HardlinesStrategies_Fall_2024

CUSTOMER PROFILE

to a sprawling main building that houses everything from the smallest drill bits to the tallest ladders and everything in between. The main building in Denver has a will call area for customers to pick up orders, and the loading area in the back sends deliveries in all four cardinal directions every day. During the week, Black leads operations at the Gypsum branch, while Curry mans the business in Denver. About once a week, Black comes to Denver to collaborate on operations, including human resources, payroll, IT and purchasing. Over the last several years, the company has had several longtime staff retire, so their core focus lately has been on replacing that knowledge. “We’ve had to rebuild our workforce, which in this day and age has been difficult to say the least,” Curry says. “We are trying to get people in who have some of the background that we need to continue the next 50 years.” They have a multifaceted strategy for finding qualified staff. Curry says a primary tool they use is Indeed, which has been fruitful for them. They also have found success through word-of-mouth referrals and bringing people over from national competitors and trades. “Our will call staff at the Denver location came from the trades, and we have a sales rep who came from a supplier,” Curry says. “It helps us to have people from different developing staff knowledge is to welcome vendors on-site to train staff on how to use the equipment and products they sell every day. Whether it’s a new product from a high end chain saw line or a drill set, bringing vendors in gives the team an opportunity to gain hands-on training from experts that they can then pass on to Wylaco’s customers. Supplying the Masses A chance investment in e-commerce has allowed Wylaco’s reach to extend throughout the continental U.S. While Curry doesn’t have a formal education in computer science or web development, he taught himself the skills to develop Wylaco Supply Co. into a leader in e-commerce. Shortly after joining the company, Curry developed the company website as an informational page with a shopping cart. backgrounds. Combining all of that knowledge has helped us improve.” Another strategy Wylaco uses for

Wylaco Supply Co. prioritizes training its staff members with help from vendors so employees can better understand the products the store sells and more effectively assist customers.

Hardlines Strategies • Fall 2024 23