Strategies_Spring2024

THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Serving Our Customers

Contents Ask the Expert . . . . . . . . . . .2 Featured Products . . . . . . . .4 Online Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Spring Market Preview . . . .12 Heart of Hardware . . . . . . . .20 Customer Feature . . . . . . . .24 Bethany Building Center Customer Feature . . . . . . . .30 Shamburger & Graham Building Center Hardware House . . . . . . . . .36 Company News. . . . . . . . . .38 Smart Warehouse Upgrades Remembering John . . . . . .40 Celebrating the life of John H. Mize Jr. On the Cover Bethany Building Center owners Marlene and Mike Littrell recently completed a reset and remodel of their store in Bethany, Missouri, with the help of Blish-Mize experts and programs.

F our simple guiding ideas have pushed us forward for more than 150 years: • Investing in our employees • Providing exceptional customer service • Managing cost-effective logistics and delivery • Open communication .

As we stand at the threshold of a fresh spring season, I am reminded of what our company has

achieved thanks to each team member’s dedication and hard work. We have navigated challenges, celebrated victories and grown together. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. By making customer satisfaction our No. 1 priority, we continue to solidify our position as the preferred and most trusted distribution partner around. This ethos is shared by Bethany Building Center, featured on Page 24, which just completed a major reset and remodel. Mike Littrell also runs a generations-deep family business. He recognized the need to modernize to assist his customers in navigating the store in a fresh way. He called us in to help them reset, remodel and figure out new store logistics. On Page 30, you will see Shamburger & Graham Building Center, our flagship Texas customer. They have made a success out of putting both customers and employees above all else and becoming the destination building center for many types of buyers. It is a pivotal time at the company as owner Don Graham looks to the future and succession planning. Both of these businesses have been buying from us for over 35 years! And on Page 20, you’ll read about Janet Elias in our Heart of Hardware section. She is one of our most loyal employees, having celebrated 50 years working for Blish-Mize. She exemplifies what it means to have a family business, and we are glad she is part of it. Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the passing of my father, John H. Mize Jr., who served as the chairman of the board at Blish-Mize Co. He was a friend to many in the industry, a great leader and loved by all at the office. His main focus was always the customer, and we will continue that tradition for many years to come. You can read more about him on Page 40.

Advertising Information Hardlines Strategies is published twice every year by Blish-Mize. Copyright 2024. For advertising rates and deadlines, please contact:

Warm Regards, Jonathan D. Mize Chairman and CEO jonathan@blishmize.com

Blish Connor Blish-Mize

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

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

Blish-Mize is a member-owner of Distribution America

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