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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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Tips for protecting your business from cyber attacks

Protecting your business against cyber attacks can seem overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a dedicated IT staff. Scott Buehler, Director of Information Systems at L.E. Smith, has a few tips that can help businesses of all sizes ensure their information and assets remain safe. Hackers prefer it if you simply give them information Unlike what you see in the movies, cyber attacks don’t often involve complex, password cracking software designed to break through sophisticated firewalls. In reality, hackers use a more straight-forward approach to gaining access to confidential information. They simply ask an employee to hand it over. Seems…

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Fitting big remodeling dreams into real life possibilities

When it comes to designing or remodeling a residential or commercial space, we know your customers can have some pretty big dreams. Sometimes those dreams fit right into their budget and lifestyle, but other times you are left watching a sale walk right out the door because of unrealistic expectations. What if we told you that there was a way to save that sale by using value engineering to make your customers’ dreams come true? Value engineering in action Mike and Samantha are homeowners who are remodeling their kitchen. They have binge-watched the HGTV channel for months and scoured every…

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Is the Reign of Granite Surfaces coming to an end?

It is no surprise that granite, a stone that once graced the homes of wealthy nobility and lined the walls of royal palaces, became one of the most sought-after surface materials for the kitchen and bath. For decades, granite countertops have been a popular choice for homeowners and remodelers alike, but according to a 2019 U.S Houzz Kitchen Trends Study,  granite’s reign may have finally come to an end. Granite countertops face increased competition Although we aren’t quite ready to believe that granite countertops have become yesterday’s trend, we wholeheartedly agree that there are quality surface options out there that…

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B2B marketing strategies for the slow season

The ups and downs of the construction industry can be enough to give anyone a few grey hairs. The stress over how to keep up during your busy times is only outweighed by worry over how long your business can survive during the slow times. While no single solution can make all of your worries disappear, having a solid marketing strategy can go a long way toward increasing your revenue and minimizing those peaks and valleys that challenge your business throughout the year. While we don’t recommend that you wait until business is slow to begin marketing, the extra time…

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Affordable luxury for all Bathroom Projects

Homeowners and contractors alike know that bathroom renovations that include quartz, granite or cultured marble provide an opportunity to increase the long-term value and aesthetic appeal to any home. As one of the most commonly used spaces, both within the private and public sector, the appearance and durability of a bathroom vanity has the potential to make or break any first impression. Unfortunately, it also has the potential to make or break any budget. Quartz, granite and cultured marble vanities can be expensive and beyond the budget for many projects. Unless, of course, you have already found The L.E. Smith…

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Product Differentiation Ensures Your Business Delivers Value and...

In today’s market, it is no longer enough to be the best at what you do. To stay ahead of the competition, you must constantly be innovating and differentiating your products and services. A business known only for one specific product or service will likely be a business that closes its doors. If that makes you feel overwhelmed, just remember that you are not alone. The L.E. Smith Company is committed to ensuring that you have a wide variety of surface products to offer your customers. Best of all, we do the work for you! No Longer Limited to Laminate…

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You are never left waiting when the SQUAD at L.E. Smith has your back

We live in a world of instant gratification. Virtually everything we need is available at the push of a button or can be shipped overnight. While this has obvious benefits, it does not apply to remodeling or construction projects. After all, you can’t expect to have a new kitchen or bathroom quoted with the click of the button. Or can you? When you partner with The L.E. Smith Company, you can. For years, our customers asked for a tool that would offer quoting in real time. In response, our team developed SQUAD, an online web-based solution for quoting on all…

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