’ which reflects heat and further diminishes cooling demand,” he said.

“As a result, our company saves approximately $55,000 annually in utility costs,” said Brinkmann.

In addition to their green initiative being a “great investment that makes financial sense,” he said, “it has also gained us recognition in the community. We believe that recognition has led to increased customer loyalty as well as attracting associates who want to be a part of the Brinkmann’s brand.”

He added they are, “currently working on our biggest, baddest Brinkmann’s yet. We are opening in a space previously occupied by a grocery store in Glen Cove, N.Y, with 60,000 square feet — 40,000 retail and 20,000 basement storage. We should be open this April.”

HOME DEPOT

Home Depot is out to produce 100% renewable energy for all its facilities.

Lofty? — Yes.

Reachable? — Also, yes.

Recently, the retailer reported it is partnering with DSD Renewables (DSD) to install 13 megawatts of solar power on the rooftops at 25 store locations in California.

The portfolio began construction earlier this year, and upon completion is expected to generate more than 17 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean energy annually that directly power The Home Depot’s store locations within the portfolio, the equivalent of removing 2,648 gasoline-powered cars from the road each year.

“Our teams have worked hand-in-hand to design solar solutions to optimally power the portfolio of 25

Brinkmann's Sayville, New York headquarters, with hardware store and corporate offices. The building is net zero thanks to a rooftop solar array and a geothermal HVAC system.

stores in California and effectively reduce demand on the grid,” said Jason Chiang, senior director of direct origination at DSD. “We are excited to deploy our industry-leading capabilities across this significant new portfolio and play a role in helping The Home Depot achieve its sustainability goals.”

The project represents a continued commitment to leverage roof space for solar generation in Home Depot’s renewable energy program. The installations contribute to the company’s goal to produce or procure 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 equivalent to the electricity needs for all its facilities.

“Reducing The Home Depot’s environmental impact is essential to our efforts to build a better business, workplace and world,” said Ron Jarvis, VP and chief sustainability officer. “Harnessing power from the sun is essential to our renewable electricity aims, and we’re happy to work with DSD as we expand our solar program and continue to invest in alternative energy solutions.”

The company operates rooftop solar farms on more than 80 stores and electricity-generating fuel cells in more than 200 stores.

The company already announced recently that 100 megawatts (MW) of solar energy purchased from National Grid Renewables at its solar and storage project in Denton County, Texas, known as Noble, will generate the equivalent of nearly eight percent of the retailer’s total electricity usage.

“With this purchase, we are getting a step closer to our goal to produce or procure 100% renewable electricity equivalent to the needs of our facilities,” said Jarvis.

A Global View AN EXPERIENCED RETAIL LEADER DESCRIBES A TOP PRIORITY

John W. Herbert has been in and out of home centers around the world. It’s his job.

The general secretary of the European DIY Retail Association/Global Home Improvement Network has made — by his count — 458 journeys around the globe.

“There isn’t probably a significant home center company that I haven’t visited or seen,” he said. “And it’s not only the big companies. What I’ve really found is you must never overestimate anyone or underestimate anyone.”

And one increasingly common theme in his role: The growing importance of sustainability.

Noble is a 275 MW solar and a 125-megawatt hour (MWh) energy storage project located in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

The company reported it currently purchases solar power from a 75 MW facility and is under contract for another 50 MW of solar capacity. It also purchases energy from a 50 MW wind facility.

The retailer said it expects the combined annual renewable energy generation from these agreements would be enough to power more than 500 stores.

to reduce carbon emissions,” he said. “It’s the absolute top priority.”

Excerpts from the interview include:

“I think we as an industry realize that we can help people in their homes by energy-saving products, water-saving products, and selling products that are sustainable. It’s amazing how many companies now have sustainable managers and committees discussing and looking at this. So I’m very optimistic that in our

industry particularly, we’re doing a lot towards sustainability.

“Everybody can play their part. The first step, I think, is in ourselves. Then look at our companies, look at our businesses and really examine everything. There’s so much knowledge and so much information available to us on how we can sell sustainable products. Make sure you are selling wood from well managed forests, making people’s homes more energy-saving. These are all the kinds of things that we are doing in our industry.”

