BPD Sept. 2026

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THE VOICE OF THE LBM SUPPLY CHAIN

THE HIDDEN VALUE IN OSB • EASTERN WHITE PINE • SOUTHERN CYPRESS • WESTERN RED CEDAR

September 2026

That includes not going behind it. The YellaWood® brand not only prioritizes our dealer relationships, but we prove it through our actions. We take great pride in our fifty-plus year history of only selling to dealers and not directly to their customers. See all the other ways the YellaWood® brand has your back.

Visit yellawood.com/for-dealers

YellaWood® brand pressure treated products are treated with preservatives (the “Preservatives”) and preservative methods, and technologies of unrelated third parties. For details regarding the Preservatives, methods, and technologies used by Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated, see www.yellawood.com/preservative or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. Ask dealer for warranty details. For warranty or for important handling and other information concerning our products including the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS), please visit us at www.yellawood.com/warranties or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. YellaWood and the yellow tag are federally registered trademarks of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are used with their permission.

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PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Patrick Adams padams@526mediagroup.com VICE PRESIDENT Shelly Smith Adams sadams@526mediagroup.com PUBLISHER EMERITUS Alan Oakes MANAGING EDITOR David Koenig • dkoenig@526mediagroup.com SENIOR EDITOR Sara Graves • sgraves@526mediagroup.com COLUMNISTS James Olsen, Kim Drew, Dave Kahle

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INSIGHT. INFLUENCE. INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE.

Volume 45 • Number 9

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------------| CONTENTS

September 2026

VOL. 45 • NO. 9 |------------

STAY CONNECTED ON SOCIALS: @BPDMERCH

10

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

10

08 ACROSS THE BOARD

FEATURE STORY The hidden value of OSB: Why more buyers are looking beyond the panel

18

OLSEN ON SALES

12

MARGIN BUILDERS

14

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

16

INDUSTRY TRENDS

30

NELMA SPECIAL SECTION

48 DATE BOOK

Catch up on the latest innovations in eastern white pine, SFPs and Norway spruce—and coming changes at the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association

49 IN MEMORIAM

14

Selecting the right OSB subfloor for the job

What’s new with one of the industry’s oldest materials—western red cedar

Fluted southern cypress boards are becoming all the rage

20 TRANSFORMING TEAMS 22 LUMBER 411 28 MOVERS & SHAKERS 43 NEW PRODUCTS 48 CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE

49 ADVERTISERS INDEX 50 FLASHBACK THE VOICE OF THE LBM SUPPLY CHAIN

THE HIDDEN VALUE IN OSB • EASTERN WHITE PINE • SOUTHERN CYPRESS • WESTERN RED CEDAR

September 2026

CHECK OUT THE

DIGITAL EDITION

30

D cover spine 9-26.indd 1

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------------| ACROSS THE BOARD

FEAR ISN’T AN ANSWER—IT’S A QUESTION ------------ BY PATRICK ADAMS I’VE BEEN THINKING a lot about fear lately. It’s an interesting emotion because somewhere along the way, many of us learned to treat fear as an answer. Should I take the chance? Should I make the investment? Should I have the conversation? Should I pursue something that seems completely out of reach?

“I’m afraid.” Decision made. But what if fear isn’t an answer at all? What if it’s simply another piece of information?

We don’t treat excitement as a decision. Being excited about an opportunity doesn’t automatically mean we should pursue it. We consider the excitement, weigh the risks, think about the consequences, and decide. Why should fear be any different? Maybe fear is simply our mind telling us, “Pay attention. This matters.”

When you think about the stories we tell of great explorers, entrepreneurs, soldiers, athletes, and leaders throughout history, very few begin with someone being completely certain everything was going to work out. Quite the opposite. Most begin with someone standing at the edge of the unknown with every reason to be afraid—and moving forward anyway. That’s where the stories come from.

Courage, after all, isn’t the absence of fear. If there is nothing to fear, there is nothing particularly courageous about moving forward. Courage exists because fear exists.

I’ve spent much of my life believing and knowing that anything worth having exists on the other side of something difficult. Sometimes that requires sacrifice. Sometimes perseverance. Sometimes failure. And sometimes it requires being scared out of your mind and taking another step anyway.

That doesn’t mean fear should be ignored. There is a fine line between courage and stupidity, and I’ve spent enough time on both sides of it to recognize the difference. Fear can warn us. It can force us to slow down, ask better questions, prepare more carefully, and examine whether what we are pursuing is worth the risk. Those are valuable things. But fear should get a seat at the table, not the head of it.

As leaders, I think this becomes especially important.

Leadership regularly requires decisions where the outcome isn’t guaranteed. We make investments without knowing exactly what the market will do. We hire people hoping

8 • building products digest • S

they become something greater than a résumé suggested.

We expand, innovate, acquire, change direction, and occasionally bet on ideas others don’t yet understand.

If we only moved when success was guaranteed, very little worth remembering would ever be built. I’m facing one of those moments in my own life right now. There is a decision in front of me that has forced me to think deeply about risk, responsibility, and what I ultimately believe is possible.

There are very legitimate reasons to be cautious. There are nights when the weight of those reasons feels heavier than others.

And, yes, there is fear. But instead of allowing that fear to answer the question, I’ve tried to listen to what it is asking.

Have you done the work? Do you understand the risk? Are you prepared for what happens if things don’t go according to plan? Does this align with your values? And perhaps most importantly: if fear were removed from the equation, what would you choose? Those are much better questions.

I think sometimes we spend so much time protecting what we have that we forget almost everything we have today once required someone to risk losing something yesterday.

Every business in this industry began because somebody took a chance. Every mill expansion, new location, product innovation, or generational transition required someone to step beyond what was comfortable and believe there was something better ahead. Some of those bets undoubtedly failed. But some changed everything.

Maybe there is something you’ve been considering that scares you. I’m not suggesting you blindly jump. Do the homework. Understand the consequences. Listen to the people you trust. Pray about it. Then ask yourself whether fear is warning you of something you missed—or simply reminding you that what lies ahead matters.

Because some of the greatest things in history, business and life have been waiting on the other side of fear. As always, it is a privilege to serve you and this great industry.

And perhaps next month, I’ll have a little more to say about what was waiting on the other side of mine.

PATRICK S. ADAMS, Publisher/President padams@526mediagroup.com

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building-products.com

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------------| FEATURE STORY

OSB MANUFACTURERS such as Tolko have invested in consistent quality, reliable supply options, strong distribution networks, and responsive customer service to give their distributors and dealers an edge. (Photos by Tolko)

THE HIDDEN VALUE IN OSB

WHY MORE BUYERS ARE LOOKING BEYOND THE PANEL ------------ BY LIAM REVELL THE OSB INDUSTRY has always had its ups and downs, but today’s market is changing the conversation.

Buyers are focused on more than price and product performance. They’re also thinking about inventory, supply reliability, and how to manage uncertainty.

At Tolko, we’re hearing more questions about replenishment speed, inventory exposure, and supply continuity. Every inventory decision ties up cash, affects service levels, and influences how quickly customers can respond to market changes.

Product performance still matters. But buyers are increasingly looking at the bigger picture: How reliable is the supply chain? How quickly can inventory be replenished? How much flexibility is available when demand changes?

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OSB may be a commodity, but the system behind it can make a real difference.

Options Are Becoming More Important Today’s market doesn’t always reward buying large volumes of a single item. Demand can vary by region, project type, and customer mix, making inventory decisions more complicated than they used to be.

That’s why many customers value suppliers that can offer mixed truckloads, multiple product combinations, and more responsive delivery options. These capabilities help buyers bring in the inventory they need without committing to more product than the market requires.

For many businesses, this isn’t just about convenience.

It’s about staying responsive when conditions change.

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reduce surprises on the jobsite. As panelization and off-site construction continue to grow, consistency becomes even more important. These processes depend on repeatable performance, reliable dimensions, and products that meet specification every time.

Looking Ahead

PANELS THAT PERFORM consistently reduce surprises on the jobsite and help keep projects moving.

Reliable Supply Matters The last few years have shown how quickly things can change. Transportation issues, weather events, labor challenges, and shifting demand have all created disruptions across the building products industry.

Customers increasingly tell us that supply reliability depends on more than a single mill or shipment. They want confidence that product will be available when they need it.

The Tolko T-LINK Product Distribution Network was built with that in mind, combining multiple producing locations, truck and rail options, and regional distribution support to help customers stay supplied when market conditions shift.

At the end of the day, reliability has become just as important as availability.

OSB remains one of the most versatile and cost-effective building products on the market. But buyers today are looking for more than just panels.

They’re looking for suppliers that can help them manage risk, support inventory efficiency, and provide dependable service when markets become unpredictable.

The future of OSB won’t be shaped by production capacity alone. It will also be shaped by how well suppliers help customers operate efficiently, reduce uncertainty, and stay competitive in changing markets. BPD

more product will be available when needed.

Consistency Drives Productivity Quality and consistency remain fundamental to OSB. Builders, contractors, and manufacturers continue looking for ways to improve productivity and reduce waste. With labor constraints and tight schedules, rework is expensive.

Panels that perform consistently help keep projects moving and

LIAM REVELL Liam Revell is the manager of OSB sales & Marketing at Tolko, where he works with customers and internal teams to grow business, develop new products, and support the OSB sales team (www.tolko.com).

Inventory Costs Still Matter In slower markets, carrying excess inventory can be expensive. Storage costs, financing costs, and working capital all put pressure on margins.

That is why dependable replenishment is so important. When customers know product will be available, they can operate with leaner inventories while still maintaining service levels. The goal isn’t simply to carry less inventory. It’s to carry the right inventory and have confidence that building-products.com

September 2026 • building products digest •

11

------------| MARGIN BUILDERS

COMMODITY PANELS, mid-tier solutions, and premium products each have a place in residential construction. The key is selecting the level of performance that aligns with the project. (Photo by Georgia-Pacific)

THE SWEET SPOT

CHOOSING THE RIGHT OSB SUBFLOOR FOR THE JOB ------------ BY ADAM HERMANSEN RIGHT-SIZING PERFORMANCE means contractors don’t always need the cheapest panel, and they don’t always need the highest-performing premium panel.

They need the panel that solves the job without paying for features they won’t use. They need the panel that delivers the right level of performance for the conditions in which they’re actually building. The goal isn’t to buy more performance than they need; it’s to buy the right performance for the job.

Today’s OSB landscape has expanded, and each category has a purpose. Instead of looking at OSB options through the “good, better, best” lens, let’s look instead at application fit. Commodity OSB continues to serve an important role, meeting code requirements and providing a practical solution for many applications. Premium OSB is for specialized applications where enhanced performance justifies the added cost.

12 • building products digest • S

Subfloor is perhaps the best example of this, where the biggest difference between commodity, mid-tier, and premium OSB often comes down to value rather than structural performance. While a mid-tier panel typically costs only a few dollars more than a commodity panel, that modest investment can pay for itself by helping builders stay on schedule and avoid the time and labor associated with sanding swollen panel edges. Look for a 200-day no-sand warranty in a mid-tier OSB and you’ll get the moisture resistance during construction many residential projects need without the higher price tag of a premium panel, an especially important benefit as construction costs continue to rise.

Subfloors in construction often serve as the working floor for several weeks or months in home construction.

This means that the product experiences heavy foot traffic, material storage, rolling carts or lifts, water expo-

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building-products.com

sure, humidity, and construction debris. Given this, it’s no wonder that subfloor performance has become such an important topic among builders. Features and benefits like stiffness, moisture resistance, fastener holding power, and dimensional stability take the selection of the right subfloor product from important, to a necessity.

