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“Build.com already offers consumers more than 600,000 showroom-quality products from well-known brands – but we want to give our customers more,” said Chris Friedland, president and founder of Build.com. “We hired Josh because he’s got the experience to help us rethink the way our products are bought and sold. From expanding product categories to heading up one of my pet projects, a nationwide in-home installation service, I am confident Josh is ready to help us knock down the traditional barriers to purchasing home improvement products online, and usher in a new era of smarter home improvement.”

Prior to joining Build.com, Bultz served as Amazon’s senior vendor manager for home improvement and tools, managing the electrical, HVAC and home security product categories for the site. Before that, he spent two years at NetSuite delivering solutions for wholesale distributors and manufacturers operating in building materials, industrial supply and home improvement; and more than seven years at Intuit, Inc. working with the Intuit Eclipse product line. Bultz graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder Leeds School of Business.

“I chose to join Build.com because I was impressed with its vision and the team’s sharp focus,” said Bultz. “The company’s dedication to customer service, the team’s work ethic and the enthusiasm of its tightly-knit vendor and merchant communities is infectious. The opportunity to be a part of a company that’s in such hyper-growth mode was too good to pass up.”

Build.com is committed to smarter home improvement. The company offers a massive selection of showroom-quality products and unique customization for both DIY’ers and building professionals. The company prides itself on having the best customer service in the industry, including a support center with extensive category knowledge standing by seven days a week to answer any questions.

To learn more about Build.com, and its Network of Stores, visit: www.build.com.

About Build.com

Build.com is the leading online-only home improvement retailer, creating a smarter shopping experience for consumers and professionals. The site offers more than 600,000 top-quality, highly-customizable products, and is the category leader in plumbing, lighting, door hardware and ventilation. The site is a one-stop destination for any home improvement project, featuring DIY tips, how-to videos and a dedicated staff of customer care representatives available seven days a week. Build.com was founded in 2000, and is headquartered in Chico, CA. For more information on Build.com, visit the company’s corporate site (http://corp.build.com) and its Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/BuildDotCom).

Media Contact:

Lauren Moreno, Atomic PR; (415) 593-3334; lauren.moreno@atomicpr.com

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Build.com – Smarter Home Improvement

The Build.com Pro Program is designed to significantly streamline and improve the building and design process, by putting the purchasing power back in the professional’s hand. Instead of juggling multiple supplier relationships, as well as shipping and project deadlines, Build.com acts as the single-point-of-contact for all purchasing needs, allowing the professionals to focus on getting the job done and giving their customers the dream home they’ve always wanted.

“As a project manager overseeing numerous jobs at one time, it is critical that my product suppliers are ready and able to get me the materials I need, at any moment,” said Matthew Cota, division president of Texas-based Greenbrook Homes. “When I place an order with Build.com, I know everything has been thought through, from what I’ll need to install, to if the product is in-stock. The peace-of-mind I get from having the whole purchasing process managed for me is priceless.”

Launched in 2010, the Build.com Pro Program has grown to include more than 50,000 active building professionals. The free program offers members exclusive pricing, an unmatched selection of inventory and the convenience of an always-accessible online showroom. Members are given a dedicated and knowledgeable customer representative who manages their account from beginning to end – ensuring all shipping deadlines are met, installation requirements are considered and the products ordered meet, or exceed, expectations.

“Home improvement professionals work hard, and we’re here to help them work smarter,” said Chris Friedland, president and founder of Build.com. “We’re rethinking the way a building or design professional purchases the products they need to give them an edge in a highly competitive market. We are working to give every professional builder what they deserve – the very best products and the very best customer care in the industry – and I make a personal promise that’s what they’ll receive.”

Build.com is committed to smarter home improvement. The company offers a massive selection of showroom-quality products and unique customization for both DIY’ers and building professionals. The company prides itself on having the best customer service in the industry, including a support center with extensive category knowledge standing by seven days a week to answer any questions and help with any project.

To join the Build.com Pro Program visit http://pro.build.com/. To learn more about Build.com, and its Network of Stores, visit: www.build.com.

