Rick Schumacher
Rick Schumacher is the editor and publisher of LBM Journal, and has more than 25 years experience covering the industry. Rick@LBMJournal.com
Real Issues. Real Answers. Aging out
What’s a dealer to do when several key, long-term associates are nearing retirement, and young pros aren’t exactly lined up to take their place?...
Tough Call: The unwelcome price setter
A key vendor is marketing product—and prices—directly to a big builder customer, taking pricing control away from you and killing your margins. What would...
Real Issues. Real Answers. The production builder problem
When it comes to supplying material to high-volume production builders, there are clear pros and cons. On the one hand, the large volume of...
Live and in-person
There's no question about it: our reality is far more “wired” than ever before. The internet is a formidable tool that has transformed virtually...
Tough Call: The case of the poor project manager
A large, high-margin customer expects you to come to the rescue with immediate deliveries because of his poor planning. What would you do?
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Real Issues. Real Answers. Hire or hold off?
While business remains rock-solid in most markets, economists remind us that a slowdown is inevitable. It’s impossible to know when that’s going to happen,...
Beyond the money
Each month, when we read over the business challenges that readers share as part of our “Real Issues” surveys, there’s one issue that consistently...
Tough Call: Attack of the low-cost competitor
A supplier from another market has moved into your territory and is using low pricing to capture business from your long-time customers. What would...
Real Issues. Real Answers. Credit Card Fees
Accepting credit cards for payment is great for cash flow. But in a business known for razor-thin margins, the 2% or 3% fees charged...
Introducing LBM Journal’s Dealers of the Year
Back in 2005, we launched our Entrepreneur of the Year program. Al Bavry of Kimal Lumber in Florida was our inaugural winner, and Al...