©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Greg Hitchcock
It all started with a sawmill. In 1827, Captain Isaac Henry Curtiss built his sawmill on Charlton Road and by it’s 125th anniversary in 2015, Curtis Lumber Co. grew to over 600 employees in 21 locations in New York and northern Vermont.
It had $200 million in sales in 2018, according to the company.
Aside from selling materials, part of the company’s effort goes to working with builders and design teams to see what projects are going on and how Curtis Lumber can help them.
Margie Miller, architectural representative for Curtis Lumber, said the company’s success couldn’t have happened without a strong, knowledgeable sales team and good customer service from the Curtis Lumber team.
“I work with architects, engineers and designers to notify our sales team about upcoming projects, and I help to provide specifiers with information regarding products and materials for their projects,” Miller said.
“My role is to establish good rapport with design firms and to connect them with our resources for specifications or options with building materials, such as windows, doors, kitchen and bath casework,” she said.
Miller said she connects people to Curtis’ sales teams to provide quotes for building materials included in commercial and multi-family projects, and condominium developments.
Personalized contractor sales teams work on accounts, allowing contractors to complete projects on time, with high-quality, competitively priced materials, and minimal wasted labor.
“We always have to be aware of what’s appealing to our customers and what’s new in the industry,” Miller said.
Miller said she is a part of the evolving commercial team. Leads are generated from subscribing to the online site LeadManager.com that provides information on commercial projects and gives contact information for the design firms and general contractors involved.
Curtis Lumber also uses Eastern Contractors Association’s lead-generating website that provides information about proposed building projects.
Residential projects have also been a major part of the focus of the Curtis Lumber contractor sales team.
“We have built strong relationships with many homebuilders and residential contractors,” Miller said.
Saratoga County in particular is experiencing a boom in building projects, with Curtis Lumber always looking ahead so they can be involved.
“We are a resource for contractors who are looking for answers, and they can save time by using our specialization in sales and service,” she said. “Firms are always looking for materials for a variety of building projects, and we can help them get the products they need.”
Jonathan Wilkinson, manager of the estimating department at Curtis Lumber, said “Many of our salespeople specialize in building materials from framing, shingles, siding and trim, to energy efficient materials. What they need varies from project to project.”
“Green technology is a growing business. If you put regular insulation in walls, you create gaps in the thermal envelope. Insulating sheeting covers the surface of the entire wall or ceiling,” Wilkinson said. “The material helps make the building more energy efficient.”
Curtis Lumber has 21 locations, including Ballston Spa, Schuylerville, Queensbury and Warrensburg.
Its website is www.curtislumber.com.