ACQUISITIONS & GREEN/BROWNFIELDS
ANNIVERSARIES, BIRTHDAYS & PROMOTIONS
As I begin my journey with Outdoor Living Supply, I wanted to introduce myself and share a few thoughts. I come to OLS after many years leading businesses in the building products and distribution industry, most recently overseeing a $2 billion region at US LBM. What attracted me to OLS was its outstanding people, entrepreneurial culture, and the tremendous opportunity ahead.
My family and I will continue to call the Raleigh, North Carolina area home, but you should expect to see me on the road often. I've already begun visiting our stores and will continue traveling across our markets to meet team members, spend time with customers and supplier partners, and better understand our business firsthand. Supporting our teams and helping drive growth across OLS will be a top priority.
When we meet, I encourage you to share your honest feedback. I want to hear what's working, what's getting in your way, and where you see opportunities to improve. The best ideas often come from the people closest to our customers and our operations.
As we move forward together, we'll continue building a process-driven organization with clear priorities and meaningful KPIs that help align all of us toward the same goals. In August, I'll be meeting with our Executive Leadership Team in Tennessee to establish our 30-, 60-, and 90-day priorities and quickly align around the initiatives that will have the greatest impact.
Communication will be critical to our success. Everyone should understand where we're headed, why it matters, and how they contribute to achieving our goals. In the near future, I also plan to host a company town hall so all employees across the organization can hear directly from me, ask questions, and learn more about our vision and priorities.
I'm optimistic about the future of OLS. We have a strong foundation, an exceptional team, and significant opportunities ahead. I'm excited to work alongside you as we continue building the next chapter of OLS together.
Over the past few months, our Greenfield implementation function has transitioned from the Operations team to the Business Development team, with D.R. Mintz leading our Intentional Store Opening Process (ISOP) efforts.
D.R. is currently working with teams across the organization to remove the final hurdles to full operation and drive growth at our newest stand-up locations, with particular focus on Stone Center – North Kingstown, RI and Parker Outdoor Supply – Spanish Springs, NV.
Successfully launching a new store takes collaboration across the entire company, so thank you to everyone who has contributed their expertise, dedication, and teamwork to bring these locations to life.
A private label brand is a product brand exclusive to Outdoor Living Supply. Its success depends on all of us - from sourcing the right products and purchasing strategically, to merchandising them effectively, marketing them to customers, and supporting their growth in our stores.
Private label products also represent one of our greatest opportunities to improve gross margin while delivering outstanding quality and value to our customers.
New Product: Brickhaus™ - Clay Brick Veneer
We're excited to introduce Brickhaus™ Clay Brick Veneer, the newest addition to our import private-label lineup.
Brickhaus delivers the authentic look and texture of traditional masonry in an easy-to-install format. Our initial offering will be in thin clay brick veneer, which gives contractors and homeowners the timeless appeal of real brick without the weight or labor of full-scale masonry. Brickhaus is launching with Majestic Stone & our Western Region late August/September.
The range spans classic and contemporary, so it complements a wide variety of styles and project types.
Brick: 7-5/8″ × 2-1/4″ × 1/2″
Corner: 7-5/8″ × 2-1/4″ × 3-5/8″ × 1/2″
Images and resources are available on Canto. Want to learn more about color and format options? Contact Andrew or Layla Dedrick for ordering details.
One of our biggest opportunities is finding ways to generate revenue outside of our traditional selling seasons. As we continue to expand our product assortment, we encourage every team to think about products and categories that keep customers coming through our doors year-round.
A great example is Lignetics Premium Plus Wood Heating Pellets, now available in our New Hampshire locations for the upcoming heating season. Produced by Lignetics Group, North America's largest wood pellet manufacturer, Premium Plus is a PFI-approved premium pellet engineered for clean, consistent, dependable heat. This regionally specific hardwood and softwood blend delivers high energy output with minimal ash, making it a trusted choice for homeowners and dealers alike.
