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Meet the GenNext

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INDEPENDENT PROFILE

18

Chris Moudy 84 Lumber Operations Manager

Texas

18 GenNext Leaders

Meet a handful of young movers and shakers in the hardware and building supply industry. They’re in technology, sales, operations and even ownership.

FROM THE EDITOR

Advice to youth, against the backdrop of a tight labor market.

NEWS & ANALYSIS

The $800 million Q&A with Ace.

Poll results: Can your business manage rising wages?

Breakfast of Champions at the LMC Leadership Summit.

The controlled chaos called hardware, at Slavens True Value.

ROOFING MATERIALS

What’s new overhead: Colors, durability and technology.

E-COMMERCE

Hammer time on the web, a shopping odyssey.

MARKET INSIGHTS

At the Lumbermen’s Association of Texas, a glimpse at truck automation.

Storm season isn’t over. Here’s Home Depot Rental’s take on equipment.

TOP WOMEN

Clare Doyle and Masonite help people walk through walls.

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NOT

FASTENERS ARE CREATED EQUAL

From the Editor

Career advice

Ken Clark Editor in Chief

Karla Robson, the manager of Slavens True Value Hardware in Cortez, Colo., has observed that our kids have been told that hardware is not a career. “Why would anyone say that to a kid?,” she asked.

Why indeed?

First of all, look at how much fun Robson seems to be having while man aging the day-to-day chaos of a friendly hardware store – she’s the star of our Independent Profile on page 16.

And look at the fabulous careers in progress on pages 18-23 in our GenNext feature of future leaders. There’s a lot of gas left in the tank for these young executives, whose dossiers came to us after HBSDealer.com released an all-points-bulletin for future talent.

These are uplifting stories. But the challenge of recruiting and retention is real across industries in general. And it’s real in the hardware and building supply industry in specific.

Consider the recent Webinar hosted by HBSDealer: “The Impact of Rising Rates, Inflation and a Slowing Economy on Housing and Remodeling.”

Matt Saunders, senior VP of building products research for John Burns Real Estate Consulting added some color to what we all know is a very tight job mar ket. “The number of unemployed per job opening, is close to the lowest on record,” he said. Plus “voluntary quits have been elevated as workers leave for greener pastures.”

(Listen to the webinar at HBSDealer. com/webinars.)

Meanwhile, look what’s the most commonly mentioned challenge described by dealers from the 2022 HBSDealer Industry Scoreboard Sur vey: It’s labor or staffing. The second most-mentioned challenge is the inex tricably related supply chain. (Delivery trucks can’t drive themselves. At least

not yet. See story on page 28.)

So what can we say to our kids?

Happily, tons of programs indus try-wide are supporting the mission of trade schools and skilled-trade training. (As I type, an announcement from Harbor Freight crosses the wires about a million-dollar-plus donation to 20 teachers as part of the retailler’s Tools for Schools program.)

Additionally, companies like Curtis Lumber are spreading the word often and early at job fairs throughout its business range, winning young hearts and minds with whiz-bang technology and cool tools

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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Levi Smith, CEO, Franklin Building Supply

Cally Fromme, VP of communication and culture, Kodiak Building Partners

Curtis Lumber’s Doug Ford, VP of sales and purchasing, pointed to stats forecasting a 14.1 percent increase in U.S. construction costs, and he pointed the finger at a significant lack of labor as a major cost accelerator.

“The lack of awareness around the opportunities and the many misconceptions about the trades are prohibiting our youth from a very rewarding and lucrative career,” he said. “We need to educate schools and parents about the pathways that are available into the trades.”

What do you say? Let us know at news@hbsdealer.com

Steve Sallah, CEO, LBM Advantage

Wendy Whiteash, EVP of culture, US LBM Holdings

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.

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jennifer Litterick

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jane Volland

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER Ann Jadown

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS Derek Estey

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CONTENT & COMMUNICATIONS Joe Territo

Watch Curtis Lumber recruit for the future at HBSDealer.com/video

An $800 million Q&A with Ace

HBSDealer asked Ace Hardware Corp. about its $800 million supply chain invest ment over five years. Here’s the executive summary of the HBSDealer interview with Lori Bossman, chief supply chain officer at Ace (for more visit HBSDealer.com).

Can you tell us more about the RSCs?

Bossmann: “We plan on opening four new RSCs in the next five years. Two of these RSCs, in Jackson County, Georgia and Visalia, California, are currently under construction.

“We will begin shipping from the Jackson County, Georgia RSC in Feb ruary 2023, and from the Visalia, California RSC in April 2023.

“With the opening of Visalia, we will be able to reach most of our Southern California retailers and consumers within one day, which is key to our digital strategy. The next two RSCs that we open will fill in next-day gaps in the Midwest and West markets and allow us to get closer to our stores and the consumers.

“When all four new RSCs are complet ed, we will be able to reach 92% of our retailers and consumers within one day.”

What challenges and positives do you expect along the way as you implement these investments?

Bossmann: “Opening new RSCs and implementing technology and automa tion always come with some risk. We plan these projects to the most minuscu lar detail and have contingency plans for each of these initiatives.

“We recognize the magnitude of the change, train employees extensively, and

Ace will expand its number of distribution centers under a five year spending plan.

even move volume, where possible, to give employees and management sufficient time to learn new technologies and processes.”

Will the amount of investment be split across the three segments evenly, or do you expect more in, say, RSCs? How does that get shaped and decided?

Bossmann: “The majority of Ace’s supply chain investment will be in new RSCs and the automation to run these RSCs.

“We plan capacity in five-year increments, identify where our space constraints may be, and review our investment requirements with executive management and the board of directors on an annual basis.”

