About

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 PeopleCulture, 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.

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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

With over 20 years of experience, I am dedicated to helping you run a better business.

100% We will find a way!

0% What’s 0%? I said we would find a way!

David Cusey

President

Years of financial experience combined with uncommonly common sense makes Mark the perfect company and employee advocate as he navigates the ever changing financial compliance regulations from taxes to 401Ks to medical benefits.

100% Going to do what’s best for DW and Employees

53% Softball coach hall-of-famer

Mark Sattler

CFO

With my 25 years of Millwork experience in different channels I know the importance of providing the best level of service and the best products. My goal is to provide the highest quality door unit every time and on time.

100% In pursuit of the perfect door unit

10% Good golfer

Paul Conley

VP Millwork

Prescribing to the belief that impressing customers with a group of inspired team members who are continuously focused on improving is a winning formula—Nathan can frequently be found on job-sites, visiting customers and vendor plants anywhere around the globe that there might be better options for DW customers.

100% Making DW the Best Place to Work

100% Helping others build and achieve their Great American Dream

95% Likely to be smoking BBQ and water skiing on weekends

Nathan Potter

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,

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