Volume 16, Number 11  | May 30, 2017

MLA Lumber Industry News Express

Here's the new issue of the Mid-America Lumbermens Association online newsletter. We'll send a new issue every two weeks to let you know what's happening in the industry, at your MLA, and in the world that affects your business. We welcome your opinions and ideas. If you have information you'd like to share with other members, we'd be happy to include it in our next issue. We welcome both personal and industry-related news - members would love to hear your news and views - so don't hesitate to email us with information.

Visit our New and Improved Website!

Sunflower Shootout – Just one week left to register! Another great Sunflower Shoot-out has been planned by the Kansas lumber dealers for Friday, June 9, at Hesston Golf Course.  Click here to sponsor or register for the Sunflower Shoot-Out!

Can Your Customers Manage Their Credit Online? Why are online tools even needed?  Today’s customers expect to go online to set up and manage their in-house credit account.  After all, these same customers are using online tools for their banking or to manage their credit cards.  Why should their building material supplier offer anything less? Read more . Source: BlueTarp, May 16, 2017

Member News Renner Supply of Kansas City Provides Garage Doors for 2017 St. Jude Dream Home Showplace… Renner Supply Company has proudly announced that they have provided the garage doors and openers for Kansas City’s 2017 St. Jude Dream Home Showplace, built by Summit Custom Homes. Willy Dahms, Renner Supply salesperson for Summit Homes, has expressed his gratitude to the builders for this worthy cause. Read more.

Time to Consider the MLA MEP MLA has offered a “group” MLA 401(k) plan for members for more than two years. It is saving participating dealers on their fees and offering a great benefit to reward their loyal employees. If you haven’t taken a serious look at this program, now would be a good time. Find out why smart dealers are making the move to the MLA program. Call the MLA Hotline at 800-747-6529, or click here to learn more.

Lumber News NLBMDA Launches Registration for 2017 ProDealer Industry Summit… Come Celebrate NLBMDA's 100th Anniversary at the ProDealer Industry Summit, to be held at the Wigwam Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. The ProDealer Summit brings together top LBM leaders, manufacturers, and industry experts from across the country who are ready to address the tough lumber and building material market. Click here to learn more and register. Thea's Mailbag: Handling Credit When a Sales Rep and Customer Are BFFs… Why are salespeople so sure they know their customers' financial situations so much better than me? If I turn down a credit applicant or set a credit limit lower than the sales rep thinks it should be, I get a lecture on how well they know the customer or how outstandingly wonderful their credit is with our competitors. Why are my sales reps so sure I don't know anything? Read more Source: ProSales Magazine, May 15, 2017 Five Strategies that can help you get a Return on Investment… Business owners who put money into their company usually want a healthy return on investment. But because every business situation is different, one owner's great and wise financial investment could cause everything to fall apart for someone else. Read more. Source: American Express Open Forum, May 15, 2017

Employment Screening Trends and Pitfalls Business in most industries continues its upward trajectory in 2017, and companies are hiring at a brisk pace. With the increased urgency in hiring, some companies have found it necessary to hire first, ask questions later. This can be risky. Employers should be aware of and minimize potential liability during their hiring process. Read more. This article provided courtesy of Federated Mutual Insurance Company, your association’s recommended insurer.

The Last Word “ Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” Albert Einstein

Mid-America Lumbermens Association | 800-747-6529 | 816-561-1249 (fax)| ruhler@themla.com | Website