MLA Lumber Industry News Express
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Here's the new issue of the Mid-America Lumbermens Association online newsletter. We'll send another 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.
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NLBMDA Releases Year in Review
As the new year begins, NLBMDA has taken the opportunity to look back on last year's most notable highlights in the
2018
Year in Review
.
Read the review below for more information on NLBMDA's successes on Capitol Hill, new podcast, conferences, and more.
Thanks to your support, there's a lot to be celebrated! Make sure to share the complete review with your colleagues using
this link
.
Source: NLBMDA, February 14, 2019
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MLA Scholarship Applications Now Available
The MLA scholarship program continues to be one of the most valued benefits enjoyed by members, their employees, and their children. If you know a deserving high school senior you would like to recommend for a scholarship – either a relative, an employee’s child or someone working in your lumberyard, please take a look at the MLA website and have them apply. The deadline for application is March 15, 2019.
Click here for more information
.
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Early-Bird Deadline is March 3rd - Register Today!
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Transform Your Delinquent A/R into Healthy Cash Flow
Do you have strong sales, but are not always paid on time? Set your sights on growth by starting with a clean balance sheet and strong cash flow.
Watch how
.
Source: BlueTarp
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Is There Really a Benefit in Offering Your Employees a 401(k)?
One thing that can make or break a business is the employees you hire. They represent your company, so you want to make sure you're taking care of them in a way that invites them to stay with you and your business long term.
Health benefits are a great way to get started, and if you’ve already done that, you’re likely also considering offering a 401(k) benefit plan. While some finance experts believe a 401(k) is the best retirement plan a business can offer employees, others advocate for different options.
To help you determine the answer that best fits your business,
take the advice
of these eight members of Forbes Finance Council.
Offering a retirement plan to your employees is good business, but also carries some liability. You can reduce your fiduciary responsibility by joining the Mid-America Lumbermens Association Multiple Employer Plan (MEP*) 401(K) retirement savings plan.
The Mid-America Lumbermens Association 401(K) plan may be just the tool you need to get all the advantages of a complete retirement savings plan with a well-diversified portfolio of investment options.
By leveraging the combined buying power of all MLA members, the MLA 401(K) plan provides each adopting employer with its own customizable retirement savings plan at a reduced cost, with the added benefits of a no-hassle plan installation, offloading of fiduciary liabilities, and limited administrative responsibility.
If your business has only a few employees, you may think you’re too small or it’s too expensive to offer a complete 401(K) retirement savings plan. Not so! Companies with as few as two employees can participate in the MLA 401(k) retirement savings plan.
Click here for more information
–
or just contact Bill Male at Tax Favored Benefits: 913-648-5526 or
billm@tfbusa.com
.
It costs nothing to ask questions.
Bill Male is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative offering securities and investment advisory services solely through Ameritas Investment Corp. (AIC). Member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and registered investment advisor. AIC and Tax Favored Benefits, Inc. are not affiliated. Additional products and services may be available through Bill Male or Tax Favored Benefits that are not offered through AIC. Representatives of AIC do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor or attorney regarding your ci
rcumstances.
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Freight Theft: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Business
Cargo theft is an unfortunate reality for freight shippers, and as technology advances, it becomes more sophisticated and widespread. Lumber and other common construction materials are some of the most frequently targeted commodities, and MLA members need to know how to ship safely.
Learn more
about what makes your shipment vulnerable, freight theft hot spots, common tactics, and what you can do to protect your freight once it leaves your loading dock. Need your freight moved securely?
Get a truckload quote
with a vetted PartnerShip® carrier.
This tip is brought to you by PartnerShip®, the company that manages the MLA Shipping Program. For more information or to enroll, email
sales@PartnerShip.com
or call 800-599-2902.
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Lumber News
Gypsum, OSB, and Softwood Lumber Prices Decline in January…
Overall, the price of goods used in residential construction declined 0.5 percent in January (not seasonally adjusted) according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In contrast to December–when prices paid for building materials (except OSB) changed little–prices fell by an average of 2.9 percent in January.
Read more
.
Source: LBM Journal, February 14, 2019
Hardwood Tops Home Buyers' Flooring Preferences...
Hardwood flooring has a long history, one that is said to date back to the 1600s. Like many home trends, it has gone in and out of style depending on interior design trends, the introduction of competing floor surfaces, and homeowner preferences.
Read more
.
Source: Builder Online, February 14, 2019
The Positive Sales Culture...
I’ve written a lot about how to build a “sales culture,” which is the idea, throughout your company, that you are first and foremost a sales organization. This only makes sense, because if any company doesn’t sell, no one in the company has any work to do. That’s the
macro
level – the look from the corner office over the entire company.
Read more.
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Free Webinar: Family Succession Planning
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This service provided courtesy of Federated Mutual Insurance Company, your association’s recommended insurer.
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Employee Training that's Just Right, Just Enough and Just in Time
The MLA Online Campus provides you and your employees with high-impact, "real-world" training that develops your leaders, retains your best people and increases your customer loyalty. Each employee has a unique username to access the campus, which houses more than 1,000 courses on customer service, sales, leadership and more. Want to try a program for yourself?
Click here
to view an example. If you like what you see, contact us for a one-week trial subscription to see the hundreds of available courses.
Learn more
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The Last Word
“
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.
”
~ Abraham Lincoln
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