Page 35 - Green Builder May-June 2020 Issue

According to a Green Builder Media survey, consumers are:

Specifying different types of products

Rethinking design choices

Canceling all orders/purchases

Nothing--they're full steam ahead
Changing expectations and requirements

Asking different questions
Putting orders/purchases on hold

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

“Good Communication is of

Utmost Importance”

GB: Did you expect this type of impact? the USA” company, and
Judy Hedreen, Vice President/
JH: I don’t think anyone could have imagined COVID-19 has shown
Co-Owner such an impact—not just on our industry, us the absolute value
Peter Ollestad, Vice President but our country and the entire globe—but of having products
of Sales when such catastrophes happen, it’s those made in America,
companies that react quickly and that make and not just in our
Strasser Woodenworks, compassionate smart moves with the welfare industry. I believe it is
Woodinville, WA of their associates in mind that will survive and imperative to have U.S.

GB: How is the coronavirus affecting your thrive over the long haul. domestic production
company? GB: What is your company doing to address of almost all goods and services.
JH: We have taken several definite steps to the challenges caused by COVID-19? GB: What are your customers doing
protect, safeguard and support our employees. JH: To ensure a safe environment for all, we differently?
All our customer service associates are working made sure that: PO: Our customers are spending more time
remotely from home; ■ All machines, door handles, light switches and online, which is why we consistently work to
we reacted quickly bathrooms are disinfected with 75 percent stay top of mind, and remind them we are their
and invested in new alcohol solution several times daily. design partner and are available to support
laptops, printers, and ■ Employees are wearing protective gloves and them in any way we can. Good communication
cell phones for our the majority are wearing face masks which are is of utmost importance right now, and we’ll
customer service supplied by the company. continue and grow our efforts to stay in touch
people. In addition, all ■ Sanitary hand wipe containers and 75 percent with our industry partners and customers in
management was given alcohol spray bottles are placed throughout the places they are going to online, including
the opportunity to work the company for cleaning hands and/or builder, kitchen and bath, and designer-focus
from home, and encouraged to do so. And our equipment throughout the day. webzines, blogs and newsletters, and social
essential factory workers are instructed (and GB: How impacted do you think your media. We also send out periodic “Constant
reminded) to keep “the distance” from each company will be if the coronavirus leads to Contact” updates with important news about
other. They are also all wearing protective gloves a recession? our company and the information and resources
and the majority are wearing face masks which PO: I anticipate Strasser will be in a better our industry partners need now, from price lists
are supplied by the company. position than some, as we are a true “Made in to catalogs.

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