High-performance heat — max 8,400 BTU per pound
Clean-burning formula — low dust and minimal clinker
Low ash content at 0.5% — fewer stove cleanings required
Consistently dry — manufactured to exacting moisture standards
Exceeds EPA and PFI graded fuel specifications
40 lb bags · 8,400 max BTU/lb · 0.5% max ash · PFI Premium Approved · Third-Party Audited
As we head into the fall and winter months, let's continue looking for opportunities to grow sales, attract repeat customers, and strengthen our business throughout the entire year.
Looking for a more affordable alternative to a permanent roadside sign, the team at Apache Stone in Apache Junction, AZ came up with a creative idea: repurpose an unused vendor A-frame rack into a highly visible roadside display. They brought the concept to the Marketing team, who designed and produced a custom banner sized to fit the frame perfectly.
The result is a durable, eye-catching sign that stands up to the elements, attracts passing traffic, and provides excellent visibility—all at a fraction of the cost of a permanent sign.
This is a great example of how creative thinking and teamwork can turn a simple idea into an effective, budget-friendly marketing solution.
We heard the feedback from our customers and internal teams loud and clear: our Golden Vale Synthetic Turf® (GVST) program needed to be more competitive. In response, we're relaunching our privately branded turf program to be more targeted and better suited to each market. Here's what's changing.
We recognize the competitive pressure in this space, especially with importers offering turf across many markets. Rather than competing in the commodity space, we're focusing on what we do best: winning with the backyard-living contractors who are already OLS customers. It's worth noting that our manufacturer, Global Syn-Turf, is the only one that doesn't install or sell directly to landscape and hardscape contractors. That's a real advantage for us.
A streamlined product lineup — focusing on five core GVST lines: Pet, Putt, Essential, Lawn, and Elite.
The right products in the right markets — not every market should carry turf, and we'll be intentional about where it makes sense.
More competitive pricing — designed to win more projects and grow market share. While turf margins may be lower than in the past, each installation creates opportunities to increase wallet share by selling complementary products such as base materials, edging, infill, adhesives, tools, and accessories—helping drive higher overall gross profit per project.
Buying in truckload volumes (16+ rolls) lowers our purchase price, but truckloads only makes sense in the right markets and at the right stores. Where it applies, we'll use a hub-and-spoke distribution model:
Shared inventory across nearby stores
Inventory investment spread across more stores, balanced against 60–90 day sell-through rates
This approach helps us capture cost efficiencies without overburdening any single location.
New store pricing was published the week of July 4th and is now available for review and upload. Please share your feedback with Angie Rice so we can relaunch this program as quickly and competitively as possible. This is a team effort, and your input directly shapes how we win in each market.
Mega Markdown is our ongoing effort to keep inventory healthy — moving slow-moving product, converting stagnant stock to cash, and freeing up space for what sells. Selling through this inventory helps stores hit seasonal sell-down goals and sets us up for early buys and seasonal load-in for 2027.
The principle behind it is simple: the inventory is already paid for. So the goal at every store is to:
Every item we move is cash recovered and space reclaimed. Keeping this a consistent practice — not a one-time push — is how we stay ahead of inventory buildup all year long.
If there are additional products you would like to see added to your Mega Markdowns offering — please contact Angie Rice to get them added.
Have marketing questions or ideas you want to discuss? Please visit the Marketing Intranet page or click here.
Over the past three months, we’ve made meaningful progress in strengthening OLS, thanks to hard work across the company.
At the end of March, 34% of what we owed suppliers was more than 30 days past due.
By the end of June, that number had fallen to 9%, and we expect it to be near zero by July 31.
By comparison, 13% of what our customers owed us was more than 30 days past due. On this measure, we are now paying suppliers at least as reliably as our customers are paying us.
This progress was made possible in large part by the credit facility obtained in December 2025 and nearly $8 million invested by our owners during the second quarter. However, sales have declined without similar reductions in expenses or inventory. We must improve sales and cash flow—and reduce the cash tied up in inventory—to sustain our progress.
While we’ve made meaningful progress in strengthening our financial position and supplier relationships, we must now sustain it through improved operating performance.
Through June:
Sales totaled $103.3 million, down $5.6 million, or 5.2%, from last year.
Commercial/Wholesale sales increased 40.2%, helping offset a 9.7% decline in Retail.
