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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Learn about Market Forces Affecting Your Business at the MLA/MSLBMDA Fall Conference!
Join us for the annual Mid-America and Mountain States Lumber Dealers Leadership Conference, October 4-5 at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in beautiful Broomfield, Colorado,
and see
Keith Prather
talk about “Taking a Look at the Market Forces Bearing Down on Your Company.” You’ll learn
what you need to know to create a competitive market advantage in today’s business environment. Keith Prather is managing director at Armada Corporate Intelligence and always provides an interesting and entertaining look at economic issues.
Why should you attend the MLA/MSLBMDA Leadership Conference?
Our industry is changing rapidly. Learn from industry experts on what trends are evident and developing, and how to focus your business to successfully navigate these changes. Educational sessions will cover many topics that concern our businesses today, including:
- Economic trends - present and emerging
- Leadership in today’s business climate - leadership skills for today
- The labor shortage and what to do about it - creating a culture for hiring, retention and promotion
- The LBM industry today - mergers and acquisitions, independent lumber dealer’s progression, the LBM “State of the Union” today and future trends
- Lumber pricing and tariffs - Is there hope for commodity pricing decreases?
- Cybersecurity - hackers are hitting the LBM industry with increasing frequency. Are you prepared? Learn how to protect your business.
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Three Ways to Prevent B2B Fraud
The scam started simply: Someone took the information of a Canadian company that had been inactive for several years, renamed it and began placing orders with building supply companies. But whoever placed the orders never intended to pay for them. Before anyone realized what was going on, the scammer had ordered from more than 180 suppliers and run off with $9 million worth of products.
This sort of fraud isn’t as unusual as you might think. According to a recent survey, 19 percent of all online B2B inquiries are fraud attempts, and 77 percent of businesses have lost money due to fraud. B2B fraud can take many forms, including account takeovers, business identity theft and even shell companies set up for the sole purpose of committing fraud.
Fortunately, with a combination of deep risk expertise and the right technological tools, B2B companies can protect themselves from rising levels of fraud.
Read more
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Source: BlueTarp, August 23, 2018
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Return Your Ballot Today!
Ballots to elect Board nominees were mailed to members in mid-August. MLA thanks those members who have already returned their ballots. If you haven’t sent yours to the MLA office, please do so today – and no later than September 17!
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Truck and Trailer Equipment Guide
There is a wide range of equipment available for your shipment to ensure proper transportation and delivery. Keeping the trucks and trailers straight that are carrying your freight can be a tough task for even the most experienced shipper - which is PartnerShip, the endorsed shipping provider of the MLA, we created a
Truck and Trailer Equipment Guide
for MLA members. This white paper contains measurements and visuals for dry vans, refrigerated units, flatbeds, and the tractors that pull the trailers.
Read more
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Source: PartnerShip – MLA’s endorsed provider of shipping services!
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Renner Supply Company Named 2018 Exclusive Garage Door “StyleMaker
” –
For the second consecutive year, Renner Supply has been named the exclusive Garage Door,
"
StyleMaker
"
by Kansas City Homes & Style magazine. The company previously claimed this title last year in its inaugural ‘StyleMakers’ feature. Moreover, Renner holds the prestige of the position for its iconic garage doors that are renowned across the entire Kansas City metro area.
Read more
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Source: Delden Manufacturing, August 30, 2018
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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
New Podcast for Building Materials Industry Leaders...
A new leadership-focused podcast series—The Leadership and Learning Podcast—provides ongoing 10 to 60-minute segments of leadership lessons, strategies, techniques and tips from Building Materials Industry legends and subject matter experts. This complimentary Leadership and Learning Podcast series—available now for download on iTunes, Sound Cloud, Spotify and other popular podcast platforms—launches with an Introduction and Overview by industry veteran Randy Goruk. Said Goruk, “If you are involved in managing or leading anyone in the building materials industry…”
Read more
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Source: Randy Goruk, Leaders Edge 360, September 5, 2018
Housing and Mortgage Markets May Have Recovered, but Risks Remain...
This week, the world is remembering what is called “Lehman Weekend.” A decade ago, on September 15, 2008, the giant investment bank filed for bankruptcy, triggering what is now called the Great Recession. Lehman’s problems originated in portfolios of risky, subprime housing mortgages that it had bought, and for which it was ultimately unable to find buyers. After Lehman collapsed, government interventions saved Bear Stearns, AIG, Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac, while other banks crippled by subprime loans got help through the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), a $700 billion recapitalization effort.
Read more
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Source: LBM Journal/Knowledge@Wharton, September 14, 2018
Sales Success Happens Below the Surface...
Recently, and for the first time, I was considering moving the hosting and servicing of my website to enhance the lead draw and conversion rates. I approached a professional web developer in my networking circles; he asked me a few quick questions, and then confidently responded, “I recommend Facebook ads.” He then looked at me as if he’d just given me the winning Powerball numbers for the next drawing.
Read more
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Source: Troy Harrison, September 7, 2018
Early Bird Registration 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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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 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
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I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
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- Henry David Thoreau
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