LMC discusses strategy in Philly
LMC dealers recently gathered at the LMC Expo in Philadelphia to discuss the state of the industry and purchasing strategies for the upcoming year.
Held Nov. 20-21, the LBM buying group said that the “one-of-a-kind event allows LMC Dealers to tap into the latest market intelligence from all those attending to ensure they are ready to adapt to the ever-changing market conditions in 2020.”
“Whenever we get an opportunity to get in front of our dealers face-to-face and network in this kind of environment good things happen for everybody,” said Andy Toombs, LMC senior vice president, purchasing. “It’s very intimate, very casual. It gives our members the opportunity to come and make changes or additions to their current programs depending on what’s going on in the market. For others, it’s a discovery process. We have new dealers here who may not have done this before. So we have LMC staff interacting with the members and suppliers to help guide them through the process.”
The event kicked off on Nov. 20 with a Component Alliance Meeting. The meeting, which included roundtables, is geared towards LMC dealers involved in the manufacturing of roof and floor trusses as well as wall panels.
“These roundtable discussions are extremely important to us, we learn from others who face some of the same battles we do,” said Dave Hoglund, vice president of purchasing at Builders – the Kearney, Neb.-based pro dealer. “It’s perfect for sharing ideas and best practices.”
The event also included the 2020 Forest Products Industry Outlook Supplier Forum. The forum featured key industry experts discussing their outlook for the upcoming year and provides LMC dealers the knowledge to create action plans and purchasing strategies for 2020.
Mike Almond, general manager of North American Sales at Canfor said wildfires and insect infestation in Western Canada has drastically reduced overall supplies.
“Domestically, in North America, there isn’t enough supply there to replace what we’ve had to curtail in Western Canada,” said Almond. “Diversification is very important. Forestry is one of those businesses where you are managing timber on a 75 to 80-year life cycle. You have to plan for these things.”
Doug Asano, vice president of sales and marketing at Huber Engineered Woods said that shifting strategies will be necessary in the upcoming year. “There have been some curtailments in supply, but we think there is potential for inflationary pressure and it all depends on demand.”
Following the Forest Products Forum, dealers hit the LMC EXPO floor where they were greeted by their LMC team and core supplier partners.
“For me, it makes my life so much simpler,” said Cindy Fleming, commodity manager at Morton Buildings. “I can come to one location and I can meet with every single supplier, all the mills, everybody’s here and it’s great to build the partnerships and get to know the people”
The final day of the EXPO featured Robert Dietz chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders. Dietz shared insight on the economy for 2020 and its potential impact on the building industry.
Based in Wayne, Pa., LMC dealer-members have as more than 1,400 locations in the United States and the Bahamas.
Held Nov. 20-21, the LBM buying group said that the “one-of-a-kind event allows LMC Dealers to tap into the latest market intelligence from all those attending to ensure they are ready to adapt to the ever-changing market conditions in 2020.”
“Whenever we get an opportunity to get in front of our dealers face-to-face and network in this kind of environment good things happen for everybody,” said Andy Toombs, LMC senior vice president, purchasing. “It’s very intimate, very casual. It gives our members the opportunity to come and make changes or additions to their current programs depending on what’s going on in the market. For others, it’s a discovery process. We have new dealers here who may not have done this before. So we have LMC staff interacting with the members and suppliers to help guide them through the process.”
The event kicked off on Nov. 20 with a Component Alliance Meeting. The meeting, which included roundtables, is geared towards LMC dealers involved in the manufacturing of roof and floor trusses as well as wall panels.
“These roundtable discussions are extremely important to us, we learn from others who face some of the same battles we do,” said Dave Hoglund, vice president of purchasing at Builders – the Kearney, Neb.-based pro dealer. “It’s perfect for sharing ideas and best practices.”
The event also included the 2020 Forest Products Industry Outlook Supplier Forum. The forum featured key industry experts discussing their outlook for the upcoming year and provides LMC dealers the knowledge to create action plans and purchasing strategies for 2020.Mike Almond, general manager of North American Sales at Canfor said wildfires and insect infestation in Western Canada has drastically reduced overall supplies.
“Domestically, in North America, there isn’t enough supply there to replace what we’ve had to curtail in Western Canada,” said Almond. “Diversification is very important. Forestry is one of those businesses where you are managing timber on a 75 to 80-year life cycle. You have to plan for these things.”
Doug Asano, vice president of sales and marketing at Huber Engineered Woods said that shifting strategies will be necessary in the upcoming year. “There have been some curtailments in supply, but we think there is potential for inflationary pressure and it all depends on demand.”
Following the Forest Products Forum, dealers hit the LMC EXPO floor where they were greeted by their LMC team and core supplier partners.
“For me, it makes my life so much simpler,” said Cindy Fleming, commodity manager at Morton Buildings. “I can come to one location and I can meet with every single supplier, all the mills, everybody’s here and it’s great to build the partnerships and get to know the people”
The final day of the EXPO featured Robert Dietz chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders. Dietz shared insight on the economy for 2020 and its potential impact on the building industry.
Based in Wayne, Pa., LMC dealer-members have as more than 1,400 locations in the United States and the Bahamas.