These LBM quotes are from the movies
When Kodiak Building Partners announced the creation of its ground up Ponderosa Building Supply, the press release included the following quote attributed to CEO Steve Swinney: “We think big, think positive, and never show any sign of weakness.”
You might think it’s not unusual for a CEO to swing for the fences with inspiring words, and maybe go a little over the top.
But wait. Isn’t that a quote from Louis Winthorpe III, the fictional financier played by Dan Aykroyd in the 1983 film “Trading Places,” a comedy classic? Any search engine will quickly reveal that yes, it is.
A closer look at past Kodiak Building Partners acquisitions and openings reveals that the company has a history of injecting pop-culture references — particularly from a certain type of late 20th century cinema — into its press releases.
Examples include the following.
• The acquisition of Kendell Lumber was described in a press release by the CEO as “… strengthening Kodiak’s presence in Minnesota. So we’ve got that goin’ for us, which is nice.” A reference to Bill Murray’s iconic greenskeeper Carl Spackler in the 1980 classic “Caddyshack.”
• The acquisition of Liberty Doors & Windows in January of 2024 generated the following Swinney quote: “Liberty makes quality doors for the American working man because that’s who we are and that’s who we care about.” Fans of the 1995 film “Tommy Boy” will recognize this quote from hardnosed-but-fair auto parts king Ray Zalinsky.
• With the August 2024 acquisition of San Antonio Masonry and Steel, the press release announcing the deal snuck in an obscure reference to the protagonist of “Anchorman, the Legend of Ron Burgundy,” which starred Will Farrell in 2004. Swinney in the release stated: “I’m in a glass case of emotion as we celebrate this milestone.”
• In July of 2024, Kodiak acquired Sequim, Washington-based Thomas Building Center. “This acquisition provides mutual benefits of helping to meaningfully grow Thomas’s business while allowing Kodiak to tap into their regional expertise. All we have to do is just tap it in, just tap it in.” Golf fans (and perhaps few others) will immediately recognize the phrase from ”Happy Gilmore,” the 1996 golf-comedy classic.
• “Great Odin’s Raven, that escalated quickly,” is the phrase from “Anchorman” (again) to describe the process that led to the June 2024 acquisition of Simonson Lumber in Minnesota.
• Swinney made reference to Ty Webb, Chevy Chase’s character in (again) “Caddyshack” in the release announcing an Idaho deal. “By partnering with Valley Lumber & Rental, we’re positioned to tap into the force in the universe that makes things happen—all you have to do is get in touch with it, stop thinking, let things happen, and be the bear.”
When asked, Kodiak’s Vice President of Marketing Monte Bride declined to reveal the identity of the Kodiak staffer in charge of the movie references. But he explained: “We always want to have fun when we celebrate a new acquisition or greenfield location.”
