Nov 13 2007 8:56AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |
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As I talked with builders all over the country I continue to hear about how the current market conditions have caused them to lay off personnel, reduce expenses, etc. In fact many builders have told me that they are on their second and third round of personnel cutbacks. This action means that those people who are left are doing the work of two and three people.

I want to encourage builders to reach out and utilize the resources that building material manufacturers have to offer home builders. Many manufacturers can assist the builder in reengineering their product line. For instance, many lumber manufacturers provide value engineering services that can save the builder as much as 20% in framing material. 

Most manufacturers have builder sales training programs that are focused on assisting the builder’s sales team to do a better job of selling upgrades and options. This is also a good time to upgrade and renew sales office product literature and catalogues as well as sprucing up the design center. Well, guess who can assist you in these efforts? That’s right, the manufacturer.

My message is clear – during these times the home builder must utilize all resources that are available to him and a very under utilized resource is the building material manufacturer!