The South Region led Retail with 11.0% growth.
West and Mid-Atlantic declined 18.1% and 11.9%, while Northeast and Southeast were down 2.5% and 1.2%.
Every employee has a role in moving OLS forward.
Respond quickly.
Follow up on opportunities.
Keep commitments.
Make OLS easy to do business with.
Learn from what is working in our strongest stores and regions.
Work with Angie and the Inventory team to implement “Order-to-Buy” and reduce inventory. Buy carefully and keep inventory from remaining on hand longer than planned.
Sell Mega Markdown inventory to generate cash and create space for faster-moving products. Keep the products customers want in stock.
Complete accurate physical inventory counts.
We have made real progress through more consistent physical inventory counts, and the teams doing that work deserve recognition. We must continue that discipline. Sales are down from last year, but our inventory level has remained about the same. Inventory that sits too long ties up cash and can eventually recreate pressure on supplier payments.
We’re seeing encouraging results in several areas:
Import sales are up 38.5% year to date.
Contact Manufacturing sales are up 48.6%.
We’re implementing standard operating procedures, better data tools and KPI dashboards to improve pricing, identify product-cost issues and better reflect transportation costs in our pricing.
Our owners continue to invest in OLS because they believe in our people and our future. We have clear opportunities and early evidence that focused work can produce results. By serving customers well, working with Angie to reduce inventory and improving how we operate, we can become a better company and a better partner.
Over the past quarter, the Operations team has continued working on process improvements designed to support cleaner transactions, better visibility, improved inventory accuracy, and more consistent execution across all locations.
Many of these updates are tied directly to NetSuite, 5-Star compliance, purchasing, receiving, inspections, and daily communication. The goal is to make expectations clearer, reduce manual cleanup, and help teams identify and correct issues earlier.
To support continued PO cleanup and process compliance, a new NetSuite job will begin automatically closing open Purchase Orders with a Potential Pickup Date that is 30 days or more past due.
The Potential Pickup Date has been in place for more than six months and has also been included as a 5-Star metric. This next step is intended to help keep open PO records accurate and actionable.
Once a PO is closed by this process, it cannot be reopened. If the PO is still needed, a new PO will need to be created. Managers should continue reviewing open POs regularly and ensure any valid POs have an updated Potential Pickup Date.
Our Accounts Payable (AP) team is implementing NetSuite Bill Capture, a new tool that helps read vendor invoices and streamlines the invoice review process. Instead of spending time managing Outlook and SharePoint folders, and manually entering invoice information, AP can focus on reviewing invoices and resolving exceptions.
When purchase orders, receipts, and invoices match, invoices move through the process faster. That means quicker payments to our vendors, stronger supplier relationships, and fewer delays getting products and materials to our stores.
Another improvement is that our current folder-based process for tracking invoice exceptions will be replaced with exception tracking directly in NetSuite, giving AP, Operations, and Procurement better visibility into issues and helping identify opportunities to improve purchase order accuracy.
We're currently testing a wide variety of invoice scenarios to ensure the process works well before going live later this summer. The team has already validated core functionality and is now focused on refining exception handling and operational processes.
This project is a great example of teams across AP, Procurement, IT, and Operations working together to make our processes more efficient. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to launch!
Need key documents for operations? Please visit the Operations Intranet page or click here.
Your 2025 Total Rewards Statements are now available in ADP Workforce Now. This statement is a helpful tool that outlines all the components of your compensation and benefits package in one easy-to-read document.
Accessing your ADP Total Rewards Statement is simple and can be done through the ADP portal. Here’s how: (1) Login to ADP Workforce Now. (2) Navigate to Myself > Pay > Total Rewards. (3) View and download your personalized report.
Getting started with investing doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require a solid foundation. Before you invest, make sure you’re prepared for the unexpected. Aim to set aside at least $1,000 for emergencies and work toward saving 3-6 months of essential expenses. It’s also wise to pay down high-interest debt (generally 6% or higher) before investing more aggressively.
Next, define your “why.” Are you saving for retirement, a home, or another major goal? Your timeline matters. Long-term goals may allow for more growth-focused investments, while shorter-term goals typically call for a more conservative approach.
