Products and Services Available Through OCSA
Member Networking & Support Opportunities
Legislative Representation
Among
the many benefits of joining an association of peers
is finding & exercising strength in numbers.
OCSA works to positively influence legislation at both
the State & Federal level.
Bulletins … Timely updates about legislative activities enable dealers to form opinions and become involved in the legislative process. OCSA attempts to keep members informed and recommend action about issues that might affect them.
Advocacy … OCSA officers and staff express the collective voice of members on legislative and regulatory issues at the State and national level. Individual strength of members is collectively enhanced when presented by and/or through an Association of peers. Advocacy is further enhanced by the efforts of the officers and staff of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA), headquartered, in Washington, D.C. Active members of OCSA are members of NLBMDA through OCSA; a portion of members’ dues are passed through to NLBMDA to enable national issues oversight.
Small Business Day at the Capitol (Columbus) … This event is co-hosted with over 25 small business organizations. It is a day dedicated to meeting with members of the State Legislature to discuss issues important to small businesses and to emphasize that small business is "big business" in Ohio.
Legislative Conference (Washington, DC) … Legislative success at the federal level is a direct result of having the opportunity to meet and build relationships with Congress. At this event, OCSA members work as teams to meet with Ohio’s Congressional representatives.
National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) … NLBMDA is your spokesman and advocate in Washington.
Insurance Programs
Insurance
programs, available as group products, are among the
Association’s most
widely used services. A variety of health, property and
employee benefit plans are available.
Group Life, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short & Long Term Disability Insurance … OCSA is a preferred source of employee benefits for many members. Since the mid seventies, insurance benefits have been one of the Association’s most utilized services. The personal touch, care and sensitivity of marketers, Tabit Arganbright & Hazelbaker and staff, make OCSA the only choice for many.
Long Term Care Insurance … OCSA’s purchasing power enables us to offer a Long Term Care Insurance (LTCi) program to employers, employees and family members at rates not otherwise available to an individual.
Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance … The Association suggests Safety Group Dividend Programs with some of the industry’s leading insurance companies. Participants may receive a dividend check rebating a portion of their premium when claims experience warrants.
Workers’ Compensation … OCSA has offered members group rating discounts since pooling via Associations was allowed by the Ohio General Assembly in 1990. One of the first organizations to offer members such discounts, our program ensures that members continue to receive maximum savings and quality service.
Unemployment Compensation … Professional consulting and representation before the Bureau of Employment Services are available to Association members at pre-negotiated discounted rates.
Education
The
ability to pool educational resources enables OCSA to
offer members
quality training at reasonable cost. OCSA offers
classroom training, webinars, self-study courses and
more.
Basic Estimating Seminar … This two-day course gives participants instruction, practice and review in estimating a material list of items typically included in an estimate by a building material dealer. Great for those with little or no estimating experience.
Commercial Estimating Seminar … This two-day class contains information on interpretation of construction drawings, cost summary, steel and metal joist estimates, construction contract documents, comparing new estimates with previous similar jobs, Construction Master calculator use, how to prevent costly errors and calendar management.
Blueprint Reading … Through comprehensive studying of actual blueprints, this course will provide participants a better understanding of residential blueprints, and present tips on how to read them to extract important information. The course provides an excellent "lead" into estimating and creates additional opportunities for increased customer communication. Great for those with little or no experience reading blueprints.
The Forklift and You … This award-winning training program is being used in over 3,000 lumberyards across the country. A 45-minute video, filmed in an independent lumberyard and on job-sites, provides operator instruction and demonstrates hazards unique to the building material industry. A trainer’s guide, 5 operator workbooks, 5 certificates, 5 operator ID cards, and a Safety, Efficiency, and Professionalism color poster make the kit a one-stop resource for all of your lift truck training needs.
Safety Seminars … Held in all eight districts, a variety of safety issues are addressed at these seminars. Employers and employees must work together to create and maintain a safe work environment. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Webinars … These programs are designed to provide inexpensive, timely and dynamic education in a convenient presentation format without ever leaving your office. The only equipment you need to participate is a Web-connected computer and telephone.
Teleconference Seminars … Interactive telephone training (training with the convenience of a speaker phone) enables a live presentation to be broadcast to multiple locations. This allows participation from wherever a speaker phone is available, permitting audiences of any size, and reducing participation costs.
