Operations

In December 2020, Blish-Mize embarked on a $6 million investment in its Atchison Distribution Center to continue the company’s commitment to staying agile and delivering in-demand products to customers quickly and efficiently. The investment—a brand new conveyor system—included replacing all …

Whether they’ve been around one year or 100, every small business faces challenges. The challenges can be especially difficult in those first few years of operations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 20 percent of small businesses …

Employee teams and companies thrive under good leadership, but what qualities make a good leader? And what are the costs when a company doesn’t have strong leaders? Good leadership can reduce employee turnover, strengthen work teams and help companies grow. …

Successful retailers rarely sit on the laurels of past achievements; they are always asking the question, “What can we do better?” Without continual maintenance and improvement, a business can quickly lose relevance with customers or find itself falling behind a …

Results are key for identifying good leaders. At Roblynn Home Hardware and Home Furniture in Oromocto, New Brunswick, owner and president Tanya Hanson Rocca considers it a huge compliment that other business owners often ask for her hiring secrets. “You …

Invest in your managers with an online leadership development program to boost their skills, knowledge and confidence. The North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) Foundations of Leadership program provides leaders with home improvement industry-specific training. The program offers three …

The rising prices of popular building materials, particularly lumber, are resonating with retailers and customers alike. Earlier this month, new data showed residential home builders reported a 26 percent increase in building material prices. In May, the price of lumber …