” People are saying, ‘Well, in most of our stores, we’ve introduced LED lighting.’ But LED lighting has been available for years. Everybody should have been converted to it already.”

In a One-on-One interview with HBSDealer, Herbert referred to drought, floods and other natural disasters. “We all know that climate change is playing a part and we really must, all of us, do all we can John W. Herbert

“I really do believe, and with a lot of knowledge on this, I believe we are quite exemplary as an industry in moving this way.” Watch the full One-on-One Video at HBSDealer.com.

“Reducing The Home Depot’s environmental impact is essential to our efforts to build a better business, workplace and world.”

— Ron Jarvis, VP and chief sustainability officer.

build a better

PPG INDUSTRIES

In early 2022, PPG committed to setting near-term company-wide emissions reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The SBTi is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the Worldwide Fund for Nature that defines and promotes best practice in emissions reductions in line with climate science. The SBTi provides companies with independent assessment and validation of GHG emissions reduction targets.

“We have submitted targets to the SBTi for approval, which cover our direct, or scope 1; indirect, or scope 2; and value chain, or scope 3, emissions. Following validation from SBTi, PPG will announce our new 2030 goals. We will also release our 2022 ESG Report in the first half of this year,” said Jennifer Dodson, PPG global director, customer sustainability.

“PPG is constantly progressing in its efforts on sustainability and environmental, social and governance, or ESG, matters,” said Dodson.

“We remain focused on integrating sustainability into our enterprise strategy by embedding sustainability processes and measures into our new product innovation pipeline, our operational activities, our energy and material procurement processes and our customer engagements. We strive to be the first-choice partner to enable our customers’ sustainability ambitions,” said Dodson.

LOWE’S

The big blue retailer is tackling sustainability in a big way.

After announcing late last year an ambitious goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Lowe’s is working with internal business owners and vendor partners across the spectrum to lay the ground work for net-zero interim and long-term targets.

“We’re really excited because we feel like the timing is great for the convergence of our sustainability strategy and how the future of housing is unfolding,” said Chris Cassell, Lowe’s VP of corporate sustainability, told HBSDealer.

While the majority of Lowe’s environmental footprint is tied to the products on its shelves — extraction of raw materials and transportation of goods, for instance — the majority of the net-zero target lies in the use and disposal of products in consumers’ homes. And here, Lowe’s is collaborating with its vendor partners on a number of fronts, from increasing the use of recycled materials in products to manufacturing products with lower emissions.

Another crucial element is finding ways to improve product efficiency to help consumers reduce emissions at home.

“We can see the general public gradually shifting to a greater understanding of what net-zero can mean for them,” Cassell said. “So a priority for Lowe’s is to engage both DIY and Pro customers and share the value of 1) choosing more efficient products; 2) understanding which products have lower emission; 3) being aware of the options we have available for them; and 4) recognizing how to sequence their projects to get the most value out of their investments.”

In addition to its net-zero ambitions, Lowe’s is working to make a positive impacts in other areas. The Lowe’s Hometowns program is in its second year of a fi ve-year $100 million commitment to support community improvement projects around the country. And The Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants program is investing $50 million to prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers over next fi ve years.

“Our sustainability strategy focuses on the three pillars of people and communities, product sustainability and operational excellence,” he said. “And we are working on programs to advance each in 2023.”

“We’re really excited because we feel like the timing is great for the convergence of our sustainability strategy and how the future of housing is unfolding.”

—Chris Cassell, Lowe’s VP of corporate sustainability

PPG's new Copper Armor has no VOCs, plus it’s formulated to kill viruses and bacteria.

TRACTOR SUPPLY

“Life Out Here” is the mantra of Tractor Supply Company, and that includes being a friend of the environment.

The Brentwood, Tenn.-based farm-and-ranch retailer’s latest Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) report for the third consecutive year is aligned with the TCFD’s recommendations for climate disclosure. It includes information on its operations structured around four areas: governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.

Among those targets is an ambitious plan to reduce 20 percent of carbon emissions from its operations by 2025, and 50% by 2030. The ultimate goal is to achieve net zero emissions across all operations by 2040.

