How to win the war for talent

how this new hire helps you in your bigger plan. How will it bring you closer to achieving your business objectives?

Your decision to hire could be based on current or future growth. Or it could be to capture business from a competitor and grow overall market share. Or you could be broadening your product or service offerings in a new area, such as fiber optics, datacom, or security systems. Of course, you could simply be replacing a worker who is no longer on the payroll. Know why you are hiring and it will help sharpen your efforts.

Step 2. Write a customer-centered job description. Most distributors don't bother writing a job description. "What's to describe? We're hiring someone for sales/warehouse/whatever," they say. Or, if a job description does exist, it usually lists a set of tasks to be performed, like this one for an outside sales rep: "Maintain account base, take orders, and add new customers. Perform any duties assigned by branch manager." Not a word about the "soft" skills needed, like the ability to empathize, improvise, and proselytize.

ll 7fosr DrsrRrBUroRS roDAY operIYIate lean and hungry, expecting more from a slimmed-down work force.

The need for efficiency has required a re-evaluation of all job descriptions and every employee must be flexible enough to handle tasks previously assigned to individuals no longer with the company.

The bad news is (that wasn't the bad news?) the labor force for the wholesale industry is shrinking, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. Young people aren't lining up to join the construction industry.

So, in spite of an uncertain economy, distributors can't wait for recovery to augment already streamlined branches. Just as a realtor will tell you now is the right time to buy a great house, the same wisdom applies here: now is a great time to hire the "right person."

Dr. John Sullivan, a leader among human resources advisers, designates recruiting as an "evergreen job, a mission-critical job where hiring is con- tinuous," regardless of whether an opening exists. By always interviewing promising job prospects, you can prequalify candidates for possible future openings, thus speeding up the hiring process when the job becomes available.

Though hiring is the last thing most wholesalers are thinking about, the smart distributor is actively pursing talent. He understands that a business is only as good as its employees, and knows that finding and hiring the right person isn't simply a matter of placing an ad in the Help Wanted section of the local newspaper. Hiring great people requires a well-thoughtout recruiting strategy. With that in mind, here are five steps to follow in developing such a strategy.

Step 1. Know why you're hiring. Designing a recruiting strategy involves answering the question, "Why am I hiring?" Maybe that seems obvious, but it's important to write down in a sentence or two what you intend to accomplish. Determine

While it's true you want someone with the "hard" skills suited to the job at hand, your primary concern is how the individual interacts with customers to meet their expectations. That's where soft skills come in. It's important to determine if a job candidate owns the behavioral characteristics to successfully meet the expectations of the customer. Those qualities include verbal skills, high energy, enthusiasm and strong work ethic.

Consider using a personality assessment survey or developing interview questions that focus on uncovering behavioral traits. Finally, make your job description all-inclusive. There are a growing number of women in wholesaling, and this labor pool is a rich source of talent often overlooked in a male-dominated industry.

Step 3. Prioritize your hiring needs. Now that you have written a job description and you know what performance level to target, next focus on where it will do the most good.

Warehouse, sales, purchasing, operations? Don't assume if you hire enough people the job will get done. You need to hire the right people.

Naturally, it would be ideal if you could always hire top performers, but in the real world. that's not going to happen. Sometimes it is a matter of choosing from the best of available candidates.

Step 4. Identify future hiring needs, when possible. For instance, when the company wins a project requiring a bigger work force, let's say an onsite vendor managed inventory, obviously more workers will be necessary. Don't wait until the contract is about to start. Begin prescreening applicants right away.

Another example of planning fbr future needs is when you're having disciplinary problems with an employee and it's becoming apparent you're going to have an upcoming vacancy.

Step 5. Design a service-level agreement for new hires to sign. Base it on the job description from step 2. Let employees know exactly what is expected of them. Spell it out. Don't assume they'll "just know" to greel. customers courteously. answer the phone politely, keep the branch clean. and all the hundreds of other little items you expect employees to do without being told.

Where To Look?

