DW IS PROUD TO BE AN SBP BRAND
Specialty Building Products (SBP) operates through five brands in the United States and Canada. Individually, each brand has a rich history of its own and is well-known within the local community it serves. Together, as one company, we are better prepared to meet the growing demands of the building industry with an unmatched depth and breadth of inventory, in-person support, and robust selling systems.
When you see “an SBP brand,” you can expect the same personalized experience you know and trust, with the strong commitment and support of the fastest-growing building materials supplier in North America – Specialty Building Products.
WHAT WE VALUE
At the heart of SBP and DW, you’ll find our People, Culture, and Core Values. Our People are our greatest strength. We work together to serve our customers, and we don’t stop until they’re satisfied. Our Culture shows up as a company that works hard, never settles, and wants to win. We aim always to do the right thing – even when it is hard. This commitment creates a strong foundation and long-lasting relationships that are rich in trust. Our Core Values revolve around our impact on the lives of everyone we touch, making a difference in the world one person at a time.
2023
DW opens South Texas Building Materials branch near Houston, TX. This branch provides consistent route service to Beaumont, Houston, Victori, Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley.
2022
David Cusey named President of DW Distribution.
2022
DW creates their first door unit in their state-of-the-art door unit fabrication facility in Lancaster, TX. This facility will increase production and allow DW to better serve their customers.
2021
DW is purchased by Specialty Building Products (SBP), the leading distributor of specialty building products in North America.
2021
DW wins the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award—one of just 45 companies in the country to do so. Recognized for our ability to produce extraordinary results via strategic people engagement actions. We are proud to achieve this honor as it was a goal of the company as stated in our 2018-2022 Vivid Vision.
Lesson:
Together, we can do mighty things when we identify a goal and put our minds to it.
2020
Covid-19, a 100-Year Pandemic, rolled across the world disrupting the entire channel. Although our industry was deemed essential and business grew, the safety of our team was paramount. We were able to achieve record revenue while maintaining the safety of our team members.
Lesson:
In the face of adversity, Keep Calm and Carry On. Yes, you must adjust and adapt when an event this significant happens, but you do not panic; you take care of your team. You remain grounded in your Purpose and your Mission. You update your short-term plan as needed, but you do not harm your long-term plan. And, you Keep Calm and Carry On.
2019
DW Launches eMerge, First Online Door Configurator in the Region
DW relocated our DFW building material branch from DeSoto to Arlington.
Our new, more centralized location in the metroplex has improved our ability to deliver to customers throughout the area.
Lesson:
Our commitment to go where our customers are is central to who we are.
2018
Nathan and the leadership team developed our 5-year strategic plan for 2018-2022. This Vivid Vision provided clear direction for the future of DW.
Central to our vision is shared success among our customers, team members, vendors and communities.
Lesson:
There is always more to achieve when you seek to raise up those around you.
2015
Aaron Elliott Becomes President
DW Acquires Arrowhead Lumber Sales of Oklahoma City
2014
Nathan Potter Becomes CEO—3rd generation
Recognizing our growth potential on the horizon, we launched DW 24/7. It was the first e-commerce site for our industry in the region.
Our customers now enjoy the ease of ordering through a secure, online portal that offers fast processing and advanced shipping notices.
Lesson:
To stay competitive, your technology has to move as fast as customer demand – or faster.
2010
Nathan Potter Becomes President—3rd generation
2012
We created our i3 mission to better articulate who we are as a company.
Today, we all know our job is to “impress our customers, inspire each other, and improve our business and communities.”
Lesson:
To live up to your potential, you first need to understand who you are.
2008
Byron and Nathan Potter Introduce DW Customers to ITR Economics
An economic storm was on its way. Byron and Nathan Potter visited the Texas A&M College of Industrial Distribution to learn new ways to enhance inventory turnover.
We developed a new inventory stratification system that has helped us better serve our customers.
Lesson:
Complacency is dangerous. Never settle for good enough.
2006
We kicked off Phase 2 in DeSoto by building a covered loading canopy for DeSoto Door Fabrication and millwork.
Today, we are able to keep all millwork in a covered environment and load 12 tractor trailers simultaneously.
Lesson:
If you want to be the best at what you do, your work is never done.
2002
DW Acquires Northeast Texas Wholesale Lumber of Greenville
2003
DW Enters the Engineered Wood Products Business
2004
DW Pilots a Pre-hung Interior Door Program with a 3-Day Lead Time
1999
Byron Potter moved DW to an undeveloped 21-acre tract of land in DeSoto.