Same day delivery in a red apron

Lowe’s and Instacart announced that same-day delivery is now available from more than 1,700 Lowe’s stores nationwide.

Nearly 30,000 items can be ordered for delivery in as fast as an hour, said the firm, freeing up custom ers to spend more time sprucing up, decorating and making holiday memories this fall.

Lowe’s said it is one of the first retail ers on the Instacart App to roll out sameday and scheduled delivery for large items, up to 3x3x5 feet and 60 pounds.

Lowe’s said it piloted same-day delivery via Instacart in select markets in February and is Instacart’s leading national home improvement partner.

Lowe’s now offers same-day deliv ery from stores across all 50 states and Washington D.C.

“We’re excited to open up this new fulfill ment offering across the U.S. for customers to shop for all of their project needs,” said Shady. With the move, Lowe’s follows chief rival Home Depot into the same day space. Home Depot teamed up with Walmart GoLocal last October as its first retail client to provide its customers with another option for same-day

That championship summit

The LMC Leadership Summit brought in a diverse cast of champions to share advice for the LBM co-op’s current and future leaders. The Phoenix event in late September included presentations from:

Five-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey on “Setting Goals and the Strategies to Reach Them;”

Dave Scott, six-time Ironman triathlon champion, took the stage to talk about “Success vs. Failure;” and

Joshua Foer, a “mental athlete” and author who won the U.S. Mem ory Championship, shared tech niques to boost memory.

And that was just day one.

“The education is relative to the busi ness in terms of setting goals for myself both personally and professionally, but also my staff,” said Brad Martineau from

Jackson Lumber and Millwork.

The annual LMC Leadership Summit is a part of LMC’s “21st Century Leaders Pro gram,” which is designed to bring members together to learn and connect.

or next-day delivery on a variety of home improvement products.

In the story reported by HBSDealer, Stephanie Smith, senior vice president of supply chain for The Home Depot said, “The Home Depot is continuously working to give customers the most convenient shopping experience in home improvement. That includes providing a wide range of fast and reliable delivery options.”

Product Knowledge

Product: Evolve Stone

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Manufacturer: Evolve Manufacturing, Winchester, Va.

Knowledge: “Nailed it.” That’s the slogan of this lightweight, DIY-friendly, stone-like veneer that can be face nailed with a finish nailer in the same fashion as tra ditional siding. The easy-to-install, mortarless system brings realistic stone aesthetics to interior and ex terior applications. Comes in mul tiple patterns and colors including the Georgetown Run style shown here in “Phantom Shadow.”

MSRP: $9 to $15 per sq. foot.

Fun fact: You can see Evolve Stone on structures at Cabela’s, Sea World and Downtown Disney.

Dave Scott shared championship advice to LMC leaders.

Instacart is partnering with Lowe's to offer same-day delivery across Lowe's stores nationwide.

News Map: Openings, Closings & Acquisitions

Illustration of retailers and dealers in various stages of coming and going. For more retail news, visit HBSDealer.com

WISCONSIN

Tomahawk

Qualheim’s True Value celebrated a grand opening of the retailer’s third True Value hardware store in northeast Wisconsin. Qualheim’s also operates in Park Falls and Shawano.

ILLLINOIS

Mount Carmel

R.P. Lumber Co., Inc. acquired Kieffer Lumber in Mount Carmel, Ill. The move gives R.P. Lumber, a family-owned hardware and building materials retailer, its 59th Illinois location and its 85th location overall.

MICHIGAN Delton

Big C Lumber of Granger, Ind., acquired Delton Pole Building Supply Co. Of Delton, Mich. Delton Pole has been in business for 30 years, with a specialty in post-frame buildings, as well as materials for new home construction and home remodeling.

COLORADO

Denver

Kodiak Building Partners has acquired Western Interior Supply based in Denver, Colo Founded in 1985, WIS acoustical materials in the Denver-area commercial building industry. It’s Kodiak’s first acquisition in the gypsum space since 2017.

MISSISSIPPI Biloxi

Ellzey’s Hardware at the corner of Main and Howard Avenue closed its doors after serving the East Biloxi community since 1914. Co-owner Sandra Cannette, granddaughter of the founder, Curtis Ellzey Sr., told the Mississippi Free Press that she was ready to retire.

FLORIDA Pensacola

Tibbetts Lumber Co. agreed to acquire Pensacola, Fla.-based D & M Truss Co. “D & M gives us a very geographically-significant footprint to complement our existing Central Florida truss production,” said Kyle Hooker of Tibbetts.

Gel

Independent Profile

At Slavens True Value, chaos is under control

PRODUCTS PLUS PEOPLE (IF YOU CAN FIND THEM) LEAD TO SUCCESS. By Tim Burke

Karla Robson, the manager of Slavens True Value in Cortez, Colorado, has been an employee of the hardware store for 36 years.

“I have a sign outside my office that says, ‘Cha os Coordinator,’” she said. “I feel confident that if I were to leave this job, my resume would include this title.”

The hardware manager thinks they have always worked in an environment of controlled chaos, but in the last few years the dis ruptions seem to have multiplied on both sides of the hardware store equation: Products and people.

No two days are alike, but the Slavens’ manager describes a ‘day in the life’ at her hardware store.

once a week I use Google to identify an item I’ve never heard of,” she added.

Along with customer service, another challenge is employee recruitment and retention, she said.

“We can find retired folks who are bored and want part time,” she said. “These folks are great. They know how to do many home projects. They are not great when it comes to carry out. Let’s face it, my 79-year-old plumb ing guy does not need to be packing out a water heater or even a toilet for that matter. But he is a great resource to customers, because he knows so much,” said Robson.

At the other end of the age spectrum, the under-20 group are whiz kids with computers and are great at carry out, but product knowledge and phone skills can be lacking, she said.

