Business Solutions

Safety & Compliance Programs

Forklift Training

Our forklift training helps your business stay in compliance with safety and labor laws. Online Forklift Operator Training is available through Foundation – the latest online Learning for the building materials industry. This course will meet OSHA's requirements for the classroom portion of training required. Click HERE for more information.

NLBMDA Entry-Level Driver Training Program (ELDT)

BLD Connection members save on ELDT Trainer Certification! NLBMDA has partnered with J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. to offer members an exclusive discount on training trainers in entry-level driver training. Get your new drivers on the road to success—and keep them at your company longer—by training your trainers to deliver powerful entry-level driver training (ELDT).

Only members in good standing are eligible for participation in this program. For more information and to sign up for this program click HERE.

OSHA Compliance & Workplace Safety

OECS provides OSHA compliance consulting. Includes former OSHA/MSHA investigators ready to help! The OECS team has over 200 years of combined experience in helping businesses like yours maintain their OSHA compliance, with former OSHA/MSHA investigators ready to help. Contact Ari Cook at ari@oecscomply.com for details or visit www.oecscomply.com.

Federal & State Labor Law Posters

We have an all-in-one poster available for Minnesota. Contact Nicole at nicole@bldconnection.org to order.  Regular Price: $20.00 Member Price: $10.00

Other labor law posters are available to download and print from your local state Department of Labor website. Click on the state name to find the posters required for each state.

Office Supplies & Business Reports

Business Forms

From checks to computer forms to register tickets, BLD Connection can provide you with a no-obligation quote and fulfill your orders quickly. Provide us with a sample of the forms you currently use for a free quote. Send your sample or request a quote from Nicole at nicole@bldconnection.org.

Layman's Lumber Guide

NLBMDA has partnered with Layman’s Lumber Guide (LLG) to offer an exclusive member only discount for their market forecasts. LLG is one of the industry's most prominent and reliable lumber market analyses and forecasts, covering Southern Yellow Pine lumber, Canadian SPF lumber, Western US lumber and OSB...projecting "WHEN" lumber & OSB prices will most likely reverse or accelerate trends with 86% accuracy (+/- one week) since 1992.

BLD members receive a 2-month free trial. After the trial, a 20% discount on ALL annual paid in full memberships will be offered. Half of the discount will be applied to the LLG membership and half will be donated to NLBMDA in support of their contributions to our lumber industry.

View the recording of a webinar held with Matt Layman, Owner and Publisher of LLG for more information on the partnership.

Wage & Benefit Survey

Our Wage & Benefit Survey contains valuable information that will save your business time and money. This report was compiled over the summer with the help of over 100 BLD Connection participants. It contains valuable information regarding:

Common business operation practices such as business hours, hiring, and staffing strategies, and workforce development tactics.
Benefit offerings including time off, insurance and bonus opportunities.
Wage averages for 25 common lumber yard job positions including comparisons to the 2021 Wage & Benefits Report.

To order a copy of the report email Cody at cody@bldconnection.org.

Staples Business Advantage

We’ve partnered with Staples Business Advantage, which means you too can take advantage of discounted prices on office and business supplies for only $40 annually!

They can help with all your supply needs like: Office Products, Janitorial Supplies, Break room Supplies, Technology, Furniture, and Shipping & Packaging Supplies. Call (888) 544-6822 or email Nicole at nicole@bldconnection.org to participate.

Insurance & Employee Benefits Programs

Property & Casualty Insurance

BLD Connection has joined forces with Federated Insurance to provide industry leading insurance services. Federated Insurance offers specialized programs, including Property & Casualty, Workers’ Compensation, Risk Management, and Estate/Succession Planning.

To learn how Federated Insurance can benefit your business as a BLD Connection Member, click here!

Visit www.federatedinsurance.com or contact Cody at cody@bldconnection.org or (763) 595-4052.

Life Insurance, Short Term Disability,  Long Term Care, & Dental

Working with Builders Insurance Group, we can help find the best fit for your company and provide the ease of one invoice for all coverage. Comprehensive programs with competitive premiums are available to all BLD Connection members. For more information, contact: Builders Ins. Group, Inc., Dan Gardner or Lars Froiland at (612) 743-4961 or dgardner@osaicwealth.com.

Multiple Employer 401(k) Savings Plan (MEP)

This MEP brings together member plans into one group 401(k) managed by BLD Connection. That means you can hand over many of those responsibilities—freeing you up to spend your time where it counts: focused on your business.

