Real Issues. Real Answers

This month’s Real Issues question is from an independent LBM dealer who wonders what the future holds for their company, and whether staying independent is the smart move, or if it’s better to consider buying or selling.

This month’s Real Issues. Real Answers. question asks how your company is navigating unexpected price increases.

This month’s Real Issues. Real Answers question, from a dealer in Rhode Island, acknowledges the opportunity for growth and asks, “where to start?”

This month’s Real Issues. Real Answers. survey is a variation on a theme from our September issue, in which we asked about creating a “sticky” workplace where people wanted to come to work—and stay long term.

It’s no secret that attracting and hiring good people remains a top challenge for many LBM companies.

To sell more (at lower margins) or sell less (at higher margins) is an age-old question facing LBM dealers.

This month’s question, from a dealer in Ohio, explores the idea of adjusting expected sales quotas, and possibly even commission tiers and percentages, in order to keep our top performers from jumping ship.

As COVID-19 vaccines became more widely available, an LBM dealer in Virginia reached out to LBM Journal asking whether or not companies in our industry were requiring employees to get vaccinated.

With lumber prices near record highs, and many other materials in short supply, it’s more important than ever that LBM dealers have smart return policies in place.

With extreme price spikes in commodity products, and ongoing product shortages, how are dealers handling the quoting process on potential new projects?