For many builders, the assumption has long been that premium subfloor panels automatically represent the safest choice. But when product performance is matched to the realities of today’s construction schedules, that isn’t always the case. Many projects simply don’t require the extended exposure protection premium panels provide, making mid-tier products a smarter investment without sacrificing structural performance.

On average, the time between subfloor installation and flooring installation in a production-built home runs about six to 12 weeks. That number jumps to 10 to 20 weeks for a custom home. Translated to days, you’re looking at a total range of 42 to 140 days, well within the 200-day warranty period of some mid-tier options.

How do the product specifications differ? Let’s take a look. Many of us probably have a traditional commodity tongue-and-groove subfloor under our carpets or hardwoods.

The challenge: if you were to build a home in Atlanta and use commodity subfloor, and it rains for three days before the roof is on and the house is dried in, you may have edge swell at the seams that must be sanded down before installation of the final flooring product. The mid-tier options, like DryGuard Enhanced OSB Sturd-IFloor from Georgia-Pacific, can eliminate the sanding and floor prep with a 200-day no-sand warranty.

Commodity panels, mid-tier solutions, and premium products each have a place in residential construction. The key is selecting the level of performance that aligns with the project, as opposed to choosing the least expensive option or assuming the most expensive one is automatically the best. When builders rightsize performance, they maximize value while delivering the results homeowners expect. BPD

MID-TIER OSB subflooring often represents the perfect mix of affordability and performance.

(DryGuard Enhanced OSB Sturd-I-Floor photo by Georgia-Pacific)

– Adam Hermansen is director, field sales for Georgia-Pacific Building Products, Atlanta, Ga. (www.buildgp.com). building-products.com

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------------| PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

ENGINEERED PRODUCTS like these shingle panels and T&G boards from Shakertown are creating new opportunities for retailers.

THE LATEST ON WRC

WHAT’S NEW WITH ONE OF THE INDUSTRY’S OLDEST BUILDING MATERIALS ------------ BY BRAD KIRKBRIDE WOOD HAS BEEN one of the world’s most trusted building materials for millennia. Valued for its strength, durability, workability, and natural beauty, it remains an essential part of residential and commercial construction. Yet, while western red cedar has a long and well-established history, the products and opportunities surrounding it continue to evolve.

Today, new engineered cedar products and growing interest in biophilic design are creating opportunities for retailers and distributors to introduce WRC to new customers, applications, and markets. These trends are helping position one of the industry’s oldest building materials as a relevant solution for some of today’s most important design and construction priorities.

Innovation in engineered wood products is opening new avenues for manufacturers and distributors of western red cedar, as well. By combining the species’ natural appearance and performance with modern manufacturing technologies, engineered products can provide greater consistency, improved fiber utilization, and new options in longer lengths and specialized profiles.

Engineered WRC appearance products are now available in several categories, including engineered clear solid cedar, tongue-and-groove products with clear cedar veneer overlays, and engineered knotty cedar. Longer lengths, often up to 16 or 20 ft., can be particularly appealing to architects, builders, and designers seeking

14 • building products digest • S

clean, continuous lines with a natural, climate-friendly building material.

Application-specific products are also expanding the range of available options. These include engineered posts, trim, siding, shingle panels, and other value-added products designed to meet particular performance or aesthetic requirements.

For retailers and distributors, these developments create opportunities beyond traditional cedar siding, decking, and fencing. Engineered products can help address customer needs for longer lengths, greater uniformity, and specialized applications while allowing dealers to offer a broader range of premium cedar solutions.

Engineering also improves the use of available wood fiber. A number of products can incorporate smaller-diameter material and make more efficient use of the resource, while modern manufacturing processes can reduce waste and increase overall recovery. These efficiencies support the responsible use of a valuable natural resource while helping manufacturers develop new products for changing markets.

At the same time, growing interest in biophilic design is changing how architects, designers, builders, and consumers think about building materials.

Biophilic design is based on the human connection to nature and the idea that natural elements can contribute

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positively to health and well-being.

As people spend increasing amounts of time indoors, designers are looking for ways to create spaces that feel warmer, healthier, and more connected to the natural environment.

Research continues to demonstrate that exposure to natural materials, including wood, can help reduce stress and support cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being. Unlike synthetic products designed to imitate wood, natural wood engages the senses through its authentic grain, texture, color, and warmth.

Western red cedar is particularly well suited to this trend. Its distinctive range of hues and tones combined with its fine grain and natural character provides designers with innumerable options. Clear grades

can support contemporary, refined interiors, while knotty products can create a more relaxed and organic appearance.

Although WRC has traditionally been associated with exterior applications, biophilic design is increasing interest in its use indoors. Wall and ceiling paneling, exposed beams, soffits, interior accents, and feature walls all bring the warmth and character of natural wood into homes, workplaces, hospitality spaces, and public buildings.

The opportunity also extends beyond interiors, though. Exterior cedar cladding, screens, soffits, and outdoor living spaces can help create a visual connection between buildings and their natural surroundings.

This continuity between interior and exterior design is becoming increas-

ingly important in projects focused on wellness, sustainability, and a stronger connection to nature.

For retailers and distributors, these trends offer more than new products.

They provide new reasons to start conversations with customers.

Western red cedar has long been recognized for its beauty, durability, dimensional stability, and versatility.

Now, engineered products and biophilic design are adding new dimensions to the product story.

Retailers can help customers understand that cedar is not simply a traditional exterior material. It is a versatile design solution with applications throughout the built environment. Distributors can support this opportunity by expanding product knowledge, working closely with manufacturers, and helping dealers identify emerging applications and customer segments.

In a market where price competition often dominates, product differentiation is increasingly important.

The ability to explain the benefits of authentic, natural wood and the added value of engineered cedar products all help shift the conversation from cost alone to performance, design, sustainability, and long-term value.

Western red cedar’s history is one of proven performance. Its future, however, is being shaped by innovation and changing expectations. As engineered products expand what cedar can do and biophilic design creates new demand for natural materials, retailers and distributors have an opportunity to bring one of the industry’s oldest building materials to an entirely new generation of customers. BPD

BRAD KIRKBRIDE

NATURAL MATERIALS like western red cedar can contribute positively to health and well-being.

(Halfmoon Bay House. Architect: Patrick Warren Photographer: Ema Peter)

building-products.com

Brad Kirkbride is managing director of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.

Established in 1954, the WRCLA is the voice of the cedar industry and has 132 members in various locations throughout North America (www.realcedar.com).

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15

------------| INDUSTRY TRENDS

SHOWING OFF a hot trend, Norcross Supply has faced its contractor desk with fluted southern cypress boards. (Photos courtesy of Norcross Supply Co.)

FLUTED OPPORTUNITY

FRESH LOOK FOR NARROW CYPRESS BOARDS ------------ BY IAN FAIGHT WOOD, ONE OF the world’s oldest building materials, continues to be used in new and innovative ways to provide fresh looks in modern spaces. From attractive grain patterns and natural tones to stock or custom millwork profiles and patterns, wood offers unlimited interior design options. And the natural charm and character of a versatile species like cypress delivers the total package.

Homeowners and design professionals often utilize millwork to dress up plain walls, flat ceilings, and other surfaces, easily adding visual interest, texture and aesthetic warmth to any room. While there are myriad patterns available, the fluted look is rising in popularity— especially in vertical installations.

This is welcomed news for those everyone in the lumber supply chain as well. It’s no secret that wider widths are in high demand for most design applications these days, often leaving a surplus of 4" boards that otherwise can be difficult for mills, yards, wholesalers and dealers to move. Milling one side of a tongue-and-groove board to achieve a fluted appearance is an ideal use for narrower boards that are typically in less demand. The treat-

16 • building products digest • S

ment also leaves the other side flat, offering installation flexibility and options for end users.

While species selection and design preferences will vary from person to person, a beautiful wood such as cypress offers something for everyone in millwork applications. For those who are drawn to a mostly clear and smooth appearance, select grade cypress is the perfect choice. And for those who appreciate rustic character and some knots, #2 grade cypress fits the bill.

Examining the Market If one thing is for certain, it’s that there’s only been uncertainty in the marketplace in 2026. From inflation to rising transportation costs to various trade wars to seemingly never-ending tariff announcements, the wood industry has seen some peaks—but a lot of valleys. The good news for lumber dealers and wholesalers is that these challenging times have offered increased opportunities for certain species, like cypress.

“Cedar has been heavily impacted by everything going on in the tumultuous marketplace,” says Mike Shook of

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building-products.com

Norcross Supply Co., Norcross, Ga. “The good news is cypress has experienced renewed interest and increased demand, particularly with tongue-and-groove applications and beams. And not only in our neck of the woods in the South, but all over the country—out West and up North too. Once people see cypress’ natural beauty in finished applications, it seals the deal more often than not.

“Overall, I think we’re all waiting to see where interest rates end up and how that will affect new construction and remodeling activity. However, when things pick up, I’m confident cypress is well positioned; it’s readily available and competitively priced—and again, its look really sets it apart.”

For more information on cypress building products and the wide range of applications that can utilize the versatile species, visit the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association’s website at CypressInfo.org. BPD – Ian Faight is executive vice president of the Hardwood Manufacturers Association and managing director of the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association.

FLUTED LOOK is rising in popularity, particularly in vertical installations.

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September 2026 • building products digest •

17

------------| OLSEN ON SALES

180 SECONDS ------------ BY JAMES OLSEN “ALL PLANS WORK until we engage the enemy” and “All battles are won and lost before they are fought” are attributed to General Sun Tzu (410-780 B.C.), author of The Art of War. Prepare and be flexible. Winging it isn’t being flexible.

Deviating from a plan that works most of the time is.

Comedians work on three minutes for years. Like us, a comedian’s first seconds are crucial to success. Every pause, word (periwinkle is funnier than blue!) is planned, practiced and polished. We must be as committed as the General and the comedian. We must plan exactly how we want our calls to go.

First Call Impression Our first call has more to do with how quickly and how much business we will do with our customers than any other call. One of many differences between the master seller and journeyman is the ability to bring in new customers, and make them profitable—faster.

Greetings and Gatekeepers We identify ourselves, the name of our company and where we are calling from: “Good morning, this is Pete Grandvents with Great Lumber out of Grand Rapids, Mi.” We speak a bit more slowly and distinctly when calling a new account. Our voice is new. Speaking slowly also projects confidence. If we do not identify who we are and the name of our company, a good receptionist will ask us anyway.

“How are you this morning?” If we slow this portion of the call down and ask the receptionist how they are doing, with sincerity, it will pay short- and long-term dividends.

“Could you please tell me who buys your lumber?”

We don’t ask them to put us through to the buyer. Ask for the buyer’s name. We get the spelling of the buyer’s first and last name, if need be, from the receptionist. Our time with the buyer is limited; we don’t want to waste it spelling their name—and neither do they.

Another common mistake with gatekeepers is to overexplain who we are and why we are calling. The receptionist is not the buyer. We are respectful and charming but to the point.

Qualifying the Customer “Good afternoon, John. My name is Pete Grandvents, with Great Lumber out of Grand Rapids, Mi. We sell lum-

18 • building products digest • S

ber in your area. They tell me you are the lumber buyer. Is that correct?”

We are brief in our introduction and ask a question.

Often customers will ask questions. Who are you? What do you sell? We are prepared with clear, brief answers and turn-around questions. We are calling the customer to qualify them. If they meet our qualifications we know we can help them. (Because we are already doing business with other qualified customers.)