The hardware manager offered some tips to help get through the daily chaos of hard ware operations.

“Patience, Patience, Patience. I don’t think the young folks are incapable. I think they have not been taught politeness, and simply saying ‘thank you’ and ‘please,’ and asking how to help someone,” she said.

They have not been taught how to approach a customer, said Robson. “They have not approached anyone — ever — they text everything. They are so used to living with constant entertainment, they don’t understand to offer help, offer suggestions, and don’t be too pushy.”

“Patience, Patience, Patience. I don’t think the young folks are incapable. I think they have not been taught politeness, and simply saying ‘thank you’ and ‘please,’ and asking how to help someone.”

—Karla Robson, manager, Slavens True Value

“In a nutshell — a day in my life is trying to source products, and ordering said products. I am no longer as concerned with price as years ago. Now it’s just, ‘does someone have it?’ Order all they have — it might be our last chance.”

In a “typical day” if there is such a thing, Robson comes in and does some daily paperwork; looks at the sales numbers and customer count from the previous day; takes time-off requests from employees; and hopes for appli cations from prospective employees — she usually doesn’t get any.

She spends her time seeing who is sick, or off, and tries to work the schedule around those folks, not overworking the few wonderful flexible folks she has.

Then the busy manager runs views, looking for outs, and sourcing their three main vendors: True Value, Orgill and Blish-Mize. (Multiple sources increases flexibility, but also increased complexity, she said.)

“We got such an influx of customers during Covid; and they seem to con tinue to shop. They have found the ‘perfect’ item online — and now expect the rest of us to know what it is, and have it in stock,” said Robson. “Probably

Through it all, Robson is aware of the importance of nurturing the next generation of hardware store pros. “They know they can go down the street and get another job — everyone’s hiring,” she said. “We are raising the gen eration who will take over for us; we need them to succeed.”

And another thing: “We cannot keep the kids we have working here,” she said. “Be cause they have been told they must go to college, and ‘hardware is not a career.’ Why would anyone say that to a kid?”

We all need help with one thing or anoth er, she said, hardware is a team sport.

“If you can afford to, hire fewer, at a high er wage. Hopefully they will stay with you. And if at all possible, let folks buy in.”

As the sign says: Karla Robson is the ‘Chaos Coordinator’ of the Colorado store.

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Meet the GenNext

Five industry leaders for today … and tomorrow.

By The HBSDealer editors

The hardware and building supply industry has a reputation as demographically challenged, especially when it comes to the age of those making decisions.

But on the following pages are five representatives of what we call GenNext — the future generation of industry leadership. They come from all segments and bring varied skills to their positions. But they share a passion for the industry and showcase the kind of opportunities that ambitious professionals can find in this industry.

The stories of these five leaders were discovered through email solicitations and reaching out to stakeholders everywhere. Obviously there’s more to GenNext than contained on the following pages. But you have to agree, this is a good start.

If you see leadership potential, let us know at news@hbsdealer.com. It’s a people business, and we intend to spread the word.

DANIEL BRICKER PANEL DEPARTMENT MANAGER, LBM ADVANTAGE

D

aniel Bricker is LBM

Advantage’s Panel De partment Manager.

Bricker, 38, leads a team of five associates, manages five Northeast reload locations, and negotiates and oversees contract programs. And in doing so, Bricker has solidified him self as a leader not only among his peers but also within the industry.

At the buying group’s New Windsor office in Upstate New York, Bricker is often called upon to lead the charge when starting new projects and consistently employs process improvement strategies that have increased efficiencies. A recent example is his automation of contracting with mills.

Bricker also serves on several committees at LBM Advantage, including NextGen — a profession al development program geared towards youthful, emerging leaders at the buying group — along with the Forest Products Committee.

The panel department manager says he determines success by the value he brings to customers. Apart from that, he measures success by the development of his colleagues.

Bricker says he strongly believes in an engaged staff and works closely to ensure their short and long-term professional goals are reached.

“At LBM Advantage, we strong ly believe in data-driven decisions and take a quantitative approach to our market strategy, Bricker said. “We proactively target the market place; we are not a reactive forest products division or cooperative. We accomplish this goal by leverag ing our member’s collective volume by facilitating large-scale block buys to lower their costs.”

A career in the LBM industry wasn’t originally on Bricker’s radar. But as a college student, a career involving financial markets appealed to him during a summer internship on Wall Street.

After graduating from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and with six years of retail experience, Bricker was hired at ENAP (the predecessor of LBM Advantage) and found the competitiveness of commodity trading satisfying. He quickly moved higher within the organization, first as an assistant trader, then trader, followed by Panel Department Manager.

ADAM GUNNETT

DIRECTOR OF IT, BUSY BEAVER

Adam Gunnett is the director of IT at Busy Beaver Building Centers, which earlier this year opened its 25th neigh borhood home improvement center.

The new store features an array of state-ofthe-art technologies — and a robot.

Automation comes in the form of Badger Technologies’ autonomous robot equipped with Badger Retail InSight software, which scans the entire store every day and alerts management to out-of-stock and misplaced products. The firm also uses Pricer electronic shelf labels.

“Technology is a key imperative in our mis sion to be the favorite home improvement center in the communities we serve,” said Gunnett. “We relentlessly look for innovative ways to increase efficiencies and empower our associates to provide legendary customer service.”

Gunnett talked about when he first started in hardware.

“In 2015, I entered the hardware industry as an entry-level IT technician for Busy Beaver. I had to hit the ground running as we implemented a new Point-of-Sale and ERP system within my first six months of starting. This forced me to quickly learn about nearly all aspects of the hardware business.”

He commented on what he like about the hardware business.

