Supply Chain Optimization Rob Bellian With the COVID-19 virus still a live threat, the state of the disruption to supply chains continues to be severe as a number of regions and economies emerge into a very different world. As everyone in business knows, supply chains are critical to supplying goods and services quickly, safely,... Read More December 2022 Issue #14281 Page 64
Through Buying, Selling, and Closing Yards, Dealers are Revealing Their Strategies Craig Webb ABC Supply is going to Canada. Lowe’s is leaving it. SRS Distribution continues to diversify. Builders FirstSource is right-sizing its company in advance of America’s expected home-building slump. And US LBM is still hungry for truss plants. These are among some of the strategic... Read More December 2022 Issue #14281 Page 106
Having a Plan for Tomorrow Tracy Roe The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with the origin of the phrase, The only constant in life is change. This couldn’t be more true in the world we live and work in today. Whether we are enduring labor shortages, a global pandemic, material shortages, input cost increases, or an... Read More November 2022 Issue #14280 Page 44
Design Connections: Are We Selling Trusses or Lumber? Geordie Secord It is common for truss plants to be owned at least in part by a lumber yard. This relationship should, at least in theory, provide for a great business relationship. The lumber yard can focus on relationships with the builders, home owners, and developers knowing that they have a dedicated... Read More October 2022 Issue #14279 Page 98
LBM’s Pace of Deals Hasn’t Slowed But Fewer Yards Are Involved Craig Webb Year-to-date, the construction supply community has had 97 deals made by 50 buyers. At this same point in 2021, Webb Analytics counted 102 deals by 50 buyers. So much for predictions of a slowdown in M&A in 2022. What’s different is the size of the deals: A total of 255 yards have... Read More October 2022 Issue #14279 Page 106
Four Commonly Held Practices That Cause Companies to Lose Millions in Net Profits Todd Drummond These four commonly held practices within the component industry (wood truss and wall panels manufacturing) are actually causing millions in lost profits. None of these practices should be acceptable, and all are correctable. Is your company ready to make lean manufacturing continuous... Read More September 2022 Issue #14278 Page 24
Here is What Happens When Continuous Improvement is More than a Slogan Todd Drummond As a change agent for lean manufacturing best practices, it is extremely satisfying when I see a company embrace best practices despite their challenges. Too often, it is stated, “we (I) cannot implement or do the suggested improvement practice because _____” from so many claiming to... Read More August 2022 Issue #14277 Page 22
Capital Investments are Not Going to Be Enough When the Party is Over Todd Drummond The article I published in April, Record CM Building Industry Net Profits are Coming to an End Sooner Than Most Believe, predicted that the construction industry would start seeing negative market changes around August of this year. Wow, was I right about calling that one? The continued... Read More July 2022 Issue #14276 Page 28
5 Tips for Surviving Stagflation Craig Webb When one of housing’s biggest optimists changes his outlook, attention must be paid. Stephen Kim, senior managing director and head of Evercore ISI’s Housing Research Team, had declared in September 2020 that housing had entered a Golden Age. But that changed on June... Read More July 2022 Issue #14276 Page 96
Three Simple Truths for Attracting and Retaining Talented Employees Todd Drummond Is your company having problems finding good employees to fill all the needed positions within your company? Are you thinking wage inflation is getting out of hand? Perhaps you should look at it from a different perspective. Multiple case studies have shown that companies with low employee... Read More June 2022 Issue #14275 Page 29