Postcard from Silicon Valley
What Silicon Valley company is the reigning “Business of the Year,” as determined by the Campbell, California, Chamber of Commerce?
Is it Netflix? Apple? Google?
The answer (and you can Google it) is Economy Lumber, established in 1936 in neighboring San Jose. Today, when everyone seems to be chasing dot-com gold in an age of disruptive technologies, the Campbell lumberyard is doing things almost the same way it has for generations.
Almost, but not quite.
“We’re always trying to tweak what we’re doing, because there’s always something that can be done better,” said J.D. Saunders, the general manager who represents the third-generation of ownership. “It’s just figuring out what those things are, putting one of those at the top of the stack and executing. That’s the trick.”
At the top of the current stack is a builder’s hardware merchandise re-assortment and expansion to meet the demand for the state’s earthquake-proof construction. Plus, a makeover is in the works for the retail area. A long wooden counter that divides staff from customers will be replaced with a more interactive point of interaction (think Apple Stores).
“There’s an old adage we try to follow: Work on the business, not in the business,” Saunders said. “That’s the challenge.”
Saunders is no stranger to the challenges of running a business in a state that has earned its reputation as regulatory champion. He served as president of the West Coast Lumber & Building Material Association in 2011. (J.D.’s father, John, was president in 2000.)
During a recent yard tour here, Saunders pointed to a “perfectly good truck,” which has fallen victim to the rules of the California Air Resource Board. It will be taken off the road on Jan. 1. (“Now, do we hire a really good salesman, or do we replace the truck?” he asked.)
In lobbying, you win some and you lose some. But giving up is not an option.
J.D.’s support for the lumberyard business will continue as he steps into the role of chairman of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association. The induction ceremony will be one of the highlights of the 2014 ProDealer Industry Summit, Oct. 28-30 in San Diego.
In his role with the NLBMDA, Saunders has an outlet for his passion and advocacy on behalf of the lumberyard business.
“The importance of participation in the NLBMDA or a local association can be illustrated by thinking about how we all strive to run our businesses,” he said. “The top priority tasks — issues like safety and customer service — are not left to a small number of individuals within a company. These things require everyone’s attention.”
And the benefits to joining, he said, “rise and fall based on the level of dealer participation.”
Consider that a personal invitation from a Silicon Valley business leader to get involved.