Video Conference Seminars … Using the same concept as a teleconference seminar, this method of training provides a more visual affect by using televisions and satellites rather than a speaker phone.
Teacher Tours … Teachers are sponsored by OCSA and members of OCSA for industry tours hosted by the Temperate Forest Foundation. These tours are designed to provide our children’s teachers with an enlightened understanding of the environmental sensitivity and the highly refined forestry practices of our industry, plus the many outstanding job opportunities therein.
Business Management
Business management tools provide you with valuable decision making and planning information.
Product / Help Support Desk … Do you need a unique product or help with a specific problem? OCSA is staffed by knowledgeable full time employees who are eager to assist. Staff is only a phone call away and is committed to meeting your needs.
Equipment Exchange … A section of OCSA’s web site that is devoted to members who have equipment they are looking to sell or buy. If you would like to post your own listing, please contact the OCSA office at info@myocsa.org
Supplier Blast … This section of our web site is a place where OCSA’s supplier members announce special offers, new merchandise and services.
Wage & Benefits Survey … This regional Lake States survey is conducted jointly by the Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan Associations. It gives you a competitive edge with employees, helping you maintain your greatest asset.
Cost of Doing Business Survey … Complete the survey and be part of this national report of independent lumber dealers. Participants receive three reports: the industry report, a company’s individual profit improvement profile, and a customized profit toolkit software package. All data is confidential.
Cost of Doing Business Industry Report … This report will help you to evaluate, plan and manage your business. The report provides industry averages and demonstrates the industry’s profitability pressure points, return on investment ratios, line of business analysis, and regional analysis. In addition, you will receive an interactive Excel spreadsheet that will allow you to run forecasted financial statements and cash flow analysis based on your past year’s performance and projections for some key variables such as project sales change, gross margin, AR days, inventory turns, salary and other expense changes.
Fuel Discounts … OCSA members qualify for a no-fee discount program through affiliation with the Speedway/SuperAmerica SuperFleet program. Enrollment is simple, hassle free, and FREE. By pooling the buying power of members statewide, as much as a four cents per gallon discount is available for fuel purchases made at any Speedway, SuperAmerica, Marathon, and most Pilot Travel Centers. Valvoline Instant Oil Change services are also discounted through this program.
Payroll Services … OCSA has allied itself with Paycor for payroll processing services. The world of compensation and benefits has become increasingly complex. Members that utilize Paycor services experience not only top flight ease and flexibility for handling payroll and all of the related reporting and tax filings, but also a 10% discount negotiated by the Association.
Mini Surveys … These quick answer - quick results surveys provide information on a variety of topics ranging from employment practices to holiday hours. Conducted periodically, surveys are often the result of a member calling OCSA with a question or problem.
Drug-Free Workplace Program … Working with Working Partners®, this program offers members assistance with creating customized and comprehensive substance-free workplace policies at an affordable price. Results may produce reduced insurance and workers’ compensation premiums.
Appraisers & Brokers … OCSA can direct you to professionals serving the lumber and building material industry who provide business appraisals, confidential brokerage services, estate valuations, and buy/sell agreements.
Federal & State Regulations … As regulations affecting members change, OCSA and NLBMDA reduce enormously cumbersome detail into bite sized digestible chunks. We also prompt you when it is time to post (and provide the tools for doing so) various regulatory posters and reports. We do our best to help you avoid fines.
Legislative Prompts … When legislative changes might impact your business, we’ll give you the addresses and phone numbers of key state and federal officials, and provide sample letters and talking points to assist you with contacting the powers that be to seed support of your position
Education … OCSA offers a variety of educational programs, from basic training courses, such as blueprint reading and estimating/takeoff, to owner – management topics selected to meet the changing needs of the market and membership. OCSA is an invaluable training resource, whether it be classroom training in Ohio or telephone conferences and national meetings presented by NLBMDA. See the training materials listed elsewhere on this page under "Education".
Ohio Mechanics’ Lien Law Manual … What you don’t know can hurt you! The Ohio Lien Law is a valuable tool that can help lumber dealers protect assets. But, if you don’t know how it works, you can’t use it to protect your outstanding receivables. Order your copy of this handy reference guide to save your business from losses.
Credit Union … Members of the Ohio Construction Suppliers Association are eligible for membership and benefits of the Universal 1 Credit Union, Inc. Credit Union membership enables members to add many features and services to their total employee benefit package at no cost. These include: payroll deduction and/or direct deposit, loans, savings plans, auto leasing, credit cards, dividend earning share draft account, and many other benefits.