One of Tractor Supply’s latest initiatives is to conserve 25 million gallons of water by 2025. Last year the company also released its most comprehensive ESG report to date: “Stewards of Life Out Here.”

“We remain committed to transparent, forward-thinking stewardship to preserve ‘Life Out Here’ for future generations,” said Hal Lawton, Tractor Supply president and CEO.

“Our TCFD report details the progress we have made on our purpose-driven efforts to evaluate and implement policies, programs and projects that benefit all stakeholders.”

The retailer, which operates more than 2,100 stores in 49 states along with 186 Petsense by Tractor Supply small box stores in 23 states, uses more than 61 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of “green power” annually. That’s enough green power to meet 15% of Tractor Supply’s electricity use.

Tractor Supply defi nes green power as power that is electricity generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact hydro.

Two years ago, Tractor Supply joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership. The retailer also reviewed daylight harvesting skylights, coupled with dimmable lights and solar arrays, for potential changes to building plans.

Daylight harvesting uses outside lighting to reduce the amount of electric lighting required to maintain a specifi c amount of light in a space. The number of light fi xtures does not change, but when the sun is shining the light fi xture uses a series of controls to dim and use less electricity.

Manufacturing a better planet

Beko Home Appliances

Europe’s leading home appliance brand is expanding in the U.S., with products that use recycled materials, bio-composites, and detergent-saving technologies for sustainable living. It’s mantra: “Healthy living is only possible on a healthy planet.” Ranked 20 th on The Real Leaders Top 200 Impact Companies of 2022.

LP Building Solutions

Lydia McWilliams, sustainability specialists, describes the value of sustainable forestry. “It ensures the long-term availability of fiber, our most critical raw material, while mitigating the impacts of climate change,” she said. “Through replanting and regeneration, young forests absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than older, more mature forests. By ensuring that 100% of our fiber is sustainably sourced, we increase carbon sequestration from the atmosphere.”

Leviton

Early in 2023, the electrical wiring company joined the Green Building Initiative as a Visionary member. That means the Melville, N.Y.-based company will make a financial commitment and contribute to shaping future GBI programs, as well as gain educational opportunities focused on sustainability. The company’s UK manufacturing facility has been carbon neutral since 2022, the first in the structured cabling industry.

Weyerhaeuser

Among its sustainability initiatives is this gem: The company entered an agreement with energy company Denbury for the evaluation and potential development of a carbon dioxide sequestration site in Mississippi. Denbury is planning to utilize the site to permanently sequester industrial CO2 in secure underground geologic formations. Weyerhaeuser will continue to manage the timberland acreage as a sustainable working forest.

AZEK Company

Part of this building material company’s many holdings is Return Polymers, an Ashland, Ohiobased PVC recycling and compounding company. With the 2020 acquisition, AZEK accelerated its sustainability mission by bringing in-house PVC recycling capabilities that will be leveraged by its TimberTech AZEK, AZEK Exteriors, Versatex and Vycom brands and products.

Stanley Black & Decker

Late last year, the tool giant unveiled a noteworth step in its sustainability journey: The retail lanch of the Reviva power tool line. Each tool’s housing is manufactured from 50 percent recycled material. Plus, through a partnership with TerraCycle, Stanley Black & Decker said it is now offering consumers the opportunity to recycle products, like the Reviva line, at the end of the product’s useable life cycle.

Sherwin-Williams

The paint giant’s 2022 sustainability report, “Building on the Good” enhanced the sustainability framework introduced in the 2020 report. The company’s effort is focusing on three pillars: Environmental footprint, product blueprint and social imprint. “Our 2021 sustainability report reflects the progress we have made in pursuit of our goals and outlines the steps we are taking that reflect our commitment to continuous improvement in everything we do,” said CEO John Morikis.

Certainteed

In January, the company unveiled a new logo (at left) and a new market mission described as “Futurebuilt,” highlighting a resolve to build a more sustainable, comfortable and safer future. One example of a product that provides both sustainability and style is the Landmark Solaris Cool Roof solar-refl ective shingles. “It’s critical that the sustainable building materials we make also offer the very best in beauty and style,” the company wrote on its website.

