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Optimizing profits in the slow season

Rain, snow, sleet and hail may not stop mail delivery throughout the year, but it does have a significant impact on businesses in the construction industry. This is especially true for those of us that deal with harsh winters followed by unpredictable spring weather. Although we joke that we may see three seasons worth of weather in a single day, it is difficult to find the humor when it begins to impact our bottom line. For many businesses this time of year, the drop in temperature also means a drop in profits. Although this may not be not true for…

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Leverage your competitive advantage for effective marketing

As a business owner, you are no stranger to understanding your customers’ needs. After all, you built a business around providing goods or services that fulfill those needs. What proves to be a little more difficult is understanding and marketing your competitive advantage. According to smallbusiness.chron.com, “A small business builds a competitive advantage by providing a better overall value to customers than competitors are able to.” That competitive advantage is the message that you want to include in all of your marketing efforts, as it is the reason customers will choose to do business with you rather than your competitors.…

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Top benefits of choosing a single supplier for all your surface needs

On any construction job, there are a lot of moving pieces that must be seamlessly coordinated in order to stay on track with project timelines. Many contractors have chosen to simplify this process by selecting a single source supplier for all of their countertop and surface needs. Not only does this save them time by eliminating the need to coordinate multiple suppliers, orders and deliveries, it can also lead to increased profit margins. At L.E. Smith, we take our role as your partner seriously. As a result, here are a few of the advantages our clients benefit from when they…

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Casework Company Increases Profit Margins with L.E. Smith

At The L.E. Smith Company, we have the privilege of working with clients from a number of different segments. They include residential and commercial builders, casework/millwork cabinet shops, and kitchen and bath retailers. Recently, we had the privilege of partnering with a casework company to submit a packaged quote for a large commercial project. Rather than dividing their efforts and manufacturing the entire quote for cabinetry and surfaces, the casework company chose to partner with L.E. Smith. This allowed them to focus on the cabinet portion of the project that would increase their profit margins. The Quoting Stage As with…

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Outsourcing Offers a Competitive Advantage for Small Businesses

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they can be found in every industry throughout the United States. The construction industry is no exception. As a matter of fact, an article published on eyeonhousing.org  stated that “residential construction remains the industry of independent entrepreneurs with 81 percent of homebuilders and specialty trade contractors being self-employed.” This research, provided by the National Association of Home Builders, is conducted every five years and is a continuing trend. Whether working in residential or commercial construction, independent entrepreneurs have become savvy in the art of cutting costs without sacrificing quality. One of…

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Value Engineering: Laminate and Solid Surface Rising in Popularity

For over a decade, granite and quartz have topped the charts for popular kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities. In addition to being a coveted material in private homes, rental properties also jumped on the trend in order to offer high-end upgrades that would attract loyal tenants. Unfortunately, the granite and quartz trend has been dramatically impacted by rising costs and increased tariffs.  What once was a smart investment, is now priced so high that a return on investment is no longer a guarantee. Offering low cost, high-value alternatives Value engineering is defined as a systematic approach to improving the value…

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With LES you don’t just get a product, you get a partner

Customer service at L.E. Smith means more than prompt responses, experienced project management and on-time, error-free orders. To us, it also means building mutually beneficial partnerships. According to Brian Smith, director of sales at L.E. Smith, “We are 100 percent committed to helping our clients become more profitable as a result of partnering with L.E. Smith,” explained Brian. L.E. Smith clients experience higher profitability As a client of L.E. Smith, you are more than just a customer. You are a long-term partner. This means that our team is working to provide you with expert advice, high-quality products and on-time delivery.…

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More than Laminate, LES Offers a Variety of In-Demand Products

Since the 1950s, The L.E. Smith Company has been dedicated to providing our customers with impeccable quality and unmatched service on every order. Over the decades, this legacy has directed every aspect of our business. It has kept us focused on ensuring our customers have access to the most in-demand, high-quality products in the industry. Although our reputation was built as a leading laminate fabricator, we have expanded our offerings over the years to include a wide variety of products. This list continues to grow and change as our team is continually analyzing trends in construction, renovation and design. We…

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Finding the right countertops for each project and pocketbook

Selecting countertops for a kitchen or bathroom project can be a challenge. There are so many options on the market today that selecting the right material, color and style can quickly become overwhelming. Carrie Welling, pricing analyst at L.E. Smith, has a few tips to help homeowners through the process. Consider maintenance It is easy to get caught up in the beauty and elegance of natural stones like granite or marble countertops. Pick up any kitchen and bath magazine and you are sure to find a picture of a high-end kitchen with wall to wall granite countertops. Although long considered…

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2019 Construction Industry Data and Trends

Understanding the annual forecast and projected trends in the construction industry is a vital part of the strategic planning process. Keeping informed of things like policy changes, tariffs, and employment projections can help businesses plan ahead and improve profit margins throughout the year. At The L.E. Smith Company, President Mari Ivan keeps a close watch on trends and industry forecasting. A few of the most notable outlooks for 2019 are summarized below. Forecast for 2019 is cautiously optimistic Although material costs and labor shortages will create some challenges in 2019, overall construction starts are expected to increase by approximately +3%.…

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