One of the first places distributors look for skilled recruits is in the work force of a competitor. But, keep in mind that a worker who will leave a current employer, given the right offer, likely will leave you, as well. Besides, you don't want someone else's disgruntled employee.

So how do you know when it's worth taking a risk on an employee from a competing firm? Ask your sales people. Chances are they know who the best workers are in your community. If you've been in business for five years or more, you probably do, too. Make a point of getting to know the top performers in your marketplace.

Your Own Backyard

Don't overlook the development of people who already work for you. Invest in training and develop your own talent pool. Offering training to eager employees can help retain workers and improve morale. It can also serve as a barometer for discovering which workers show initiative. Most employees, given the choice, won't take advantage of training offerings. The ones that do will be your more ambitious workers.

Future Now

Dr. Sullivan reminds managers and business owners to always be alert for good people. By looking outside the industry, you can start fresh with someone who doesn't have preconceived ideas about the job requirements of a supply house employee.

Remember. most distributors are downsizing. Your competitors aren't going to take the talent shortage seriously until it's too late. It's just easier

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to procrastinate and scramble for warm bodies as needed. It's much harder to focus on skills development, strategic planning, and constant flexibility. But, developing strategies for hiring and keeping the best of the best can give you the competitive edge in the war for talent.

And the distributor with the most talent wins.

- Mikc Dundridge is u busine ss speakar ortrl outhor o.f several books on cusbnter service, including his latest, Facing Goliath: Overcoming Predator-Competitors. He cun be reached at mikedan@ t110(' .('ot11

Exotic Hardwood Decking

Batu Decking is the latest addition to Nova USA Wood Products' line of exotic hardwood products. Also known as membatu, red balau and mangaris, batu wood is known for its hardness, beauty and natural durability. Planks are offered in a full range of sizes, as well as tongue and groove porch flooring and trimboards.

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Laminate Flooring

Chelsea Park laminate flooring from Bruce features Lock&Fold technology for quicker installation.

Each 5" plank has an AC3 wear surface for easy cleaning and resistance to stains, fading, or wearthrough. A Magnum HDF core resists surface spills or moisture from the subfloor.

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Fiber Gement Panels

Nichiha Sandstone fiber-cement panels are available in gentle gray, ash white, and autumn brown. Each panel is 7/8" thick, measures 18"x6', and weighs 47.5 lbs.

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lronwood PVG Decking

Endeck PVC decking from Enduris is now available in Ironwood, a dark, rich red-brown. The co-extruded decking has a woodgrainembossed surface on both sides, for easy reversibility. It also offers both scratch and slip resistance.

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Gleaner Lumber

A new category of lumber products from ilevel by Weyerhaeuser resists mold and reduces cull, saving labor and inventory costs from sorting out inferior boards.

Pro Series Lumber is treated with a mold inhibitor to help it stay clean and bright. Proprietary technology and quality control checks remove boards that have a greater tendency to eventually crook, twist or bow.

The product carries a NAHB Green Approved rating and SFI certification.

Available sizes are 2x4 throus.h 2x12.

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Brighter LED Flashlight

Duracell Daylite Tough LED flashlights use TrueBeam Optics technology for brighter, whiter light without dark spots.

Three models (flashlight, spotlight and headlight) re l0 times brighter than ordinary LEDs, with five times the battery life of everyday flashlights.

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Flame-Blocking Sheathing

FlameBlock fire-resistant OSB sheathing from LP Building Products is designed to slow down or block the progress of fire in residential and commercial buildings.

A thin coating of non-toxic magnesium oxide cement and fiberglass reportedly provides fire resistance without exposure to chemical treatments. The product carries a Class-A flame-spread rating and is ICC-certified for common roof and wall desisns in multi-family and commercial buildings.

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Extreme Deck Fastener

Ipe Clip's Extreme4 fastener is designed to work with any type of decking and install without special tools.