When it comes to accounts, employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s are a great place to start - especially if there’s a company match. That’s essentially free money! A good target is saving 10–15% of your income, including the match, though starting smaller and increasing over time works too. Other options include IRAs and brokerage accounts, which offer flexibility but different tax advantages.
One final point: putting money into an account is a good start and investing it can lead to further growth. Consistent contributions, even small ones, can add up significantly over time and help keep you on track for retirement.
PROXIMAL rewards you for using a top-rated doctor for your specialty medical care. See HR with questions on this benefit that is available to employees enrolled in any of our BCBS or HMSA plans.
Life happens and sometimes it helps to have extra support. That’s why OLS provides you and your family access to the Work-Life Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through ADP LifeCare.
The EAP offers free and confidential resources 24/7, including:
Emotional health: Up to 3 counseling sessions per person, per concern, per year (face-to-face or by phone) for issues like stress, grief, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, or substance abuse.
Family support: Help with parenting, childcare, adoption, education resources, and senior caregiving services.
Wellness & daily living: Resources for diet and fitness, pet care, moving, travel, and more.
Legal & financial: Free consultations and discounted services for insurance, loans, retirement planning, and more.
LifeMart® discounts: Savings on groceries, travel, restaurants, electronics, flowers, child/elder care, and more.
1-800-697-7315 | Log into ADP → Resources → My Tools → LifeCare-Work/Life, EAP, Discounts
Have employment, benefits or payroll questions? Please visit the Human Resources Intranet page or click here.
Rooted in a location with deep ties to the Greensboro landscape community, Stone Center has grown from a longtime local plant nursery into a full-service stone and hardscape destination — carrying its reputation for quality forward under the Stone Center name. The store sits in a high-visibility spot right off Highway 68, and the team treats that exposure as an asset, putting real thought into which materials belong front and center to spark curiosity and drive traffic through the gate. It's a yard designed not just to hold inventory, but to sell it.
Serving the Greensboro landscape community for decades — the site began as a plant nursery and added stone in 2002, and now grows under the Stone Center name with those deep local roots intact
5 acres right off Highway 68 — one of the few stone yards that merchandises straight to a major road, using product placement to turn passing traffic into walk-ins
A blue Dr. Seuss tree on Highway 68 — a gorgeous Raywood's Weeping Cupressus the team rescued from road construction and replanted on-site, now an unmistakable landmark for anyone driving by
A huge outdoor fireplace on-site — a real showpiece that shows customers what's possible before they've walked the yard
Location is only the starting point. Stone Center treats its road-facing visibility as prime real estate, curating what customers see first to build interest before they ever pull in. That intentional layout does double duty — it draws in the curious first timer and makes it easy for returning contractors and designers to find exactly what they came for.
There's no "typical" customer here, and the team counts that as a strength. On any given day they're serving retail homeowners, contractors, designers, and architects — a range that keeps the business diversified and the team sharp. Their bestsellers reflect that broad appeal:
At Greensboro, the team goes beyond the sales order. They take the time to interact with and learn about each customer, turning a standard transaction into the start of a business relationship. It's a straightforward, relationship-first approach — and in an industry built on repeat business and referrals, that investment in people is exactly what keeps customers coming back.
The team is energized by continued growth on every front — training, sales, and new products alike. They've welcomed a wave of newer customers this year and taken real satisfaction in introducing them to new materials and building the business together. As they see it, this year's success is a direct reflection of the whole team and the support behind them — because it takes a team to earn a win, and Greensboro has a great one.
Each issue of the OLS Insider, we shine a spotlight on a different location across our brands — celebrating teams, stories, and communities that make us who we are.
Through the first half of 2026, IT tracked 142 equipment requests supporting onboarding, replacements, role changes, and location needs across OLS. The Southeast region had the highest activity, giving IT a clearer view of where demand is heaviest. Cell phones and laptops remained the most requested types, reflecting the core technology employees rely on to stay connected and productive.
Each request involves more than ordering equipment. IT reviews approvals, checks inventory, validates device readiness, and coordinates the handoff before equipment reaches the user.
