Fall 2014 Hardlines Strategies

CUSTOMER FEATURE

Star Lumber’s offerings include pre-hung doors, moldings and many other building materials for its pro customers.

Building a City About 90 percent of Star’s customers are pros, and the company offers any- thing a builder or contractor could need. That includes foundation material, framing lumber, cabinetry and more. Star Lumber manufactures roof trusses and wall panels; does millwork and offers moldings, pre-hung doors, flooring, countertops, tile and more. For its D-I-Y customers who may be doing repairs or remodels, Star offers a wide variety of Blish-Mize’s Hardware House products. “Hardware House products are very nice products at a good price point,” says Patrick. “We have full collections for anyone fixing up or remodeling a room.” For a company that’s so involved in new residential construction, the drop in hous- ing starts a few years ago had a significant effect on Star Lumber. While the num- bers aren’t back at their highest, they’ve

decorating store. The corporate offices are in the building next door, with the outlet store right behind them. Other warehouses and a distribution facility are just blocks away. While business is strong, Star Lumber, like many companies, felt the effects of the recession in recent years. “Periodically, recessions cause everything to reset; businesses have to kick out every- thing they aren’t good at,” says Chris. “It’s funny; we were founded during the Great Depression, and now we’re in another recession. We’ve made lots of changes since 2008 or so to become more efficient. You do what you have to do: narrow your focus to what you’re good at. Things you aren’t good at, you quit doing.” Today, Star Lumber has six locations— four in Wichita, one in Manhattan, Kansas, and a flooring-only store in Oklahoma City—and two sales offices in Hutchinson, Kansas, and Topeka, Kansas.

rebounded over the past couple of years, bringing some more hope to Star staff. “At worst, housing starts were at 20 percent of their normal rate,” Chris says. “Now, they’re up to 40 percent. We wish they were at 60, but we can’t complain— we’re glad they’re up.” A brighter spot is multifamily housing. “Those start numbers are exceptionally good,” says Chris. “That’s helped carry us; they’ve helped us come out of the recession as well.” Two Companies in Tune Chris and Patrick Goebel both empha- size working with Blish-Mize means per- sonalized treatment from a supplier who knows their business very well. Doug Weathers, their Blish-Mize sales representative, is always available, says Patrick.

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10 Fall 2014 • Hardlines Strategies