The square shape and stainless steel insert fits into both customrouted biscuit grooves and pregrooved decking. With 4mm spacing. it also allows expansion and contraction of hardwoods boards.

Colors include brown, grey and black.

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Stringer Gonnector

Simpson Strong-Tie's adjustable stair-stringer connector offers a concealed connection while replacing lraming.

The LSCZ installs with hotdipped galvanized screws or Strongdrive SD screws.

The fastener is field slopeable to all common stair stringer pitches and suitable for either solid or notched stringers.

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Hidden Deck Fasteners

Invisi-Fast hidden deck fasteners from MM Products are compatible with all types of decking materials, including treated wood and composites.

Constructed of Lexan, the UV-resistant fasteners have a built-in spacer for proper spacing and overhang tabs for hands-free attachment.

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Matchinq Trim Screws -

FastenMaster's new Cortex concealed fastening system uses proprietary trim screws and a combination setting-tool/drivebit to install Versatex PVC trim. The system includes paintable PVC plugs, which reportedly eliminate caulking and sanding to hide nail or fastener holes.

Each 250- or 750-lineal ft. package includes ACQ-approved screws, setting tools, and Cortex plugs.

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Undercover Stapler

Paslode's CapStapler speeds installation of housewrap, plastic sheathing, and roof underlayment.

A patented button cap design protects against tearing, while a large capacity reel holds 240 314" to 1l/2" FasCaps. An in-line magazine provides greater balance and control.

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Shower by Hand

California Faucets has added multi-function. handheld showerheads to its bath collections. Both contemporary and traditional styles are offered, with choices of jetted and massage sprays. Additional water-conservation modes are included.

Four finishes are available: polished chrome, polished nickel, satin nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze.

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Fold-Up Tools

GorillaGrip folding tool sets from Bondhus come in inch. metric. and star-set combinations.

The tools are made from Protanium steel, while the polymer handles reportedly are stronger than steel.

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Building Products Retailers Alliance has been founded by a group of state dealer associations to develop products and services for LBM companies. Bill Tucker, president of Florida Building Material Association. will also serve as BPRA's president.

"For years, the regional and state LBM associations have talked about the opportunities we'd create by pooling our thoughts and resources," said Tucker. "With this new alliance. we've created the structure to turn those opporlunities into reality."

In addition to FBMA. other founding members include Construction Suppliers Association, Northwestern Lumber A.lociation. Illinois Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, Kentucky Building Material Association, Southern Building Material Association, and Western Building Material Association.

Northeastern Retail Lumber Association is finalizing its list of seminars and meetings for the coming month.

New Hampshire Retail Lumber Association is sponsoring a seminar on "Reducing Insurance Costs"

March 2 in Bedford, N.H.

Northern New York Lumber Dealers Association has its Product College March l0 in Canton, N.Y.

Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers Association will tackle basic blueprint reading & material estimating March 2-3 in Raynham, Ma., followed by an advanced estimating class March 4. MRLDA's board meeting is March l0 in Mansfield, Ma.

Other affiliate board meetings are Eastern New York Lumber Dealers Association's, March 4 in Rensselaer, N.Y.; Central New York Retail Lumber Dealers Association. March 17, Liverpool, N.Y.; Lumber Dealers Association of Connecticut, March 24, Rocky Hill, Ct.; Long Island Lumber Association, March 30 on Long Island, and Vermont Retail Lumber Dealers Association, April 1, Quechee, Vt.

Michigan Lumber & Buitding Materials Association is staging its annual Pro Building Showcase March 3-4 at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mt. Pleasant. Mi.

Northwestern Lumber Association's Future Lumber Leaders-Iowa will meet Feb. 20 at Clarion Inn. Amana, Ia.

The featured speaker will be Lynn Allendorf, an instructor at the Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, University of Iowa. Other speakers will be Tom Neel, Lake Lumber, Panora, and Kenton Klenk, Schrock Lumber, Mediapolis.

