A marriage in metal: Two companies join forces to expand solutions

By Jenny Yu.  

Lakeside Construction Fasteners and DMI Direct Metals unite, combining product lines, distribution power and shared values to better serve customers. 

A new chapter is unfolding in the metal construction industry as DMI Direct Metals, LLC (DMI) acquires Lakeside Construction Fasteners (LCF). In a recent episode of MetalCast™, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with Eric Velliquette, president and co-founder of LCF, to discuss what this strategic partnership means for the two established companies and the market.  

Eric, who founded Lakeside in 2014, emphasized the shared origins and values of both organizations. “Both companies started as family-owned and operated businesses,” he shared, noting that each grew in to serve complementary markets. Their combined portfolio now spans across fasteners, foam solutions and architectural metal applications. “By marrying the two companies, we really do offer a full complement of products to service the metal building industry as a whole.” 

For contractors, the partnership is expected to provide practical benefits, expanding product access under one umbrella. “We try to keep our business model pretty simple and make it as easy as possible for customers to procure their fastener and foam needs,” Eric stated. With DMI’s distribution centers across the country, the combined organizations can move products even more efficiently, helping contractors complete jobs on tight schedules. “We're going to be utilizing the group's resources to get product quicker to our customers in those strategic regions.” 

Alongside the many powerful changes this partnership brings, one key factor will remain consistent: both organizations’ commitment to building long-lasting relationships with employees and customers alike. “There’s a lot of synergies with both companies, not only from a product standpoint but from a people standpoint,” Eric expressed. “Our customers have built long-lasting relationships within both organizations, and one thing we pride ourselves on is bringing in and keeping the right people to do the job.”  

By keeping people at the forefront of their integration, the combined LCF and DMI platform is positioning itself as a full-service provider focused on delivering complete building solutions. “We’re taking the message into the industry that we’re working together,” Eric stated. “It’s really a team effort, and it’s refreshing to merge with another organization and have all the parts fit.” 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about LCF, DMI and what this partnership means for the industry!