“A career in the LBM Industry can be really satisfying,” Bricker says.

During his tenure, Bricker says his greatest challenge has been market volatility over the past few years. Bicker notes that unprecedented swings in prices have taught him many lessons and added perspective, which will aid him in the years to come.

Aside from the many wonderful people in the industry, Bricker says he found commodity trading rewarding because it is competi tive, face-paced, and analytical.

To those considering a future in the industry, he says “go for it! The industry is filled with tre mendous people, manufacturers, builders, and retailers.”

LBM Advantage is one of the nation’s largest lumber and building cooperatives with over 500 members and over 1,200 locations in 43 states.

“The uniqueness of the hardware business is what I love and has kept me engaged. Custom ers typically enter our stores with a problem or a project. I am still amazed by the number of different problems that have been introduced by customers and subsequently the number of solutions that have been offered by our staff.

I appreciate that every day can offer a new, unique challenge,” said the IT director.

What’s the best advice Adam has heard?

“‘You can’t tell who is swimming naked until the tide goes out.’ These words of wisdom took on a new meaning during the pandemic. Busy Beaver was as well prepared as a retailer could be leading up to Covid and we were able to be nim ble and adapt to the quickly changing times.”

“A career in the LBM Industry can be really satisfying.” — Bricker

“We relentlessly look for innovative ways to increase efficiencies and empower our associates to provide legendary customer service.”

— Gunnett

STEFANIE COUCH

DIRECTOR OF SALES, AMERICAN BUILDERS SUPPLY

Before the pandemic, when the HBSDealer Top Women program was in its infan cy, the organizers went looking for names of people who were committed to advancing the industry and the role of women in it. One name quickly emerged: Stefanie Couch.

Her career began at her father’s retail lumber yard in North Georgia where she worked through college.

“The best sales advice I have ever received came to me throughout my time working with my dad in our local lumber yard,” she told HBSDealer. “He always told me to run your business with your customer and their needs in the forefront of your mind. Always do the right thing even if it is difficult or inflicts you pain in the short term — and it will come back to you tenfold.”

That approach helped her grow sales more than 10x during her six years as an inside sales rep for millwork at Boise Cascade. And after a couple of promo tions, she recently took on the role with the Florida prodealer American Build ers Supply—part of the Kodiak Build ing Partners family of companies—as director of sales for central Florida.

So far, so good, she says.

“Immediately after beginning the in terview process, I knew ABS was differ ent because they have a culture that em braces innovation and change,” she said. “The entire team was welcoming, and I felt right at home from the moment I got here. The value added by ABS helps their customer have a competitive edge. I am also excited about the opportunity to lead a women’s leadership initiative at ABS and grow with the organization.”

In addition to promoting the role of women in the business, she’s a firm believer in building lasting relation ships between supplier and customer. And the foundation of that belief runs back to her family business.

“It is a choice for our customers to decide to initially choose and contin ue to do business with us. We should make sure it is a pleasure for them to make that choice over and over,” she said. “Sales in general, but especially building industry sales, is personal and relationships are paramount. Never let a decision that feels good for you today hurt your customer relationship and trust in the long run.

“Two decades after learning this lesson from my dad, it rings more true now than ever,” she added. “The more I see and learn, the more I know sales is about understanding people and what they care about. If it is important to them, it should be important to you.”

“The best sales advice I have ever received came to me throughout my time working with my dad in our local lumber yard. He always told me to run your business with your customer and their needs in the forefront of your mind. Always do the right thing even if it is difficult or inflicts you pain in the short term — and it will come back to you tenfold.”— Couch

CHRIS MOUDY OPERATIONS MANAGER, 84 LUMBER

He originally intended to work in another industry that was “impacted significant ly” by the pandemic, says Chris Moudy. “Fortunately, I was called by 84 Lumber for an interview and ran with it from there."

Since that job interview, and being hired by the Eighty Four, Pa.-based prodealer, Moudy’s career has taken off.

After beginning as a Manager Trainee in 2020, he was promoted to a manager position within four short months. And in March, Moudy was recognized as 84 Lumber’s 2021 Rookie of the Year while serving as the co-manager of the deal er’s Clovis, Calif., location.

Now an operations manager in Georgetown, Texas, the 27 year-old says he tries to focus on being a better associate, leader, and person every day.

“I evaluate my own performance, starting with what I did well and building on that and then shifting my focus to the areas of opportunity and putting together a course of action to improve,” Moudy says. “I allow myself to cherish the small victories, but I quickly shift gears to what needs to get better to be the best version of myself for 84 Lumber, and for everyone I interact with.”

Moudy points out that 84 Lumber “does such an amazing job of outlining what is possi ble with this company.

“Anyone from anywhere can make an amazing

career for themselves as long as they are willing to work hard. 84 provides all of the tools, the training, and the dreams. You just have to wake up, show up, and care,” Moudy says.

Now working in the Austin, Texas market, Moudy says the population and demand for housing have “exploded” during and after the pandemic. The operations manager works with home builders day in and day out to service their needs, including a customer base that is 95% residential construction.

“With the growing demand and success of the housing market here in Austin, it has not been without growing pains,” Moudy points out. “Each and every day we start and end our day making sure we do everything in our power to ensure we can supply the much-needed materials to our customers and home builders. The biggest issues this industry runs into are transportation and material shortages.”

Despite obstacles, Moudy says hard work always pays off in the end. “You can take a drive in your hometown and see the tangi ble impact you are having. You can see the homes, businesses, and communities built by either your hands or the materials you provided,” Moudy explains. “You can go to bed every night knowing you’re making a difference, and leaving things better than how you found them."

