Rocky Mountain Forest Products CEO Chosen for Denver #KeepCraftAlive Panel

As the largest lumber supplier in the state of Colorado, Rocky Mountain Forest Products is known for their “wholesale-to-public” prices and huge selection of top-quality wood. But the company’s goals extend beyond providing value and excellence to their customers. They are also proponents of the #KeeptCraftAlive campaign aimed at closing the skills gap in the construction industry. To further this movement, the company’s CEO helped lead a panel discussion in Denver on the decline of the construction labor force.

Rocky Mountain Forest Products is a family-owned and operated lumber yard with locations in Denver, Arvada, and Colorado Springs. The company has been supplying Coloradans with superior products for over 40 years, to include cedar, redwood, and fencing, siding and decking materials. They remove the middle man in the lumber-buying process, sourcing their products directly from lumber mills and quarries and selling them directly to contractors, who can then pass the savings on to homeowners.

Shane Hoefer said that the Denver event sponsored by Fine Homebuilding Magazine — the most trusted resource for the residential construction and remodeling community — helped generate a lot of positive momentum for the #KeepCraftAlive campaign.

“Those of us who have been involved in the construction industry for a while are deeply concerned about the lack of skilled labor to go around, and we’re trying to change things,” said Hoefer. “This event was very important for calling attention to this issue and brainstorming solutions that are going to have a lasting effect.”

The event was held on October 24 at Tradecraft Industries. Hoefer was one of several leaders in construction-related fields to sit on a discussion panel exploring ways to incorporate advances in building science and help the construction industry thrive in spite of challenges such as climate change, severe weather, and the labor shortage.

“We are losing Baby Boomers in this industry like crazy,” said Hoefer. “These were skilled and experienced workers, and there are not enough people to fill the voids they leave behind.”

Hoefer said that this skilled labor shortage affects far more than just the quality of construction — it also causes home prices to increase and slows down the pace of building. Hoefer was joined on the panel by:

• Justin Fink – Moderator & Editorial Director, Fine Homebuilding
• Steve Baczek – FHB Brand Ambassador
• Benjamin Bogie – FHB Brand Ambassador
• Kelly Stitzer – CIG Construction
• Janice Stitzer – CIG Construction
• Shane Hoefer – CEO of Rocky Mountain Forest Products

Rocky Mountain Forest Products is deeply invested in the Colorado construction industry, having served over 1 million customers in the state. They disrupted the typical lumber-buying process by offering wholesale prices to the public. In addition to great deals, the company offers a number of products that are hard to find from different suppliers, including exotic woods, unique finishes, and customized millwork.

To learn more about Rocky Mountain Forest Products and their commitment to Colorado customers as well as the future of the construction industry as a whole, visit www.rmfp.com or call (303) 647-9185.

About Rocky Mountain Forest Products

Rocky Mountain Forest Products is the largest supplier of lumber in the state of Colorado. They import lumber directly from the mills and sell it wholesale to retail customers. For more than 40 years, RMFP has been helping builders and homeowners complete their projects under budget.