About Build.com

Build.com is the leading online-only home improvement retailer, creating a smarter shopping experience for consumers and professionals. The site offers more than 600,000 top-quality, highly customizable products, and is the category leader in plumbing, lighting, door hardware and ventilation. The site is a one-stop destination for any home improvement project, featuring DIY tips, how-to videos and a dedicated staff of customer care representatives available seven days a week. Build.com was founded in 2000, and is headquartered in Chico, CA. For more information on Build.com, visit the company’s corporate site (http://corp.build.com) and its Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/BuildDotCom).

Chico, Calif.-based online home improvement company to sell domestic and exotic hardwood flooring

May 8, 2012—The brand that simplified shopping online for plumbing, lighting, door hardware and ventilation is expanding into flooring. The Build.com Network of Stores has added FloorMall.com to its lineup.

As the second-largest online home improvement store, Build.com (No. 80 in Internet Retailer’s Top 500 List in 2011) has historically benefitted from a simplified shopping and buying process for its customers. And adding FloorMall.com to its Network of Stores represents its commitment to further understanding its customers’ unique needs.

“This expansion into home flooring represents another step in creating a complete offering for all of the customer’s home improvement needs,” said Brandon Proctor, Build.com’s VP of Marketing.

With its vast selection of home flooring options (laminate flooring, hardwood flooring, bamboo flooring, cork flooring and other materials), FloorMall.com is following the template Build.com created as a one-stop shop for home improvement.

For its expansion into the flooring category, Build.com looked to its category manager of new business, Bob Trafton. Trafton’s previous new launch (Build.com in April 2010) was the company’s most successful ever, and he embraced the idea that flooring can be one of the most important investments for an existing homeowner or someone looking to buy.

“If you walk into a home you’d like to purchase and you see horrible carpet or torn-up floors, the first thing that comes to mind is flooring,” Trafton said. “It’s the first step in a real home renovation, and something you can build around. Flooring decides wall colors, fixtures, and style for many customers.”

And by giving that customer use of various shopping tools, Build.com (through FloorMall.com) has once again simplified a complicated buying process—this time, for flooring. So, whether it’s laminate or bamboo hardwood flooring or ceramic tile flooring, the exact measurements and cost is clearly seen by the customer.

For more information on FloorMall.com, click here.

About Build.com
Based in Chico, Calif., Build.com is innovating the online home improvement retail space. Build.com creates a unique shopping experience by encouraging customers to visit a diverse range of niche stores within its network. Build.com, the second-largest online home improvement company, is among the online category leaders in plumbing, lighting, door hardware and ventilation. For more information on Build.com, visit the company’s corporate site or its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BuildDotCom.

Contact: Sean Murphy, Public Relations, Build.com, smurphy(at)build(dot)com and (800) 375-3403, x476.

Build.com announced its donation to Habitat For Humanity of Butte County

Online home improvement company based in Chico, Calif., takes part in home dedication ceremony

Feb. 21, 2012—Habitat For Humanity is dedicated to assisting families move into their own homes, when they might not otherwise have. Build.com (No. 80 on Internet Retailer Magazine’s Top 500 List) is the second-largest online home improvement company and helps customers create the home of their dreams.

Bringing the two together creates the perfect match.

On Jan. 28, 2012, Habitat For Humanity of Butte County dedicated new homes to four eager families in Chico, Calif., and Build.com began its year of corporate giving with a $1,000 donation to its local Habitat chapter. The donation’s announcement came at a powerful home dedication ceremony, a Habitat For Humanity tradition that takes place prior to the families moving into their new homes.

“It’s a natural fit for Build.com to help Habitat For Humanity of Butte County,” said Build.com Marketing copywriter, Sean Murphy. “We strive to help people improve their existing homes, and Habitat For Humanity helps to make families’ dreams come true with a home of their very own.”

Build.com, based in Chico, Calif., asked its fans on Facebook to vote which one of five charities (including The American Red Cross and Charity: Water) would receive the donation. Habitat For Humanity was the overwhelming winner, and Build.com chose to help its local chapter.

