ProDealer Industry Summit kicks off in Phoenix

Phoenix -- It was a night to celebrate high performance and the best practices and values of the lumber industry.

The 2017 ProDealer Industry Summit kicked off here at the Wigwam Resort with the installation of a new lineup of National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association leaders – including new chairman Rick Lierz of Franklin Building Supply in Boise, Idaho. The opening night event also honored HBSDealer’s Pro Dealers of the Year – Kuiken Brothers Company of Fairlawn, N.J., and Millard Lumber of Omaha, Neb.

Lierz, in his speech to attendees, reminisced about weekend outings with his father, who was a Boise Cascade employee before founding Franklin Building Supply. "It seemed as though we visited every lumberyard around during those trips." 

On the importance of participation in the NLBMDA, Lierz said: "We need to be the recognized voice of the industry. Being a big voice in our industry matters." He also urged members to attend the NLBMDA's Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., in March of 2018.

The Pro Dealer of the Year honorees described the importance of having the right people in the right position as a key to success. Kuiken Brothers President Doug Kuiken emphasized: "Nothing gets done without good people."

The president of the New Jersey-based dealer also explained his company's success: "It's about getting it right day in and day out." He also stressed the importance of differentiation -- of giving the customer reason to give you their business.

Representing the 2017 Independent Pro Dealer of the Year, Joel Russell, COO of Millard Lumber, told attendees of the ProDealer Industry Summit that one of the virtues his grandfather passed down to current management is "giving back to the community." He described his pride in working with his father and brother on a daily basis. 

The ProDealer Industry Summit, an event hosted jointly by the NLBMDA and HBSDealer, runs through Thursday.