With another winter nearly packed away, signs of spring are beginning to rejuvenate the Lansing area bringing with it a season of optimism. For Tom Fox, one of Fox Brothers Company’s owners, it is a welcome change. 

His 26 years in the material supply business have taught him that patience and perseverance will prevail, but only with a positive attitude.

“Not only does winter slow the industry down, but the economic crunch has affected us all,” he explains. “But I am optimistic that we have turned the corner on the lagging construction industry not just across the United States, but here in Lansing as well.”

It has been his optimism that has carried his company and his employees through a rough three years. With construction down 70 percent in the area, he has weathered a long economic storm that has forced him to make tough financial decisions regarding his employee count.

“I have had to lay off many employees because new construction and remodeling numbers were down,” Fox states with compassion. “We are a family here and it has been difficult from a business standpoint as well as personally.”

Yet he knows he must keep moving forward. With a majority of his business being sustained by remodeling projects, he continues to serve the area with the same dedication, integrity and quality that has built his business into a trusted name in the material supply industry. As a leading supplier of exterior siding, roofing, windows, exterior doors and the trendy pre-cast stone veneers, Fox Brothers has focused on providing its customers with an array of energy-efficient products that qualify for the 30 percent energy tax rebate through 2010.

His experience lends itself to redefining how a company adjusts itself to the market. He knows that with new construction down and a tough resale market, sensitivity to a homeowner’s needs is imperative.

“Providing topnotch customer service, quality products and competitive pricing is what sells,” Tom shares. “The do-it-yourselfers and area builders know that getting the best product for your dollar makes good in the long run. Sometimes that requires an initial investment that is a difficult and a financially emotional decision, and that is why we strive to educate and show the return on investment, specifically in regard to the homeowner trying to sell their home or the homeowner that made the decision to remodel rather than build.”

Fox points out that the energy tax rebates available on a wide selection of windows, doors and siding has boosted customer confidence and interest, increasing his showroom traffic flow. The majority of remodel interest, therefore, lies in those three areas.

Windows

Fox says that new windows are a primary starting point whether the homeowner prefers a vinyl or wood replacement. Vinyl is typically more affordable and efficient while wood windows offer an aesthetic value found more commonly in larger, custom homes. Regardless of homeowner preference, quality manufacturers such as Marvin, Semco, Silver Line® (owned by Anderson Windows), and Alliance Window Systems® are available.

With a wide selection to accommodate any home style, Fox Brothers will work to find the best fit and to provide the best customer service from start to finish.

Doors

One of biggest statements about a home can be made from something as casual as an entry door. With the right selection, an ordinary entry can be transformed into a spectacular focal point of the home. Fox Brothers proudly boasts that their entryway doors are built in-house, assuring the quality and the craftsmanship that customers deserve. The showroom at Fox Brothers offers a variety of selections from the most stylish to the most functional. Customers can choose from durable steel, fiberglass or traditional wood doors with an equally impressive selection of high performance glass designs.

Exterior siding

Giving a house a facelift with all new energy efficient siding can make a difference in two noticeable ways: Heating and air conditioning bills are reduced and the view from the road (curb appeal). Commonly, the outside of a home will play an important part of visual attraction, thus making the emotional connection fall in line.

With many options available in exterior siding and design, such as the fast-growing trend of shake and pre-cast stone veneers, Fox Brothers knows that durability, efficiency and pricing are the dominant factors in customer selection of exterior siding. That is why they are committed to providing the best product that withstands all of nature’s surprises as well as accommodating to personal preferences.

But for Fox and his seasoned staff of professionals, it is more than just showcasing strong products; it also is the care and commitment that comes from standing behind their product and its delivery.

“Area builders and their clients come to us because they know we offer the best product and the best customer service,” he asserts. “Time is money and builders can’t afford to be stalled due to back orders and flawed materials. We will do whatever it takes to make sure that their product is available and ready to go. We live or die in this business according to our quality and to our commitment.”

With four locations throughout Michigan, Fox Brothers continues to be one of the area’s most reliable and trustworthy resources for builders, remodelers and do-it-yourselfers. “A handshake still means something to me,” Fox states, “because at the end of the day, you are only as good as your word.”