Lumber  Associate  Manual  

Table of Contents iii

Table  of  Contents  

Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iii  Introduction ................................................................................................................................... v  

About this Manual ....................................................................................................................... v  Chapter 1 – Our Company ........................................................................................................... 7  

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 8  Around the World ....................................................................................................................... 8  Our Values .................................................................................................................................. 9  

Excellent Customer Service .................................................................................................... 9  Shareholder value .................................................................................................................... 9  Building Relationships ............................................................................................................ 9  Entrepreneurial Spirit .............................................................................................................. 9  Taking care of Our People ...................................................................................................... 9  Respect .................................................................................................................................... 9  Doing the Right Thing ............................................................................................................ 9  Empowering our associates build trust that drives the company ............................................ 9  

The 3 strategies ......................................................................................................................... 10  Customer Service .................................................................................................................. 10  In-Stock ................................................................................................................................. 10  Store Appearance .................................................................................................................. 10  Customer’s shopping experience is what sets the Home Depot apart from other retail stores. Follow store standards to keep customers safe. .................................................................... 10  

Chapter Two – Lumber Associate How-To’s ........................................................................... 11  Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 12  How to Cull Lumber ............................................................................................................... 12  How to Close ............................................................................................................................ 13  How to Stripe ........................................................................................................................... 14  

Chapter Three – Equipment .......................................................................................................... 15  Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 16  Operating Saws ....................................................................................................................... 16  

Panel Saw .............................................................................................................................. 16  Table Saw .............................................................................................................................. 16  

Index ............................................................................................................................................. 19  

Introduction v

Introduction    

Welcome to The Home Depot! As a new lumber associate you are about to begin your career with one of the largest home improvement retailers in the world.

We are glad you decided to go orange and join the Home Depot Team. We hope you have a long and successful career.

About  this  Manual  

The Lumber Associate Manual contains a review of the information that will help you perform your job throughout the course of your career here at the Home Depot.

The Lumber Associate Manual will help you understand what The Home Depot is all about, including our history, culture, values, customer service, how to perform your daily job, and more.

All Lumber Associates receive this manual, and depending on what time of day you will be working, such as morning, afternoon, or closing. Some sections may not directly apply to you.

By reading this manual you will have the inside look into what it takes to be a lumber associate and how you can make a difference to the Company’s vision.

If you have any questions after reading through this manual, ask your Department Supervisor.

Chapter  1  –  Our  Company    

8 Lumber Associate Handbook

 

Introduction  Home Depot began as a small hardware store in Atlanta, with the mission of providing an all in one location for contractors and home improvement personnel. The Home Depot opened its first store in 1979.

Around  the  World  The Home Depot is one of the largest home improvement retailers in the world; every store is located within one of the 6 regions:

• Northern United States • Southern United States • Western United States • Canada • Mexico • China

Every store is filled with hard working associates that support our headquarters in Atlanta, GA. The Home Depot has been operating in china for the past 10 years developing strong connections with manufacturers, in order to provide quality products for our customers.

   

Our  Values

Excellent  Customer  Service  It’s our responsibilities to help our communities grow.

Shareholder  value  Home Depot is a growing business with the highest standards

Building  Relationships  Long lasting relationships determine our future.

Entrepreneurial  Spirit  We pride on innovations to better the Company.

Taking  care  of  Our  People  You as an associate is our top priority.

Respect  Treat everyone with respect and support diversity.

Doing  the  Right  Thing  Empowering our associates build trust that drives the company    

Home  De

pot  V

alue

s  

Giving  Back  

Excellent  Customer  Service  

Shareholder  value  

Building  rela=onships  

Entrepreneurial  Spirit  

Taking  care  of  Our  People  

Respect  

Doing  the  Right  Thing  

10 Lumber Associate Handbook

The  3  strategies  

The Home Depot depends on three strategies in order to operate at the fullest potential, while still focusing on our customer needs. As a Lumber Associate it is important to follow all three strategies:

Customer  Service  As a Lumber Associate, contractors and Do-It-Yourself individuals depend on your knowledge of the store and products that the Home Depot carries. Customer Service is your number one priority in Department 21.

In-­‐Stock  Home Depot’s sales and customer service depend on several key elements:

• Products should be on the shelf and maintained properly for customers. • Pack it down. • If items are out of stock make sure you order more or provide another store location.

Store  Appearance  Customer’s shopping experience is what sets the Home Depot apart from other retail stores. Follow store standards to keep customers safe.  

Chapter  Two  –  Lumber  Associate  How-­‐To’s  

12 Lumber Associate Handbook

Introduction  Department 21 at the Home Depot requires special attention throughout the day due to the size of the products we stock. Since the Lumber is the largest department in our stores, associates are required to follow company procedures to keep customers satisfied with our products and the work environment safe. We accomplish customer satisfaction and safety when we utilize three procedures: Culling Lumber, Closing down the Department, and Striping Our Lumber.

 How  to  Cull  Lumber  Culling lumber is a process we use at the Home Depot to keep our lumber looking fresh and free of damages. A piece of lumber needs to be culled if the wood has:

• Bow • Twisted • Split • Crook • Knots • Cup

The Culling process has 3 steps:

1. Remove pieces of lumber that fit the culled description. 2. Mark down each product to 70% off 3. Place lumber on lumber cart by back rollup.

If every lumber associate follows these procedures it will save the company millions of dollars at the end of the year. The Home Depot is challenged every year to maintain Department 21 and the associate is the one to lead the way.

How  to  Close    Lumber associates who are scheduled to stay until the store is closed are tasked with making the department presentable for customers the following day. Associates need to set aside 2 hours after the store closes in order to successfully complete the closing procedures. Procedures to close the department are:

1. Walk each lumber aisle. 2. Flat stack the lumber. 3. Sweep every aisle. 4. Put up returns 5. Take trash to trash compactor.

14 Lumber Associate Handbook

     How  to  Stripe  Striping lumber requires the associate to place the same product that is on the floor as the one above. Make sure all safety bars are in place once the material is stocked in the overhead. Striping the lumber allows the associate to easily located materials that are out of stock, but in the overhead.

 

 

                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter  Three  –  Equipment    

16 Lumber Associate Handbook

 Introduction  The products that Home Depot sells in the Lumber Department require the new associate to be licensed to move each product.

Operating  Saws  At the Home Depot we strive to make our customers lives easy, one way we offer this is by cutting pieces of wood to the desired length. It is important to be knowledgeable on all safety guidelines. The Home Depot uses two different types of saws: The Panel Saw and The Table Saw

Panel  Saw  The panel saw is used when customers are purchasing pieces of plywood or siding. Safety requirements for operation include:

• Taking off gloves. • Stabilize the piece of wood. • Wear appropriate protection equipment, such as goggles.

Table  Saw    The table saw the associates will be using is utilized when the customer needs any of our one by the safety procedures for operating the panel saw, also are required here.

 

Index 19

IndexRegions 8

Values 9

Culling 13

Panel Saw 16

Table Saw 16

 

20 Lumber Associate Handbook