Central Valley builds on merchandise, and culture

Central Valley Builders Supply, a San Francisco Bay Area-based building supply company, is taking an aggressive approach to inventory and innovation through a partnership with Simpson Strong-Tie.

The agreement between Central Valley and Simpson vastly expands the pro dealer’s offering of Simpson products.

“More isn’t always better, but when you can carry only the products that customers want, and have the most comprehensive offering at the same time; that’s a successful strategy for a Pro shop,” said Steve Patterson, CEO of Central Valley. “Central Valley’s product strategy aims at meaningful differentiation.”



Central Valley sees the market for construction-related materials growing 8.8% in 2017, with construction faring better than the general economy. With such growth, builders are looking to increase their installation speed and decrease their costs. “Building safer and stronger homes and buildings means staying compliant with code changes,” Patterson said. “Having the right products helps builders do just that.”

According to Jeremiah Coil, Simpson’s territory sales manager, Central Valley has the the largest selection of Simpson fasteners in the Napa Valley, a mix that includes the Timber-Hex HDG Class C hot dipped galvanized screws and Simpson’s new structural screw for framing as well.

Founded in 1955, Central Valley currently has sales of over $100 million, operates six full-service locations throughout Northern California, fully stocked for the professional. With over 38 acres of inventory and 55 delivery vehicles, the company also offers lumber, hardware and custom milling.

Other keys to the company’s success, as cited by Patterson, are the company’s customer centricity and its multi-cultural and multi-lingual service.

“Shifting Central Valley culturally has been a key ingredient in the company’s strategy execution,” Patterson said. “That has meant aligning company leaders and front line employees around a culture based on empathy, not only for customers, but employees, suppliers, and community alike.”

As customers have more power through choice, enhancing the customer’s choice and experience creates differentiation, according to Patterson.

“Both product and service offerings are being developed with the customer in mind,” Patterson said. “That in combination with a lean operating model, allows Central Valley to break with conventional retail wisdom, make bold moves, and provide builders with leading-edge construction materials that are designed to improve the way structures are built.”