Among Tractor Supply Company’s sustainability commitments, the farm-and-ranch retailer intends to reduce its companywide absolute water footprint by 25 million gallons by 2025.

Unrivaled dealer support comes from understanding a high-quality product means nothing if it means headaches to get it on your shelves. For five decades now, we’ve built a trusted reputation for going above and beyond to deliver on the extras that make a difference. Like near-by facilities for timely product deliveries. A seasoned sales support team. Or stand-out advertising that drives higher demand for products. That’s just the beginning of a very long list that only we do. See all the other ways the YellaWood® brand has your back. Visit yellawood.com/for-dealers

Dealers discuss company culture in D.C.

NAVIGATING THE LABOR MARKET WAS THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AT NLBMDA MANUFACTURERS AND SERVICES COUNCIL MEETING.

By Andy Carlo

Company culture is a big part of attracting and retaining employees.

Prodealers discussed employee retention, recruitment, and company culture at the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association’s 2023 Spring Meeting & Legislative Conference.

At the NLBMDA’s Manufacturers & Services Council meeting, moderated by senior membership and operations associate Allison Ward, the topic of navigating the current labor climate quickly became the focus of the meeting.

A labor shortage, a declining skilled labor pool, and competitive wages from other businesses, including fast food restaurants, have resulted in today’s dealers facing job market challenges. Why take a rigorous starting job at a yard when you can stand around and make fries for a similar wage?

Company culture is key to attracting and retaining employees while providing an enjoyable workplace. And this includes allowing

employees flexibility, and allowing them to take care of personal and family matters outside of their careers.

Scott Engquist, president of Engquist Lumber Co. in Harcourt, Iowa, said his company has employees that are cross-trained.

“When our CDL driver might have a doctor’s appointment, we have a salesperson who has a CDL license and can deliver the load,” Engquist said. “Our employees are cross-trained so they can back each other up. You have to be flexible.”

In Bonner Springs, Kansas, Vesta Lee Lumber remains “lenient” regarding its employees’ schedules compared to a competing employer.

“I think we pay a fair wage and we are more lenient than another employer might be,” said Jim Bishop, owner of Vesta Lee Lumber and chairman of the NLBMDA. “We work with their schedule.”

In addition to full-time staff, Vesta Lee Lumber employs about 15 part-time high school employees. But Vesta Lee has a secret weapon when it comes to recruiting.

Bishop’s son is a basketball coach at the local high school and helps put the word on the street that there are jobs to be had at Vesta Lee.

The topic of attracting more women to the industry was also brought up by council members.

Kodiak Building Partners CEO Steve Swinney noted that 15% of his company’s workforce, which includes approximately 6,000 employees at more than 100 locations, are women. This compares to the industry average of 11%. And we’re not talking bookkeepers.

Swinney also said that two of Kodiak’s companies have female presidents with other women positioned in key leadership and management roles throughout the organization.

Kodiak recently presented Linda Hawkins, president of AO Door in Dallas, Texas, with the company’s Chairman Award.

“It’s evidence that we should always be looking for talented people everywhere, whether they are men or women,” Swinney said.

When it comes to meeting the needs of its employees, the Highlands Ranch, Colorado-based company has formed a new partnership with Marketplace Chaplains based in Plano, Texas.

Through the program, chaplains visit Kodiak locations to discuss concerns employees might have including tough situations outside of work. The program is open to all employees as well as family members.

“Dealing with mental health and the problems that your employees have while giving them the right resources is huge,” Swinney said.

Attracting more women to positions in the industry continues to be a focus of discussion when it comes to hiring and the labor market.

Priorities on the NLBMDA’s radar

By Andy Carlo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jacob Carter, NLBMDA director of government affairs, highlighted  legislation that will have a big impact on the LBM industry at the 2023 Spring Meeting and Legislative Conference.

Held here, on March 28 - March 30, the association said its top priority is the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act. The bipartisan bill strengthens the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to increase investment in affordable housing. The legislation also calls for the building and preservation of 2 million housing units over the next 10 years.

