Smarter Building Materials Marketing

Architects may be the ultimate influencers in the building process, but winning their specification is only the beginning—and one missed detail or a slow sample delivery can lose you the next project. In this episode, Beth PopNikolov and Zach Williams sit down with Benjamin Glunz, CEO of Anguleris (the company behind Swatchbox and other essential tools for architects and designers). Together, they...

Navigating today’s unpredictable job market requires more than great products—it demands smart, proactive hiring strategies and transparent leadership. In this episode, Cassie Fosher, President of SnapDragon Associates, shares what building materials manufacturers need to know about recruiting right now. From high-demand sales roles to shifting candidate expectations, you’ll learn what top talent...

Technology is finally sticking in the building materials industry—and not just with the younger crowd. In this episode, TOOLBX founder Erik Bornstein and VP of Product Brad Cumiskey join us to unpack what’s driving tech adoption among LBM dealers, how builder expectations have changed post-COVID, and why AI might be the “new Internet” moment for this space.

On this episode, Beth PopNikolov sits down with the mother-daughter duo behind Concretti Designs to explore how a manufacturing-forward mindset and radical transparency turn handmade concrete into a beloved brand. They dive into the power of showcasing people, process, and imperfections to build trust and loyalty in today’s design-driven market.

How does a brand-first mindset drive real growth in a traditionally sales-led industry? In this episode, Beth and Zach talk with Dani Zizak, Chief Marketing Officer at National Nail, about why putting brand at the center of everything has been their winning strategy. Dani shares how National Nail's teams work together to shape messaging, build trust with pros and dealers, and navigate the constant...

What if community connections and authentic digital engagement were the secret weapons for building materials growth in a sea of commodity products? On this episode, we talk to the head of marketing for a multi-location dealer in the South East and hear how they are leveraging the power of personal stories and local relationships to drive sales and create deeper customer loyalty.

The building materials industry is evolving, and so are its customers. With younger generations like Gen Z and Millennials becoming key buyers, brands must rethink their marketing strategies to stay relevant. In this episode of Smarter Building Materials Marketing, Zach Williams sits down with Michael Gabbert, Director of Marketing at Tricam and Gorilla, to discuss how brands can evolve their stra...

Thermory USA has redefined what’s possible in the wood industry. In this episode of the Smarter Building Materials Marketing podcast, Zach Williams and Beth PopNikolov are joined by Kevin DeMars, CEO of Thermory USA, to explore how the company’s innovative approach to marketing, transparency, and quality is reshaping the thermally modified wood industry. Kevin shares his perspective on association...

As the building industry faces growing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, Gensler is leading the charge with innovative approaches that address material sourcing, collaboration, and transparency. In this episode of Smarter Building Materials Marketing, Zach Williams and Beth PopNikolov sit down with Erik Barth, Senior Associate Architect and Regional Design Resilience Leader at Gensler, to e...

As 2025 approaches, building product companies face a year of uncertainty and opportunity, from shifts in the commercial market to heightened competition. In this episode of Smarter Building Materials Marketing, Zach Williams and Beth PopNikolov sit down with Jim Wueste, VP of Carlisle Waterproofing, to offer their insights into what the future holds for the industry. The conversation delves into...

In this episode of Smarter Building Materials Marketing, Zach Williams and Beth PopNikolov sit down with Jim Wueste, VP of Carlisle Waterproofing, to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and critical shifts shaping the building materials industry. Discover why focusing on execution over market fluctuations matters, the untapped potential of platforms like Reddit, how generational shifts are resh...

In this episode of Smarter Building Materials Marketing, Beth and Zach explore some key insights into giving customers and clients the kind of experience that will not only bring them to the table, but will build loyalty that will keep them there. Director of B2B Marketing for Techo-Bloc, Alex Cadieux, talks about how they moved from just building great products, to the next level of supporting th...

In this episode Zach talks with Matt Nichols, the founder and owner of Digiwise, about digital transformation. Matt breaks the process down into how to achieve and sell the strategies to digitally transform as a manufacturer as well as how to implement those strategies and hold to the milestones. Zach asks Matt to give the listeners some ideas about how organizations go wrong in this area. They en...

In this episode Beth and Zach are joined by Grant Farnsworth to talk about the main questions they get asked about the sales and marketing outlook for 2025. They share stats as well as some of their own thoughts to help the listener understand the trends from the past few years following the pandemic, to what they see that will drive decisions in 2025.  The three are joined by Dave King and Sophia...

In this episode hosts Zach Williams and Beth PopNikolov dive into the world of innovation and market disruption with Michael Rigney, the CEO and co-founder of Cala Systems. Cala Systems is introducing the first intelligent heat pump water heater for residential use. They are revolutionizing water heating with advanced sensors, software, and hardware to optimize energy efficiency, integrate with so...

The CEO of SnapDragon, Mark Barnard, and host Beth PopNikolov sit down and talk about the labor market from multiple perspectives. As a recruiting firm, SnapDragon sees the side of both the people being recruited and the company looking for the right candidate. Mark gives some insights into the importance of candidates being introspective about what kind of position they are looking for, as well a...

You don’t have to “go all in” with AI in order for it to help you create a more efficient workflow that will free you up to spend more time on what really matters. In this episode of Smarter Building Materials Marketing podcast, hosts Zach Williams and Beth PopNikolov follow up their conversation with Fran Walker, the Director of Marketing at Trim-Tex. They talk about how implementing AI in your b...

AI integration in your operations could be the game-changer for your building materials business. From enhancing customer engagement to revolutionizing installation procedures, the future of AI offers untapped potential to streamline processes and outperform competition. In this episode of the Smarter Building Materials Marketing podcast, hosts Zach Williams and Beth PopNikolov discuss some exciti...

Beth and Zach reflect on their conversation with Tim Rethlake, recapping the evolving role of the salesperson and why adapting to the changes is crucial for staying competitive in today's market.

Most sales organizations in the building materials industry are failing to equip their teams with the right skills, leading to high turnover and missed opportunities. Learn how a shift from product training to sales story training can transform your team's success and drive your business forward.

Discover the dynamic interplay between customer-driven market demands and strategic pricing in the building materials industry. Learn how these forces shape product availability, influence business strategies and ultimately determine competitive success.

As the construction landscape shifts, unforeseen challenges and innovations are redrawing the blueprint of success. Discover how emerging trends, from artificial intelligence pricing strategies to service-oriented product offerings, are shaping the building materials industry and could redefine your bottom line.

Hear about the latest changes in email deliverability that are set to impact businesses in a big way. Learn about the new requirements from major email providers and how these changes could affect your marketing and sales initiatives.

The evolution of distributor-customer relationships and the impact of online education on consumer behavior are reshaping the building materials industry. Understanding these shifts and adapting your marketing and distribution strategies is crucial for staying ahead in an increasingly competitive market.

Discover how building materials manufacturers can become better partners with contractors by understanding their financial needs. Learn how to connect with and support contractors in their financial and business growth, to build trust, improve product adoption and ultimately increase sales.