We moved our entire millwork business to the DeSoto campus, the next step in realizing Byron’s bold vision of DW as a top regional distribution and millwork company.
Lesson:
Success never comes without first creating a vision.
1996
DW Opens Round Rock Branch
1998
Nathan joins DW after graduating college
1988
We became the first building products distributor in the U.S. to utilize curtainside trailers.
This dramatically improved the productivity of customers – most of whom did not have loading docks – by eliminating the need for tarps and extended unloading times.
Lesson:
Being the first at something is meaningless unless it really helps people.
1986-1987
Home Depot entered Texas making it difficult for independent dealers to compete.
Our customers needed a competitive advantage, so we bought Sunbelt Moulding in 1987, allowing them to profitably specialize in moulding products.
Lesson:
Success isn’t measured by your own survival, rather by your ability to provide your customers with a competitive edge.
1980
Knowing we needed new partnerships to pave the way for growth, we forged a relationship with Owens Corning.
Together, we developed a new distribution strategy for roofing and insulation that has made Owens Corning one of our most critical vendor partnerships.
Lesson:
We can be good on our own, but great with the help of others.
Under Byron Potter’s leadership, DW joined the preeminent wholesaler organization National Association of Wholesaler Distributors (NAW).
We have learned countless best practices from NAW over the last 40 years and used them to vastly improve customer experience.
Lesson:
If you want to be a strong leader, never stop looking for ways to improve.
1979
A drifter set fire to DW’s roofing and siding inventory, leading to the famous 4-alarm fire under the Marsalis bridge in Dallas. Bankruptcy was inevitable.
However, the outpouring of support from our customers enabled us to rise from the ashes and relocate to the old Ford Automotive plant in East Dallas.
Lesson:
When you take care of your customers, they’ll take care of you.
1973
Vernon's son Byron Potter joined the company upon graduating from SMU.
Byron would bring new, strategic thinking to the job and develop the structure necessary to make his vision a reality.
Lesson:
Don’t be afraid of new ideas and new leadership. Dare to innovate and grow.
1968
DW’s co-founder Vernon Potter got to test the new Timberline Shingle. He loved them, but the ridge caps had a lot to be desired by his customers.
Vernon invented a concept for a new ridge product. That product became TimberTex Hip & Ridge, manufactured by GAF.
Lesson:
Listen to your customers when they have problems and do something about it.
1956
Our specialty in Masonite hardboard sidings developed into such a large product category that Mr. Mason, founder of Masonite, invited Vernon Potter to visit their siding plant in Laurel, MS.
In the decades to follow, we went on to become a top Masonite distributor in the U.S.
Lesson:
Long term relationships start from working hard for one another.
1955
Bob Byford and Vernon Potter worked together at the William Cameron when it was purchased by a larger company. They agreed big company policies were negatively impacting customers.
Byford and Potter decided to start their own business built on passion to help their customers succeed, and co-founded Dallas Wholesale Builders Supply, Inc.
Lesson:
Always bet on companies that sincerely want to help others succeed.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
David Cusey
President
Keith Cadle
Director of Building Materials
Paul Conley
VP Millwork
Mike Pollok
Sales Director
A loyalty program that gives you the freedom to decide your rewards! Our loyalty program doubles as a financial savings for you and as a way for us to show you how we appreciate your business – a thank you to you from us! Curious how you can reap the benefits? Give your local DW representative a call!
We just got back from Italy. On these trips, it’s first-class. We had our own guides, dinners were planned, it was unbelievable. They go above and beyond. You could not have gone to a travel agent and purchased trips like they produce.
- Cliff Stockton
NorthWest Building Supply, Dallas, TX ,
Besides the destinations – Italy, Scotland, Hawaii, Alaska – DW has everything covered. Accommodations, transfers, everything, a first-class deal. And over the years we’ve developed friendships with other dealers who are knowledgeable in the lumber industry. Successful, smart people. Strictly because of these DW events.
- Kyle Morgan
Trico Lumber, Hughes Springs, TX,
DW Distribution’s trip program has enriched my family in so many ways. Building relationships with other similar dealers and their practices has truly helped my business succeed.
- Bruce Walker
Lengefeld Lumber Co, Temple, TX,
I am so honored to have families like yours (at DW Distribution) in our life. Great friends and powerful example of the almost impossible feat of combining clean business and extraordinary friendships. Shining examples for my grandchildren. We love and admire all of you guys.
- Russell & Katherine Jones
Owners of Framing Square, Midland, TX,