Whether the customer is receptive or not, most will give us 180 to 300 seconds maximum on an introductory call. If the call goes longer, great, but let’s plan for how calls usually go. “Yes, I buy the lumber.” What are your main three items?

Many salespeople get bogged down beating around the bush about the purpose of the call. We are courteous, calm and direct. The biggest mistake made by sellers is the failure to qualify the customer on volume used. We have a list of our questions, in order, and ask them.

End the Call and Connect the Call Many sellers drag calls on waiting for the customer to kick them off the phone or out of their office. That’s what happens. And that’s the lasting memory of the call.

We need to be calm, in charge, and efficient. When we are finished we thank our customer for their time, set an appointment for the next call, and make a strong and graceful exit. It is the crescendo of our first impression.

“John, I appreciate your time today. I will follow up with you next Monday at 9:00 am with numbers that will work.

I look forward to doing business with you.”

We work in a 180-second window. Every second is crucial. Planning works—in war, comedy and sales. BPD

JAMES OLSEN James Olsen is principal of Reality Sales Training, Portland, Or., and creator of SellingLumber.com. Call him at (503) 544-3572 or email james@realitysalestraining.com.

eptember 2026

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------------| TRANSFORMING TEAMS

YOU’VE FOUND YOUR NEXT EMPLOYEE... NOW WHAT? ------------ BY PAIGE McALLISTER CONGRATULATIONS!!! After an extensive search including days (or weeks or months) of reviewing résumés, screening candidates, coordinating interviews, and managing the decision-makers during the selection process, you have found the right person to fill your open position. The hard work is over, right?

Unfortunately, no. Especially in this tough labor market, you still have work to do: before the employee starts; on their first day; during their orientation period; within the first critical 60 to 90 days of employment; and throughout their employment to ensure all of your hard work pays off with a happy, successful employee who contributes to the company for years to come.

After the Selection, Before the First Day Once you’ve made your decision, the clock starts on a critical pre-boarding window. This is where a lot of employers lose momentum, and it’s also where a lot of new hires quietly start to reconsider their decision to work for you and resume their job search.

Once you have made your decision, provide the selected applicant with a conditional job offer that includes essential information: job title, supervisor, employee classification, salary, work schedule, work arrangements, and proposed start date. Include a reminder to bring any required documents on their first day, including what’s needed for Form I-9 verification or to complete the W-4. Include information about other employment aspects such as their relocation package or other benefits. Clearly explain any required non-compete, non-disclosure, or non-solicitation agreements (as allowed in your state) so they are not surprised after they start.

Detail any requirements they need to satisfy before their start date such a background check, a drug test, or a medical exam. Let the candidate know what to

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expect, how long it typically takes to complete these pre-employment screenings, and when they’ll hear back. Stay in communication with them, advocating for them with your providers if needed to get them through the process while meeting your standards.

Once the pre-employment checks are passed, get specific about day one. Give the new hire a start time, a location, where they should park, and the name of the person they should ask for when they arrive. Go a step further and paint a picture of what their first day and first week will actually look like: Should they bring lunch or is something provided? What should they wear? Is there a rough schedule they can expect? At the same time, flag anything that’s off-limits (e.g., weapons, personal devices, outside technology) so there are no surprises or awkward conversations on day one.

This is also the time to provide whatever new hire paperwork can reasonably be completed before someone ever sets foot in the building. The less administrative work waiting for them on day one, the more time you’ll have for the things that actually matter, like introductions and orientation.

Above all, stay in touch with regular check-ins and promptly answer their questions as they come up. If there’s a delay in the background check or a change in start date, say so; don’t let a new hire sit in silence wondering if the offer fell through.

Behind the scenes, use this time to coordinate with the departments that make day one run smoothly. Give IT the heads-up to prepare their computer and system access, ask security for a badge, contact the office manager to coordinate a workspace, and prep for their first day and week. Consider giving them some company swag so they feel like they’re part of the team on day one.

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During Their First Week The first week is when the applicant becomes an employee. Keep in mind that new hires have a lot of information to absorb, so structure and pacing matter.

On their first day, finish any remaining new-hire paperwork that was not or could not be completed before they start. For example, while the employee can complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 before their first day, the company must complete Section 2 between their first and third day of employment. Train employees on the important critical functions such as logging their time, reporting concerns, and accessing important information. Schedule required training such as harassment prevention (required in some states) and safety protocols.

Provide the new hire with any resources related to the company and their employment: the employee handbook, benefits brochures or a Summary Plan Description, and anything else that explains how things work at the company. This could be hard-copy, paper versions, or showing them where to access them on the company’s employee portal.

Help the new coworker feel welcome rather than lost by scheduling a tour of the office, including their workspace, as well as where to find the restrooms, the break room, emergency exits, and mandated posters.

Introduce them to the people they should know. This includes not only their supervisor and immediate team but also upper management, HR, IT, and whomever they’d go to with a question in their first month. Consider hosting a welcome breakfast or lunch where other employees can meet the new hire.

Assist the supervisor in creating a plan for their first day, first week, and first month. Help the supervisor develop an onboarding plan with 30-, 60-, and 90-days training, goals, and evaluations. Suggest that they con-

Q. An employee just told me that their new prescription glasses are AI-enabled, which allows them to record audio and video in addition to accessing AI quickly and easily. We are concerned about the implications of these glasses’ features in the workplace, especially in sensitive areas and around confidential information. Can we prohibit the employee from wearing them at work?

A. Since these are glasses are prescription, you will probably need to allow them to wear them. However, you can remind the employee of your company’s policies covering technology use, AI use, and the protection of confidential information.

If you do not already have one, you should also develop a policy outlining photography, audio recordings, and video recordings including restricting them in areas where an employee expects privacy such as a restroom or locker room. The policy should also require an employee to notify anyone they are recording. However, since some photography and recordings are protected under the law, you cannot issue a blanket ban.

Add any new policies to your handbook and update any current ones to cover this emerging technology.

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duct interactive conversations with the new hire to get their feedback on how things are going, questions they have, or what else they may need.

Throughout the week, follow up on important dates and information the new hire will need going forward.

Make sure they’re not stuck waiting on basic necessities such as a uniform, a badge, keys, a working computer, and/or a phone. These logistical gaps are minor on their own, but they add up quickly and send an unintended message about how organized (or disorganized) the workplace really is.

During the Orientation Period After the procedural feel of the first week, the employee is still new to the company and the position so orientation needs to continue. And, given the recency of their job search, they may still be receiving enticing offers which could lure them away from your company if they are not yet convinced it is the right place for them.

Check in to confirm the practical things occurred correctly: Did the new hire receive their first paycheck as expected? Were they able to enroll in benefits? Have they received all of the tools and training they have needed so far?

Make sure the new hire knows who they can turn to with questions or concerns. Many new employees hesitate to ask for help because they don’t want to seem unprepared; a genuine, repeated invitation to reach out removes that barrier.

Finally, support the supervisor in doing their part.

Help them communicate clear expectations, coordinate any ongoing training the new hire needs, and document how things are going, both good and bad. A well-documented orientation period gives you a much clearer, fairer picture of performance than relying on memory alone once formal reviews come around. Remind the supervisor they need to be an available and reliable resource for the new hire and that failure to properly train a qualified new hire reflects poorly on their own performance.

The Bottom Line Onboarding doesn’t start on day one and it doesn’t end after orientation. It’s a continuous thread that runs from the moment you extend an offer through the first several months of employment as the new hire navigates the learning curve of their new company and position. Employers who treat pre-boarding, the first week, and the orientation period as distinct, intentional phases set their new hires up to become engaged, longterm employees rather than early flight risks. BPD

PAIGE McALLISTER Paige McAllister, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is vice president for compliance with The Workplace Advisors, Inc. Reach her at (877) 660-6400 or paige@theworkplaceadvisors.com.

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21

A SPECIAL SERIES FROM

------------| LUMBER 411

A THANK YOU FROM ROBBINS LUMBER HELLO, FRIENDS. We’d like to share something different for this month’s NELMA Lumber 411 column: a thank-you letter to the industry from Robbins Lumber.

On May 15, 2026, a fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, Me., injured many and resulted in the deaths of two volunteer firefighters and Alden J. Robbins, co-owner and vice president of the mill and a third-generation member/past board chair of NELMA. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the community gathered tightly around Robbins and Searsmont. Please read on for an open letter to the industry from Tonia Tibbetts, sales, Robbins Lumber: “The lumber industry, unlike any other industry I have worked in, is like a family. There isn’t another business out there where competitors go above and beyond to help one of their own.

The tragedy that we experienced at Robbins Lumber on May 15 was unlike anything our Northeast region has ever seen. Moments like these help you realize what is truly important in life: you want to hug your family a little tighter, say ‘I love you’ one more time, and take time and smell the roses. If you’ve been waiting for someday to do something special, that day may be now.

Working at Robbins Lumber, a sixth-generation sawmill in a small, rural Maine town, has always felt like family to me. I began my career here in 2008 and immediately felt the connection: our children attended school together, we all live close to the mill, and we see each other out and about in the community. The Robbins family has always been very supportive of local community groups and programs like scouting, baseball, and faith activities.

Living in a small town like Searsmont can be both comforting and isolating: it’s comforting to have friends and neighbors willing to jump in and help when needed, but it’s a little isolating with no restaurants or gas stations and only one General Store in town. This is where neighbors and community become even more important.

The mill is a major employer for our area: you either work here, used to work here, you have/had family who worked here, or you definitely know someone who currently works here. Outside of immediate employees, the mill supports so many others in the lumber industry and our community, from loggers and truck drivers to our

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local retail lumber dealers and wholesale customers.

When this tragic event occurred at our small mill in our small town, the impact was felt well beyond the immediate area—and the response was overwhelming. Other mills, customers, neighbors, friends, family, employees, community members, associations in Maine and beyond—it felt as if everyone we’d ever worked with stepped up with offers of support. Customers are still calling to check in, not on their orders, but to see how we’re doing and how they can help. We’ve received care packages of snacks, meals, plants, flowers, and more well-wishes than we can ever count.

These generosities remind us of what this industry is really all about: the relationships.

I’ve heard it said many times that when it comes to other mills, we are competitors during the day and friends at dinner. Many times in my career I have gone to dinner with a competitor and a mutual customer— that only happens in this wonderful lumber industry.

We have suffered a horrific loss, but we try to remain grateful for what we have and what we’ve been given.

Our community, the state, the lumber industry—we’re taking care of our own now. A recent fundraiser in town raised close to $55,000 for those affected by the tragedy. Fundraisers throughout the state continue to this day: small retail yards hosting local events, two large companies donating $100,000 each to the Maine Strong Foundation—the support for victims continues without stopping.

Not a day goes by that we don’t miss Alden. When I wish I could talk something over with him, I think to myself: what would he tell me? Usually, I know the answer.

I miss his quick wit and the knowledge he so effortlessly shared. He showed such passion when he talked about our mill or the lumber industry, and I always admired how both he and Robbins as a company are so involved with different associations. I want to do my part to carry on that legacy in his honor.

As for the future of Robbins Lumber, the landscape may look different, but our commitment to our customers has not changed. There is an empty seat at the table, but we are rebuilding to be better, stronger, and more resilient for the future.

Thank you for standing with us. We look forward to serving you for generations to come.” BPD

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HARDIE SHAKES UP DISTRIBUTION AS BOISE CASCADE BECOMES SOLE NATIONAL SUPPLIER to access our trusted products and excellent service, driving long-term value creation.”

The announcement comes three weeks after news that rival Trex Co. was overhauling its distribution network, making Specialty Building Products (and its western division OrePac) its sole nationwide distributor, usurping Boise Cascade.

