MLA Lumber Industry News Express
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REMINDER!
A letter went out to members about a month ago to let you know that MLA is moving! As of May 1st, all correspondence should be mailed to:
701 Decatur Ave. N., Suite 105
Golden Valley, MN 55427
Continue to call the association at 800-747-6529!
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Swing-into-Spring - May 2-3!
The annual Swing-into-Spring Event is this week, so if you haven't signed up and would like to attend, please call today!
For complete information about the event, which includes fishing, bowling and golf, along with a great network building event on Thursday, May 2 – the very popular Steak and Chop Fry, go to the
MLA website
.
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Sunflower Shootout - June 14th!
Plan to attend the 31
st
annual Sunflower Shootout to benefit the Kansas Lumbermens scholarship program. We’ll play at the Hesston Golf Course, in Hesston, Kansas. Sponsorships are available and registration is open to all.
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Three Ways to Leverage the Growing Economy
An improving economy means your pro customers also have opportunities for growth. Support them with larger lines and extended terms so they can go after bigger jobs with slower pay cycles. Help them manage their business with convenient online tools and thank them with an attractive rewards program. BlueTarp gives you a competitive advantage that delivers real value to your customers and encourages them to spend more with you.
Read more
.
Source: Scott Simpson, BlueTarp
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MLA Announces Scholarship Recipients
MLA is pleased to announce the scholarship recipients for 2019. The Missouri Lumber Dealers Activity Committee has granted five scholarships, all going to past recipients for their continuing education. The Kansas Committee has granted two scholarships – one to a past recipient and one to a graduating senior.
KANSAS
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Becca Beeler
has been accepted at Rockhurst University. She plans to study business administration with a goal of working in the lumber industry upon graduation. She has worked at Treeline Forest Products for three years. In addition to the MLA scholarship, Becca also has earned one scholarship for academic excellence and another for soccer.
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Katie Purvis
is a returning applicant and is completing her first year at Barton Community College. She was recommended for the scholarship by Kevin Rasure, at Rasure Lumber, where she works part-time. Katie has maintained a high GPA while volunteering for campus programs, and has proven herself deserving of this award.
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Michael Nickel
will be receiving a Missouri scholarship award for the second year. He is completing his first year at St. Louis Community College while continuing to work part-time at Beyers Lumber. His goal is to earn an Associate’s degree in horticulture and then obtain a forestry degree at a four-year institution.
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Brianna St. Clair
also is a second-year recipient. She is currently a full-time student at the University of Missouri St. Louis, and is majoring in business finance. She made the dean’s list while continuing to work 30 hours per week. Her mom is a 25-year employee of LaCrosse Lumber in Bowling Green.
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Erin Prendergast
is a returning applicant, and a senior at Southeast Missouri State University. Erin is pursuing a degree in communication disorders, with a minor in child development. Her goal is to pursue her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Her parents own Moscow Mills Lumber, in Moscow Mills.
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Kyle Prendergast
is a second-year recipient of the MLA scholarship. Kyle has made the Dean’s List while pursuing his education at St. Louis Community College. He currently works part-time at the family lumberyard, Moscow Mills Lumber, and hopes to be employed full-time in the family business upon graduation.
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Bradley Keely
is also a second-year recipient. He is currently studying business at Moberly Area Community College. He was highly recommended by LaCrosse Lumber Company, where he works part-time. Brad is also active in sports and works another part-time job as a lifeguard.
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We congratulate all of this year’s scholarship recipients. If you know a deserving student who could benefit from an MLA scholarship, consider having them apply next year. The application period is open from late January through March 15.
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Are You Still Worrying about Fiduciary Risk?
With building concern over fiduciary risk, the argument for outsourcing your 401(k) plan to the Mid-America Lumbermens Multi-Employer Plan (MEP) keeps getting stronger.
W. Scott Simon referred to joining a Multiple Employer Plan as, “…the platinum standard of delegation of fiduciary responsibility (and liability) by a plan sponsor.” It has been suggested that multiple employer plans offer the most significant mitigation of fiduciary risk available today.*
- Pooled MLA-MEP retirement plan resources greatly reduce expenses incurred by adopting employers. (Tax savings alone may be greater than plan expense.)
- Customizable plan features.
- Single point-of-service for broker, advisory, and TPA functions.
- Provides a diverse collection of quality investment options.
- One-on-one investment advisor access.
- Roth deferral option eliminates income qualification restrictions.
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.
For more information on the MLA MEP, please contact Bill Male at Tax Favored Benefits: 913-648-5526 or
billm@tfbusa.com
.
It costs nothing to ask questions.
*From an August 6, 2009 article in Morningstar Investor.
Securities and investment advisory services offered solely through Ameritas Investment Corp (AIC). Member FINRA/SIPC. 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 circumstances.
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Freight Class Explained:
FAK FAQs
There seems to be an endless number of factors that can affect freight class, and in our last two blog posts, we covered the most significant, including
product category, materials, packaging
, and
density
.
When we talk freight class with our customers, many shippers ask about a potential or existing FAK (Freight All Kinds) rating, and whether it's getting them the best pricing possible. Yes, we're throwing another shipping acronym in the mix. We'll take a look at what it is, which shippers quality, and whether or not it really is right for your business.
Read more
.
Learn more
about how you can turn your common freight headaches into victories for your business. Ship smarter with the MLA Shipping Program and Partnership.
Create an account
today
.
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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Industry News
Save the Date! ProDealer Industry Summit is October 10-12…
NLBMDA is excited to announce its return to The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado this fall! Make sure to mark your calendars for October 8 - 10 to enjoy picturesque mountain views, luxurious accommodations and an engaging, innovative conference. The ProDealer Industry Summit is an exclusive three-day educational and networking forum designed to promote the growth of lumber & building products industry.
Read more
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Source: NLBMDA, April 10, 2019
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Spring Weather: Protect What Matters Most
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Winter has passed, along with its associated hazards. Even though the sun has started shining longer and the birds are chirping, now isn’t the time to let your guard down. Spring comes with its own set of risks. Threats to homes and businesses vary depending on location, but storms are a threat to every region of the country. Lightning can cause power outages or start fires. Heavy rainfall can inundate waterways and drainage systems, resulting in flash flooding. Tornadoes can rip through communities, injuring or killing people, and causing severe damage to property.
Read more
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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
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying good-bye so hard."
~ A.A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh)
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