Haywood Builders sold to Southeast Building Supply

Haywood Builders sold to Southeast Building Supply

Haywood Builders Supply, a longtime staple in the county, was sold to Southeast Building Supply Interests.

BY KYLE PERROTTI NEWS EDITOR

Haywood Builders Supply, a longtime staple in the county, has been sold to Southeast Building Supply Interests — but customers aren’t likely to see too many visible changes.

The announcement was made last month in an open letter from SBSI President Roger Farmer and Haywood Builders Supply President Danny Wingate to customers. In the first paragraph of that letter, it’s made clear that Wingate will continue with the company.

“By joining SBSI we hope to enhance and strengthen Haywood’s ability to serve customers, and to ensure Haywood Builders Supply is a great workplace for our employees for years to come,” it reads.

Haywood Builders Supply has been in operation since 1948, when it was started by W.I. Dooly as a subsidiary of his lumber company in East Tennessee. According to Haywood Builders’ website, ownership of the company stayed in that family until 1993 when an employee stock ownership plan and trust was created that initially purchased 35% of the company’s shares. At the point of the recent sale, majority ownership was held by the employees’ trust.

In the letter, Farmer and Wingate state that the business will continue normal operations under the existing brand name.

“We know this is a people business built on strong relationships, and our team members will continue delivering the great service and quality products you have come to expect,” it reads.

SBSI has nine additional locations across Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina operating under local brands tied to their communities.

In a “frequently asked questions” sheet attached to the letter, it’s noted that there should be no immediate change in day-today operations.

“All the reasons why customers do business with Haywood Builders Supply remain unchanged,” it reads. “We are committed to our customers’ long-term success through deep relationships that withstand the test of time. Going forward, we want to be even stronger, and better at serving your needs for years to come.”

There is also a section in the FAQ titled “Why is SBSI/Building Industry Partners buying the business?”

“Building Industry Partners’ purpose is to build exceptional and enduring businesses, generate world class investment returns, and contribute to elevating the building industry and its workforce through people-focused investment & business principals,” it reads. “Partnering with Roger Farmer and the Haywood Leadership Team to bring Haywood Builders Supply into the SBSI family of companies is an important step toward fulfilling that purpose. Together, we believe we can establish and maintain a leading company that both adds value to our customers’ businesses, and is an upstanding member of the local business community.”

Wingate himself even offers his thoughts.

“SBSI’s and Building Industry Partners’ regional relationships, talent, and investment will allow us to continue to grow — providing our customers excellent service with quality products,” he’s directly quoted saying in the FAQ. “I’m very excited about the positive impact this partnership will have for our employees, and for our customers who trust us with their business.”

Danny Wingate will continue on with Haywood Builders.

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Ingles Nutrition Notes

written by Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath

Q: My elderly mother has lost quite a bit of weight that she couldn’t really afford to lose and her doctor is concerned, so I’m trying to think of ways to help her gain some of that weight back. My mother currently lives alone. Do you have suggestions for food or meals that may help with this? A: Finding foods and meals that your mother likes and is interested in eating is the first step. It may also be good for her to eat with someone to encourage her to eat and make meals more of a social occasion. This can also be helpful to monitor what your mother is eating, especially if she lives alone. As long as your mother has no food allergies or health concerns that limit what she can eat: 1. Small but calorie dense snacks between meals.

Suggestions: Cheese cubes, peanut butter crackers, yogurt, cottage cheese, chocolate milk, apple or banana and peanut butter, apple and cheese, canned or fresh fruit and cottage cheese, banana and cottage cheese. 2. Add nutrient dense ingredients to foods and meals. For example, if they drink milk (they should do 2% or whole milk) add non-fat dry milk powder. Make cream soups. Make smoothies with Greek yogurt, non-fat dry milk powder, whole milk and fruit and have with meals. Add cheese or cooked eggs to mashed potatoes, grits, or rice. If able to eat yogurt, make sure it is whole milk yogurt and add canned, fresh, or frozen fruit or stir in some jam or jelly. 3. Try protein drinks. 4. Make sure existing meals have protein-rich foods: Protein is found in milk (Fairlife has higher than normal milks), eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, chicken, beef, pork, seafood/fish, tofu, beans, nut butters (not as high as animal sources of protein but also have monounsaturated fat so provide more calories)

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN Ingles Market Corporate Dietitian @InglesDietitian Leah McGrath - Dietitian