“This industry provides one of the few fun damental human needs in order to survive and grow,” Moudy added. “People will always need shelter, and lumber, in particular, is the only 100% renewable resource.”

ERIC SMITH OWNER, PETERSBURG HARDWARE

Owner Eric Smith says one thing you can count on in hardware: Each day’s plans change.

Eric Smith started with Petersburg Hardware in 2004 working for his future parents Dennis and Sherry Bishop. He was initially hired to take a dying side of the store, cellular phone sales, and make it grow.

Eric spent countless hours growing what was a small kiosk in a hardware store into one of the top dealers in Southern Indiana.

Five years ago, Petersburg Hardware co-owners Dennis and Sherry, along with their daughter Robin Smith and her husband Eric, expanded a 5,500 square foot, tri-level convenience style store into a 28,000-sq.-ft. shopping destination.

“Yes, we are a large store, but we still keep the small-town values and hospitality,” related Robin Smith.

Family owned and operated since 1995, ownership was trans ferred to Eric and Robin Smith early in 2021.

“Our biggest success for em ployees is being a family. We care about what each person is going through in and out of the store.

“We focus on the environment that our customers see. If we are supporting our employees, it leads to positive energy on the floor with customers,” said the Smiths. “Our employees want to talk to custom ers and put our best foot forward.”

What does Eric like about the business?

“First, I genuinely like to help people, whether it’s finding the right product or just advice which

leads to the next thing, problem solving. I love a good challenge, and I love to help people figure something out. Last but not least, I enjoy seeing and working with my wife Robin every day,” he said.

Also, what does he find challenging?

“The most challenging part of the business is how quickly plans can change. In a matter of seconds, your plan or goal can completely change. Sometimes it can change several times. You have the day planned out, and within the first five minutes your day is changed,” he said.

“It can be completely pushed back 2-3 days due to ship ments, customers, employees, or weather. Some days I feel like I am battling a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. You just keep hammering at the next project, next issue and next challenge that arises,” said Smith.

What’s the best advice Eric has passed along?

“The top two things I try to teach my employees are: One, always under-promise and over-de liver. Your customer will always be happy; and two, it’s ok to tell the customer ‘I don’t know’ but the key is to tell the customer immediately ‘I will find that out for you.’”

“...I allow myself to cherish the small victories, but I quickly shift gears to what needs to get better to be the best version of myself for 84 Lumber, and for everyone I interact with.” — Moudy

“...I love a good challenge, and I love to help people figure something out. Last but not least, I enjoy seeing and working with my wife Robin every day.” —Smith

Roofing Materials

What’s new on the Roof

“A roof over your head” is arguably the most important, basic aspect of housing and shelter.

HERE’S A LOOK AT SOME OF THE LATEST PRODUCTS AND PROGRAMS WHEN IT COMES TO SHINGLES AND ROOFING IN BOTH RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR/REMODELING. By Andy Carlo

DaVinci Roofscapes, a division of Westlake Royal Building Products, has introduced a new single-width composite slate roofing tile. Province Slate, a 12-inch wide tile with a fixed 8-inch exposure evokes a historical nature with an authentic slate appeal. Modeled after actual slate, the tiles have a natural, non-repeating beauty that complements a variety of home styles. The Class A fire-rated and Class 4 impact-rated tile can also be used on commercial projects. The du rable slate tiles resist severe weather, high winds, insects, algae, and fungus growth. Each tile has rear-side nail marking templates, an enhanced backside rib structure, and self-aligning edges for ease and speed of installation. The new Province Slate tiles are available in six of the most popular colors requested by DaVinci custom ers: Slate Gray, Slate Black, Smokey Gray, Castle Gray, European, and Brownstone. WestlakeRoyalBuildingProducts.com

CertainTeed Landmark PRO, known for its reliability, durability, and Max Def colors has added even more high-definition colors to its lineup. Landmark PRO shingles are now available in Espresso, Coastal Blue, and Red Oak Max Def colors. CertainTeed said it researches hundreds of pigments to create unique color blends that produce rich, sophisticated, vibrant, and deep colors that combine unmatched aesthetics with industry-lead ing protection to offer a beautiful and durable roof that will last for decades. CertainTeed Landmark PRO is engineered with two laminated layers to replicate the dimensional appearance of a wood shake roof and is backed by a 100-plus year legacy of performance. All Landmark PRO shingles include CertainTeed’s lifetime-limited warranty. Certainteed.com/landmarkpro

Available in various designs and colors, PABCO Roofing Products shingles are made for any price range and application. This includes new construction or the replacement of an existing roof. The most popular line of shingles made by PABCO Roofing Products remains the Premier architectural laminated shingle. This high-value shingle is manufactured to meet UL790 Class A Fire Resistance standards, comes in ten attrac tive color options, and offers Algae Defender to help protect against algae growth and unsightly black streaks. PABCO Premier shingles from PABCO Roofing Products are ideal for roofs throughout the western United States. They include a limited lifetime warranty for the original homeowner and a 30year, fully transferrable limited warranty for subsequent home owners. PABCO also offers an upscale Prestige shingle along with its top-of-the-line Paramount shingles. Pabcoroofing.com

TAMKO Certified Contractors can now benefit from two new features designed to give them more professional roofing-industry solutions for acceler ated business growth. TAMKO Building Products launched Homeowner Leads Solution with an automated integration in The TAMKO Edge portal, including product samples and literature that are shipped directly to their address. The new features are provided at no cost to TAMKO Certified Contrac tors. The “Locate a Contractor” feature on TAMKO. com, gives homeowners interested in a TAMKO roof the ability to directly request a quote from TAM KO Certified Contractors in their area. Automated communications then make it simple for contractors to follow up on these potential job leads while digital management of the leads makes it easy to track progress directly from their accounts in The TAMKO Edge program. TAMKO.com/Edge

Offer in nite wind speed coverage

Only one roofing system quali es for WindProven

no maximum wind speed

the wind

install GAF Shingles with LayerLock

plus four required

customer gets

more homeowner confidence

Hammer time: Who has faster delivery

HOME DEPOT AND LOWE’S RACE TO DELIVER A HAMMER TO MY HOME.