Build.com will continue making $1,000 donations to worthy beneficiaries through July 2012, each being chosen through a Facebook campaign in which its fans vote. Additionally, Facebook fans can make suggestions for future organizations to be voted on.

By continuing to foster a relationship with Habitat For Humanity of Butte County, an organization dedicated to providing affordable housing for low-income families, Build.com is further strengthening its Northern California roots.

“We look at what the donor wants for their donation,” said Darlene Giampaoli, Executive Director at Habitat For Humanity of Butte County. “Generally, most donors prefer donations to stay local to benefit the community in which they live and work. But others do want to see a portion go to building globally. Both are important to us.”

Giampaoli said construction on two additional houses in Chico will begin March 2012, and that the “Build.com donation will go directly toward the construction expenses” of these new homes.

Build.com’s partnership with Habitat For Humanity extends back to 2010, during a volunteer build. It helped once again in 2011 (with the homes dedicated last month), and will maintain its support in 2012.

About Build.com
Based in Chico, Calif., Build.com is innovating the online home improvement retail space. Build.com creates a unique shopping experience by encouraging customers to visit a diverse range of niche stores within its network. Build.com, the second-largest online home improvement company, is among the online category leaders in plumbing, lighting, door hardware and ventilation. For more information on Build.com, visit the company’s corporate site or its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BuildDotCom.

Contact: Sean Murphy, Public Relations, Build.com, smurphy(at)build(dot)com and (800) 375-3403, x476.

Through July 2012, Build.com will be donating $1,000 a month to one of five select charities. We're asking our Facebook fans to choose which charity receives our donation.

Northern California-based home improvement company uses light-hearted sales contest as springboard for philanthropy

Chico, CA—What began as a friendly battle for sales supremacy soon evolved into monthly donations to charity. Build.com is gearing up for some fun corporate giving.

In Aug. 2011, Christian Friedland, President of online home improvement company Build.com, challenged Pro salesman Gary Clark to a four-hour sales contest, with the winner’s total to be given to charity. Clark rang up $8,000 in sales, which Build.com (No. 80 on Internet Retailer Magazine’s Top 500 List) will split evenly over an eight-month period.

The first beneficiary was Thanks-A-Bunch, which transforms $10 donations into $50 restaurant gift cards for American veterans.

“The donations are important to help show that Build.com has personality and compassion, which can sometimes get lost today,” Clark said. “We also feel that philanthropy is just one significant aspect of our overall company culture.”

For the second donation, Build.com has asked its Facebook fans to choose from five different charities: Habitat For Humanity, The American Red Cross; Rebuilding Together; LIVESTRONG; and Charity: Water. In addition, according to Social Media manager Mario Magliozzi, “with each monthly poll, we’re encouraging voters to submit their ideas for charities worthy of our attention and donation through July 2012.”

While Friedland originally challenged Clark to the sales duel, it was Clark who envisioned the donations—a collaboration that truly defines the culture at Build.com.

“As a company, we’ve been highly successful in our space, and as a result have the opportunity to be generous and philanthropic,” Magliozzi said. “It’s also part of our company culture to be creative and willing to try out new ideas. So when an employee suggests that we consider an idea like this, we listen.”

Build.com offers the most efficient online home improvement shopping experience. The Northern California-based company also has a zeal for helping meaningful causes. In July 2010, Build.com responded to the record-setting floods in Nasvhille, Tenn., and donated $5,000 to the charity Hands On Nashville via Facebook campaign. Build.com has also volunteered at two different building sites for the local Habitat For Humanity chapter in 2010 and 2011.

About Build.com
Based in Chico, Calif., Build.com is innovating the online home improvement retail space. Build.com creates a unique shopping experience by encouraging customers to visit a diverse range of niche stores within its network. Build.com, the second-largest online home improvement company, is among the online category leaders in plumbing, lighting, door hardware and ventilation. For more information on Build.com, visit the company’s corporate site or its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BuildDotCom.

Contact: Sean Murphy, Public Relations, Build.com, smurphy(at)build(dot)com and (800) 375-3403, x476.

