Fall 2016 Hardlines Strategies

CUSTOMER PROFILE

our conversion,” she says. “That included scheduling, meetings, everything. Blish-Mize did it all. They brought in their team and got everything re-stickered, all inventory put back in order. We were very pleased. We knew it would be a busy few weeks, and it was, but all went well.” More Changes With the big changes behind them, Mertens says the team is ready to take on the day-to-day changes still taking place. Mertens says she and other staffers are constantly shifting around displays and trying new merchandising techniques. The constant changes aren’t surprising when you get to know the family, she says. “We are a one-speed family, for the most part. My dad; my sister, Kristen Friess; and me [who all work at the store] are always on the move. My mom, who also works here, occasionally tells us to slow down, but we can’t.”

This constant motion led to another recent change, when Mertens arranged for Blish-Mize to deliver two truckloads of inventory each week, instead of just one, as they’d previously done. “One truck was getting kind of limited,” she says. “Our business is growing, and we needed to do more. Adding that second truck has really helped with supply and demand.” She says she appreciates that Blish-Mize offers strong customer service and keeps Kingman Lumber competitive in its pricing. “Thanks to Blish-Mize, we are able to offer our customers quality products at fair prices,” she says. “They help us, a small business in a small town, to be more competitive. They offer great customer service as well. Our sales rep is great. I enjoy visiting with him, and any time I call and tell him what I need, he helps me out right away. We are a priority, not a number.”

She also appreciates help from Blish-Mize’s IT department, who she called on several times during the conversion. Mertens says she’s looking forward to the future of the partnership between Kingman Lumber and Blish-Mize. “We really value our relationship with Blish-Mize and all they do for us.”

Kingman Lumber began stocking feed after the other feed store in townwent out of business. Feed is nowone of the store’s strongest departments.

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20 Fall 2016 • Hardlines Strategies