By Tim Burke

Iwanted a hammer.

I wanted it delivered to my home.

I wondered who would get it to me faster, Home Depot or Lowe’s.

So, I went online to both retailer’s websites, signed up for an account on each, provided my credit card information on each, and prepared to drop the flag on my own private home delivery race.

Both stores were in neighboring suburban locations to my home, both less than 10 minutes away.

The Great Hammer Race: Pre-race

The Lowe’s website sign-up was easy. After entering my per sonal information and credit card information the site asked me if I wanted double security authentication to protect my credit card. I did. The Home Depot website did not offer this. But it was also easy to sign-up and add all my info.

Next, I typed in “Hammer” in the search bar for both Home Depot and Lowe’s.

At Lowe’s, the screen flashed bold “337 results for ‘hammer’” and provided images across the top by brand, and a vertical list below for scrolling. Four items down I saw a plain wooden handled claw hammer for $5.98. It was made by WorkPro.

At Home Depot, the screen simply said “Hammer” and below in small print that I had to hunt for, it showed the words “80 Results.” It also provided images of hammers by brand and then bigger images of hammers, with a plain wooden handled

claw hammer right in the first spot on the left, where everyone’s eye goes first. No scrolling needed. It was priced at $5.97. It was made by Stanley.

The Great Hammer Race: Coming out of the gate

At the Lowe’s site, I clicked on the selection box and my claw hammer went into the Lowe’s shopping cart. The order summary said delivery would be in two days; the item would be shipped to my home; shipping was $5.99 for an “Estimated Total of $11.97.”

In the Order Summary column on the right side of my computer screen the website had now added an estimated sales tax of $1.23 for a total of $13.20. I clicked a “Continue” button to the payment form where I was prompted to enter my CVV number. I received a Lowe’s thank you note.

At the Home Depot site I selected my Stanley claw hammer and added it to the cart. The site im mediately showed me a pre-selected box that said, “Free delivery tomorrow.”

I clicked on an orange checkout button which took me to a screen to confirm my email, then to a page where it confirmed my address and showed the total would by $5.97 and reiterated delivery was free.

It also gave me another delivery option to get “delivery today” for the additional cost of $8.99. I clicked on “delivery today” and my total price changed to, including .58 cents sales tax, $15.54.

But there was a catch. Delivery could be as late as 8 p.m. (I didn’t need a hammer at 8 p.m.) Also, I had to be home to accept the delivery. But I was going to be gone from my home all evening. So, I decided to pass on the “today” option.

Note: There was no button to undo my delivery choice. I had to go back out to the main page and start all over again.

But I got back to the “Secure Checkout” page and placed the order. I received a Home Depot thank you.

The orders were placed at Home Depot and Lowe’s for my hammers. The race was on.

The Great Hammer Race: Running the race

Two email updates came that evening.

First Lowe’s sent me a message saying, “It’s on the way,” in big blue letters and a note about when

This wooden-handled claw hammer arrived first, in the conclusion of what I was calling The Great Hammer Race. Photos by Tim Burke.

the order was placed, the order number and that my payment was successfully processed.

The email also showed my order description and the method of shipping. It read: “FDXGND.”

A little later I received an email from Home Depot with the message: “Your order has shipped,” letting me know it was on the way, along with an orange button where I could click to “View Tracking Details.”

My hammer.

I brought the box inside and slit it open and I had my claw hammer. Home Depot had delivered in one day as indicated — slightly more than 24 hours after ordering online — and free of ship ping charges.

There was an email a few minutes later letting me know my order was delivered. But I knew that.

On the second day, also about noon, I received an email from Lowe’s letting me know, “Your order has arrived,” and just as indicated, it was delivered in two days.

Now I had two new wooden-handled claw

The race was over. But I learned something extra: One day delivery or two days, you can never have enough hammers around for all the

Association

Dealers consider truck automation

FROM THE LAT EXPO IN TEXAS, AN AUTO-PILOT OVERVIEW. By Andy Carlo

Frisco, Texas — How close is the nation to automat ed commercial vehicles transporting goods across the nation’s highways?

According to Jeremiah Kuntz, senior manager of government relations for Aurora, automated tractor trailers are already traveling down the roads of Texas, Pittsburgh, and the San Francisco Bay market.

“They are driving down a Texas highway as we speak,” Kuntz told an audience of LBM executives at the  Lumber men’s Association of Texas 136th Convention & Expo, held here at the Omni Frisco Hotel.

While the technology is still being fine-tuned and in cludes safety CDL drivers on board the Pittsburgh-based company’s trucks, Kuntz says Aurora’s vehicles should be driverless by the fourth quarter of 2023.

Aurora is currently testing automated delivery vehicles in several markets, including Texas.

Aurora is currently partnering with several major companies as it tests both automated commercial vehicles and passenger cars, including FedEx, Uber, Uber Freight, and U.S. Express.

Citing figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kuntz said there is currently a shortage of about 80,000 drivers and that number could balloon to 130,000 by 2030. As a result, even if the automated truck industry sees a sizeable increase, it’s likely it will not be stealing driving jobs.

The Aurora representative, a seasoned trans

portation executive who served as an advisor to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, also notes that there are numerous safety benefits including eliminating human error.

