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OWNER -TO- OWNER www.franklinbuildingsupply.com | 208-514-2200 | 9222 W. Barnes Dr., Boise, ID 83709 JANUARY 2023
CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC FOR 2023
Still Investing for the Future
I hope this first newsletter of 2023 arrives with you and your loved ones having enjoyed the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. As I reflect on 2022, it was a tale of two halves in terms of market conditions and our business performance. The first half of the year was a carryover from the 2020-21 frenzy with low mortgage rates and a relentless pace of activity. The second half of the year cooled dramatically as mortgage rates more than doubled and buyers and builders entered a standoff as recessionary worries loomed. As we head into 2023, we are cautiously optimistic. We know 2023 will be challenging unless something surprising happens by early spring to loosen the seized-up housing market. Since none of us can control or substantially influence the factors in play, there’s a sense that we must take whatever comes our way in terms of economic or housing market conditions. There is some truth to this, so we are positioning ourselves to play good defense and weather the storm well. It can be helpful to remember that recessionary cycles like this are much like the weather. You may not be able to precisely predict timing or severity, but you know economic downturns will come, and they’re a normal part of the cycle just like storms are a normal part of the weather pattern.
While we are going to be savvy and disciplined
about running the business well given the slowdown, we are simultaneously going to
play aggressive offense and pursue some opportunities to increase market and wallet share. These are the opportunities we are optimistic
about going into 2023. We are also very optimistic about the long- term prospects of the housing market, so we must all work hard to position ourselves well to take full advantage of opportunities when this current storm passes. So, we’re going to play some offense and defense at the same time over the coming months, and I don’t want that to seem contradictory or confusing to anyone. Let’s closely watch expenses while also making smart investments. Let’s be prudent with our time while also fixing what bugs us. Let’s regroup and recharge while also pursuing new skills and knowledge. Shrewd owners make wise investments, no matter the economic conditions. Let’s invest in ourselves, each other, and our company during this season. When the storm clouds begin to clear, both current and future employees and current and future customers will benefit from how we spent our time and invested for the future.
Maybe we have more control and influence than we realize.
–Levi Smith PRESIDENT
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HIGH FIVES
GUIDE From: Miguel Cruz, Jerome Truss To: ALL of Jerome Truss
“I want to give a big High Five to the following folks: CJ Bridwell and Jacob Hess for helping with the installation of the newest addition to our facility, the EasyRider AutoSet gantry table; Javier Ramirez for putting his welding skills to work on the gantry tables; Mitch Sherman for lending a hand with welding and using his tools; and Linda Szerwo for going above and beyond sending and receiving packages or grabbing us a bite to eat. Huge thanks to the rest of the team for stepping up and volunteering with projects around the shop without even having to ask. This team has come a long way on the DuPont Bradley curve. Super proud of them.”
EASY From: Ben Thomas, McCall To: Chris Trammell/Dana Parker, McCall
STRIVE From: Randy Boyce, Fruitland To: Taylor Stanzel, Fruitland
“I bumped into one of our customers today in line at the grocery store. Of course, we gravitated toward talking about work, and he mentioned that Chris Trammell and Dana Parker have really made building easy for him over the last few years and wanted to be sure I let them know. Thanks, Chris and Dana, for solving problems in advance and truly making building easy! High Five!” WOW From: Lane Tibbett, Caldwell To: Tristan Schneider/Cody Casady “I would like to give a High Five to Tristan Schneider and Cody Casady. These two employees generously donated their time to help the LEAN coordinator for installed sales. With their help, we were able to complete or make great progress in four LEAN projects. That same day, they also helped unload and put away a truck order for Overhead Door. I was impressed and grateful for the work we completed. And by helping complete the LEAN projects, they have taken part in creating a LEAN workspace.”
“Big thanks and High Five to Taylor Stanzel for noticing I needed help late on a Friday afternoon. He didn’t hesitate to give me a hand processing a bunch of receiving and hardware packs so they could go out on Monday’s run.”
SAFE From: Mark Hess/Caleb Hoobery, Inside Sales/Boise Yard To: Barry Sato, Boise Truss
“An older gentleman fell across the street from the store. He hit his head on the ground and was pretty messed up. Barry Sato was the first one to get to him, stabilized his neck, and did not leave until medics could take over. Dan Otero deserves a standing ovation as well! “In a second incident, Barry saw a citizen lying in the gutter across the street from the Boise store. Barry got the attention of other employees and emergency medical personnel were alerted to assist with the citizen’s medical needs. Thank you, Barry, for responding to the situation and maintaining a safe environment for our community.”
TREVOR CUSTER GM INTRODUCTION
his comfort level as he accepted this new challenge to replace the Mighty Moe. Since then, Trevor has been in training, and we are excited as he takes over as our top leader in our exceptional Elko location. We expect great things as Trevor grows into this new opportunity. We know he is up to the challenge because he has excelled in every earned opportunity in his development from the new guy to the GM. Trevor, quite
Elko Location
We are proud to introduce Trevor Custer as our new General Manager in our Elko, Nevada, location. Trevor started with Franklin in 2001, when he was 18 years old. Trevor started as the new guy in the yard, but by 2004, he had moved inside, out of the heat and cold, and was working at the inside sales counter, only to be promoted shortly after, back into the yard, as the Assistant Yard Manager. Trevor’s next move was to the Yard Manager position in 2006. Then in 2012, life took a turn as it does, and Trevor left Franklin to pursue a career working in the gold mines, but by 2016 ,Trevor was looking to spend more time with his wife Heather and four boys, Logan, Andrew, Isaiah, and Nick. So, he came back to FBS as the Yard Boss. Trevor would only continue to grow and develop, and in 2018, he moved into Outside Sales. “I learned so much, and I enjoyed building better relationships with our customers by being their go-to guy. It was tough at first, but I enjoy challenges so I worked hard to prove I could do it,” Trevor describes. Then in 2020, Moe Matys announced his retirement as the GM in Elko, and again, Trevor was given the opportunity to grow past
different in his management style, brings new opportunities. He is committed to his team, and we know he will help his people grow and develop just like he has grown. Trevor, thank you for your willingness to help Franklin Building Supply grow. We look forward to seeing what is next as you continue your career with FBS!