March 4-5 is the Iowa Lumber Convention at the Marriott Coralville

Hotel & Conference Center, Coralville. The Nebraska Lumber Dealers Convention is scheduled for March 10-l I at Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center. La Vista. Both events will host exhibits, a reception and silent auction, and awards.

Future Lumber Leaders-Minnesota & Dakotas will meet March l3 at Holiday Inn, St. Cloud, Mn.

John Gagliardi, head football coach at St. John's University, Collegeville, Mn., and the first active coach to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers will include Dan Fesler, Lampert Yards, St. Paul, Mn., and Del Krusentstjerna, Shaw/Stewart Lumber, Minneapolis.

Florida Building Material Association and the Construction Suppliers Association will co-host a winter education conference Feb. 2426 at One Ocean Resort Hotel & Spa, Atlantic Beach, Fl.

The featured speaker will be Jim Mathis. Other events will include a regional meeting, cocktail receptions and dinner, plus seminars and workshops.

National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association will storm Washington, D.C., March 1517 for its spring meeting and legislative conference at Marriott Washington, co-hosted by North American Building Material Distribution Association and Window & Door Manufacturers Association.

Speakers and meetings will focus on how a housing recovery will end the current recession.

North American Wholesale Lumber Association will gather at Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, La., March 24-26 for its annual conference and regional meeting.

Motivational speaker Rachel Faulkner will discuss "Hope & Tenacity When All Seems Lost." Also on the program are Michael Chrizst, assist v.p.-research, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and Wade Camp, Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association. Roundtable participants will discuss green building products.

Special events will include a net- working reception, a railway trip and dinner in a refurbished dining car, dinner at Mother's Next Door restaurant, and a private boat cruise on the Mississippi River.

Kentucky Forest Industries Association will host its 45th annual meeting March 24-26 at Holiday Inn University Plaza, Bowling Green, Ky.

The meeting will begin with a golf outing. Additional social events will inc lude a tour of the Corvette Museum and assembly plant. and a "mccl and greet" evening receplion.

Other highlights include discussion of a pilot SFI program being developed for Kentucky, a silent auction benefiting the Kentucky Tree Farm Program. and an exhibition of products and services.

American Architectural Manufacturers Association has scheduled its 73rd annual conf'erence Feb. l4-17 at JW Marriott Desert Springs, Palm Desert. Ca.

Keynote speaker will be Mark Whitacre. the hi-rrhest-level executive of a Fortune -500 company to becomc a whistleblowcr in U.S. history. The association's Green & Sustainability Specification Task Group will rneet, and the annual awards banquct will recognize outstanding members.

March 23-21 is a Southeast region spring meeting at Hyatt Re-lency Riverwalk, San Antonio, Tx.

Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc. has scheduled its annual meeting for Feb. 23-28 at Long Boat Kcy Club. Long Boat Key, Fl.

Kearney, Ne., died Jan. 6 in Kearney. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he moved to the area to operate the lumberyard in 1952, seiling it in 1995 to Lloyd and Sherryl Wilke and Andy Donovan, who renamed it Wilke-Donovan True Value.

Charlie Wheatbrook, 84, retired owner of Wheatbrook Home Center. Rolling Prairie, Ind., died Dec. 25 of injuries cirused by ialling on ice outside the store.

Atter serving 18 months with the Navy during World War II. he founded his own lumberyard, which evolved into a home center. He retired several years ago.

Edward Joseph Bobby, 88, retired yard manager at Cramers Home Building Centcrs, died Dec. 25 in Pocono. N.Y.

He served in the U.S. Navy.

William Frank Thomas Sr.,91, owner of Frank Thomas Sawmill. Fallston, Md., died Dec. I I in Fallston.

He and his stepfather startcd the Graybeal Sawmill during the Depression. After Mr. Graybcal's death in I 969. the business was renamed. Mr. Thomas managed the business until he suffered a fall when he was 87. but continued to handle financial affairs.

Tom Best. 83. retired owner of several Bcsl Ace Hardware sltrres in Delawarc, died Dec. 20 in Lewes, De.

