TOPICS

JOE BUTLER, JR. executlve vlce presldent

t CTIVITY at the board and commitAtee meetings held in Austin Feb. 47 centered on preparations for the annual LAT convention and trade show, April3-5 in Ft. Worth.

Four instances of fraudulent grade

Home center retailers view the next two years with optimism and confidence, with 83% forecasting increased sales and 69% anticipating increased profits, reports the 1987 National Home Center Show in announcing an increase in first time exhibitors at their March 8-ll show in Chicago's McCormick Place.

More than 70 manufacturers of stamping are being investigated by legal authorities after being uncovered by the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau. Unauthorized use of legitimate stamps and counterfeit stamps are two types of fraudulent grade stamping. Contact our office if you encounter any discrepancies in the marketplace. products for d-i-y customers have reserved space for the first time in the show which is billed as the world's largest exposition of products for the do-ityourself market.

Warning tickets have been issued to some dealer truck drivers in other states for not having a medical card showing they had received a physical within the last two years. A federal law requires all drivers of loaded trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more to have a physical every two years. Covered under Motor Carrier Safety Regulations 49CFR 391.41 -391, it has been in effect since 1983.

The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association's legislative action committee (ACTCOM) is requesting two co-chairmen from each state to serve as state coordinators when a major legislative vote or campaign is scheduled. lf you are interested, let the LAT office know as soon as possible.

Ken Blanchard, author of "The OneMinute Manager," will be the keynote speaker. Those providing workhops and seminars for d-i-y retailers include Jim Pence, financial management specialist;

Bruce Merrifield, Jr., Merrifield Consulting Group, and Bill Sharp, author of "Around Home Centers EverYbodY Sells."

The annual awards for innovative products and presentations, the 13th annual Home Center of the Year award and induction ceremonies for the Home Center Hall of Fame also will be fearured.