Don’t Wait—Elevate: Why Young Employees Deserve the Fast Lane
Most LBM leaders we speak with agree: we need more young people seeking careers in the LBM industry. In recent years, there have been all kinds of initiatives out there attempting to attract young people to our industry. However, once we have them, how are we going to keep them? With all the education and […]
Rising Star: Giuseppe Bucciero
Location: Ballston Spa, NY Position: Controller • Curtis Lumber Co, Inc. How did you begin your career in the LBM Industry? I began my career as a part-time employee at Curtis Lumber, spending the summer after my junior year of college working in our Loss Control department. While I did not have any experience with building […]
Welcoming Incoming Chair: Genn Howley, GNH Lumber
Genn Howley initially went to college with plans of focusing on a career in advertising. Her father, Stan, however, had other plans. He asked her to give the family business a chance and serve her internship at GNH Lumber; she never looked back. Howley received an associate degree in journalism from SUNY Morrisville in 1996 […]
Railing Trends Your Contractors Need to Know
Outdoor living is one of the leading categories in home improvement. According to Fixr’s 2025 Outdoor Living Trends report, homeowners are investing more than ever in upgrading outdoor spaces. With rising home prices and mortgage rates keeping people in their current homes, many are prioritizing renovations that add both immediate enjoyment and long-term value. This […]
Stocking Pressure-Treated Wood for the Growing Outdoor Living Market
Homeowners are investing more than ever in outdoor living spaces, and they are looking for materials that combine beauty, longevity, and affordability. Similarly, builders must have confidence in the products they are utilizing. The requirements include weather resistance, cost-effectiveness, low maintenance, and longevity. To meet this growing demand, many lumber dealers are turning to pressure-treated […]
8 Trends in Outdoor Living Projects
It’s no secret that outdoor living spaces remain one of the biggest must-have features for both new homes and remodels. The upward swing that began during the pandemic has continued, but also begun to evolve as homeowners seek elements that speak to their needs and lifestyles. They’re being thoughtful about planning the layouts of their […]
FIRING LINE: The Rock
If you need stock, call The Rock. When I first started at a large regional dealer as Sales Manager years ago, the SVP of Sales at the time split up the OSRs geographically between me and another Sales Manager hired about the same time. Since my area was Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Cape Cod, […]
Understanding and Preventing Zero-click Attacks
Many types of cyberattacks involve manipulating users into doing certain tasks—whether it’s sharing login credentials, downloading dangerous attachments or clicking on harmful links—to help hackers compromise their systems or data. However, some incidents can be launched without these exchanges. In particular, zero-click attacks entail hackers leveraging software flaws in users’ devices or applications to deploy […]
Protecting Your Business from AI Chatbot Errors
Operational efficiency and customer satisfaction are top priorities for organizations, and many are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to support these goals. AI chatbots can perform a range of tasks, including handling customer service inquiries and troubleshooting technical issues, while delivering key benefits such as speed, scalability, and around-the-clock availability. In addition, AI chatbots […]
FIRING LINE: Cost Unconscious
“How Do You Make a Small Fortune? Start With a Big One and Develop Your Special-Order Business.” Like many dealers, a significant part of our sales volume came from special orders. To me, special orders are a huge component of what the lumber and building materials business is all about: adding indispensable value to customers. […]