According to Carter, the act would support nearly 3 million jobs while adding $120 billion in additional tax revenue and more than $346 billion in wages and business income. The legislation arrives when housing and associated economic activity is more critical than ever to address the affordable housing crisis.

“This is the most important federal housing policy in American history,” Carter said.

Over the past 30 years, the housing credit has generated approximately $643 billion in wages and business income and $223 billion in tax revenues, supporting approximately 5.7 million jobs.

But without LIHTC, there would be virtually no private investment in affordable housing since it is fundamentally uneconomic to build housing that very

low-income people can afford, according to the NLBMDA.

The housing legislation also allows states to maximize affordable housing production and preservation by lowering the threshold of Private Activity Bond financing — from 50% to 25% — which is required to trigger the maximum amount of 4% housing credits, which is needed for financial feasibility.

As of the end of the 117th Congress, ending on Jan. 3, the bill received solid bipartisan support including 207 House and 43 Senate co-sponsors.

“There is not a lot of legislation that goes through the House and the Senate that has bipartisan support like this,” Carter noted.

Meanwhile, with credit card swiping fees having doubled over the past decade, the NLBMDA is also pushing the Credit Card Competition Act.  In 2021 alone,

credit card swipe fees jumped by 25% to a record $137.8 billion, the NLBMDA said.

The bipartisan bill addresses excessive credit card swipe fees for small businesses by allowing access to more credit card payment network options. The NLBMDA said other features include the legislation helping to fix a broken market that has allowed megabanks and global card networks to block competition and unfairly profit at the expense of small retailers and American families.

Visa and MasterCard control 80% of the U.S. credit card market and hold a near-monopoly over credit card processing. There are a dozen competitive networks that could process credit card transactions but they have been blocked from entering the market by dominant card networks.

If passed, the legislation could provide a big boost to small businesses, the NLBMDA said.

Credit card swipe fees amount to about $900 a year for the average family and small businesses could save upward of $11 billion annually by bringing routing competition to credit card networks.

“Credit card swipe fees are most merchants’ highest cost after labor, and this drives up prices for consumers,” Carter said.

Jacob Carter, NLBMDA director of government affairs, presents legislative priorities to dealer members at the 2023 Spring Meeting and Legislative Conference.

“This is the most important federal housing policy in American history.”

—Jacob Carter, director of government affairs, NLBMDA

Market Insights Milestones for the time-tested

THREE LEADERS SHARE BIG MOMENTS FROM COMPANIES RICH IN HISTORY.

By Ken Clark

Experience is the greatest educator. In that spirit, HBSDealer reached out to three dealers with deep wells of business experience to look back at highlight moments. Caveat: It’s impossible to capture multiple generations of collective business experience in a few pages. But here are some insights of big moments and big decisions from each of the companies, in the words (mostly) of the current generation of leaders.

Whitmore Ace Hardware of Wilmington, Ill., was founded in 1896 as Whitmore, Cassingham & Co. After a growth surge in 2014, Whitmore Ace now operates 13 stores in Illinois. Co-owner Michael Cripe describes a big moment:

“For my brother (David) and me, the biggest change in the direction of our business came at an Ace Hardware convention nine years ago,” Michael said. “At that time, we had four hardware stores, and our dad was running the company. Up to that point, we had thought we were running pretty good stores and getting as much out of them as we could.

“At the Ace show in Houston 2014, we went out one night with a group of other retailers with stores from around the country. We knew a few of the retailers but got to meet many

more that evening. Everyone was sharing information about their stores, markets, and even sales.

“At the time, we were averaging $1.5 million per location. This one conversation made us realize we were not reaching our potential for our stores. If others were able to produce double our sales volume out of similar sized stores in similar type markets, we had a lot more room to grow.

“We looked at our existing product mix, breadth, and depth of inventory. Our product mix at the time was traditional/core hardware, and we didn’t have sufficient inventory on hand. We didn’t have the right mix to attract people of our age, the 30-somethings.

“Fast forward to today, we own and operate 13 locations and have doubled our per-store sales volume.”

Ward Lumber of Jay, New York, founded in 1890 embraced the worker-owned cooperative model in 2021. The company made headlines with its progressive succession plan.