Now, Boise Cascade will team with James Hardie to leverage their complementary strengths to better serve customers, provide broader access to dealers, contractors and retailers, expand their market reach, and drive long-term growth and value creation for their respective stakeholders.

Boise Cascade’s Building Materials Distribution division has become the sole nationwide distributor of James Hardie’s and its North American affiliates’ complete portfolio of exterior building products.

Boise Cascade Distribution is one of the largest wholesale distributors of building products in North America, with 39 distribution centers across the U.S. Hardie is the North American leader in fiber cement siding and exterior design solutions.

Under the expanded deal, Boise Cascade will distribute Hardie’s comprehensive product portfolio— including Hardie siding and trim, and adding AZEK trim and moulding, and TimberTech decking and railing. As the two companies fully align their focus and resources, Boise Cascade will transition away from distributing competitive siding, trim and exterior moulding products.

Hardie’s continuing regional distributors will now expand their offerings to include James Hardie’s complete portfolio of exterior building products in select locations. The participating distributors—Dixie Plywood & Lumber Co., Lumbermen’s Inc., Woodgrain, Woolf Distributing, Parksite and Capital Lumber—for the first time will add Hardie siding and trim to their product lines alongside existing AZEK and TimberTech offerings, across designated markets.

Aaron Erter, CEO of Hardie, said, “These expanded relationships are an important step in bringing the full strength of our unified portfolio to market. By creating a more connected distribution network, we will make it even easier for customers

BUILDERS FIRSTSOURCE ACQUIRES ICG FROM PULTE

Builders FirstSource acquired component manufacturer and installer Innovative Construction Group (ICG), Jacksonville, Fl., from PulteGroup, Inc. Founded in 2009 by Ryan and Andy Melin, ICG is a leading off-site solutions provider to single- and multi-family wood framed construction. With plants in Green Cove Springs, Fl., and Florence, S.C., ICG installs every component it manufactures with highly trained crews committed to safety and quality.

“The addition of ICG to BFS strengthens our presence in the Southeast with turnkey framing solutions including structural design, trusses, wall panels, floor systems, delivery, installation, and field supervision,” noted Peter Jackson, BFS president and CEO.

BIG C ACQUIRES CUSTOM WOODWORKER IN MICHIGAN Big C Lumber, Granger, In., acquired Priebe’s Creative Woodworking, a Benton Harbor, Mi.based custom cabinetry company serving southwest Michigan.

Founded in 1995 by Jeff Priebe, Priebe’s Creative Woodworking has spent more than three decades creating beautiful custom cabinetry, architectural woodworking, and refined home interiors.

The addition further strengthens Big C Lumber’s ability to serve

customers at every level of cabinetry—from functional everyday spaces to luxury custom designs.

Big C Lumber operates 14 lumberyards with showrooms (eight in Indiana and six in Michigan), eight of which also feature design centers. Manufacturing divisions include a custom millwork & cabinet shop in Fort Wayne, In.; window & door shop in Mishawaka, In.; and a structural building components facility in Dowagiac, Mi.

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------------| DEALER BRIEFS Maresca Lumber & Building Materials, Pequannock, N.J., has been acquired by Demi McEntee and renamed Pompton Building Supply. McEntee will serve as VP. Domenic Roccasanta has joined the company as director of operations.

Miles Lumber & Hardware, Miles, Ia., is permanently closing.

McCoy's Building Supply recently broke ground near Canyon Lake, Tx., on its 86th location.

Busy B Lumber, Dexter, Mo., held a grand reopening celebration July 28 following an extensive remodel.

Marine Home Center, Nantucket, Ma., agreed to sell Anchor Ace Hardware in Sandwich, Ma., to Aubuchon Co., but will continue operating its Anchor location in South Yarmouth, Ma. ReVosWel Truss & Lumber, Dubuque, Ia., hosted a “parking lot party” on July 24 to show off its new showroom.

Dixie Building Supply is holding a grand opening Sept. 10 for its new location in Saraland, Al. The soft opening was Aug. 10.

Mill Creek Lumber & Supply Co. has acquired 50+-year-old The Carpet Shoppe, Springfield, Mo. Clinton Hardware, Clinton, Md., is closing after 80 years.

Poster Hardware, Fairfield, Ct., is liquidating after 36 years with the retirement of the owner.

Stanley Hardware & Feed, Stanley, N.C., has closed after six years.

Clarks Ace Hardware plans a new store in Vestavia Hills, Al. Vernon Hardware & Auto Parts, Vernon, Mi., closed its doors on July 31 after 87 years of family ownership.

Tripp’s Ace Hardware, Columbia, Tn., is now offering U-Haul truck rentals and moving supplies.

Fabrizio Lumber, Middleton, Ma., has become the first stocking dealer of the new Deck Divider deck board spacer.

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BLIFFERT PURCHASES EAST SIDE LUMBER Bliffert Lumber, Milwaukee, Wi., has acquired East Side Lumber, Hartford, Wi., effective Aug. 1.

East Side Lumber has been employee-owned for more than 18 years and has built an outstanding reputation for its expertise, customer service, and commitment to the building industry. That employee-first culture aligns naturally with Bliffert Lumber, which has expanded employee ownership through its partial ESOP, reinforcing both companies’ belief that investing in employees builds stronger businesses and better customer relationships.

According to East Side Lumber VP Mark Neu: “In 1961, the Vander Jagt family completed the merger of two Hartford lumberyards to form East Side Lumber Co. Over the years, through continued growth and improvements, East Side Lumber Co. has provided quality products and excellent customer service to Hartford and the surrounding communities. This merger with Bliffert Lumber will provide an even stronger offering of products while maintaining the same staff that the Hartford community has come to know and trust. We welcome this merger as an exciting opportunity to continue operating a strong lumberyard and builder hardware location that supports Hartford and the surrounding area.”

“We are overjoyed to welcome East Side to our lumber family. Strong independents go together like hot summer weather and cold Wisconsin beer. More importantly, both of our companies have built our success on taking care of our employees, customers, and communities. Nothing makes us happier than continuing that tradition together,” said Eli Bliffert, chairman of the board, Bliffert Lumber.

Customers of East Side Lumber can expect business continuity throughout the transition, including the same knowledgeable team, familiar location, and continued commitment to personalized service.

Bliffert Lumber is a sixth-generation, family-owned lumber and building materials company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wi. Founded in 1904, the company operates 15 locations across Wisconsin.

HOME CENTRAL EXPANDS IN NEW YORK

Home Central has acquired Corning Building Co., Corning, N.Y., as its fourth location and renamed it Corning’s Home Central.

For nearly 179 years, the Corning Building Co. and the Smith family have been a trusted part of the Corning community. Now, the torch has been passed from one family-owned business to another, creating an opportunity to honor the past while building an even stronger future for the community and the customers both businesses have proudly served.

“We are deeply honored to welcome the Corning Building Co. into the Home Central family,” said Ben Whittemore and Aaron Gowan, owners of Home Central. “The legacy built by the Smith family and the Corning Building Co. over generations is truly remarkable. We understand the trust that comes with taking on a business that has been such an important part of its community, and we are committed to carrying that legacy forward.”

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------------| SUPPLIER BRIEFS Interfor reportedly is considering relocating its corporate headquarters from Burnaby, B.C., to Atlanta, Ga., as the U.S. South's share of its annual production increases.

ABC Supply Interiors has added locations in East Syracuse, N.Y. (Ryan Lorenzen, branch mgr.); Springfield, Mo. (Dustin Ellison, mgr.); Sulphur Springs, Tx. (Ramona Martel, mgr.); and Tupelo, Ms. (Andy Witt, mgr.).

Turner Supply, Mobile, Al., has acquired Millworks & Supply, Savannah, Ga. White Cap agreed to purchase concrete accessories distributor Ace Contractors Supply, Austin, Tx. Olla Hardwood acquired and restarted the hardwood mill in Olla, La., which had been shut down a few weeks earlier by Hunt Forest Products.

Owens Corning in the coming weeks plans to permanently close its door plant in Walkerton, In., eliminating roughly 130 jobs.

Sonoco Products Co. will increase manufacturing capacity of nailed wood reels by an additional 15% at its Hartselle, Al., plant.

Absolute Distribution Inc. (ADI), Minneapolis, Mn., is now distributing Cinch Railing throughout the Midwest, South and Northeast.

Detroit Forest Products, Westland, Mi., is now distributing the full line of Titan Building Products hardware and tools throughout Michigan, Indiana and Northern Ohio.

Palmer-Donavin is adding ACRE siding, trim, sheet goods, decking and fasteners from Modern Mill to its product lineup in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

US Lumber Brokers, East Austin, Tx., now offers the full line of IKO North America roofing products throughout Texas.

Westwood Millworks, Macon, Ga., has earned FSC chain-of-custody certification.

NAWLA Traders Market for the first time will be open to the entire LBM distribution channel, both members and non-members. Head to nawla.org to register for the Nov. 4-6 event in Anaheim, Ca.

The addition of Corning’s Home Central marks the fourth Home Central retail location, joining the company’s existing stores in Owego, Vestal and Candor, N.Y. Home Central is a family-owned company with a strong commitment to serving its communities, supporting its employees, and helping homeowners, DIYers, contractors, and businesses bring their projects to life.

“We recognize that a business with this kind of history is more than just a store-it is part of the community,” said Home Central owners. “Our goal is to preserve what has made the Corning Building Co. special while bringing the strength, resources, and opportunities of the Home Central family to Corning and the surrounding Southern Tier.”

eptember 2026

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------------| MOVERS & SHAKERS Matt Pomeroy, director of inspection services for the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, has been named by the board as the next president of NELMA. He will assume the role on Jan. 1, 2027, following the retirement of Jeff Easterling, who has served as president for 25 years.

David Adams, ex-Christensen Lumber Co., is new to outside sales at Millard Lumber, Omaha, Ne. David Erlbaum, ex-Dykes Lumber, has joined The MGF Group, Yonkers, N.Y., as salesman for the company’s new Doors & Hardware Division.

Bryan Midlik, ex-Northern Ohio Lumber & Timber, has moved to Roseburg Forest Products, as mid-Atlantic territory mgr.-composites. He is based in Medina, Oh. Mark A. Scherer has been named president and CEO of Scherer Bros. Lumber Co., Brooklyn Park, Mn. Pete Scherer is now executive chairman, after 31 years as CEO.

HOME DEPOT REALIGNS KEY DIVISIONS The Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga., has unified key leadership portfolios across merchandising, loyalty, finance, pro and technology departments to accelerate innovation and capture greater share of a fragmented $1.2-trillion market.

“To capture greater share of this enormous opportunity, our focus is clear: drive our core and culture, deliver a frictionless interconnected experience, and win the pro,” said Ted Decker, chair, president and CEO of The Home Depot. “We are aligning our organization to further support this strategy, enable smarter, faster innovation, and create a more seamless customer experience for DIY and pro customers.”

Core and Culture: To enable better product alignment, the company transitioned its private label merchants into its core merchandising organization, led by Billy Bastek, executive vice president of merchandising.

Interconnected Experience: Home Depot is unifying its customer experience, online, financial services and loyalty teams into a one interconnected organization, led by Jordan Broggi, executive VP of interconnected retail.

Win the Pro: Pro customers represent a $700 billion market opportunity, which Home Depot currently reaches under several brands. To advance its pro growth strategy, Home Depot is evolving its Office of Integration into the Office of Pro Acceleration, led by Richard McPhail, executive VP and chief financial officer. This office will spearhead coordination across Home Depot Pro, HD Supply, SRS and Construction Resources to further develop shared enterprise capabilities including enhanced customer relationship management, a shared product catalog, and optimized fulfillment across its businesses.