Publications
Members of OCSA receive industry-related publications throughout the year.
Quick.Net.News … This electronic newsletter is published by OCSA to bring you timely industry information, news specific to Ohio, current events/activities, and news about OCSA members. Contact OCSA about sponsoring an issue.
The Cutting Edge … This monthly electronic newsletter is targeted to upper management and contains news and ideas to help you keep your business on the cutting edge.
TimberTalk … Our quarterly newsletter covering member news and industry related events.
Buyers’ Guide & Dealer Directory … This featured publication includes listings of lumber and building material retailers throughout the state with names of key personnel, phone numbers, mailing and e-mail addresses, and web sites. It also includes an invaluable "yellow pages" of product listings that enables dealers to quickly and easily find suppliers of products and services. Membership in OCSA includes one copy of this directory; additional copies can be purchased from the Association.
Lumber and Building Material Reference Manual … This popular pocket guide is a must for new employees. It includes industry terminology, reference tables and selling tips. A test is available and upon successful completion, a certificate will be awarded to the student.
Revised Full Length Roof Framer … This pocket-sized hard bound book is known as the "Carpenter’s Bible". The book includes the entire length of common Hip, Valley and Jack rafters completely worked out for each pitch. The contractor can pick out the lengths of 2400 Hip, Valley and Jack lengths of 48 pitches and cuts in one minute.
Simplified Stair Building … This book explains the principles and rules of stair building in a plain and simple manner. Great for an apprentice or the most experienced craftsman.
Nuts & Bolts: Guide for Human Resource Managers in the Building Material Industry … If you’re in charge of managing human resource functions in your company, you need this publication. Contents include 26 position descriptions, generic performance evaluations, sample policies and procedures, sample forms, and sample advertisements. All are customized on a Microsoft Word formatted CD-ROM.
Delivery & Fleet Safety Training Program … Includes an industry specific video and handbook, a trainer’s manual, posters and certificates that will help you train your employees to be a more safe, productive, and efficient workforce.
ProSales Magazine … As the official publication of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association, this monthly magazine helps dealers improve sales and services by providing in-depth coverage of the hottest and most pressing topics in construction supply. Their best known regular feature, "How to Sell", offers practical advice in almost every product category. Best practices and ideas from the field are always featured, as well as insight on how to measure different aspects of your company’s success, views on customer service and client relations, and readers’ opinions. It’s all the information you need to stay ahead of the competition. Order your FREE subscription today by visiting www.prosales.org, or by calling 888/269-8410.
Southern Pine Joists & Rafters: Maximum Spans … This publication offers 47 tables, providing a convenient reference of joist and rafter spans for specific grades of Southern Pine Lumber.
Plastic Span Card … This handy pocket-size tool is an excellent guide to spans for Southern Pine floor and ceiling joists, plus rafters.
PUCO / DOT Publications … We offer numerous publications and tools designed to help you comply with state and federal driving and safety regulations. The following are some items available:
Federal Motor Carrier Regulations Handbook (available in large & pocket print) - Includes DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
Driver Daily Log Book - An easy-to-use log book that helps satisfy the duty status requirements.
Vehicle Inspection Log - Detailed list for specific tractor and trailer parts to simplify inspection.
Annual Vehicle Inspection Kit - Includes laminated decal and inspection form.
Driver Qualification File - Includes employment application, request for check of driving record and information from previous employer; record and certification of road test; written exam (with answers and certificate); driver’s physical exam form; driver’s data sheet; record of violations; annual review of driving record; and notice of disqualification.
Products & Services Center
A wide
variety of products and services are available through
the Association.
Because members collectively represent substantial buying
power, our prices are
often difficult to beat. Plus, we’re hassle free. We
strive to keep things simple.
General Business and Computer Forms … Purchase orders, checks, continuous computer forms, and letterhead can be duplicated from your existing stock or we can help you design forms unique to your specific needs. For your convenience, some generic forms are maintained in inventory for those rare occasions when you’ve allowed your pre-printed inventory to get too low.
Envelopes … All types, sizes and colors are available: solid, window, tinted, return reply, catalog, and more.
Store Fixtures and Racks … A leading designer and distributor of building and storage equipment, Krauter Storage Systems (recommended by OCSA and NLBMDA) will create an efficient yard plan for traffic control, material handling, inventory storage, and safety. Is it time to upgrade your facility or are you thinking about expanding? Let Krauter Storage Systems help. See Krauter’s web sitefor more information.