For example, Aurora’s automated vehicles travel at a speed of no more than 65 miles per hour while remaining in the right lane of highways. The vehicle’s Firstlight Lidar system also automatically monitors traffic ahead by as much as 350 feet. In fact, the mission statement of Aurora is “safely, quickly, and broadly.”

Presently, Aurora vehicles are manufactured by Paccar, Toy ota, and Volvo. The software and automation are installed by Aurora but eventually, the company’s manufacturing partners will deliver the full package once the program is fine-tuned.

While the LBM industry has the notorious reputation of being slow when embracing new technology, most dealers in the audience appeared to like what they were seeing during the presentation.

Jim Bishop, chairman of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) and owner of Vesta Lee Lumber in Bonner Springs, Kan., said the technology is unavoidable in the near future.

“There is no doubt that driver automation is coming,” Bishop told HBSDealer. “But it needs to be proven technology first.”

Robert Debs, vice president of Dallas-based Nation’s Best Holdings with more than 30 locations in 10 states, said he found the technology to be “phenomenal.”

“If it’s rolled out successfully, I can see it used massively in this space and industry,” Debs said.

Megan McCoy Jones, president and CEO of San Marcos-based McCoy’s Building Supply, zeroed in on the safety aspects of the program.

“We might be a long way away from perfecting this technology but who doesn’t want safe trans portation,” the McCoy’s CEO said. “Clearly there is a driver shortage and we would not be pulling employees out of their positions."

A few dealers questioned what the price tag might be for an automated truck and said they imagine the price would be too high for many dealers.

In the meantime, adjustments to the final program are ongoing. In addition to having CDL drivers who act as “guardian angels” on board the automated vehicles, personnel at headquarters also continu ously monitor each ride. For now, the industry will have to wait and see the system perfected among other issues such as how insurance companies will handle policies on automated trucks. That has yet to be determined, according to Kuntz.

“It’s definitely part of the future but it’s more about a ‘what if’ concept right now,” Bishop said.

’Tis the season for storms

HOME DEPOT RENTAL SHARES STORM-SEASON STRATEGY By Tony English

The weather, like business, can be highly unpredictable. That is another reason to prepare, especially during hurricane season. Home Depot Rental’s Tony English describes the company’s storm-season strategy: Hurricane season can be devastating and experts are once again pre dicting an active 2022 season. Pros need to be prepared — whether that includes prepping current job sites, bulking up inventory, or helping with mitigation efforts after the storm. At The Home Depot Rental, we are com mitted to making sure our Pros are ready for anything, and that includes having quality equipment available throughout storm season.

The Home Depot Rental takes pride in the tools we offer our Pros, and disaster recovery gear is no exception. We have a full fleet of water restoration and remediation equipment ready when you need it. Blowers, dehumidifiers and water pumps can all be imperative after a big storm. By partnering with some of the best brands in the business, we provide both Pros and consumers with access to high-quality, dependable tools and equipment to get the recovery job done.

Accessible rental solutions can be critical after a large storm, and we make it a point to bolster inventory in areas that typically get hit the hardest during hurricane season. This includes offer ing fully stocked disaster relief trailers to provide additional product support to our local communities. These trailers are strategically stationed throughout the hurricane belt, making them quickly deployable in an emergency.

The right equipment and proper preparation can mitigate storm damage.

The Home Depot has two different trailer types to support our customers in need: 14’ Water Restoration and Remediation Units, which come equipped with carpet blowers and a mix of compact and large dehumidifiers, and larger 53’ Disaster Response Units, which include the same water mitigation products as the smaller units plus water pumps, generators, chain saws, carpet cleaners and more. Regardless of the type of storm, we want to help com munities in their time of need.

Storm preparation is just as important as remediation, which is why we stock our rental centers with the equipment we know Pros are going to need to get their job sites in order. Boarding up windows, tarping roofs and removing potential hazards can all be necessary precautions taken to en sure minimal damage during unpredictable weather. We offer boom lifts, electric saws, nailers, trailer rentals and more, making sure that our Pros are properly equipped for storm prep — even when they don’t own the proper tools themselves.

As always, we give Pros the option to rent tools online and pick up in store, as well as to have large equipment delivered directly to their job site. When disaster strikes, we’ll work with our stores in the affected areas to ensure they’re well-stocked with storm recov ery equipment. We constantly monitor the weather during storm season making sure we are prepared to help whenever that time comes.

Tony English has served as Senior Director of Merchandising for The Home Depot Rental since 2011.  He is responsible for capital allocation, fleet growth and strategy, supply chain, and marketing management.

He resides in Fort Mill, S.C.

Opening doors

MASONITE'S CLARE DOYLE

By Ken Clark

It’s part mission statement, part marketing slogan: “We help people walk through walls.”

And it’s also a mindset that helps Masonite Corp. maximize the impact of its community grant initiative, which has awarded more than $115,000 to 36 community organizations during its first year.

At the center of the program, and one of its most prominent champions, is Clare Doyle, the Tampa, Fla.-based door manufac turer’s chief sustainability officer. In an interview with HBSDealer, Doyle shared her view of the power of hyper-local corporate giving that’s informed by employees throughout the corporation.

“Everybody knows The United Way, right?,” Doyle said. “Everybody knows the Red Cross, but not everybody knows of a woman in Haleyville, Ala., who puts together backpacks with food for kids to take home on the weekends. And that’s an example of one of the organizations that we’re supporting.”

In the last quarter, Masonite granted over $23,000 to organi zations that you might not know, but that are immensely import ant to those touched by their work. Among them:

Friends of the Children—Tampa Bay, which commits to long-term mentorship to children at risk of falling behind.

American’s Grow a Row, whose mission is to provide healthy produce to people in need, and

The Specialty Fit Foundation, providing Special Olympic training and other coaching for those with developmental disabilities.

