Eco Building Supply....what will the model of the future be?

So where do we go to buy all of these great green building products? Do we run out to the local hardware store? How about the big box stores? Would it be more likely we find what we are looking for in a specialty shop? What about online sales? Will they ship blue jean insulation with FEDEX??

All of these are valid questions. It is already possible to visit several websites and order what you are looking for. However, I would argue, the shipping costs are now all passed onto you, the buyer. Normal distribution theory passes the freight off to the distributor. It is typical with a distributor that he get a freight discount since they are ordering in larger quantities with higher frequency from the same manufacturer you just ordered from online. Of course, this as we know from experience, is not always true.

So, let's say we need something we can't buy online for our new green home....say solar cell panels complete with all electricals and wiring for our local building code. Would you dare to try to order this online, even if you could? I wouldn't.

So someone mentions you can buy those solar cells at a new "eco building supply" in the next major town over. You think, cool this will work! When you get there you discover you are now "shopping" at a small retail store which stocks alot of great green products....for the do-it-yourself crowd. So what happens when you go asking about what sized solar cell array you need for your sized house, which is still on the drawing board?

Ok, I’ve beaten this subject a bit too much. So, it would appear we have a challenge/opportunity/problem. Enter, Maine Green Building Supply (http://www.mainegreenbuilding.com/). Maine Green Building Supply quotes they provide “Sustainable buidling products and systems…Bringing responsible options to a Changing World.” Recently, I had a moment to catch up with the owner Steve Konstantino. We discussed the future of distribution for green building supplies. (more...)

His thoughts were that there will be a split in the green products arena. Consumables (soaps, cleaning supplies, paint, etc..) will be sold mainly through retail eco building supply options, either online or through a local “green building supply store”. On the other end of the spectrum sits the larger and more complicated buidling products, such as heat pumps, geothermal systems, PV systems, lumber, windows, insulation, and other products which have more sensitive distribution requirements.

As Steve is quick to note, his supply house is the only one which is devoted to selling to architects, builders, and developers. It’s his focus to sell products which will not be distributed direct to consumer, rather through a distributor, like Maine Green Building Supply. So another important note, some products offered in a green building supply such as windows, should be offered in a window store right?? No, not exactly. Specialized manufacturers more often need a specialized distributor who knows what they are selling and understands the importance of the products. However, there is a very short supply of specialized distributors at this moment.

We should see in the near future, eco building supply houses establishing their distribution systems around the country. In the meantime, expect manufacturers to be using every available outlet to get their products sold to the end consumer.

Go Green!

Aron Buterbaugh