“A lot of people have said, boy that must have been a tough decision,” said Jay Ward, president. “You must have thought about that a lot. Well, I consulted with my family, my daughters, who have been involved in the business and love the business but their goals and aspirations have taken them elsewhere. Once they decided that they didn’t want to own and run the business, it really wasn’t a hard decision.

“It is a big decision in the life of a business, but it wasn’t that hard. It just makes so much sense to me for the employee team who are the heart of the company — any company, not just ours—to have the ownership and have the control of the business. They live in it, they operate and run it and care for the customers and the communities. It just makes so much sense to me.

“I don’t want to understate it, It is a big decision because it’s the first time the business isn’t owned by a family member. I’m working on retiring at the end of the year. We’re in the process of hiring a new CEO, and soon there will be somebody not named Ward running the company.”

A memorable highlight for Jay Ward, personally, came eight years into his career with the family business. He explains:

The early days of Whitmore, Cassingham & Co. in Wilmington, Ill.

“A Grossmans closed in Plattsburgh, New York., about 45 minutes away from us. I reached out to the real estate agent and we had conversations over a few days. But one moment stands out: I was sitting in a vehicle talking to the agent, and I bought it on the spot, without consulting anybody in my family, my team, my bank, nobody. We ran that location for many years, and it was very successful. So that, for me as a young manager-owner, that was a big deal.”

Christensen Lumber Company of Fremont, Nebraska, celebrated its 100 th anniversary in March. Founded as Luehrs-Christensen Coal & Lumber Company, the business survived the upheavals of the stock market crash, and World War II. It survived an arson in 1932. In 1955 it exited the coal business. In 2019, Christensen Lumber joined Kodiak Building Partners.

Tom Christensen, chairman and grandson of company founder Alfred Christensen, pointed to another big moment over the course of an eventful century:

“With the housing recession in the ‘80s, Fremont had a meat packing company here [Hormel] that was also very hard hit,” he said. “And this area went from 230 new houses a year to less

than 10. The meat packers were building houses, they were the market back then. On top of that, we had the savings-and-loan crisis. So Fremont was hit really, really hard. We had to look at alternatives. And that’s when I decided to hire my first salesman to go out and work the Omaha market, which was an interesting concept. Before then, we didn’t think that we could get from here to there.

“We added a door shop in 1985, and that turned out to be a good endeavor to be competitive. It worked out really well for taking the business to the next level.”

Top: Ward Lumber, circa 1973. “That El Camino was the first vehicle I was allowed to drive on the road, legally,” said Jay Ward. Above: Ward with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Tom Christensen, left, with son Chad and his father David. The prodealer hit the century mark in 2023.

People in the News

Kodiak Building Partners and Barton Supply have promoted Cody Brooks to president of Barton Supply. Brooks will lead all operations at Barton’s four locations. He has served as director of sales at Barton Supply since 2018. Barton Supply’s business revolves around rebar fabrication, structural and miscellaneous steel, tilt-ups, and concrete construction accessories for commercial and residential projects in Colorado.

Builders FirstSource promoted Steve Herron to COO. Herron will be responsible for overseeing the company’s nationwide operations, which include more than 500 locations in 42 states,

which pulled in sales of $22.7 billion last year. The new COO has served as president of the company’s East Division since January 2021. Additionally, Herron was senior vice president of operations for region 5 of Builders FirstSource from August 2015 through December 2020.

Bob Carson retired as LBM Advantage’s vice president of Southern Operations. Carson began his career in 1974 as a buyer for Howard’s Home Center in Monroe, Louisiana. Within a short period, he was hired by Allied Building Stores Inc. as a merchandising manager and thereafter held several progressive positions as vice president of building material development, vice president of operations, executive vice president, and vice president of strategic planning.

Go from constantly wasting money on dead stock to freeing up $100,000 in tied-up, unsold inventory.

Richard Herrington of Ed Herrington

Inc., (Herrington’s) has been elected chairman of the board of LBM Advantage. Herrington, a fourth-generation owner and vice president/general manager of the Hillsdale, N.Y.-based prodealer, served as the vice-chairman of LBM Advantage for the last two years. On March 1, Herrington participated in his first LBM Advantage board meeting as chairman.

