In this conversation, Carlton sits down with Jodie Cook Redwood, Associate Publisher at LBM Journal and President of Baxter Research Center, to explore what she is hearing across the industry. Three pressures came up consistently. Labor, supply chain, and weather. These challenges are not temporary. They are shaping how businesses operate every day.
Challenges for LBM Suppliers
Labor shortages can stretch teams thin. Supply chain disruptions make planning more difficult. Weather adds another layer of unpredictability that impacts timelines and materials. For LBM dealers and component manufacturers, this creates a difficult operating environment. Estimation takes longer. Scheduling becomes less reliable. Teams are forced to balance speed with accuracy under constant pressure. These are not isolated issues. They are interconnected challenges that compound over time.
Where Technology Enters the Conversation
What stood out in this discussion is how technology adoption can help offset the
Jodie pointed to a key example. Many takeoffs are still done manually. While this approach is familiar, it is time-consuming and increases the risk of human error. As demand for faster responses grows, this becomes a limiting factor.
Technology offers a way to address that friction.
Better estimation tools, more connected systems, and improved workflows can help teams move faster and operate more consistently. Not by replacing experience, but by supporting it with better inputs and more reliable processes.
The challenge is not the availability of technology. It is understanding how to evaluate and adopt the right tools in a way that fits existing operations.
Bridging the Gap Between Pressure and Progress
As labor, supply chain, and weather challenges continue, more teams are looking to technology as a practical solution. Whether through faster estimation, improved coordination, or shifts toward offsite construction, there is a clear move toward more efficient ways of working. The opportunity ahead is not just to manage challenges, but to use technology to operate more effectively within them.