Chico, CA, Sept. 27, 2011—Build.com offers the most efficient and enjoyable online home improvement shopping experience. The Northern California-based company also has a zeal for helping meaningful causes.

And it’s most gratifying when they do both.

Build.com (No. 80 on Internet Retailer Magazine’s Top 500 List) and its network store FaucetDirect.com have partnered with GROHE to take part in the Hope Flows™ initiative, benefitting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The goal, says GROHE’s VP of Marketing Tamara Jurgenson, is to fund a research project for an entire year—which translates into $250,000.

“Everyone knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer,” Jurgenson said. “And breast cancer has deeply affected many in the GROHE family. We are passionate about finding a cure.”

With each purchase of their LadyLux 3 Café or LadyLux3 Plus kitchen faucet, GROHE’s Hope Flows™ program will contribute $25 to BCRF. This amount will help sponsor 30 minutes of research time—hence the initiative’s tagline, “30 Minutes of Research Time, 30 Minutes of Hope.”

GROHE will also donate $10 for every pink Rainshower Icon hand shower sold. These fixtures can be found on Build.com and FaucetDirect.com.

“Many of the people who sell and buy our product are in the group most impacted by this horrible disease,” Jurgenson said. “BCRF has a singular focus on research and is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide.”

The Hope Flows™ initiative launched April 2010 in participating showrooms and will end Oct. 31, 2011. Build.com joined the initiative Sept. 19, 2011.

“In addition to purchasing a participating GROHE fixture, anyone can make personal contributions directly to the Hope Flows™ website,” said Kaivan Farahmand, the GROHE brand manager for Build.com.

The official Hope Flows™ site can be found here.

About Build.com
Headquartered in Chico, Calif., Build.com has established itself as an innovator in the online home improvement retail space. Build.com creates a unique shopping experience by encouraging customers to visit a diverse range of niche stores within its network. Build.com is among the online category leaders in plumbing, lighting, door hardware and ventilation. Build.com currently employs more than 250 people and continues to be a pioneer in the home improvement industry. For more information on Build.com, visit the company’s corporate site at corp.build.com or its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BuildDotCom.

Contact: Sean Murphy, Public Relations, Build.com, smurphy(at)build(dot)com and (800) 375-3403, x476.

Chico, CA (PRWEB) Aug. 23, 2011—When customers browse Build.com (No. 80 on Internet Retailer Magazine’s Top 500 List) to shop for a Jacuzzi tub, they will now have the industry’s most comprehensive buying guide at their fingertips. Through a collaborative effort with Jacuzzi, Build.com has released “Jacuzzi University.”

This first-of-its-kind, nine-part video series addresses every potential question a Jacuzzi shopper could have. And those questions can add up if someone is shopping for a product as multifaceted as a Jacuzzi tub, said Zak Kerns, Jacuzzi brand manager at Build.com.

“Instructional and marketing videos are common, but rarely do you find media that also targets shopping,” said Kerns. “I looked at the sticking points our customers have while shopping Jacuzzi tubs, and used these as the framework for the video series.

“Jacuzzi University is free of fluff, so watching the entire series only takes about 15 minutes.”

Scripting, filming and editing the Jacuzzi buying guide were all done in-house by the Media Team at Build.com, and the video series can be found by typing  “Jacuzzi University” into the search bar at Build.com, FaucetDirect.com, Faucet.com and YouTube.com.

As North America’s leading online distributor of bathtubs, Build.com has successfully shipped over 25,000 Jacuzzi products in over 10 years. So partnering with Jacuzzi for such a unique series seemed natural.

“Jacuzzi is the worldwide leader in luxury tubs for two reasons. Their tubs are extremely well built, and they offer unparalleled options,” Kerns said. “While words and pictures can tell you this, they only go so far. I wanted to show it.”

And as one might imagine, Jacuzzi has been thrilled with the result.

“It increases their online visibility and goes a long way to illustrate the quality of Jacuzzi products to the online customer base, which is a major hurdle for manufacturers,” Kerns said.

