Japan Recognizes Most U.S. Grading Agencies

Japanese requirements for re-grading U.S, lumber, a long-standing nontariff barrier to U.S. wood product imports, have been eliminated.

Recognition by the Japanese Ministry of Construction of most U.S. rules writing agencies and the grademarks of their lumber inspection bureaus permits direct use of U.S. lumber for construction of American-style homes in Japan.

The effect will be to increase the number of U.S. mills that can export directly to Japan from 80 to 1,000. The move should boost U.S. mill jobs and vastly increase future U.S. wood exports to Japan from 1995's $3.5 billion.

Virtually all gradestamped lumber produced in the U.S. will be recognized by the Ministry.

Rules-writing agencies and inspection bureaus now covered are: Redwood Inspection Service, Southern Pine Inspection Bureau, West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau, Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, Northern Softwood Lumber Bureau, California Lumber Inspection Service, Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau, Timber Products Inspection and Renewable Resources Associates.

Celotex Consolidates, Nearing End Of Bankruptcy

Anticipating its emergence from bankuptcy after more than six years, Celotex Corp., Tampa, Fl., has consolidated its building and roofing products divisions.

The manufacturer's reorganization plan was approved by the Bankruptcy Court Dec. 6 and is currently being reviewed by the Federal District Court.

Celotex anticipates the plan will be implemented by late spring or early summer, whereupon the business will be further streamlined by acquiring the assets of the Jim Walter Corp., Center for Applied Engineering, Inc., and Jim Walter International Corp. and integrating the affiliates' personnel into Celotex.

Dennis M. Ross continues as pres.

and c.e.o. of Celotex. Timothy M.

Pariso is now executive v.p. and c.o.o.

R. Blair Kriever, current pres. of Jim Walter Corp., will serve as senior v.p.-administration & public affairs. A.A. "Lance" Campbell, formerly building products division v.p.-mktg. & sales, was named senior v.p.sales/mktg., and Robert E. Herrell, former building products division manufacturing v.p., is senior v.p.manufacturing.

Surplus Ghain Gets Renamed

Seeking to update its image, E.C. Barton & Co., Jonesboro, Ar., has renamed its 18 Union Salvage stores Surplus Warehouse.

The Surplus Warehouse name was unveiled with the November openings of new locations in Lake Charles, La., and Temple, Tx. While already officially taking on the name, the other 16 stores will get new signs and be repainted to the new color scheme over the next few months.

Jerry Clingen, a former assistant manager at the Monroe, La., yard is manager in Lake Charles. Bruce Owens, previously assistant manager in Alexandria, La., is managing Temple.