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Transformation In Michigan - Spotlight...the little LumberYard that Could!

World without Color Transformation....

from Wikipedia....

Transformation (root transform) may refer to: Transformation is also referred to as a turn.

Have you ever been a part of or truly seen a transformation?

Transforming is

....altering

....changing

mutating...

So many companies these days, are Transforming.

Their transformations are not always for the good of their employees...

Electrolux, in Michigan, transformed to a company of P & L...rather than investing in their Michigan employees, they moved operations to Mexico...leaving the town of Greenville, Michigan also transformed....

THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT!!!!

I would like to discuss in this series some companies I know of who are transforming ... to the positive...to make life better for their clients...

....better for employees

....better for the world

I have been on the upside this year of some companies making positive strides and changes in this depressed housing environment. "Safe is Risky" is what Seth Goodin says in the book Purple Cow. Do you agree?

One of the companies I have watched...and prodded...is Standale Lumber. My good friend Buzz has been blazing a trail through his company to transform Standale Lumber and Interiors from a generic lumber and supply company to the leading green supplier in Michigan.

HOW DOES A COMPANY MAKE THE TURN???

Standale is looking at in house practices first...

In speaking with a recycler (link to be added later) Standale Lumber has realized by changing some practices they can recycle many of their materials and packaging materials to keep these items out of the landfill...

Further attempts will be made in education to builders about recycling efforts such as those Adam Bearup from Hybrid Homes practices...you can read about it in my Trash Talk blog.

The second turn in the track has been changing household products from toxic to friendly. Standale Lumber is one of the few in the West Michigan area to start carrying bio-friendly cleansers...this product line is BioKleen .

BioKleen is a line of cleansers...engine cleaners, degreasers, carpet cleaners, laundry soaps...the list goes on and on....BioKleen is proud make the claim, "Tough on dirt, easy on the earth." How many lumberyards/contractor centers do you know of that are making that transformation?

WOOD IS GOOD!!! That has always been a lumberyard motto!!!

And it is.. New wood is better for the environment....but there are also new building practices that create efficiencies for housing...such as

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF's) Standale has been able to see the vision and the benefits of building with ICF's and has brought this line of product on board. ICF's have been perfected in the past 20 years to create a very solid foundation coupled with a very efficient home...Standale is working on training their sales force to become experts in helping builders and homeowners create sustainable houses in Michigan and neighboring states...transforming a lumber company to a Styrofoam product...now that is transformation!

What??? we don't have enough yet???

Renewables?

Now they are really turning!!!

Standale Lumber has just announced a new line of Renewable Energy Products...yes, a stretch for a Lumber Company...but they are committed to helping the energy crisis our state faces.

To have a Lumber Company in Michigan that can give their builders and homeowners affordability and installation of Solar Domestic Hot Water, Solar PhotoVoltaics, and Wind Power...plus SuperMan windows with Krypton Gas!!! Almost impossible!!!

....I said "Almost" impossible... My Colors Are Changing

Standale Lumber has stepped up to the plate....

They are transforming....

It has been wonderful...

remarkable even.....

To watch the company take on colors.....

The colors of green...

The picture is the same...

transformed from black and white...

and now you see the changing colors....

Aren't they beautiful????

What a difference COLOR can make in the world!!!

Watch for future posts on the Transformation In West Michigan!!!

And PLEASE! post what transformations are going on in your neck of the woods!

Posted by Mary Bigelow, '09 will be FINE! on 11/02/2007 07:05 PM

Comments (18)

renewable energy, solar, dhw, pv, wind generators, icfs, transformation, mary bigelow, standale lumber, michigan, positive

This post has been included in Michigan Information Kent County, MI Information

18 Comments on Transformation In Michigan - Spotlight...the little LumberYard that Could!

NOV

2007

This is wonderful news for Standale Lumber. I lived in West Michigan for six years and remember that name. It is great to see a company transform in this market.

Mary, Long post, must have been a hellava week!

Standale is taking the right track, most companies bleed money internally by remaining stagnant. Standale's booth in Onekama showed they were willing to go the extra mile.

