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
Editor’s Note: Hearing voices
Just back in the office after the LBM Strategies Conference 2018, there is so much that I want to share—but I’ve managed to pare...
Tough Call: Fighting over clients
As your company adds outside salespeople, there’s more conflict over customers. What would you do?As you’ve learned from running an independent building material company,...
Editor’s Note: Never stop learning
A lot has changed since I joined this industry back in 1990. Back then, it was estimated that there were more than 6,000 separate...
Tough Call: The wooden ceiling
A longtime builder customer switched suppliers when the daughter took over the family lumberyard.Speaking from experience, you know that there are worse things than...
Real Issues. Real Answers. Fair profit vs. price gouging
As in any business that sells a product or service at a profit, even one known for delivering razor-thin margins, the question of what...
Fresh perspectives and hat tricks
A few weeks ago, my son’s first season of traveling soccer was nearing its end, and he had yet to score a goal. That’s...
Tough Call: The hassle of the haggle
Back when you launched your lumberyard in the early 1990s, you figured the path to success was to make your company an invaluable resource....
Real Issues. Real Answers. Lumber Quality
Many readers cite quality products as a defining difference that separates their company from the competition. So what to do when the lumber you’re...
Editor’s Note: Leadership
By virtually any metric, it’s a very good time to be in the LBM industry. Builder confidence hit a very strong 70 in May...
Tough Call: The payroll secret is out
After rewarding a top employee with a healthy pay raise, they shared the news and now you are faced with disgruntled employees who want...