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James Mark has been promoted to store mgr. of RoMac Building Supply, Orlando, Fl. Kenny Byron succeeds him as insulation mgr. for the distribution division.

Kendra Newer, ex-Pella of Oklahoma, has joined the outside sales team at Forest Building Materials, Oklahoma City, Ok. Jay Cole, ex-Guy C. Lee, has been named branch mgr. of BMD (Building Material Distributors, Inc.), Dunn, N.C. He succeeds Chris Johnston, who has retired.

David Larson, ex-AZEK, is new to LP Building Solutions, as director of national repair & remodel and private equity siding sales.

Scott Davis, ex-Builders FirstSource, has moved to the outside sales staff of Kelly-Fradet Lumber, Enfield, Ct. Carson Velaski, ex-US LBM, joined Tri County Lumber, Clearwater, Mn., as director of sales & estimating.

Jason Koller, ex-Frogale Lumber Supply, is now VP for Tart Lumber Co., Sterling, Va. Taten Wood, ex-SmartLam North America, has joined Cambium as senior mgr. of growth partnerships. He is based in Dothan, Al. Christian Westgate has been promoted to operations mgr. for Eastern Engineered Wood Products, Keysville, Va. Jeff Stoneberg has been named store mgr. of Jacobsons Hardware, Rice Lake, Wi., succeeding Steve Fenn, who has retired.

Kevin Sims has been appointed chief operating officer of Gulfeagle Supply, Tampa, Fl. Turner Gilliam, Hoover Treated Wood Products, Augusta, Ga., has been promoted to supply chain specialist.

Allen Shaw has been appointed VP of manufacturing at Trex Co., Winchester, Va. Brad Hiranaga has been named chief marketing officer for Masco Corp., Livonia, Mi. Scott Showalter has been named president of DAP Global, Baltimore, Md., succeeding Mark Heird, who has retired.

Brigadier General (Ret.) Blaine D. Holt was appointed to the board of directors for Conner Industries, Fort Worth, Tx. Tony Hamill, chief operating officer of LP, Nashville, Tn., and Chris Evans, president of Timberlab, Portland, Or., have been appointed to the APA – The Engineered Wood Association board of trustees. Hamill succeeds Gabriel Farias, senior VP and general mgr. at LP, who served on APA’s board over the last year.

Ken Widner, chief information officer of Do it Best Group, Fort Wayne, In., was named one of its Top 10 Retail CIOs for 2026 by Retail Tech Insights.

Brian McCoy, board chair and retired CEO of McCoy’s Building Supply, was recently named a 2026 LEADing a Legacy Social Honoree by the Texas FFA Foundation.

Maude L.T. Ford is organizing an end-of-summer car show at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., report co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

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FORMER CARTER WORKER SLAYS SUPERVISOR

KINGSLEY LUMBER celebrated the relocation of its longtime quarters to Traverse City, Mi.

MICHIGAN DEALER MOVES TO LARGER YARD Kingsley Lumber & Hardware held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony July 22 at its new home in Traverse City, Mi. Established in 1937, the company had operated in Kingsley, Mi., for nearly 90 years, but outgrew its lo-

cation and moved to the new larger facility in April.

The new location features a series of elaborate displays, including doors, windows, cabinetry, countertops, trim and an expansive outdoor living showroom with Trex decking.

TRIMLITE PURCHASES BARNETT MILLWORKS Trimlite Equity acquired Barnett Millworks, Theodore, Al.-based distributor of residential door products.

Founded in 1945, Barnett Mill-

works had been owned and operated by three generations of Barnetts, whose roots in the industry date back to the 1930s.

An ex-employee of Carter Lumber’s door manufacturing plant in Mason, Oh., has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a former co-worker inside a company warehouse.

According to authorities, David Cohen, 34, allegedly found 29-year-old Vincent Stoetzel in the warehouse on July 22 and shot him “approximately 22 times.” Cohen then purportedly fled the scene and was arrested after a manhunt spanning multiple counties.

Cohen had quit his job at the lumberyard three or four days earlier, after having worked at the business for only about a week. One source said he returned to the business “to confront his boss.” Stoetzel’s LinkedIn page lists him as yard supervisor.

Officially, authorities say the motive is still under investigation.

Prosecutors report that multiple witnesses identified Cohen as the shooter, and testified Cohen and Stoetzel had first met about three or four weeks before the shooting.

Cohen reportedly was convicted in 2012 of assaulting a police officer.

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Registration is open.

nawla.org/tradersmarket

For 30 years, NAWLA Traders Market has brought the lumber and building materials distribution channel together. In 2026, we’re expanding the experience — welcoming members and nonmembers for more opportunities to connect, build relationships and move business forward.

building-products.com

September 2026 • building products digest •

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------------| NELMA SPECIAL ISSUE

NELMA PRESIDENT Jeff Easterling is retiring at the end of the year after 25 years at the post.

THE VOICE OF EASTERN WHITE PINE ------------ BY NELMA IF YOU’VE READ even one article about eastern white pine or SPFs from NELMA over the past 25 years, you’ve benefited from the work of one person: NELMA president Jeff Easterling.

On December 31, 2026, Jeff will retire after a career spent championing the use of real wood across virtually every application imaginable. Next comes gardening, travel and, perhaps most importantly, time with his new grandchild—a well-earned next chapter.

Jeff helped modernize the lumber inspection process by introducing digital inspection tools that automated the collection, storage and retrieval of inspection data.

The result was simple but significant: NELMA inspectors spent less time on paperwork and more time doing the work that matters, cutting administrative time nearly in half. He also transformed grader education by introducing online training and gamified learning long before those approaches became commonplace.

Jeff has always believed that great lumber deserved great storytelling. Under his leadership, NELMA expanded its educational reach through creative advertising, innovative public relations, and media outreach that introduced eastern white pine to audiences far beyond the traditional lumber industry. His revival of the historic

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White Pine Monographs and creation of the lumber industry’s only cartoon series, Skip and Wane, are just two examples of the creativity that defined his tenure. Whether speaking to retailers, builders, architects, contractors, or homeowners, Jeff’s gift for translating technical subjects into stories people could understand—and remember!—is something the NELMA family will carry forward.

More than the programs, publications, and technology, Jeff’s greatest contribution may have been his belief that wood matters, and that the people who produce it matter just as much. He built relationships across the industry, encouraged new ideas, and challenged those around him to think bigger about what eastern white pine and SPFs could become. Those relationships, and the enthusiasm he brought to them every day, will be his lasting legacy.

Some legacies are measured in buildings constructed or programs created. Jeff’s is measured in the people he taught, the industry he strengthened, and the generations that will continue building on the foundation he helped create. As he begins his next chapter, those of us fortunate enough to have worked alongside him simply want to say thank you: For the leadership, the innovation, the friendship, and the legacy he leaves behind. BPD

eptember 2026

building-products.com

EASTERN WHITE PINE. IT’S IN OUR ROOTS.

WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR RAW, PRIMED, AND PREFINISHED PINE! For information: MDuprey@HancockLumber.com or CBaumgarten@HancockLumber.com

Trusted. Respected. Valued. Heard.

TEAM HANCOCK

------------| NELMA SPECIAL ISSUE

NELMA’S VIRTUAL TOURS have grown into an interactive, educational resource for homeowners, dealers, builders and contractors.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF SELLING EASTERN WHITE PINE ------------ BY NELMA WHEN SOMEONE asks, “What will this actually look like in my home?” a stack of lumber samples can only go so far. Today’s customers expect to explore finished spaces, compare design ideas, and visualize products before making a decision. That’s exactly why NELMA’s Virtual Tours have continued to evolve, giving dealers and customers a better way to visualize eastern white pine before making a purchase decision.

Originally launched as one of the lumber industry’s first interactive virtual home experiences for consumers, the Tours (found at nelma.org/virtual-tour) have grown into an educational resource used by homeowners, retailers, builders, designers and contractors alike.

More than a virtual walkthrough, the Virtual Tours offer a 360˚ immersive experience built around actual projects. Green hotspots throughout call attention to the various patterns and grades of eastern white pine used in each project. This clickable grade, pattern, and finish information takes inspiration and makes it easily attainable, and the educational angle helps everyone from dealers to customers answer the question of what exact products were used where, and how.

NELMA now offers two new destinations to explore on the Virtual Tours page: a charming New England bed and breakfast, and a cozy nearby guest cottage.

Click on the bed and breakfast and you’re immediately taken in by the welcoming atmosphere, the colorful accents… and the voluminous amounts of eastern white pine. From flooring and wall paneling to wainscoting and exposed beams, eastern white pine appears throughout the bed and breakfast, creating a cohesive aesthetic that feels both timeless and welcoming.

It’s simple to move from room to room following the directional arrows, easily exploring the lobby, a bathroom,

32 • building products digest • S

and a huge bedroom, each covered in regionally grown eastern white pine.

The guest cottage is small, well-appointed, and somewhere you could easily see yourself for a weekend getaway.

The smaller scale works just as well as a showcase for the wood, allowing the natural character of the wood to take center stage. This application demonstrates the flexibility of eastern white pine for vacation homes, guest homes, cabins and camps, backyard retreats, and much more.

“While the tours were originally designed for consumers, we’ve seen tremendous interest from retailers, builders, and contractors who are using them as educational tools,” said Jeff Easterling, president of NELMA. “They help customers visualize finished applications while giving professionals an easy way to explain grades, patterns, and product selections.”

Remember the old days when showing application options to a customer involved carting around binders or flipping through brochures? Now it’s as simple as opening a tablet and walking through the project together.

“One of the biggest strengths of the Virtual Tours is that they move customers beyond simply admiring a room,” Easterling said. “Instead, they can identify the exact eastern white pine products used in the project and begin thinking about how to incorporate those same applications into their own.”

Buying building materials has become increasingly visual, supported by resources like home improvement TV shows and the internet. NELMA’s Virtual Tours bridge the gap between inspiration and specification and take the process beyond just showcasing beautiful projects. The Virtual Tours help customers understand not only how eastern white pine was used, but exactly which grades, patterns, and finishes made each project possible. BPD

eptember 2026

building-products.com

------------| NELMA SPECIAL ISSUE

NEW DESIGN VALUE for SPFs no longer places the species at an unfair competitive disadvantage.

SPFs LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD

NEW DESIGN VALUE GIVES U.S. LUMBER LONG-OVERDUE UPDATE ------------ BY KIM DREW FOR MORE THAN three decades, one small number has quietly put American-grown SPFs lumber at a competitive disadvantage. That number—the published specific gravity (SG) value—is finally changing.

SFPs stands for Spruce-Pine-Fir-South, a grouping of commercially important species that includes from the east, red, black and white spruce, Norway spruce, balsam fir, jack pine, and red pine. From the west, Engelmann spruce, Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine.

The “s” designation indicates that the SPFs lumber was produced from logs harvested in the United States, south of the Canadian border, and delineates homegrown wood from foreign imported wood.

Following a comprehensive review of decades of testing data, the published SG value for SPFs has been approved to increase from 0.36 to 0.40, representing an 11.1% increase. While the trees themselves haven’t changed, the way the value is calculated finally has.

What is Specific Gravity?

Specific gravity is simply a relative measure of a wood species’ density compared to water. A species with an SG of 0.40, for example, is 40% as dense as water. While this may sound like an obscure engineering measurement, it plays an important role in wood construction.

Nearly every mechanical property of lumber is related to specific gravity. Bottom line: denser wood generally produces stronger wood. The value is especially important when it comes to connection design, where engineers calculate how well nails, screws, truss plates, and other fasteners will perform.

