BM_FallStrategies2020-FINAL

THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Teamwork in a Crisis

W hen we had to cancel our in-person you—our customers, our priority—the same fantastic Market pricing we always do, as we know many of you count on that savings as part of your bottom line. Our response time was quicker than most distributors, and due to our size, we were able to be agile and swift. We were able to communicate directly with almost all of Spring Buying Market, we knew we had to act quickly. We wanted to be able to offer

Contents Ask the Expert 4 Fall Market Preview 8 Featured Products 12 Operations: COVID-19 18 Customer Feature 28 Burke Gregory Building Center Customer Feature 34 Wylaco Supply Co. Hardware House 40 News 42 On the Cover

our customers and each of our employees. Everyone stepped up—whether to take on a new role or challenge or adopt a new way of working. Our IT department developed the platform to transition to a Virtual Market. Some of our sales and office staff helped in our distribution center, and a few non-essential employees worked from home. And you know what? It worked. Well, let me rephrase that. We came together as a team and forced it to work. We had to think outside our routine to build new ways of performing, create new materials and carve new pathways. And—we did our best given the circumstances. This was an amazing learning experience for us. But—and perhaps most importantly—we realized how much we value our in-person connection with you, our customers. I am sure you also missed extended conversations and shaking hands with your customers. We missed seeing all of you and continuing our personal connections with you at our Market. We also missed our famous Jack Stack BBQ Customer Celebration! If there is one lesson we learned, it is that our best business is done face-to-face, and we treasure that time with each of you. Again, in early summer, we were forced to make another difficult decision. We agreed that taking our Fall Buying Market virtual would give us enough time to develop the best savings models for you and to eliminate the possibility of any of our customers and employees getting sick at our event or putting anyone at risk. We hope you will agree that this was a necessary course of action, given the news and circumstances. Adapting during times of instability is what our Featured Customer, Burke Gregory Building Center, did after rebuilding following a devastating South Dakota tornado. On Page 28, learn how their team pulled together and rallied the community to start anew. We were proud to be part of that process. We also feature other retailers in this issue who modified their business practices during COVID-19 to meet the ever-changing local and regional guidelines. We applaud them for their efforts. So much is out of our control, but we hope you have been able to turn this crisis into a connection at some point. We also want to reinforce our commitment to you. Should you have any feedback, please email me directly at the address below. We look forward to seeing you in person at our Spring Buying Market in March 2021 as we celebrate our 150th Anniversary. Stay healthy and essential! Jonathan D. Mize CEO and President jonathan@blishmize.com

Vern and Jason Witt, co-owners Burke Gregory Building Center, Burke, South Dakota

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