Sponsored by Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company and NetNow
, Amber Little
, Lindsey DiGangi
, Dana Cowart
Breaking Stereotypes
Employee Engagement for Retention
Building Your Culture of Communication With All the Gens
Skill Development & Training
, Amber Little, Tricia Kilrain
, Awilda Jimenez
In an evolving climate of inflation, hyper-technology evolution, supply chain breakdowns, and other factors affect the LBM industry landscape, it’s crucial to consider the strategic approaches for success. The first instinct is usually to plan new strategies best suited for new challenges. Sometimes the best answer is not to think outside the box, but instead discover tried and true strategies that are already in it. This keynote will reference the work of leading business theorists of the past half-century as the inspiration to create sustainable long-term results regardless of evolving market conditions.
How did Ganahl Lumber grow its revenues from $75 mil to $750 mil in the last 25 years (13% compounded annual growth rate) without leaving the greater LA market and without having a specific growth plan? In this interactive presentation and lively discussion, Peter Ganahl and his senior team will talk about where they put their focus and, just as importantly, what they avoid doing. You’ll leave this can’t-miss session with practical insights from an industry leader that ranks #9 on the 2024 LBM 100.
Every leader and owner has heard it, and many have even said it themselves: “we can’t do that because we’re different.” This is often just an excuse that inhibits innovation and locks our organizations in the comfort zone. In this session, Matt Semonik will use real-world examples to share how abandoning those perceptions have allowed Arnold Lumber to continually evolve and to truly differentiate in their marketplace. For example, he’ll share how Arnold Lumber leverages the power of video and social media to effectively market their builders’ business. You’ll leave this session armed with fresh insights into what is possible when you disable resistance and empower your team to innovate.
In this can’t-miss session, Patrick Goebel, President & COO of Star Lumber & Supply will share some of the more impactful initiatives that positioned the company to earn its place as a 2024 LBM Journal Dealer of the Year. The company is doing big things—Emerging Leaders classes, University of Star, a countertop fabrication plant, embracing 2 Second Lean—but as Patrick will explain, the real secret lies in sparking people to do great things, and then getting out of their way. After this fast-paced session, you’ll have ideas to spark your team, and the know-how to fan the flames.
We’re proud to recognize excellence and accomplishments in the LBM Community, including 2024 Dealers of the Year, the LBM 40 Under 40, LBM Century Club, the LBM 100, and LBM Innovation Award winners.
Attracting, hiring, and retaining young talent is tough for many companies. To learn what tomorrow’s leaders are looking for, 40 Under 40 alumnus Sunny Bowman will moderate this discussion with members of LBM Journal’s 2024 40 Under 40 class. During this interactive session, these LBM pros will share personal insights on what makes a business attractive during the hiring process and beyond. You’ll discover the different work values younger generations have and how to implement programs and processes that make you a top employer in your area, saving valuable resources for your organization in what is currently an endless hiring loop to find the right employee.
Defined as “mistake-proofing” or error-prevention, a poka-yoke is any mechanism in a process that helps an equipment operator avoid mistakes and defects by preventing, correcting, or drawing attention to human errors as they occur–or avoid them from occurring all together. In this presentation, Lance will discuss how poka-yoke interventions have created favorable outcomes around picking accuracy, put-away accuracy, reduced deliveries with errors or damage, reduced customer refusals (or not ready to receive delivery), and enhanced total customer experience. You’ll leave this session understanding the concept of poka yoke, with real-world examples from Mans Lumber & Home, to help you put this proven theory to work in your company.
Despite high interest rates and inflation – and the normalizing of lumber prices that had pumped up gross profit dollars – the market of LBM operators that seek to be acquired has never been stronger. In this session, John Wagner and Ted Rieple of 1st West M&A will explain why acquisition values haven’t collapsed (or even softened) with current economic conditions. They will reveal what multiples of EBITDA are being paid today, and provide practical strategies to position your company for the highest possible value in an acquisition, while taking a deep dive into why private-equity-backed companies are helping to sustain strong acquisition values…as the LBM consolidation rolls on.
The real power of LBM Strategies lies in the dealer-to-dealer networking. That’s why we’ve added Hot Topic Roundtable sessions on both Thursday and Friday. Choose the roundtable that most interests you, then stay for the full 90-minute session, or move around as you please. 10 hot-button topics throughout the two days include Sales Leadership, Lean Operations, Attracting Young Pros, Leadership, Succession Planning, M&A, and more. Discussion points will driven by attendees at the table, and moderators will make sure to keep the conversation moving. Come prepared to learn how other successful dealers are managing today’s tough challenges! Then go home with fresh ideas and new personal connections to help you build your sales, your business, and your brand.
On November 6, 1869, Rutgers beat Princeton in the first football game, 6-4. For the next 125 years, teams competed the same way: 11 men jammed in the middle of the field; no passing. The results were low scores, high rates of injury, and boredom. That all changed with the Air Raid Offense. In this engaging presentation, Bradley Hartmann draws on his unique experiences as a Division I college quarterback and regional purchasing manager at Pulte Homes to outline an LBM sales system based on fearlessness, optimism, simplicity, and fun. This score-from-anywhere playbook eliminates cold calls, minimizes rejection, and avoids bloody price competition.
There’s a reason for all the buzz around Generative AI: it holds infinite possibilities for your organization. As a fast-evolving technology, it can be intimidating, but it also has tremendous promise as a tool for companies with a people-first culture. In this session, a panel of LBM pros will help demystify what AI can and can’t do, with a focus on supporting your business without devaluing your most valuable asset: your team members. They’ll discuss multiple avenues to use AI to make your business more efficient and effective in marketing, sales, human resources, e-commerce, and other operations.
The real power of LBM Strategies lies in the dealer-to-dealer networking. That’s why we’ve added Hot Topic Roundtable sessions on both Thursday and Friday. Choose the roundtable that most interests you, then stay for the full 90-minute session, or move around as you please. 10 hot-button topics throughout the two days include Sales Leadership, Lean Operations, Attracting Young Pros, Leadership, Succession Planning, M&A, and more. Discussion points will driven by attendees at the table, and moderators will make sure to keep the conversation moving. Come prepared to learn how other successful dealers are managing today’s tough challenges! Then go home with fresh ideas and new personal connections to help you build your sales, your business, and your brand.