BM_FallStrategies2020-FINAL

OPERATIONS

“Blish-Mize has been excellent throughout all of this,” he says. “So far they have had very little disruption to their supply chain and have always been good about communicating the issue when they do. The same cannot be said for some of our other vendors.” Wright says while it’s not business as usual, business has settled into a new normal. Curbside pickup has slowed down as people now prefer to come into the stores to shop. The operation plans to remain vigilant as the situation continues to evolve. In the meantime, Wright says Home Lumber and Supply has decided to step up its support of charities in the communities it serves. “Some other community businesses have not been able to provide the same level of financial support as they have in the past,” he says. “So we have increased our sponsorships to help offset the loss to the organizations.”

When the statewide stay-at-home order expired on May 4, Home Lumber and Supply reopened its stores to the public, but with changes, including reduced hours, social distancing, enhanced cleaning, mask protocols for employees and plexiglass shields at the counters. Wright says employees were eager to see the stores reopen to customers because curbside pickup and delivery options were more strenuous on the employees themselves. “Many stated the number of steps they took per day had more than doubled while closed,” he says. “I heard reports of 14,000 to 15,000 steps per day by some employees.” Wright says the only stock changes have been products they can no longer source from vendors—and the addition of items like toilet paper and additional cleaning supplies. He also says that inventory turns have been markedly higher.

Home Lumber and Supply 14 STORES, KANSAS Home Lumber and Supply is a full- service building materials and lumber dealer headquartered in Ashland, Kansas, with more than 100 employees and 14 stores located throughout the state, primarily in rural communities. Hervey Wright, Home Lumber and Supply’s general manager says their locations transitioned to curbside pickup and delivery within days of the declaration of a nationwide state of emergency. “Most of our customers were appreciative of that move,” he says. “In fact, many other businesses in our communities followed our lead after they found out what we were doing.” The operation’s leadership team provided safety guidelines and procedures, but managers were given the autonomy to take additional steps to protect employees and customers as needed.

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26 Fall 2020 • Hardlines Strategies