Fastener Focus: Big Timber
HBSDealer sat down with Brent Hodgkins, sales development manager at Big Timber Construction Fasteners, to discuss the brand’s commitment to solving the most common pain points that home improvement retailers face in the fastener industry. From inconsistent fulfillment to squeezed profit margins, Hodgkins explains how Big Timber is addressing these challenges head-on, with a focus on reliability, support, and innovation.
HBSDealer: Retailers often express frustration with inconsistent lead times and fulfillment. How does Big Timber handle these challenges?
Brent Hodgkins: "We hear this concern all the time. Retailers need to know that when they place an order, they’ll get their product on time.”
According to Hodgkins, Big Timber's focus on dependable inventory management allows the company to maintain a 98% or better fulfillment rate. "Our goal is to help retailers avoid stockouts and backorders, which can lead to lost sales and dissatisfied customers," he explains. "We take pride in delivering what we promise, and we delivered on our 98% or better fulfillment rate even through the Pandemic."
HBSDealer: Beyond fulfillment, what kind of support can retailers expect from Big Timber?
Brent Hodgkins: "Product support is one of the key things we offer that sets us apart. Retailers aren’t just looking for fasteners—they need the tools to educate their staff and customers about why they should choose Big Timber and what specific product is needed for the application. We provide that through in-store training, detailed product guides, and marketing materials that help retailers tell our story."
"In addition, we want retailers to feel like they’ve got a partner in us," Hodgkins says. "We offer everything from merchandising support to custom inventory options, so our retail partners can cater to the specific needs of their customer base."
HBSDealer: Brand differentiation is a major challenge in the fastener market. How does Big Timber help retailers stand out?
"One of the biggest challenges retailers face is that fasteners can seem like a commodity," Hodgkins explains. "Our job is to help them tell a compelling story around our products. At Big Timber, we’ve focused on creating a brand that reflects our mountain roots and rugged reliability. Our fasteners are built tough because they’re Mountain Tested—that’s something that resonates with customers."
Big Timber’s branding emphasizes the company’s deep connection to the outdoors, which Hodgkins believes gives retailers a strong selling point. "We know that durability matters, especially in demanding environments. So, whether it’s a log home in the mountains or a deck in the suburbs, our fasteners are designed to last. That’s a message that resonates, and we provide our retail partners with the marketing tools to communicate that."
[For more, visit the 2024 Field Guide to Fasteners.]
