Business Solutions for Winter 2020

4 WINTER 2020 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Owners Tom and Sharon Neel work with a team of 11 full-time and four part-time employees to make sure customers who visit Lake Lumber Co. get what they need. To enhance the shopping experience, Lake Lumber Co. has a showroom to display custom products—such as cabinets, countertops, doors, and windows— in room settings. Changing Needs, Changing Products Sharon said,“Our customers’ needs keep changing, and we adjust our inventory to reflect that. For example, we’re always making changes to the showroom in order to display current design trends. People are savvy and creative, and they get ideas from sources like HGTV and Pinterest. Then they come see us at Lake Lumber Co. to buy the supplies. In addition, when our vendors go through changes due to sales and mergers, it gives us opportunities to edit our product inventory to meet our market area’s evolving needs.” Building materials and construction systems are also updated regu- larly. Tom noted, “Our customers are diverse—from the residents of Lake Panorama to farmers in our rural areas to contractors. We strive to make sure everyone’s requirements are met.” Strong Connections with Panora Telco To communicate efficiently with vendors and customers, Lake Lumber Co. uses a variety of business solutions from Panora Telco. These include FiberFast Internet, FiberTV, and Fiber Voice plans as well as long distance service, voicemail, and a leased phone system. The business initially became a Panora Telco customer in 1976 and continues to be pleased. “Our internet service from Panora Telco performs well. That’s important since we rely on web-based and cloud-based estimat- ing systems for a variety of products. These systems take a lot of Lake Lumber Co. Located in Panora, next to Lake Panorama, Lake Lumber Co. has been building its success story for 93 years. The family-run business provides contractors and DIYers from all over Guthrie County with much more than lumber. Also on the shelves are products including paint, tools, plumbing and electrical supplies, hardware, lawn and garden items, and fishing gear. (Speaking of paint, Lake Lumber Co. was recently recognized as being in the top 1% of purchasers from Valspar Paint and Cabot Exterior Stains.) Where you shop before you build, repair, install, create, and renovate Owners Tom and Sharon Neel