The culture of giving permeates the company, she says, and it is centered on the idea of “helping peo ple walk through walls.” Employees get involved in the process, nominating organizations that are worthy for donations, and in many cases, watching the local results unfold.

“It’s not just a program where Masonite writes a check and it goes into a hole,” Doyle said. “Our team can see the impact, they can feel the impact, and they can be part of it.”

She added: “Oftentimes, the small actions in the local community, they stay there. And the purpose is really more powerful when people understand exactly what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.”

Doyle has been Masonite’s chief sustainability officer for one year. Coming from the chemical industry, she joined Masonite six years ago to run its compo

nents business—that’s the molded skins and the cut stock that eventually becomes the residential and architectural products. She was put in charge of the company’s European business in 2018, and came back to take on her current role last year.

“Everything I’ve done in my career has led to this role,” she said. “There’s no one path to sustainability. I don’t have a degree in public policy, but what I’ve done is learned how to build support and create businesses. You do that by listening and identifying your stake holders and understand ing what’s important and what to push forward.”

And embedded in the mission of sustainability, she said, is the concept of diversity, equity and in clusion. “You can’t really talk about sustainability without talking about DEI,” she said. “The two are separate and different, but they’re very much linked together.”

She described Masonite’s effort towards diversity as carefully measured and encouraged across the board. “It’s not just gender,” she said. “And it’s not just: ‘Oh, here’s a resume.’ We look at all the ele ments. We’re looking to find those highly qualified candidates that we might otherwise miss.”

The ideas of sustainability and diversity have a way of enriching not only the community, but the corporation that embraces the ideas, she said.

“Purpose-driven organizations have better employee retention, better financial returns,” she said. “It’s this idea of if you do well, you can do good, and by doing good, you do well, and that’s the virtuous circle.”

“You can’t really talk about sustainability without talking about DEI. The two are separate and different, but they’re very much linked together.”

—Clare Doyle, Chief Sustainability Officer, Masonite Corp.

Masonite volunteers pitch in at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent in Tampa.

People In The News

Do it Best announced the retirement of one of its senior executives and the pro motion of three others. Effective Oct. 31, Steve Markley, executive vice president of operations will retire. At that point Dent Johnson will serve as the exec utive vice president of operations and Nick Talarico will serve as the executive vice president of sales and marketing. Jason Stofleth will become the vice president of merchandising.

be responsible for Home Hardware’s overall commercial strategy with a focus on driving business growth and expanding market share. Prior to joining Home Hardware, Marianne was Senior Vice-President of North American Sales at JELD-WEN Windows and Doors. She also held executive positions with Alex andria Moulding, Supplier Pipeline and Colonial Elegance Inc.

Maxwell Munger will manage a new ABC Supply branch in Red ding, Calif. Munger joined ABC Supply in 2020 as an inside sales associate at the company’s Rose ville, Calif. location and later served as the branch’s delivery services manager. The new manager has been in ABC Supply’s Branch Manage ment Training Program since 2021.

According to CNBC, Lowe’s has eliminated the position of chief marketing officer, with former marketing head Marisa Thalberg leaving the company as a result. Lowe’s has shifted control of the marketing department to executive VP of merchandising Bill Boltz. Thalberg, who reported to Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison, came to the company in February 2020.

Evans

The Home Depot named Molly Battin senior vice president and chief marketing officer. Battin joins The Home Depot from Delta Air Lines, where she served as SVP and global brand marketing officer.

Battin

The Kohler Co. CEO David Kohler has taken on the addi tional role of chair of the board, following the passing of his father Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., executive chairman, on Sept. 3, at age 83. “I learned so much from my father, including a tireless strong work ethic, leading with candor and humility, and always driving to innovate,” said the new chair.

Home Hardware Stores Limited announced that Marianne Thompson has been appointed to the new role of Chief Commer cial Officer. In this role, Marianne will

Window and door maker Andersen Corp.’s board of directors approved Chris Galvin, the compa ny’s current president and chief operating officer, to succeed

the retiring Jay Lund as president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Galvin has held leadership roles across all areas of the company during his 20 years there, including corporate finance, manufactur ing, logistics, supply chain operations and general management.

Scherer Bros. Lumber Co., a 92-yearold, third-generation family owned pro dealer in Minnesota, announced that Chief Operating Officer Mark A. Scherer has been promoted to the role of president and COO. Peter Scherer will vacate the president’s role and will remain chairman and CEO. Based in Brooklyn Park, Minn., Scherer Bros. Lumber Co., has served the Twin Cities area since 1930.

Greg Evans, owner at Redwoods, Inc., has been selected by the Lumbermen’s Association of Texas membership as its 2021 Dealer of the Year. Evans served as President of LAT’s Board of Directors from May 2020 to June 2021 and continues to engage as a Director and LUMPAC trustee. “As an LAT member, my work always feels relevant and impactful,” he said.

Also at the LAT, Chris Agness, vice president at Lumber Insurance Services has been selected by the membership as its 2021 Associate of the Year. Agness serves on LAT’s Board of Directors, is Associate Vice President of the Executive Committee and Co-Chairs LAT’s Membership Committee.

Agness

ECI Software Solutions announced that it has named former Blue Prism and Infor exec utive Chip Coyle as chief marketing officer. Coyle will be responsi ble for building on ECI’s global marketing and demand generation strategy, overseeing its execution across the Americas, EMEA and APAC, and bringing ECI’s brand vision to life. Before his position at Infor, Coyle spent 18 years with Oracle in progressively expanding marketing leadership roles.

Coyle

Kohler Thompson

Munger Galvin

Scherer

From left: Johnson, Markley and Talarico

Thalberg