Branding at the Jobsite: Why Relationships Still Matter in Building Supply
In an industry dominated by mergers, multinationals, and mega budgets, it's easy to feel like the little guys have to shout just to be heard. But lately, within my role at Hewson Brothers Building Supply & Acoustic Solutions, branding hasn’t been about being the loudest. It's about being the most trusted.
We’re a fourth-generation business competing in a landscape filled with corporate giants, and we’re thriving. Why? Because while they focus on scale, we focus on service, innovation, and real human connection.
Marketing in a Materials World
As a marketer in the building supply industry, I know our audience isn’t looking for fluff. They want answers, support, and someone who understands their jobsite pressures. That’s why our brand is rooted in practical value:
Knowledgeable sales teams who solve problems, not just take orders
Innovative products that help customers meet evolving energy codes and project timelines
A commitment to getting materials where they’re needed—on time, in full, and sorted to spec
Marketing isn’t just a campaign for singular products, it all comes down to how we show up for our customers and the industry as a whole. In the way we answer the phone. In how we resolve a delivery issue. In how we partner with contractors to keep projects moving.
Keep Your Eyes on the Industry, But Your Heart With Your Customer
Yes, we of course watch industry trends. We keep tabs on the big players. We attend the same conferences and track the same data. But our compass is always set to our customers; the contractors, subtrades, designers, and project managers building Ontario one slab, one wall, one ceiling at a time.
When we focus on what our customers need: faster framing systems, smarter air barriers, better insulation bundles, we don’t just stay relevant. We lead.
The Brand That Builds with You
Our brand isn’t a logo on a truck or a flashy tagline (though I like to think we have a pretty solid visual brand💁♀️) It’s the trust we earn showing up day after day. It’s the knowledge we bring to the jobsite. And it’s the partnerships we build that last longer than any product we sell.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not just delivering materials—we’re delivering the systems that build schools, hospitals, community centres, and homes.
And that’s something worth marketing.