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Specific gravity is determined using ASTM D 2395.

Small wood samples are weighed, their volume is calculated, and density is determined using identical methods across all species groups.

So why does the change from 0.36 to 0.40 matter?

On paper, the difference appears small. In reality, it represents an increase of more than 10%, a meaningful improvement when engineers are designing structural connections. It means that more projects that previously fell outside the design capabilities of SPFs may now comfortably fit within them.

Correcting a 36-Year-Old Disadvantage The increase in SG is not the result of stronger trees or new testing methods. Instead, it corrects a too-conservative calculation method that has existed since 1990.

When design values for major North American softwood species groups were originally established, nearly every grouping (Doug Fir, Southern Pine, Hem-Fir, and Canadian SPF) received SG values based on the average of all species and samples being tested. But SPFs was treated differently.

Because it was a relatively new grouping at the time, the published design values for SPFs were based on the weakest-performing species within the group (Balsam Fir) rather than the average of all species tested. That overly conservative approach resulted in the 0.36 value that has remained in place for 36 years.

Recognizing this inequity, the cooperating lumber agencies representing SPFs manufacturers—NELMA,

eptember 2026

(Continued on page 36) building-products.com

SMELL

Plastic, concrete or pine?

Learn why consumers prefer natural over fabricated.

USE ALL YOUR SENSES. Visit nelma.org for all things eastern white pine, spruce-pinefir and other softwood species grown in the Northeast and Great Lakes region.

Scan here to learn the difference between eastern white pine and plastic lumber.

Simply hold the camera on your smartphone over this image.

@NortheasternLumberMfg @WoodInspiration @wood_inspiration1933

Western Wood Products Association, the Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau, and Redwood Inspection Service— jointly petitioned the American Lumber Standard Committee in 2026 to revisit the published value.

After review by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory and the ALSC Board of Review, approval was granted to increase the SG of SPFs to 0.40 using the same calculation method applied to other major lumber species groups.

“This happened because NELMA took the lead,” said Russell Edgar, president of Madera Woodtech. “NELMA did the analysis, brought the agencies together, and drove the effort from beginning to end. The other cooperating agencies were tremendous partners as NELMA led the charge to make sure SPFs was finally evaluated the same way as every other major species grouping.”

Edgar notes that NELMA members account for roughly two-thirds of all SPFs production in North America, making the organization uniquely positioned to coordinate the effort on behalf of the industry.

The approved value now awaits publication by the American Wood Council in the next edition—or interim addendum—of the National Design Specification, the design manual relied upon by structural engineers throughout North America.

Why This Matters to Dealers For retailers and distributors, the impact is straightforward. For years, engineers sometimes selected competing species simply because the published SG value for SPFs limited connection designs—not because the lumber itself was inferior. Now those same engineers will have a more accurate value to work with.

That means more opportunities to specify SPFs in structural applications, creating additional demand throughout the supply chain, from sawmills to distributors to retailers. “Dealers have an opportunity to help solve a problem that’s existed for decades,” said Edgar. “Stock more SPFs, recommend it to your customers, and help grow demand for American-grown lumber. The design value now reflects what the species group has demonstrated through decades of testing.”

For NELMA members, the change represents new opportunities to compete for projects that may previously have defaulted to imported SPF lumber. “This is a tremendous win for our members,” said NELMA president Easterling. “They now have the opportunity to fill more orders with American-grown SPFs because engineers have a design value that more accurately reflects the product

they’re specifying. The potential for growth is significant.”

Perhaps just as important, Easterling believes the approval corrects a long-standing misconception. “For years, this has really been more of a perception problem than a performance problem,” he continued. “The same tree doesn’t suddenly become weaker, simply because it’s harvested a few miles south of the Canadian border. Now the published design value finally reflects that reality, and the playing field has been leveled.”

For an industry that has spent decades proving the performance of SPFs through rigorous testing, the updated SG value isn’t a new achievement. It’s long-overdue recognition. BPD – Kim Drew, APR, is a longtime communications consultant in the building products and construction industry. She may be reached at kimdrewpr@gmail.com.

Dealer Takeaway: Why This Matters What’s changing?

The published specific gravity (SG) for American-grown SPFs lumber is increasing from 0.36 to 0.40 and will be published in the NDS. Did the lumber get stronger?

No. The wood hasn’t changed. Decades of testing simply proved that SPFs should be evaluated using the same calculation method as every other major softwood species grouping.

Why should dealers care?

Specific gravity plays an important role in engineering wood connections, including nails, screws, and truss plates. The updated value makes SPFs more competitive in structural designs, meaning engineers can specify it in more applications than before.

What does that mean for your business?

• More opportunities to stock and sell Americangrown SPFs lumber • Increased demand as engineers specify SPFs more frequently • Greater confidence offering customers a domestic alternative to imported SPFs • More business flowing through the supply chain, from sawmills to distributors to dealers → Bottom line: Nothing changed in the forest. The numbers finally caught up with the performance.

EASTERN WHITE PINE

SOURCE FROM THOSE WHO LIVE WHERE IT GROWS

(800) 669-6800

36 • building products digest • S

eptember 2026

building-products.com

------------| NELMA SPECIAL ISSUE

A DECADE OF RESULTS

HOW NORWAY SPRUCE DELIVERED FOR THE LUMBER INDUSTRY ------------ BY NELMA TEN YEARS AGO, the lumber industry experienced a significant milestone with the approval of Norway spruce as the 10th species in the Spruce-Pine-Fir-South (SPFs) lumber grouping.

Following four years of research, sampling, destructive testing, and technical review, the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC)

officially approved the species for structural design values on October 20, 2016, marking the first time since the 1920s that a new U.S.-grown softwood species had completed the full-strength testing process and been accepted for use in structural lumber.

The approval was backed by extensive testing of more than 1,300 pieces of dimension lumber at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, followed by an independent review by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory. Both organizations concluded that U.S.-grown Norway spruce performed on par with the existing SPFs species, allowing it to share the same design values used by engineers, architects and builders.

But the story began long before 2016. Norway spruce first arrived in the United States in the 1860s and later became a cornerstone of the Civilian Conservation Corps reforestation efforts during the Great Depression. Millions of seedlings were planted across the Northeast, leaving behind extensive forests that matured into a valuable timber resource decades later.

For lumber manufacturers, the approval immediately expanded the available timber supply by allowing U.S.-grown Norway spruce to be included in existing SPFs production.

It transformed a species once used primarily for pulpwood and low-value products into an important structural lumber resource, creating new economic opportunities for mills throughout the Northeast and Great Lakes region.

building-products.com

THE APPROVAL 10 years ago of Norway spruce to be used in structural lumber has had a significant impact on the industry.

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eptember 2026

How Norway Spruce Impacted Milan Lumber Back in 2016, Jethro Poulin, sales manager at Milan Lumber Company in Milan, N.H., had big dreams for what the Norway spruce news would mean to his lumber mill.

Set on the banks of the Androscoggin River, Milan is a family-owned and operated softwood dimension mill—the largest in the state of New Hampshire—recognized for producing high-quality spruce dimension lumber for customers throughout the Eastern United States and Canada.

Before the Norway spruce addition, Poulin shares that challenges existed: due to harvesting, available logs were reducing in size, resulting in difficulty finding anything over 6" to 8" in diameter. The product was there, but overall availability percentages were reduced.

Since 2016, Milan has been purchasing Norway spruce from New York state, with amounts increasing to the point of needing to use train

cars for transportation, something the mill had never done before.

“Our availability percentages for 8", 10", even 12" logs grew exponentially,” said Poulin. “Most importantly, the lumber was all good quality: Norway spruce doesn’t have many defects, it’s very white and clean and looks great for our customers.”

At its peak, Poulin estimates that Norway spruce was 30% of the mill’s production.

“We were struggling for fiber at the mill before Norway spruce,” added Poulin. “Norway spruce has allowed us to feed the mill, to keep it going, to keep our people employed. This species has absolutely moved our mill forward and helped us gain market share and separate ourselves from competitors. Production has increased, the end product is very nice, we’re able to produce wider widths—it’s been a dramatic change for Milan.”

But if your customers come into your store looking to buy Norway spruce, they’re out of luck. Matt Pomeroy, director of inspection services for NELMA, explains: “The mystery and beauty of Norway spruce is that once it was approved for the SPFs grouping, it blended in as one of the many species in the grouping. It’s been a real boon to our SPFs manufacturing members as a species that was available—but unattainable—before the 2016 design values update; Norway spruce has spent the last decade improving production and customer satisfaction for the entire industry.” BPD

building-products.com

From the Forest to Rockefeller Center Since Norway spruce was approved for structural lumber usage in 2016, the species has taken center stage— literally!

Every Rockefeller Center Christmas tree since 2016 has been a Norway spruce! In fact, Norway spruce has been the overwhelmingly dominant choice for decades, with only occasional exceptions in the tradition’s long history.

Additionally, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree enjoys a second life after the holidays. Each tree is donated to Habitat for Humanity, milled into lumber, and incorporated into affordable homes, giving America’s most recognizable Norway spruce a lasting legacy well beyond the holiday season.

September 2026 • building products digest •

39

“We’re excited to bring Starborn into the PrimeSource Brands family and believe their reputation for innovation, quality, and service is a strength that folds naturally into the PrimeSource business,” said Tom Koos, CEO of PrimeSource Brands. “Their portfolio ties strongly to two of our segments, fasteners and outdoor living. Combined with our leading fastener brands, including Grip-Rite and Cobra, and our Wolf decking brands, this acquisition broadens what we can offer customers across both categories.”

CNRG EXPANDS IN MINNESOTA

EEWP co-founder Steve Colson welcomes guests to the grand opening of the company’s new distribution center in Belton, S.C.

EASTERN ENGINEERED WOOD OPENS SC DC

Eastern Engineered Wood Products, a prominent wholesale distributor of structural wood products used in residential and light-commercial construction, announces the grand opening of its new distribution center in Belton, S.C. The new location will service lumber dealers and component manufacturers in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, and will expand the company’s footprint from the Southeastern U.S. north through the Mid-Atlantic to New England.

Like the model for its distribution centers in Bethlehem, Pa., and Keysville, Va., the new location will be dedicated exclusively to the sale of engineered wood products (EWP). Eastern’s commitment to creating an exceptional customer experience ensures the accurate, on-time delivery of pieces, job packs, or truckloads of its structural wood products in one to two days, along with the technical support needed to make their projects run smoothly.

“We’ve learned that our high-service model is well suited for dealers in this market,” said Todd Lindsey, president of Eastern Engineered Wood Products. “We are excited about the opportunity to introduce our unique value proposition in this new territory and to simplify what customers often consider one of their most complex product offerings.”

PRIMESOURCE BUYS STARBORN INDUSTRIES PrimeSource Brands, Irving, Tx., has acquired Starborn Industries, a leading provider of branded fastening solutions and installation systems for decking and exterior applications.

The transaction represents PrimeSource Brands’ 11th acquisition since partnering with Clearlake Capital in December 2020. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Based in Edison, N.J., Starborn offers a portfolio of branded fasteners and installation tools primarily focused on residential decking and exterior applications.

Starborn has established itself as a differentiated provider through its offerings of innovative products, including Pro Plug, Cap-Tor xd, HeadCote, Smart-Bit, and DeckFast.

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Orgill’s retail subsidiary, Central Network Retail Group (CNRG), is expanding its presence in the Minneapolis metropolitan area through the asset acquisition of Terry’s Hardware, a retailer that has served the community of Hastings, Mn., for nearly five decades.

