As sustainability becomes a selling point in construction, distributors are recognizing a major opportunity: market your business as eco-conscious — and win more jobs. But that doesn’t mean greenwashing or starting from scratch. It means identifying your real sustainability wins and making them visible.
In this case study, we follow how a regional distributor used smart ERP tools and a focused marketing strategy to reposition themselves as a go-to green partner.
🏢 COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Business: Building materials distributor, 2 yards
Products: Wood, siding, insulation, coatings, hardware
ERP: Cloud-based with CRM, product tagging, and report generation
🎯 THE OBJECTIVE
Stand out in a competitive market
Support green construction without drastically changing product lines
Equip the sales team with confidence to sell to LEED/ESG-focused builders
Turn operational wins (energy savings, return programs) into a marketing asset
🔧 WHAT THEY DID
✅ 1. Audit & Tag Green Products in ERP
Tagged SKUs for:
Low-VOC
Recycled content
FSC-certified
LEED-qualified
Created a searchable “Green Catalog” filter for sales and quoting
📊 2. Build Impact Dashboards
Monthly reports showing:
% of green product sales
Energy reduction across warehouses
Packaging reuse rates
Emissions saved through smart delivery routing
🧾 Shared in proposals, ESG vendor packets, and client presentations
📣 3. Activate the Brand Message
Rebranded website section: “How We Build Greener”
Launched an email series spotlighting:
Green product lines
Vendor partnerships (e.g. FSC-certified mills)
Operational practices (solar power, paperless picking)
📦 Added “Eco-Friendly Available” labels across product listings
🏆 RESULTS
💼 Won 2 new public bids by proving LEED documentation support
📈 27% increase in commercial quotes involving green product lines
🔄 Faster project turnover thanks to built-in submittal kits
💬 Reps felt more confident leading green sales conversations
🏁 FINAL THOUGHTS
Marketing your distribution business as eco-conscious doesn’t require radical change. It requires knowing what you’re already doing right — and using your ERP to prove it. This case study shows that the right strategy, paired with the right tech, turns sustainability into growth.
📞 Ready to build a Green Catalog, impact dashboard, or lead a green sales campaign? Let’s make your sustainability efforts visible and profitable.