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EO COMMITTEE LEADS THE WAY
Supporting Ownership Culture Employee-ownership is a unique way of building retirement, especially in times of economic downturn when stocks and other retirement plans like 401(k) and Roth IRAs are experiencing volatility. The economy is the similarity between the two, but what sets them apart is the true MVP. We, as owners, make the difference and set our system apart from the normal types of retirement plans. We have skin in the game, and each one of us can embrace ownership to be the true MVPs and make the difference of our account balances, weathering the storm, or following the trend of market corrections. We get the unique opportunity as an EO company to be the defenders of our worth from outside variables. We can be the best lumber yard in the state offering world-class service during the worst economic times and still be profitable, because we all have the power and accountability to do so by acting like owners. Leading the way by example is the FBS Employee Ownership Committee. The EO Committee is a group of employee volunteers who are passionate about supporting ownership culture by
providing resources and education as well as opportunities for engagement across locations. Your 2023 EO Committee will be:
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
LOCATION - EMPLOYEE - YEARS FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES
Brandon Hodson Gayle Proctor Stephen Campbell Dylan Leavitt Abel Lima Art Diaz James Gill Gustavo Elias Bree Hansen Tim Morrell Chris Preece Cameron Sato Zac (Z2) Abrams Tyler Abrams Jake Ruffridge Brett Saylor Matthew Shields Nathan Novis Max Clark
John Ward Patrick Bollman Juan Gutierrez Sarah Dawson Aaron Price Greg Boone Erik Gunderson Dale Hansen Juan Sanez Steven Duran Randy Aldrich Kai Crosby Joel Garcia Casey Kennedy Jordan Wilde Josh Booher Alfredo Govea Darwin Kossman Evan De Laloe Shawn Jurgens Ian Pedersen Matthew Githens Karri Seiber Peter DuBoise
1 1 2 2 2 3 3 5 5 5 5 5 8 8 9
19 20 20 21 21 22 22 22 22 23 24 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 26 27 27 28 28 29
Pocatello Jerome Twin Falls Twin Falls Burley
Wendy Arens Nathan Novis Dylan Leavitt Zach Phillips Landon Lee Miguel Cruz Kirk Hadley Kira Johnson Shawn Nelson Jacob Hess
5 1 1 5 2 10 2 2 3 4 1 1 19 2 2 2 2 26 3
Boise Boise Boise Boise Boise
Evan Davis Ian Lowe Jordan Combe Chad Jones Chris Edwards Brady Kowitz Dustyn Casady
3 4 5 6 8 1 3
Jerome Truss Jerome Truss Jerome Truss Jerome Truss Jerome Truss
Caldwell Caldwell McCall Boise Supply Bellevue Boise Truss Boise Truss Boise Truss Boise Truss
CJ Firkins Ty Eldred
16 21
Nathan Bruns Nicholas Fox Robert Williams David Cruz Manuel Castillo Trujillo Mike Nelson
5 1 1 3 6 6 9
Boise Boise Boise Boise Boise Boise Boise Boise Boise
Mario Riccardi John McCauley Judy Baird Joshua Swartz Anthony Hourani Micah Santos Glenn Robinson Monty Montgomery Justin Malang
11 11 12 14 14 14 17 18 18
Corporate Corporate
Duane Dowell Daniel Midby Stan Hughes Adam Davies Grayson Mohr
Jeff Ward Scott Way Ian Beane Juan Ruelas
Fruitland Fruitland Sawtooth Door
13 24 18
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
www.franklinbuildingsupply.com 9222 W. Barnes Dr. Boise, ID 83709
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Cautiously Optimistic for 2023 High Fives Trevor Custer GM Introduction 2023 FBS Employee Ownership Committee February Birthdays and Anniversaries In the Spotlight
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This past December, we celebrated a huge milestone: Michael Zimmer, our truss designer at our Boise location, has been with Franklin Building supply for five years! Michael’s story is a little different than some of the others who have joined our team. His journey with us started as a temporary employee through an agency at Boise Supply Company where he loaded shingles and drywall. “Even as a temporary employee, I could sense that employee- ownership was something special, and I decided to think like an owner four months before I even began my first year of service with Franklin Building Supply,” Michael tells us. While still contracted with Boise Supply Company, Michael displayed his eagerness to work and take on any task — he even pulled weeds when it was slow. He moved up the chain quickly, being promoted from loading materials to an express delivery driver, IN THE SPOTLIGHT Celebrating 5 Years With Michael Zimmer
then to an account coordinator. “I was still hungry for more and I shifted over to sales where I maintained the ‘I’ll do any job’ mentality,” says Michael. Michael takes great pride in his work and enjoys setting the atmosphere of the entire process for the customer,
ensuring that they are happy and communicated with well. Michael takes his time with each customer, making sure everything is done right the first time so there aren’t any callbacks or repairs. Outside of work, he enjoys working on the “not so tiny” tiny house that he and his wife began working on roughly two years ago. Once it’s completed, he hopes to have more time for a hobby of his: creating blown glass! You also may find Michael out on the water; he loves to fly-fish and scout local tributaries in search of bull trout. He is also a huge family man and enjoys camping and hiking with his wife and son! Michael, we thank you for a great five years and look forward to having you create a great customer experience every time for many years to come!
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