Why It Matters: Asset Management keeps equipment moving — tracking every request from submission to handoff through approvals, inventory reviews, and device readiness.
Power Apps usage remains steady overall, with a slight 3% decline versus the prior period and strong recent activity across multiple apps. Power Automate adoption is growing — a 19% increase that signals strong reliance on repeatable workflows for notifications, approvals, and system updates.
Protecting our people, property, and operations with modern security technology.
System enhancements & process improvements.
Added the ability to request a role change for an employee directly within the request form workflow.
Significant changes have been made to the trucking process. A purchase order can no longer be received until the trucking PO attached to it is received first. A new Freight Payer field controls this:
Choosing 3rd Party or Internal lets you select the trucking PO.
Choosing Vendor adds a freight line to the PO that cannot be removed.
Choosing No freight means neither trucking POs nor a freight line are available.
Once an option is chosen it cannot be edited, and each trucking PO must have the correct truck selected — whether 3rd party or internal.
A potential pick-up date is now required on every purchase order. When that date becomes more than 30 days older than the current day, an automated nightly process closes the PO — and it cannot be reopened once closed. Please check the daily alerts for POs about to expire.
Additional changes to the freight process are on the way, including locking down sales orders with freight. Please keep up with the training Operations is releasing so you stay reminded of the upcoming changes.
4,636,308 total inbound emails processed · 3,678,184 rejected as viruses & spam · 958,124 legitimate inbound · average reject rate 52.38%.
Monthly completion is below our 85% target at 47%. Training maintains PCI compliance and strengthens awareness against social engineering.
To access IT training, click link below and find out if you have any training overdue. Below is a snip it when you log in -> click engage -> then see the trainings that are due.
2 campaigns sent to 447 users. 65% left the email unopened, 16% clicked the link, and only 6% reported it as suspicious.
Security is strongest when technology and employee awareness work together. If you haven't completed this month's training, please do so to help us reach the 85% goal.
Have IT questions or experiencing technical issues? The OLS IT Helpdesk is available to assist with troubleshooting, requests, and technology support. Please visit the IT Intranet or submit a request through the Support Portal.
Questions – ASK OLSA - https://olsa.outdoorlivingsupply.net
Ask OLSA is Outdoor Living Supply's AI-driven sales assistant, built to simplify selling, improve order efficiency, and help employees serve customers more effectively. Access it at olsa.outdoorlivingsupply.net.
Visit the NetSuite Intranet page for documentation, training, and support resources.
NetSuite Intranet Page: NetSuite Virtual Guide
Main Intranet Page: https://outdoorlivingsupply.sharepoint.com/sites/OutdoorLivingSupplyIntranet
Have IT questions? Contact the Outdoor Living Supply IT Helpdesk for troubleshooting. Please visit the IT Intranet page or click here.
July: 34 Years | Gregory Peterson, 14 Years | Mick Merlo, 13 Years | Ted Deller, 9 Years | Kolby Sawyer and Blake Dalton, 6 Years | Jessica Gum, Alan Collens and Danny Ray, 5 Years | Kathleen Granger, Ernesto Barahona Barraza, Jonathan McIntyre, Matthew Yancey, Robert Bonds and Barbara French, 4 Years | Michael Hicks, David LaCroix and Logan Camden, 3 Years | Manuel Diaz, Alexi Solis, Charles Milhollen, Fredy Pereira Argueta, Jasson Hobbs and Marie Brooks, 2 Years | Isaac Garza and William Jack, 1 Year | Mark Heacock, Christien Cloney, David Miller, Ilana Dunford and Vera Bonifacio.
August: 26 Years | Marco Medrano Reyes and Armadeo Lopez-Gonzalez, 11 Years | William Burdette, 10 Years | Jose Gomez Hernandez, 9 Years | Devin Allen, 8 Years | Andrew Hargrove, 7 Years | Jesus Romero Montiel and Tony Bautista, 6 Years | Paul Price 5 Years | David C. Miller, Elizabeth Coleman and Thomas Chesebro IV, 4 Years | Mitzie Cuevas, Christen Jarnagin, Dustin Brendle, Harley Bonnell, Joshua Sinclair and Patrick Spain, 3 Years | Daniel Bishop, 2 Years | Jesse Fauth, Alma Bustos and Angela Rice, 1 Year | John Wilmott, Brooks Little, Michael Tuttle, Michael Kirn, Ngase Tuifua, Peter Sherbrick, Rodney Goldston and Timothy Carr.