Specialty Items … Whether it’s mugs, pencils, nail aprons, yardsticks, calendars, or hats (and the list goes on and on), dealers find these products to be an effective way to promote business and reward customers and employees.
SuperFleet Association Fueling Program … With the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel mounting, what better news to get than a way to save money each time you pull up to the pump?!?! OCSA, along with Speedway SuperAmerica, offers to you the SuperFleet® Association Program, which pools your company’s total monthly gasoline consumption with other OCSA member participants. As more members grab this opportunity and more gallons are consumed, you have the chance to save 4¢ per gallon! Best of all, participation is free! All Speedway, SuperAmerica, Pilot, Rich, and Marathon stations are participating!
Payroll Services … Looking for an easier and inexpensive way to do payroll? We have the answer for you! Through OCSA’s alliance with Paycor, a dynamic payroll service provider, you can receive a 10% discount on a host of payroll services! Savings are just a phone call away!
VESI … OCSA has teamed up with Volunteer Energy Services, Incorporated (VESI) to help members reduce operating costs. VESI, based in Ohio, was founded in 2001 as an alternative source of energy for commercial natural gas customers. The OCSA office is projected to save approximately $1,300 annually with VESI over our previous energy supplier. To find out your projected savings, simply fax or mail copies of your natural gas bills to OCSA. VESI offers OCSA members special pricing and there’s no minimum usage or term agreement. Give us a chance to save you money.
Construction MasterPro Calculators … This calculator, available as handheld or desktop, allows conversions for construction, weight/volume conversions, custom pitch, rise, run, diagonal, and Hip, Valley and Jack rafters. Perfect for estimating material amounts and cost.
Ratchet Assemblies … Hold it…right there! Don’t let load slip-‘n’-slide become a potential for serious injury or even death. Order all your cargo control products from OCSA. Call or e-mail OCSA to have a catalog sent to you.
Powr Ladder™ … The time and money saving answer to rooftop material handling is Powr Ladder™. Transfer materials quicker, easier and more safely. Only two operators are required. This lightweight ladder is the ladder of choice!
Surplus Auctions … Dispose of overstocked, returned, rejected, misfit or dead inventory. Community auctions offered by OCSA enable you to dispose of materials with little hassle, enabling your company to retain a clean image.
Magnetic Brooms … Clear your work areas and parking lots of nails, bolts and scrap metal. This tool can be hung from your forklifts, allowing you to pick up scraps while busy loading materials. Magnetic push brooms are also available.
Forestry Supplies … Environmental, engineering, agricultural, and educational equipment can be ordered and delivered to you in as little as seven working days. Call OCSA for more details.
Product Support Help Desk … Don’t hesitate to call on OCSA’s professional staff for assistance, whatever it might be. We want to be your business solutions source.
Member Networking and
Support Opportunities
Perhaps
the most invaluable benefit of membership is the
networking and other support
activities that the Association provides. Below are
opportunities that enable you to learn from your peers.
Dealer Roundtables … Just what the name says, dealers join other dealers at a round table to discuss business subjects that will assist them in management. Here they learn what works or doesn’t work for other dealers, often finding that other dealers have similar problems and concerns. Check the OCSA website, www.myocsa.org, often for dates of roundtables.
Regional Meetings … At least one time a year, the eight district chairmen host a meeting of OCSA members within their district. These regional activities, be they educational or recreational, enable peers to meet informally and grow collectively by sharing ideas and personal experiences. For information regarding regional meetings, frequently visit the OCSA web site, www.myocsa.org.
Golf Outings … What better way to meet with fellow lumber dealers or for associates to show appreciation to their customers than to enjoy a day of golf? This day is full of good food, beverage, prizes, fellowship and of course, golf.
Scholarship Fund … Established in 1978 by the Ohio State University and the Ohio Construction Suppliers Association, the Charles E. and Marian Benson Scholarship Fund provides one or more scholarships for forestry students whose career interests include the distribution of lumber and building products. For information on this scholarship, contact the OCSA office.
Installed Sales Roundtable … This roundtable meets twice a year and is conducted to help non-competing dealers share best practices and help each other raise the level of their installed sales program. All participants are well established in their installed sales program and all meetings are facilitated by a renowned moderator.