Orgill indicates that after a short transition period, Terry’s Hardware will be reintroduced to the community as part of CNRG’s Frattallone’s Hardware & Garden brand, bringing the total to 21 locations currently operating under the Frattallone’s banner throughout the greater Minneapolis area.

Terry’s Hardware was founded in 1978 by Chuck and Darlene Terry, and throughout the years has earned a reputation as a reliable, home improvement resource for local residents and businesses.

More recently, the store has been run by Chuck and Darlene’s son, Pete Terry, along with his wife, Carissa.

Together, this second-generation of family ownership has continued to grow the business and worked to enhance the operation to better serve local customers.

The Terry family’s decision to sell the business was prompted by Pete and Carissa’s upcoming retirement.

As they approached this next chapter in their lives, they wanted to ensure that the business their family founded remained in good hands and the community would continue to have a reliable resource for their home improvement needs.

This acquisition also reflects a deep, long-standing relationship between the Terry and Frattalone families, who have known each other for more than 50 years and share a mutual dedication to independent hardware retailing in the Minneapolis area.

“We are excited and honored to carry on the strong legacy of community-focused service that has been the hallmark of Terry’s Hardware for decades,” said Craig Cowart, president of CNRG. “The Terry family built an outstanding business that has served this community well, and through CNRG and under the Frattallone’s Hardware & Garden brand, we look forward to continuing that tradition.”

CNRG says it is committed to a seamless transition, with customers expected to experience minimal disruption during the process. “Our goal is to preserve everything that made Terry’s Hardware such a valued part of the community while enhancing the product selection and resources available to customers,” Cowart added.

“We believe the improvements we have planned will strengthen the business while honoring the legacy the Terry family created, and we think customers throughout the Hastings community will be very pleased with the enhancements we make.”

eptember 2026

building-products.com

NAWLA’s Lumber Math for Traders Price Smarter. Trade Confidently. Protect Your Margins.

Give your team the essential skills behind every accurate quote. NAWLA’s new on‑demand course uses real world orders to teach board foot calculations, freight impact, mill pricing, margin protection and key conversions. Traders learn to price accurately, work efficiently and make smarter decisions with every order.

NAWLA Lumber Calculator — Included course purchase to support daily work.

Quick, clear and built for busy traders. The calculator, born from the Lumber Math for Trader’s course, helps verify board feet, confirm volumes and streamline workflow with accurate, dependable numbers.

Access today at academy.nawla.org

FIREFIGHTING TACTICS INADVERTENTLY CONTRIBUTED TO ROBBINS MILL EXPLOSION Firefighters who responded to a fire at Robbins Lumber, Searsmont, Me., used tactics that unintentionally contributed to a massive explosion that killed three people and injured more than a dozen others, according to a federal report by National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health investigators.

The fire crews attempted to douse the May 15 blaze inside a silo at the mill by spraying water into an opening at the base, unaware that, as a sealed, oxygen-limiting structure, it can become pressurized with combustible gases during a fire. In time, the silo exploded, shooting the structure into the sky like a rocket as the fiery blast hurled away those nearby.

The silo’s manufacturer and fire safety organizations advise firefighters against injecting water or foam into them in the event of a fire.

After some time, firefighters believed the fire was largely under control. Without any warning, the silo skyrocketed into the air, followed by a large plume of fire at the bottom as it rose. The explosion threw surrounding facility employees, firefighters and EMS providers away in a blast of pressure and fire.

Approximately two hours after the explosion, a personnel accountability check found that one firefighter was missing and later declared deceased. Weeks later, another firefighter and company vice president Alden J. Robbins died as a result of injuries sustained at the incident.

In total, 299 firefighters from 46 fire departments across four counties responded to the incident until the fire was brought under control.

The 22-page report urged that fire officers and firefighters be trained on the hazards associated with different types of silos, and on tactics for battling silo fires. Fire departments should also develop a preincident plan for all “high-hazard occupancies, such as lumber mills.” As well, lumber mills were to make sure their fire safety and evacuation plans include information on combustible dust explosion hazards and share this information with responding fire departments.

Since 1985, NIOSH has investigated six incidents of firefighter fatalities and injuries resulting from silo fires and explosions.

A NEW NAME—along with new signage—are up at the former Ware Shoals Hardware in South Carolina.

SC DEALER ADOPTS PARENT’S NAME

Ware Shoals Hardware, Ware Shoals, S.C., has been rechristened Gus’s Hardware & Building Materials, adopting the name of the Belton, S.C., hardware store that acquired it three years ago.

According to Gus’s: “While our name is changing, our commitment to serving Ware Shoals and the surrounding communities remains the same. You’ll continue to find the products, service and hometown atmosphere you’ve come to expect—along with exciting improvements and expanded offerings in the very near future.”

KIRCHNER RELOCATES DANVILLE YARD

Kirchner Building Centers relocated to significantly larger quarters in Danville, Il., allowing for twice the number of employees, extended hours of operation, and more sales space in its storefront and lumberyard.

The new location soft-opened on July 27, following by a grand opening celebration held on Aug. 21.

It had been at its previous site for nearly 30 years, having purchased the old Danville Cash & Carry Lumber Co. in 1996.

PINE SAWMILL STARTS UP IN MISSISSIPPI

A new state-of-the-art sawmill has begun production in New Albany, Ms., producing lumber from Mississippi-grown southern pine from private landowners.

Dubbed The Lumber Manufactory, the $15-million project received some financial assistance from the Mississippi Development Authority through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive program, as well as from AccelerateMS and Union County. It reportedly will create more than 50 jobs in the county.

LOUISIANA DEALER CHANGES HANDS

AERIAL VIEW of the remains of the Robbins Lumber silo following the deadly explosion. (Photo by State Fire Marshal’s Office)

42 • building products digest • S

David and Kaitlyn Beard have purchased CBS Home Express & More, Coushatta, La., from the Paul family.

A soft opening event was held on July 24 to allow customers to meet the new owners, tour the store, and suggest products and services they would like to see offered in the future.

Working with Ace Hardware, the store will gradually introduce new inventory and departments. Over the coming months, the Beards plan to renovate the store’s interior to make its layout more efficient.

eptember 2026

building-products.com

------------| CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE

WESTERN RED CEDAR SHIMS Cedar City Shims made of premium western red cedar are now available for new distributors and dealers throughout North America.

Manufactured by Craftsman Specialty Products, the wood shims offer superior workability and natural rot and decay resistance.

DECK BOARD GAPPING TOOL

CRAFTSMANSPECIALTY.COM (888) 940-8879

The Deck Divider is a new spacing tool for installing any deck board with any fastener. It accommodates timber, composite, multi-width boards, clips and screw systems by being adjustable to the deck board width providing a 3/16" gap.

Deck bilders can use the tool to increase build accuracy and save time doing so no matter what type of deck board or fastening system is used.

THEDECKDIVIDER.COM

SIMPLER GATE KIT

An aid in designing wall panels, CS Cornerstone Wall is an all-in-one software offering that combines building modeling with structural wood component design and analysis.

Powered by hsbcad and part of the overall CS Cornerstone solution, it allows users to design and analyze trusses and engineered wood products, and place walls within a single application. The software allows users to design with building modeling tools that are consistent with other CAD applications that detail, make cross-sections of, and annotate drawings.

The Snap’n Lock Gate Kit from Titan Building Products makes it easy to build strong, attractive wood gates for deck railings and fencing. Each kit includes powder-coated galvanized steel corner brackets, all required fasteners, seven Snap’n Lock aluminum balusters with patented connectors, and a Rail Shield top rail protector. Lumber, hinges and latch are sold separately.

Designed for quick assembly, the system creates a lightweight, rigid gate that helps resist the sagging and twisting common with traditional wood gate construction. The included balusters provide a clean, professional appearance while simplifying installation.

The kit builds gates for 36" to 42" openings and is available in three finished heights—32-1/2", 38-1/2", and 58"—making it ideal for 36" and 42" deck railing gates or full-height 6-ft. fence gates. Rail Shield protects the top rail from weather exposure to help extend the life of the gate with virtually maintenance-free performance.

STRONGTIE.COM (800) 999-5099

TITANBP.COM (866) 577-8868

EWP MODELING SOFTWARE

building-products.com

September 2026 • building products digest •

43

BULB PLANTING AUGER BITS Milwaukee Tool’s new Bulb Planting Auger Bits with 3-Flat Shank deliver faster, easier digging for bulbs and small flowers. The leading edge and tip design digs up to two times faster than hand trowels, saving time on every hole, while the durable shank provides longer life to withstand repeated use.

Offered in both 10" and 24" lengths, the bits achieve up to 50% more holes per charge to maximize productivity during use. The 3-flat shank fits securely in 1/2" drills for reliable performance in tilled soil.

MILWAUKEETOOL.COM (800) 729-3878

POST FRAME CONNECTORS Simpson Strong-Tie is expanding its post frame construction offerings with the PFCB and PFC post frame connector brackets and angles.

The dry-set, shear-resisting post frame connector brackets require no through-bolting; instead, the connectors come with Strong-Drive SDS Connector screws for a better, more intuitive installation experience.

Featuring heavy-duty steel construction, large corner embossments/stiffeners, and value-engineered anchorage tables, the connectors provide high-performance, tested and code-listed uplift and shear loads.

They have a G90 galvanized coating for long-lasting corrosion protection.

STRONGTIE.COM (800) 999-5099

COASTAL-COLORED CELLULAR PVC Westlake Royal Building Products has added five coastal-inspired colors to its Celect Cellular Composite Siding line, including Coral Reef, Cottage Green, Peachy Keen, Sea Blue and Sunkissed Yellow.

Every Celect option is protected by a factory-applied Kynar Aquatec water-based polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) coating for long-term resistance to peeling, chalking, dirt, mold and fading.

Other features include advanced color protection and weather resilience; its patented interlocking gravity-lock system resists up to 210 mph winds without warping, buckling or shifting.

WESTLAKEROYALBUILDINGPRODUCTS.COM (800) 521-8486

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NEW OAK AND WALNUT LAMINATES Genesis Products has introduced two new decor collections of laminated panels that combine timeless craftsmanship with contemporary design for cabinet, closet and furniture manufacturers.

The Patina Oak Collection features light oak tones, while the Atelier Walnut Collection offers a bold cathedral grain and clean linear movement.

FUNDERAMERICA.COM/WOODGRAIN (336) 751-3501

eptember 2026

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Available in four woodgrain styles, the lightweight beams are easy to install and resist moisture, insects, warping, cracking, rotting and splitting.

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CINCHRAILING.COM (833) 211-3512

FYPON.COM (800) 446-3040

RAPID-CURING FLASHING

OX Engineered Products is expanding its ThermoPLY portfolio with ThermoPLY Utility Board AB, a mechanically attached non-structural air barrier and draft stop designed to help builders meet energy code requirements. It also serves as temporary floor and surface protection during construction, equipped with a poly barrier designed to guard against spills.

The lightweight board extends ThermoPLY into non-structural applications where efficient air sealing, moisture management, and simple installation are essential. It is designed for use in wall assemblies, knee walls, attics, fireplaces, tubs and shower surrounds.

W.R. Meadows has introduced HydroWrap Puma Flashing, a rapid-curing, liquid-applied flashing and detailing membrane designed to provide reliable waterproofing protection in critical transition areas while helping contractors reduce installation time. Built on advanced Puma technology, the new membrane cures quickly (even in cold weather) and eliminates the need for reinforcing fabric, allowing projects to move forward faster with fewer installation steps.

