Metro DC Distributor Reports Record Sales

While the Home Depot recently sold its supply side of its business (See www.sheltermagazine.com, Industry News, August 28, 2007 and August 14, 2007), Smitty's Building Supply Inc. in Alexandria, Va., has been beefing up. In October 2006, Smitty's acquired Shelter Systems. The following December it acquired the Millwork Division, then turned right around and picked up four Marvin Window and Door Showrooms in January 2007. It is currently one of the largest lumber and building material distributors in the northern Virginia and metropolitan Washington, D.C., region.

So how's this robust acquisition trail working out for the company? Smitty's announced record sales volume for the month of August and its executives attribute much of the record-breaking performance directly to the company's growth.

"These acquisitions allowed us to increase the number of customers and boost our market share in the region," says Rick Smith, chief executive officer (CEO). "The capability of the new divisions, our expanded installation services and the experience of our new employees add greatly to Smitty's power to provide comprehensive solutions to our customers' needs."

The company's new president, Jeff Smith, agrees. "Enhancements to the business were critical in achieving this record performance," Smith says.

Additional expenditures included a renovation of the company's Alexandria location, by re-merchandising the hardware assortment, adding kitchen and bath cabinetry, and tacking on a complete selection of moulding. And the company says it's not done creating new opportunities, either.

"We expect continued growth through 2008, as Smitty's continues to develop its own opportunities in this below-par housing market," Smith says. "We are focusing on the custom housing, remodeling and commercial segments as these are less impacted by the current housing downturn. We will continue to invest in our industry to add greater value to our customer base and gradually expand our geographic footprint."

www.smittys.com

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