Value Statement

People should trust that we do what we say we’ll do and we’ll do the right thing.

Integrity is defined as “completeness, wholeness, soundness, honesty, and sincerity.” In our Value Statement, we add that people can expect us to do what we say we’ll do and that we’ll do the right thing. There are thousands of examples of this at Big C Lumber. When the customer realizes they are dealing with a company who embraces integrity, the entire selling process becomes easier and more natural. If a quote is extended with a 30-day price guarantee, we honor those prices for thirty days regardless of changes in cost.

We will maintain a high sense of urgency in dealing with customers.

Showing urgency builds confidence that needs will be met quickly. It is especially important when correcting mistakes—jumping through hoops to solve problems fast sets us apart. Same-day delivery is a perfect example of the urgency we bring to our company.

We will do our work safely. The safety of our employees, customers, and the public will always supersede the need for expedience.

The urgency of getting material to a jobsite quickly loses importance when the cost includes someone’s life being altered due to an injury. Everyone deserves to return home in the same shape they started their day. The responsibility for this belongs to all employees.

We will charge a fair price for our products and services and place the value of long-term relationships above short-term profit.

Our company must earn profit to stay in business—covering wages, benefits, equipment, supplies, and community contributions. The balance for our sales team is taking care of customers on price while ensuring the company earns an acceptable return. We’re in this for the long haul and intend to take the long-term perspective when resolving customer issues.

We will show respect towards fellow employees, suppliers, and especially customers.

We aim to remove the levels that exist in most companies where one person is considered more important than another. Our company needs drivers and yard teams as much as managers, salespeople, and office staff. Respecting suppliers means empathizing with their position; respecting customers acknowledges they choose where to spend their money.

We will endeavor to enjoy the job we do and have some fun every day.

Keeping our company growing is serious business, but having some fun along the way makes a tremendous difference. Looking for light-hearted moments, smiling, joking, and laughing encourages customers to return and makes our company a better place for everyone. Life is too short not to enjoy what we do for a living.

We will support the communities where we earn our living with our time and contributions.

Supporting causes within our communities is the right thing to do, even when each donation is a direct hit on profitability. We are in business for the long haul and recognize the need to be involved in community issues and charitable events. Successful companies operate as partners with the communities where they work.

We will serve as an advocate for our customers by finding the answers to their questions, recommending alternative products, and helping them become more profitable.

Our objective is to jointly prosper with customers, forming true partnerships. When we watch out for their best interests, they in turn watch out for us. Advocacy can mean getting the last look on a bid, finding answers that require extra effort, or recommending products that save time and money. Trusted relationships make price less important.

We will befriend those customers and suppliers who will welcome our friendship.

Forming friendships in the supply chain encourages everyone to look out for one another. The strength of relationships between Big C employees is clear—working together, sharing challenges and wins, and spending time together builds enthusiasm. Genuine care for the wellbeing of those we deal with remains central to our culture.

We will present ourselves in a way that inspires confidence in every situation where we interact with the public.

People are quick to pass judgment on others and companies. Our personal appearance guidelines, professional greetings, and consistent behaviors set the tone for every interaction. Each of us has an opportunity each day to make an impression that reflects on our company.

We won’t be afraid to ask for the sale, but we will refrain from using negotiating tactics to close a sale.

Salesmanship at Big C Lumber is about earning the right to make the sale rather than manipulating the customer. Negotiating tactics signal that stated prices are just a starting point and erode trust. Customers who prefer buying from Big C should be rewarded for their loyalty with straightforward, honest pricing.

Cooperation and support between employees is essential.

The real power of teamwork comes from employees working together across locations. We use our size and experience to create greater value when we plan deliveries carefully, coordinate challenging drops, and help each other solve problems. With the quality of people we have at Big C Lumber, teamwork lets us set optimistic goals and achieve them together.

We will operate under the golden rule, treating all people as we want to be treated.

We spend a significant amount of time with one another and with our customers. Without caring, the environment becomes negative. Caring ties our other values together, makes Big C Lumber strong, and creates a better place for everyone connected to the company.