I wish both you and Standale luck during the next few months.

KIM - Thanks for the comments! When did you leave West Michigan! Funny -- Buzz's daughter just moved to Sumner SC. How far is that from you? Standale is making great strides because they are and always have been a "family." They are making a great transformation!

GARY - Yes it's been not only a week but an exciting 6 months! Standale is TRULY stepping up to the plate to make this work...no greenwashing going on! Their big event will be the "Tree Huggers Ball" in January...we will get you a VIP invite!!! Thanks for being such a fan! It was great to meet you in Onekama!!!

Hi Mary, :) This is good news!! They had some great people guiding them to the right way. These changes sound amazing!!!!!

Stephanie - You are so right! It is great news! I didn't even mention the floor coverings, countertops, etc! I could have gone on for days about the education they are doing! It is remarkable to be a part of such efforts and truly unusual for a "lumberyard" to adopt these practices! They are forerunners! Like the Indy Pace Car!!! Thanks for you comments!

Sounds like a very progressive company...with so many companies looking only at their bottom lines it is refreshing to see one that gives back!

Joan - you are right -- very refreshing! What is going on in your neck of the woods? (no pun intemded)

NOV

2007

NH has always been a very entrepreneurial State and there are new business'es cropping up all the time!

I just read an article about "Downtown" going Green. I'm going to research it a bit and do a post when i'm done!

Hi Joan - I look forward to reading it! You always have great posts! It will be interesting to see what extent the downtown is going green!

Greetings from Chicago. I am here doing some recon for GreenBuild 2007 and meeting some of the key players who are a big part of Green Build.

At any rate, when I first talked to Buzz about this a year ago, I could see that he got the big picture. This idea of offering a recycling service that involved the suppliers taking back their packaging seemed to hit Buzz because I could see it in his eyes. A number of the things that Buzz and I talked about a year ago are happening and are the results of the efforts that Buzz, I and Mary have made along with a whole bunch of other enthusiastic folks. For Mary to get Standale hooked up with renewables exceeds my expectations. And it all started with Buzz seeing the fire in my eyes. Many books talk about recognizing opportunities that come knocking, Buzz and Mary certainly have.

To see a company like Standale Lumber take the few I ideas I tossed out and run with them is awesome to see unfold! I am always pressing them to do more, but as far as companies this size move with decisions like this, I would say they deserve a Hybrid Pat on the Back. Great job Standale Lumber!

ADAM!!!! Thank you! You are an absolutely infectious individual with the ideas you have and the way you get those ideas out with excitement so that others see your vision! It has been so much fun and a great educational experience all throughout 2007 working with all of you!!!

Thanks for the Hybrid Pat on the back! A hug from you speaks volumes! We couldn't have done any of this without you, Eric, Steve and all the rest of the people! The fun part is it is only just beginning!!! I look forward to seeing you at GreenBuilt! Mark your calender for the Tree Hugger's Ball Jan 22, 2008!!! What fun we will have!

Did you get your invite to Walker Green Drinks November 14???

NOV

2007

Mary- This is so important and I am glad there are companies becoming proactive in the green concepts. Katerina

Katerina! Thanks for your comment! It has been fascinating to work with such great teams of people with vision who are willing to take action and not just talk about the weather!

NOV

2007

Great article. Buzz is totally awesome and so is his company. Great way to highlight his business but also the good in Michigan

Thanks for the comment Tammy! Standale has done a great job in their transformation...still a long ways to go but they are on the fast track and committed to the new green! I hope we will see you at Green Drinks next week!

NOV

2007

Businessess know in order to stay in business change HAS to be made. The things of the past will not improve their future.

Hi Robert ~ you are right by saying business has to change. I also am a firm believer that all of our business ideals must change. You are a beacon for business models in what you do. By offering things cutting edge and a commitment to savings Standale Lumber is leading the way.

For your homeowners and investors that are looking to make improvements and/or energy upgrades we have some great programs! Give me a call and I will explain further! Thanks for your comment!

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