Cover Feature
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Experience is the key to success in the thriving Lowcountry of South Carolina. Espy Lumber Company’s management team, from left: Tim Hurd; Don Owens, Nancy Phillips, Mike Reeves, Henri Madlinger and Rob McKean.
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Espy Lumber Co. showcases the values of the independent dealer he bridge to the mainland changed everything. The year was 1958. Wesley Espy’s concrete plant had been supplying developers and contractors who were beginning to transform sleepy Hilton Head Island into a world-class tourist destination. That’s the year that Charles Fraser, known as the father of Hilton Head, asked Espy to open a building supply business to support development. The rest is history. “It’s hard to imagine how many projects we’ve been involved in through the years on this island,” said Mike Reeves, president of Espy Lumber. “And we’re still the only building supply business operating on Hilton Head proper.” It’s a proud distinction, but far from the only distinction for the two-location supplier of the South Carolina “Lowcountry.” Espy Lumber has been named 2022 Independent ProDealer of the Year by HBSDealer and the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association. (See sidebar.) The value-enriched, customer-focused dealer is engaged in a number of growth-oriented improvement projects, near the top of the list are an expansion of installed sales, and the roll out of a customized Six Sigma program. Both initiatives feed off the company’s problem-solving culture. In the case of installed sales, there was a time when Espy was receiving too many phone calls that complained about a product that was sold by Espy but installed improperly by a builder or a framer. “We’d go out and re-install the product, but we wouldn’t get paid for it,” Reeves said. “So we decided there had to be a better way. And that’s when we started 16
April 2022 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER
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