In this episode host Dinesh Chopra speaks with Bob Merrill, a veteran building products executive with over three decades of leadership experience. Merrill shares his outlook on the industry, noting that housing starts remain below replacement levels despite signs of recovery. He discusses the impact of tariffs on pricing, especially for hardware and capital equipment—and stresses the need for execution excellence and operational discipline in volatile markets. Merrill also explains how recognizing “material arcs”—such as the rise of vinyl windows and fiberglass doors—can unlock growth opportunities. The conversation touches on leadership, talent development, and the increasing relevance of digital and direct-to-consumer channels

• Market Overview: Housing starts remain cyclical, oscillating between survival and growth, with demand holding steady despite high interest rates
• Industry Cycles & Demand Drivers: Sector recovery follows demographic trends, pointing to gradual growth toward replacement-rate levels
• Tariffs & Supply Chain Impact: Tariffs drive cascading price hikes across materials, while rising equipment costs strain project economics
• Leadership in Volatile Markets: Execution excellence and focus on controllable fundamentals define outperformers during downturns
• Material Innovation & Growth: Shifts in core materials—like vinyl and fiberglass—create new growth curves for early adopters