Designed to protect against water infiltration at deck-to-wall intersections, corners, wall-to-wall tie-ins, cracks, joints, and penetrations, it creates a durable, flexible barrier that helps safeguard concrete structures from water, chlorides, deicing salts, chemicals, gasoline, oils and antifreeze. The system is compatible with concrete, metal, and exterior-grade wood substrates.

OX-FACTOR.COM/THERMOPLY (800) 345-8881

WRMEADOWS.COM (800) 342-5976

NON-STRUCTURAL UTILITY BOARD

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lumbermancoffee.com

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------------| DATE BOOK Listings are often submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with sponsor before making plans to attend.

Midwest Building Suppliers Association – Sept. 3, White Pine Classic Golf Outing, Tullymore Golf Resort, Stanwood, Mi.; thembsa.org.

Hoo-Hoo International – Sept. 8-12, international convention, Sydney, Australia; www.hoohoo.org.

National Hardwood Lumber Association – Sept. 9-11, intro to grading hardwood lumber, Memphis, Tn.; www.nhla.com.

Retail Lumber Dealers of Maine/New Hampshire Retail Lumber Association – Sept. 11-12, annual celebration weekend, Samoset Resort, Rockport, Me.; www.nrla.org.

American Wood Protection Association – Sept. 13-17, fall technical committee meetings, Orlando, Fl.; www.awpa.com.

World Millwork Alliance – Sept. 14-16, convention & show, Loews Pacific, Orlando, Fl.; www.worldmillworkalliance.com.

National Hardwood Lumber Association – Sept. 16-18, annual convention & show, Cleveland, Oh.; www.nhla.com.

Blish-Mize – Sept. 17-19, market, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Ks.; www.blishmize.com.

Eastern New York Lumber Dealers Association – Sept. 18, annual meeting/Lac Du Saint Sacrement dinner cruise, Lake George, N.Y.; www.nrla.org.

Composite Panel Association – Sept. 27-29, fall meeting, Hyatt Regency Savannah, Savannah, Ga.; www.compositepanel.org.

Kentucky Building Materials Assn. – Sept. 29-30, blueprint reading & material take-off workshop, The Trail Hotel, Bardstown, Ky.; Oct. 1, golf scramble, Bardstown Country Club, Bardstown, Ky.; kbma.net.

Wallace Distribution – Sept. 30-Oct. 1, fall dealer market, Sevierville, Tn.; www.wallacedistribution.com.

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association – Sept. 30-Oct. 2, annual meeting, Samoset Resort, Rockport, Me.; www.nelma.org.

National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association – Oct. 5-7, industry summit, Chicago, Il.; www.dealer.org.

BLD Connection – Oct. 14, Sunflower Shootout golf outing, Sand Creek Station Golf Course, Newton, Ks.; Oct. 17, Wine & Whiskey Outing, Des Moines, Ia.; Oct. 18-20, MLA roundtable group fall meeting, Embassy Suites, Rogers, Ar.; members.bldconnection.org.

High Point Market – Oct. 17-20, High Point, N.C.; highpointmarket.org.

Greenbuild International Conference + Expo – Oct. 19-22, Javits Center, New York, N.Y.; www.greenbuildexpo.com North American Young Lumber Employees – Oct. 19-23, timber tour, Denver, Co.; www.nrla.org.

Equip Exposition/Hardscape North America – Oct. 20-23, Louisville, Ky.; www.equipexposition.com.

House Hasson – Oct. 22-24, market, Sevierville, Tn.; househasson.com.

Ace Hardware Corp. – Sept. 22-24, fall convention, Orlando, Il.; www. acehardware.com.

APA–Engineered Wood Assn. – Oct. 24-27, annual meeting & Info Fair, Omni Amelia Island Resort, Fernandina Beach, Fl.; www.apawood.org.

Construction Suppliers Assn. – Sept. 23-25, annual conference & tradeshow, King & Prince Resort, St. Simons Island, Ga.; gocsa.com.

Construction Suppliers Assn. – Oct. 26-29, intro to building material sales & blueprint estimating workshop, Tyrone, Ga.; www.gocsa.com.

LAT – Sept. 23, Lukshin Classic golf tournament, Lost Pines Golf Club, Bastrop, Tx.; Sept. 23-25, annual convention, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa, Bastrop; www.lat.org.

Eastern Building Material Dealers Association – Oct. 28, Managing for Results workshop, Croydon, Pa.; www.nrla.org.

LMC – Oct. 28-30, LMC Expo, Philadelphia, Pa.; www.lmc.net.

Do it Best/True Value – Sept. 25-28, fall market, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, In.; www.doitbestmarket.com.

Mid-Hudson Lumber Dealers Association – Oct. 29, annual meeting, Powelton Golf Club, Newburgh, N.Y.; www.nrla.org.

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------------| ADVERTISERS INDEX PAGE INTEGRITY – it’s at the root of our reputation.

9

Boozer Beam

36

Seaboard International 22 F Cotton Road, Nashua, NH 03063 800-669-6800 | 603-881-3700

www.sifp.com

www.boozerbeam.com

sifp_sales@fctg.com

Eastern White Pine Source From Those Who Live Where It Grows

17

Bowers International Forest Products

Cover II

11

Crumpler Plastic Pipe

Cover III

Culpeper Wood Preservers www.culpeperwood.com

39

Do it Best Group www.doitbestonline.com

33

Durgin & Crowell www.durginandcrowell.com

3

Great Southern Wood Preserving www.yellawood.com

31

Hancock Lumber www.hancocklumber.com

Cover IV

Humboldt Sawmill www.mendoco.com

47

Lumberman Coffee www.lumbermancoffee.com

29, 41

NAWLA www.nawla.org

Cov. I, 35

NELMA www.nelma.org

13

Pelican Bay Forest Products www.pelicanbayfp.com

45

Redbook Lumber Data www.redbooklumberdata.com

5, 27

Redwood Empire www.buyredwood.com

37

Robbins Lumber www.rlco.com

19

RoyOMartin www.royomartin.com

building-products.com

7

Weyerhaeuser Co. www.weyerhaeuser.com

Diorio Forest Products www.diorioforestproducts.com

23

Swanson Group Sales Co. www.swansongroup.biz

www.cpp-pipe.com 25

Simpson Strong-Tie www.strongtie.com

www.bowersforestproducts.com

------------| IN MEMORIAM Michael G. Goebel, 82, retired vice president for Star Lumber, Wichita, Ks., died on July 23.

Mike grew up in Wichita, on the site where his father, Earl Goebel, founded Star Lumber & Supply Co. in 1939. After earning a civil engineering degree from St. Louis University, Mike worked for Eby Construction in Arkansas. Homesick with a young family, Mike returned to Wichita after his father passed away in 1966 and rejoined the family business, working alongside his brothers and sister. He earned an Executive MBA at Friends University, but was forced to abruptly retire in 2004 when he suffered an aneurysm.

Richard E. “Dick” Yost, 81, retired salesman with the Wolf Organization, York, Pa., died on Aug. 5.

A graduate of Shippensburg University, Dick spent more than 35 years as a salesman with Wolf and other building supply companies.

Louis Bernard “L.B.” Eckelkamp Jr., 82, owner of Washington Lumber, Washington, Mo., and Marthasville Lumber, Marthasville, Mo., passed away on July 11.

With four partners, L.B. bought Washington Lumber in 1966 from C.J. Harris Lumber. He then acquired Marthasville Lumber in 1971 from Rauch Lumber. Both businesses are still owned by the Eckelkamp family.

Rick Rodney Bitterman, longtime LBM salesman throughout Iowa, died on Aug. 4 at the age of 75.

After attending Mankato State University, Rick managed lumberyards in Forest City, Estherville, Klemme, Belmond and Ogden, Ia. He then moved to Des Moines, Ia., and was a sales representative at Triangle Pacific Cabinets. In 1992, he became a sales rep for Key Wholesale Building Products, Algona, Ia., and retired in 2013.

Burgess Elwood Dellinger, 96, founder of Dellinger Building Supply, Woodstock, Va., died on July 24.

After graduating from high school, Burgess enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served in an artillery unit in Anchorage, Ak. He began his construction career as a Permastone mason, then became a building contractor and later founded Dellinger Building Supply.

Marvin Glenn Satterfield, 82, former owner of Satterfield Lumber Co., Greer, S.C., died on Aug. 1.

September 2026 • building products digest •

49

------------| FLASHBACK

75 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH

FLASHBACK:

TRIPLE TRAGEDY

September 1951 cover promoted Philippine mahogany imported by Western Hardwood Lumber, Los Angeles, to sell to plywood producers.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, C.D. Johnson Lumber, Portland, Or., was one of the most prominent, profitable lumber concerns in the Pacific Northwest, if not the country—until tragedy struck, precipitating the liquidation of the company.

As reported in the September 1951 issue of BPD sister publication The California Lumber Merchant: “Sudden and violent death struck twice and a few days later struck again against the executive heads of the C.D. Johnson Lumber Corp., of Portland, Or., on Aug. 24, 1951. The lumber industry of the entire nation was shocked when the news broke on that fatal morning that Dean Johnson and his brother Ernest were among the 50 people who met death on a hillside near Oakland, Ca., in the crash of a DC 6-B giant airliner. The plane was flying non-stop from Chicago to Oakland, and was but five minutes from the Oakland landing field when it struck and exploded.

The Johnson brothers had been on a business mission to Chicago. They were accompanied on the trip by Eric P. Van, CPA for Johnson Lumber, who died with them in the plane crash. Death for all who rode the doomed plane was instantaneous.

On the following Tuesday, the funerals of Dean and Ernest Johnson were held in Portland in the presence of a great gathering of mourning friends. One of the pallbearers was R. P. “Bob” Richardson, manager for C.D. Johnson at their big mill at Toledo, Or. Mr. Richardson collapsed from a heart attack as the funeral cortege moved out of Trinity Episcopal Church, was rushed to a hospital, and there pronounced dead.

Dean was president and Ernest vice president and sales manager for the corporation.

Dean was one of the top-ranking personalities in the lumber industry of the Pacific Northwest, a leader of

50 • building products digest • S

splendid ability, an outstanding thinker and speaker in the councils of the West Coast Lumbermen’s Association, and also in the national affairs of the National Lumber Manufacturers Association. He was a man of force and of great promise, and his death opens a sad void in the ranks of western lumber. He had been honored with the presidency of the West Coast Lumbermen’s Association in 1945, and served with distinction.

Ernest was a quiet, conservative, scholarly man, less given to affairs outside their own business than his brother. He established a longtime reputation as a lumberman of vision and executive ability. He was born in St. Louis in 1898. Like his brother, he graduated at Cornell, and served overseas through World War I. Their father, the late C.D. Johnson, who died in Portland in 1940, was engaged in the southern pine lumber business for many years before coming West. He was a partner in the Frost-Johnson Lumber Co. of St. Louis and Shreveport, a concern that operated a big string of sawmills for decades. Mr. Johnson sold his interest to Mr. Frost and moved to Portland in 1922, bringing with him his wife and sons. He immediately bought a giant sawmill which government had built on the coast of Oregon, for the purpose of manufacturing airplane spruce. It had never been completed when the war ended.

The mill is a very large one, cutting 400,000 ft. of lumber in eight hours, and employing an army of men in mill and woods.

Dean and Ernest were both put to work in the Toledo mill, learning the lumber making business at first hand.

As the years went by, Dean remained in the manufacturing end, and Ernest took over the sales end.”

At year’s end, just five months after the brothers’ passing, the C.D. Johnson Lumber Corp. would be acquired by Georgia-Pacific. BPD

eptember 2026

building-products.com

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