September: 44 Years | Glenn Woons, 36 Years | Roberto Lopez-Gonzalez, 29 Years | Brian Williams, 26 Years | Matthew Gibbs, 25 Years | Brian Price, 18 Years | Lee Marbet, 15 Years | Bette Wetherington, 10 Years | Justin Hail, 10 Years | William Arriaza Argueta, 8 Years | Mark Wilson and Charlee Fotheringham, 7 Years | Chester Wright, 6 Years | Jeremy McCoy and Michael Bloemsma, 5 Years | Rhode Rachel and Brandon Salinas Castellano, 4 Years | Brittany Grant and Kyle Capaldo, 3 Years | Fredy Camarena Padilla and Gustavo Valladares-Pioguinto, 2 Years | Dustin Greenhagen, Kapono Balonzo and Michael Nugent, 1 Year | April Wildman, Cheyanne Ludlum, Christopher Lydick, Dariusz May, David Roscoe, Jamie Vestal, Joshua Wallace and Britney Espana Leon.
July: Pablo Salvatierra, Robert Hargrove, Christopher Teachout, Jack Bell, Jeremy Rollins, Ryan Jones, Daniel Authier, Mike Vaughan, Joseph Peals, Drew Wilson, Brittany Pivero, Christopher Servidio, Christopher Pinchak, Craig Barker, Jaiden Dicarlo, Jeshua Mumm, Jesus Estrada Gomez, Jose Solis Rodriguez, Kenneth Mathieu, Michael Rick, William DuBose, William Holliday, Deborah Siderchuk, Guillermo Avila Indio, Debra Roberts, Dominick Moore, Kathleen Granger, Mark Heacock, Michael Hicks, Andrew Hargrove, Jesse Fauth, John Wilmott, Devin Allen, Marco Medrano Reyes, Mitzie Cuevas, April Wildman, Rhode Rachel, Aaron McGurty, Tim Smith, Heissel Gil Boteo, Juan Mora and Norman Gonzalez.
August: Janeil Nothaft, Nathan Augestad, Rylee Diamond, Scott Allen, Stephany Bringgold, Alexi Garcia Zelaya, Emily Damasco, Howard Lasker, Brooks Yadon, Cole Allen, Deborah Fout, Dwaina Cesa, Israel Elias Aguirre, Mary Neville, Rebecca Heins, Ansley Rolan, David Schmid, George Pence, James Harris, Samuel Chong, Todd Bliss, William Owens, Armando Marquez, Eric Ochoa, Hugo Sequeira, Maura Covino, William Rogers, Jr., Abelardo Bautista Ventura, David Talkington, Dennis Berger, Francisco Guzman, Richard Ashford, Jr., Richard Kearney, David LaCroix, Jessica Gum, Ted Deller, Mick Merlo, Bette Wetherington, Mark Wilson, Jacob Pendleton, Jimmie Hester, John Nehlig, Martha Cerda, Neil Donlevy and Ray Pratt.
September: Daniel Rhault, Ken Armistead, Russell Fillerup, Sierra McKnight, Tobias Harden, Luis Nunez Nazario, Rose Wolfe, Tomas Aquino Vasquez, DR Mintz, Jr., John Wranitz, Luis Velasquez Barerra, Patricia Sylvester, Caleb Stevens, Gary Cook, Adam Dierken, Alexander Porras, Damon Henderson, Viridian Sanchez-Cisneros, Charles Long, Janice Trimbur, Martin Ferro, Matthew Hupman, Barbara French, Blake Dalton, Gregory Peterson, Timothy Carr, Britney Espano Leon, Jake Wilson, Jessica Adams, Corbin Salazar, Jonathan Robinson, Lane Reeves, Juan Calderon Lopez and Mark Smith.