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 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.
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Legislative Alert: Ask Your Senators to Sign Softwood Lumber Letter
Take action now
by contacting your Senators and asking them to sign a bipartisan letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Representative, which encourages U.S. trade officials to return to the negotiating table and reach a new softwood lumber agreement with Canada. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Jack Reed (D-RI) authored the letter. Senators have until Friday, August 17 to sign on to the letter. A draft of the letter can be found
here
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Source: NLBMDA, July 19, 2018
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Updated Buyers Guide Now Available!
The Mid-America Lumbermens Association (MLA) has announced the exclusive MLA Buyers Guide (the Guide) — the premier resource of relevant products and services for lumber professionals — is now available with a more user-friendly interface on the MLA website at
www.themla.com
. MLA partnered with Overland Park, Kansas-based Strategic Value Media, a leading nationwide provider of print and digital media solutions for national, state and local trade and membership associations, to produce the Guide.
Read more
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Getting a Quote on Your Next Truckload Shipment
Do you have a truckload shipment ready to be sent out? Looking to expedite the process of obtaining a quote for that truckload shipment? One way to quickly and efficiently get your truckload shipment on its way is to have all the information necessary before calling for a quote. Below is a list of tips to follow before picking up a phone or shooting out an email about your truckload shipment.
Read more
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Source: PartnerShip – MLA’s endorsed provider of shipping services!
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Where Do You Stand Among Your Peers on Digital Investments?
On May 17, 2018, BlueTarp presented a webinar hosted by the National Association of Wholesalers. They shared results from a recent survey of the NAW members about how they are planning their digital investments in 2019. Watch this webinar to see where you stand among your peers in planning and executing new technologies and learn about simple ways to create efficiencies while meeting customer demand.
Click here for 25-minute recording
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Source: BlueTarp
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Time to Consider the MLA MEP
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MLA has offered a “group” MLA 401(k) plan for members for more than three 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
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Lumber News
Dancing Pigs and Other Dangers: 3 Popular Email Cons…
Cybercrime is going low-tech. Turns out it’s easier to trick a human than hack through a network’s firewall. That’s why cyber thieves are changing their tactics. They’re using scams traditional criminals have relied on for years. Security experts call these psychological tricks “social engineering,” but don’t let that confuse you.
Read more
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Source: LBM Journal & DMSi, July 18, 2018
Housing Enters the Machine Age, Part 1…
By all accounts, the U.S. economy is very strong right now. Everyone says so. Real GDP growth was just 2.0 percent in Q1 2018, but Macroeconomic Advisors forecasts 5.3 percent growth in the second quarter while the Atlanta Fed's GDPNow model is projecting 4.1 percent. A Bank of America strategist told Fortune, "I've never been this bullish about the U.S. economy in 20 years."
Read more
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Source: Greg Brooks, LBM Executive, July 13, 2018
NLBMDA Weighs in on Tariffs…
The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association continues to oppose a widening array of tariffs imposed on Chinese imports, including building materials. The Office of U.S. Trade Representative is accepting comments on the latest proposal through August 17 and will hold a public hearing August 20-23. NLBMDA plans to submit comments on the latest tariff proposal ahead of the August 17 deadline.
Read more
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Source: HBS Dealer, July 16, 2018
Early Bird Registration Now Open for ProDealer Industry Summit…
The ProDealer Industry Summit is an exclusive three-day educational and networking forum designed to promote the growth of lumber & building product dealers, distributors, wholesalers, and the manufacturers who supply them. LBM dealers will benefit from sharing insights and best practices from leaders in the industry in a relaxed format that encourages networking and personal interaction. The event is set for October 17-19 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago.
Click here for early-bird registration
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Sign Up Now for Risk Management Academy
Federated Insurance is offering complimentary risk management training for MLA members
on August 14–16, 2018. Through this valuable session, you will discover methods you can use immediately to help protect profits by reducing risk at your business.
Companies that are the most successful at controlling losses and protecting profits have integrated risk management into their overall company culture. Many have designated a key person as their risk manager. This person is supported by your company’s top management and is both responsible and accountable for identifying loss exposures and implementing risk management solutions.
Learn more
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This service provided courtesy of Federated Mutual Insurance Company, your association’s recommended insurer.
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Have You Checked Out the MLA Online Campus?
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 700 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
"
When things go wrong, don't go with them.
"
- Elvis Presley
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