The LC’s Top 5 of 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, the Lumber Co-operator looks back at a year driven by connection, innovation, and practical insight. Our most popular articles reflected what’s top of mind for members—strengthening involvement, embracing new products and trends, and preparing teams to work smarter and more efficiently. These five standout stories sparked conversation, shared valuable […]
FIRING LINE: How LBM Salespeople Can Become Invaluable
In every market cycle—boom, downturn, or somewhere in between—one constant remains true in the LBM industry: the salesperson is an important link between the dealer and the customer. They represent far more than price and product; they embody trust, expertise, and the ability to solve problems that builders face every day. The best salespeople in the LBM industry aren’t order takers … they are value creators. […]
FIRING LINE: Understanding Profitability in the LBM Industry…and How Salespeople Can Make or Break It
“Top-line sales are for egos—it’s the bottom line that counts.” That line always gets people’s attention. In the lumber and building materials industry, sales volume often takes center stage—but it’s profit, not revenue, that keeps a company alive. Understanding where profits come from, how they’re lost, and what salespeople can do about it is essential […]
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, […]