A photo album of screenshots from Jacuzzi University can be seen on Flickr.com on Build.com’s photostream here.

About Build.com
Headquartered in Chico, Calif., Build.com has established itself as an innovator in the online home improvement retail space. Build.com creates a unique shopping experience by encouraging customers to visit a diverse range of niche stores within its network. Build.com is among the online category leaders in plumbing, lighting, door hardware and ventilation. Build.com currently employs more than 250 people and continues to be a pioneer in the home improvement industry. For more information on Build.com, visit the company’s corporate site at corp.build.com or its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BuildDotCom.

Contact: Sean Murphy, Public Relations, Build.com, smurphy(at)build(dot)com and (800) 375-3403, x476.

Build.com fielded a four-member team to take part in the Team LIVESTRONG Challenge Davis in July 2011. Devin Van Hout and Jason Childs each rode 105 miles, while John Thomas and Daniel Shipman both rode 70 miles. Together, the four-member team raised $1,070 to go toward cancer research.

Build.com fielded a four-member team to take part in the Team LIVESTRONG Challenge Davis in July 2011. Devin Van Hout and Jason Childs each rode 105 miles, while John Thomas and Daniel Shipman both rode 70 miles. Together, the four-member team raised $1,070 to go toward cancer research.
While continuing to enjoy profitable growth in an unstable economy, online home improvement retailer Build.com (No. 80 on the Internet Retailer Magazine Top 500 List) supports and encourages its employees to take part in extra-curricular sports and fundraisers. Earlier this month, four employees of the Chico, Calif.-based home improvement company took part in the Team LIVESTRONG Challenge in nearby Davis, Calif.

The Davis leg of the three-part cycling series offered distances ranging from 20 to 105 miles. Plumbing brand managers John Thomas and Dan Shipman rode 70 miles, and HVAC category manager Devin Van Hout and plumbing category manager Jason Childs completed the full 105 miles.

“Jason and I have been riding quite a bit this spring and summer,” said Van Hout. “One of his skydiving friends told us about this ride. We decided to gather a group at Build.com and jump on this opportunity to ride in beautiful Davis and raise money for a worthy cause.”

The LIVESTRONG Foundation, formerly the Lance Armstrong Foundation, is dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and providing awareness, educational resources and support for those affected by the disease.

Build.com, the leading online-only home improvement retailer, takes part in fundraising and philanthropic events. In 2010, a number of employees volunteered on two separate builds for the local Habitat For Humanity chapter.

And during last year’s floods in Nashville, Tenn., Build.com pledged to donate $1 for every new fan it garnered on its Facebook page during June 2010. The company contributed $5,000 to Hands On Nashville, a non-profit helping those in Nashville and the surrounding areas.

According to the Sacramento Business Journal, the Team LIVESTRONG Challenge Davis attracted 1,400 participants from 36 states and nine countries and raised $880,000. The Build.com team raised $1,070 to go toward cancer research. The two remaining stops in this year’s Team LIVESTRONG Challenge are Philadelphia (Aug. 20-21) and Austin, Texas (Oct. 15-16).

Childs, a skydiving enthusiast, said riding with the Build.com team alongside Gravity and Gears (led by his skydiving friends) was a definite highlight of the day.

“Even when I was struggling, they stayed with me and we all finished together,” Childs said. “I personally loved the finish when the Build.com team all rode together four-wide. It was a great moment.”

A photo album of the event can be seen on the Build.com photostream on Flickr.com here.

About Build.com

Headquartered in Chico, Calif., Build.com has established itself as an innovator in the online home improvement retail space. Build.com creates a unique web experience by encouraging customers to visit a diverse range of niche stores within its network. Build.com is among the online category leaders in plumbing, lighting, door hardware and ventilation. Build.com currently employs more than 250 people and continues to grow and pioneer in the home improvement industry. For more information on Build.com, visit the company’s corporate site at corp.build.com or visit its Facebook page.

Contact: Sean Murphy, Public Relations, Build.com, smurphy@build.com and (800) 375-3403, x476.