Bliffert Lumber named ProDealer of the Year
Washington, D.C.—The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA), in partnership with the Hardware & Building Supply Dealer (HBSDealer) are proud to announce Bliffert Lumber & Hardware as the 2024 ProDealer of the Year.
Founded in 1904, the 14-location family business goes to market with a promise of “everything you need under one roof.” Now in its fifth generation of ownership, the company has completed a string of well-thought-out acquisitions in recent years — including Oostburg Lumber of Oostburg, Wisconsin; Milwaukee Cabinetry and Fillinger Millwork of Milwaukee; three Chase Lumber locations merged into the Bliffert family in 2023; and Portage Lumber joined in 2024.
The leadership team’s confidence in and support of the lumber and building material industry is evident not only by its commitment to growth, but through its strong engagement in industry organizations. Notably, Eli Bliffert, Vice President and fifth generation owner, serves on the Board of Directors of Do it Best. Chris Hegeman, Manager, serves on the BLD Connection Board of Directors, the Wisconsin Lumber Dealer Education Foundation (WLDEF) Board of Directors, and will be joining the NLBMDA Board of Directors in the Fall of 2024.
In addition to its service to the industry, the 2024 ProDealer of the Year supports numerous charities, both locally and nationally. In 2020, Bliffert Lumber outfitted a delivery truck in all pink to bring awareness and support to breast cancer research. For every mile the pink truck drives, $.20 is donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
“We are honored and humbled to be named the 2024 ProDealer of the year,” said Eli Bliffert, Vice President. “We are fortunate to have generations of great customers and dedicated team members that have made winning this award possible. A very heartfelt thank you to the staff of NLBMDA and HBSDealer for choosing us and for all they do for our industry.”
“Bliffert Lumber & Hardware is an incredible company that is more than deserving of the 2024 ProDealer of the Year Award,” said NLBMDA President & CEO, Jonathan Paine. “Bliffert is a wonderful example of a well-run operation that places an emphasis on its employees, customers, charitable contributions, and volunteer service. They are truly a wonderful example of serving as an ambassador to the entire lumber and building material industry.”
Praise for Bliffert
Do it Best Vice President of LBM Russ Kathrein sated: “Bliffert Lumber truly sets the bar in our industry. Their commitment to valuing their employees, smart purchasing, and always doing the right thing makes them a standout. It's no surprise they’re being recognized as ProDealer of the Year – they've earned it through their outstanding practices and long-standing family business values.“
The ProDealer of the Year Award is selected by the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association in partnership with its media partner Hardware & Building Supply Dealer. This prestigious national award is designed to recognize a high-performance lumberyard (more than five locations) with a commitment to values consistent with the lumber and building material industry: excellence in customer stewardship, devotion to its employees and a positive workplace culture.
Bliffert Lumber will accept the 2024 ProDealer of the Year award during the upcoming ProDealer Industry Summit, to be held in Savannah, Georgia, from October 9-11. The event is hosted jointly by the NLBMDA and HBSDealer. The Summit provides an educational forum designed to promote the growth of lumber and building product dealers, distributors, wholesalers, and the manufacturers who supply them.
Past winners of the exclusive ProDealer of the Year award include Denver-based Kodiak Building Partners (2023), Hancock Lumber of Maine (2022) and McCray Lumber & Millwork of Kansas City (2021).
For more information about the ProDealer Industry Summit and the award program, contact Jonathan Paine, CEO of the NLBMDA or Amy Grant, associate publisher of HBSDealer.