Already offer a 401(k)? Considering a plan for your employees? Find out if the BLD Connection 401(k) MEP is right for your company. View our 401K Informational Video. Contact Dan Gardner at (612) 743-4961 or dgardner@osaicwealth.com.

Other Member Programs

Hire Power

Hire Power is an online, on demand training for the LBM and Building Products industry that gives you or your team members everything they need to start getting more qualified candidates for your job openings and get your offers accepted! It was designed for busy owners and leaders who understand that they need to be able to attract and keep great people for their business to thrive.

Hire Power includes 8 modules, each module is packed with engaging videos, practical worksheets, ready-to-use scripts, customizable templates, and real-world examples.

Learn more HERE.

Bankcard Program

Are you getting the best possible rates in the credit card market? We use the purchasing power of our members to keep rates low!

BLD Connection can provide you with a FREE cost comparison. Click HERE for more details or contact Carley Chivers in our bank card office at (715) 254-9600 or carleyc@midwesthardware.com.

Fuel Savings Programs

Rev up your savings with two fuel programs to choose from! Earn 7¢ on every gallon of fuel plus additional discounts with our programs through Kwik Trip or Circle K.

With Kwik Trip, you've got access to over 700 gas stations, fuel centers, and diesel centers all across our BLD Connection region. Reach out to Tanner Benson at (608) 793-4826 or tbenson@kwiktrip.com to sign up.

Meanwhile, Circle K extends a competitive fuel rebate exclusively for its fleet card customers. Save 30¢ for the first 90 days, then 7¢ on every gallon at Holiday or Circle K stores. Click HERE to sign up or contact Nick Carow at (715) 907-4123 or nick.carow@circlek.com for full details.

Drafting Service

BLD Connection recognized the need to partner with a provider that can help ease the burden of retail members that may not have the in-house resources for drafting, or they may be overloaded with requests. The Design Connection can provide you with drafting services, including new construction plans, stock house plans, custom-colored renderings, and more!

Go to thedesignconnection.net for full details on their services. Be sure to let them know you are a BLD Connection member!

Legal Services

Droel, PLLC. offers members a 10-minute (per issue) consultation to assist with solving business-related legal issues and/or questions. Should additional work be required, documents need to be drafted, etc. – Droel will work directly with our members to provide a member-only discount for their services. Go to www.droellaw.com to learn more about Droel, PLLC. Have a legal matter and/or question for Droel, PLLC.? Contact Tim Droel at (952) 835-1614.

Classified Advertising

Place a classified ad with BLD Connection and we’ll triple your exposure! Ads will be placed on our website and social media. It will also be published in the next issue of our e-newsletter. Advertise for two months or more, and your ad will be printed in the next issues of the BLD Connection magazine – all for one price. Contact Melanie at melanie@bldconnection.org or (763) 595-4050 to place your ad.

Yard Equipment & Resources

Forklift and Material Handling Equipment

RION Equipment is our endorsed forklift and material handling equipment vendor in ND, SD, MN, IA, NE, MO, & KS. For more than 50 years, RION Equipment has been your resource for forklifts sales and service.

At RION you will find the right brands, parts & service. It is our local-regional focus, combined with our entrepreneurial spirit, that has set us apart & satisfied thousands of our customers. Please contact us at sales@rionequpment.com or online at rionequipment.com.

2021 Revised Lumber and  Building Material Reference Manual

The Lumber and Building Material Reference Manual is truly an invaluable resource for the LBM industry.

Originally written in 1988 and revised in 2021, the Lumber and Building Material Reference Manual is full of charts, formulas, and many more helpful topics for anyone in the LBM industry.

Regular Price: $39.95 Member Price: $24.95 Click HERE for an order form or contact Nicole at nicole@bldconnection.org to order your copy.

Productivity Products –  Workstations, Tie-Downs & Strapping

WorkSave WorkSmart.com, LLC productivity products – finding innovative and effective tools to help your business thrive in an ever-changing economy.

The Lumber Buddy™ Portable Workstation. Unlike stationary systems, it goes where you are working, ending wasted trips across the yard.

BOSS Strapping has several products that have revolutionized the strapping industry and provide a safer, more efficient alternative than steel banding for lumber yards.

Visit worksafeworksmart.com or contact WorkSafeWorkSmart.com, LLC at (469) 708-9797 or info@WorkSafeWorkSmart.com for a quote on the Lumber Buddy™ Portable Workstation or BOSS Tiedows & Strapping. Be sure to let them know you are a member of BLD Connection.