Fall 2014 Hardlines Strategies

THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Keeping You on the Leading Edge

Contents Ordering Made Easy pg. 4 Blish-Mize makes product ordering easy for you.

I t’s an exciting time to be a retailer! Employment numbers are up, housing starts are rising and consumers are looking to tackle more d-i-y home improvement projects—all activi- ties that will add growth for you, our valued cus- tomers. We value our partnerships at Blish-Mize, and we’re so happy to be standing by Star Lumber as they celebrate 75 years of business. As one of the Industry’s Top 300 Retailers, Star has proven it

Customer Feature

pg. 8

Read about how Star Lumber and Blish-Mize work closely together.

Customer Feature pg. 18 Learn how Blish-Mize gave Hostetler’s Feed & Farm Supply a new look. pg. 22 Get ready to save at the Blish-Mize 2014 Fall Buying Market. pg. 28 Read about Blish-Mize retailers who have found success with the SmartBook. A New Partnership . . . pg. 31 Learn more about Blish-Mize’s partnership with Titan LED Lighting and what it can mean for your store. On the Cover: Chris and Patrick Goebel of Star Lumber in Wichita, Kansas. Market Preview SmartBook

isn’t afraid to innovate and create new strategies for success. Developing strong relationships with both customers and vendors is an essential part of the equation of distribution. One of the ways Blish-Mize has always strived to lead the industry is through technology integration. On both our Retail Services side, as well as with our Operations, we’re constantly energizing the business with the ultimate goal of helping you have access to the most powerful tools and services that help your business. Staying current and connected to your needs is our No. 1 priority, and Blish-Mize is committed to taking steps to invest in infrastructure and programs that will ensure we are positioning the company, and yours, for a long future of service. Technological improvements at Blish-Mize have taken many forms over the past years. From improving our accuracy rates to almost 100 percent to giving you access to your purchase histories at our Buying Markets through our new SmartBook program, we are always looking for ways to improve and grow. This year, we’re focusing on some facility changes we think will have a positive effect on all aspects of our business and yours.   One of our most exciting initiatives is our adaptation of voice-picking technology at our Distribution Center. This technology will help our employees process orders quicker and more efficiently and will improve accuracy and fill rates. See more information on Page 32. In addition, we’ve installed new LED lighting in both our office and Distribution Center. This simple change is anticipated to save us 65 percent in utility costs, which we can pass on to you. By making investments in LED lighting now, we believe we will save on expensive overhead costs and help you do the same. Read more about it on Page 31. Be sure to check out all the details on these new initiatives throughout the magazine, and please feel free to call me whenever you may need something. I love to talk about the industry, the future of Blish-Mize, your business and our continued partnership.

Advertising Information Hardlines Strategies is published twice every year by Blish-Mize. Copyright 2014. For advertising rates and deadlines, please contact:

Blish Connor Blish-Mize

223 S. Fifth St., Box 249 Atchison, Kansas 66002 Toll free: (800) 995-0525 (913) 367-1250

Jonathan D. Mize CEO and President

(913) 375-2505 (cell) (913) 367-0667 (fax) e-mail: blish.connor@blishmize.com

Blish-Mize isamember-owner ofDistributionAmerica

Hardlines Strategies • Fall 2014 3