BlueLinx Holdings announced that Shyam Reddy has been appointed as the building product distributor’s new CEO and president. Reddy, who is also joining the company’s board of directors, succeeds Dwight A.K. Gibson who is departing the company. Gibson

10 hours per week shaved off payroll

$2,000 saved in paper costs annually

$100,000 savings in inventory

Exotic Woods switched to Spruce, ECI’s end-to-end management solution for lumber and building suppliers, realizing how their clunky software held them back. Now with Spruce, they have streamlined their document management system, saving signifi cant time and money.

Brooks

Herron

Reddy

Herrington

Carson

was named as BlueLinx CEO in April 2021 and succeeded Mitchell Lewis following his retirement in June 2021.

Building Industry Partners (BIP) announced that technology sector executive and social entrepreneur Toni Burke will join its Leadership Team as head of strategic and investor relations. In her newly created position, Burke will oversee the expansion and operationalization of the firm’s strategic partner and investor base, both from within and outside the U.S. building industry.

Spahn & Rose Lumber

Co. hired Tom Ford for the newly created position of vice president of supply chain & IT. Ford brings more than 20 years of supply chain

management and information technology experience to the Spahn & Rose General Office. Previously, Ford was senior director of merchandising, planning, and allocation technology for Abercrombie & Fitch.

84 Lumber promoted Dave Rumbaugh to vice president of logistics and specialty purchasing. Rumbaugh is a 21-year veteran of the 84 Lumber and has held several positions during his tenure. He began his career as a manager trainee in 2002. In 2011, he was promoted to the role of director of contract purchasing. Rumbaugh is replacing Mitch Feldman, who will be retiring after 36 years with the company.

as chief revenue officer. The Ankeny, Iowa-based company said Davis will play a pivotal role by leading the creation and execution of strategies and plans focused on generating, maintaining, and growing revenue in alignment with the company’s vision. Previously, Rowe served as VP of sales for Larson Manufacturing.

The Home Depot appointed William “Billy” Bastek executive vice president of merchandising. Bastek replaces Jeff Kinnaird in the role. Bastek is a 33-year veteran of the company, having served in several leadership positions across the merchandising organization. Most recently, Bastek was senior vice president of hardlines responsible for merchandising and marketing strategies for the hardware and garden departments.

Burke

Bastek

Ford

Rumbaugh

Rowe

Kreg Tool Company hired Davis Rowe

Residential Construction/Sales

Monthly Retail Sales, not adjusted

13 months of housing starts and existing-home sales home centers and pro dealers (NAICS 444) and hardware stores (NAICS 44413) NAICS 444 (sales in $ billions) NAICS 44413 (sales in $ billions)

HBSDealer Stock Roundup

the percent-change performance of stocks based on Mar. 30 prices

Consumer Watch

BECN (BEACON); BLDR (BUILDERS FIRSTSOURCE); BMCH (BMC STOCK HOLDINGS); MAS (MASCO CORP.); HD (HOME DEPOT); LOW (LOWE’S); SHW (SHERWIN-WILLIAMS); SWK (STANLEY); TSCO (TRACTOR SUPPLY); WY (WEYERHAEUSER); DJIA (DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE)

SOURCES: LABOR DEPARTMENT, THE CONFERENCE BOARD, AAA

Zac Smith, the owner of COR Building Products in Hanceville, Alabama built on the tradition of a previous family-owned business to open a contractor-based hardware store. House-Hasson provided the product assortment, store design and merchandising that appeals to pro customers.

House-Hasson’s store design team, including the Vice President of Retail, created a revamped 10,000-square-foot sales floor that would appeal to pros and contractors. Smith’s methodical, systematic approach to the retail hardware business revolves around being the go-to store for contractors in northwest Alabama. House-Hasson’s store design team and store set team would stretch themselves beyond the typical store setup to create a contractor-friendly space for the location. “I really wanted the displays to be next level and House-Hasson’s flexibility has paid off.”

Zac Smith, Owner of COR Building Products in Hanceville, Alabama