A market-based approach to sustained profitability

Prosales, Jan, 2005

Since 2003, Huttig Building Products has made dramatic changes to enable closer, market-driven relationships with its more than 10,000 dealer customers. By adding locations and capacity, serving new markets, introducing a broader range of products and brands, and using its 120 years of experience, Huttig is now better able to serve the local needs of its dealers more quickly and efficiently.

Pro dealers, from the nation's largest chains and buying groups to local independent operations, have to balance financial risk with adequate inventory to meet the demands of their contractor customers. Huttig enables its dealers to make low-risk, incremental investments in leading brands of windows, doors, siding, engineered wood products, and other building materials and millwork by providing ready access to its distribution centers and broad product offerings. The result: faster inventory turns, lower overhead costs and smaller yard space requirements, and the ability to adjust more quickly to the shifting demands of builders and contractors.

By streamlining its corporate operations and encouraging local autonomy, Huttig is able to better match each market's customer base to the right mix of products. Huttig develops partnership programs for its pro dealer customers that provide real time pricing and inventory suited to the local market.

Huttig's 120 year history, along with some recent enhancements, has resulted in an organization built around dedicated, qualified personnel who are committed to being the best in the industry. Huttig strives to leverage its national capabilities but understands the business is locally driven. It is extremely responsive to its local customers' needs, and its General Managers are empowered and accountable for the success and service levels of their respective distribution centers. Huttig is a company built on people, products, service and value, and its renewed sense of direction has led to substantially improved operating results and a strong balance sheet, giving its dealer customers confidence in a partnership of sustained success.