The chain got its start in 1932, when his father started Tom Best & Sons in Nassau, De. The chain grew to include locations in Lewes. Harrington, Milford, and Milton.

Loren S. Thompson Jr., 70, owner fbr more than 45 years of True Value Hardware. York, Neb., died Jan. I in York.

Nicolle "Nikki" L. Waltman. 34, an officer at Rochester Lumbcr. Rochester. N.Y.. died Jan.7 in Rochester.

Ms. Waltman joined the family business afier workin_u in retail.

Gilbert J. Schneider, 72, fbrmer opereitor of True Value Hardware, Billion. Wi.. died Jan. 17 in Brillion.

Hc also worked for thc Kohler Corp.

Randall Earl "Randy" Brown, 55, general mana-qer of Builders FirstSource, Knoxville, Tn., died Jan. 4.

He had been with the chain since 1986.

Herbert "Chub" Smithback, 87, former co-owner of London Lumber. Menomonie, Wi., died Jan. 3 in Menomonie.

He also co-owned Red Cedar Plumbing & Heating, Menomonie.

Carl C. Spelts, 91, former owner and manager of Spelts Lumber Co.,

When it comes to quality southern pine plywood, Coastal Plyruood has been a leading providerthruughoui the eastern US since 1981 Wholesale distributors rely on Coastal Plywood for a wide variety of products milled to exacting standads and consistency. Depend on Coastal Plywood for superior customer seruice and reliable delivery.

Appearance, consistency, and performance. You'll get allthree from Coastal Plywood. And we have decades of history to prove it.

N.J.'s Warren Closes Final Location

Warren Lumber & Millwork, Washington, N.J., shuttered its final location last month, after closing its five other yards through the course of 2009.

The 39-year-old business ceased operations at its Washington lumberyard and millwork shop Jan. 8, but remained to auction off equipment and property.

A year ago, the chain employed about 250, but gradually scaled back, until it was left with one location after closing its l4-acre Phillipsburg, N.J., yard in November.

Ever since, the Phillipsburg Urban Enterprise Zone and local Regional Chamber of Commerce have been searching for another lumber company to revive the l4-acre site.

"We've sent out some emails and feelers to other lumber businesses that may be interested in that Phillipsburg location," said Chamber president Robert Goltz.

Atrium Windows Files Bankruptcy

Atrium Cos., Dallas, Tx., has filed for Chapter I I bankruptcy protection as part of a restructuring plan to cut its debt in half, to under $350 million.

The vinyl and aluminum window and patio door manufacturer anticipates the reorganization will take three to four months.

"We will put in place a healthier capital structure that is more appropriate to the current size of the market, while freeing up additional cash that can be invested in future growth as the housing market rebounds," said president and c.e.o. Gregory Faherty.

Receiver Takes Over North Pacific

A federal judge has appointed a receiver to sell North Pacific's businesses and properties so its debts can be repaid. The company and its subsidiaries owe about $42 million on a $160-million credit agreement signed three years ago.

Based in Portland, Or., North Pacific expanded nationwide in recent years by acquiring top wholesalers in each region-Schultz, Snyder & Steele in the Midwest; Saxonville USA in the Northeast, and Allen Timber in the South.

North Pacific announced in Ausust that it had sisned a letter of intent to sell its assets to an unidentified "nationally recognized private equity firm." When the deal did not close as expected before the end of the year, c.e.o. Jay Ross said, "We're taking our time, they're taking their time. That's alright with us." The deal never closed.

Wells Fargo Capital Finance then gave North Pacific a January 15 deadline to sell its assets before the lenders would cease funding the loans. In the letter, Wells Fargo said it had received notice that Bluelinx Holdings Inc., Atlanta, Ga., was no longer willing to buy North Pacific's assets on previously agreed upon terms.

"This is the third transaction that would have provided for the payment of the obligations to the lenders that has failed to materialize in the past six months," noted Amy Newman, v.p. of Wells Fargo Capital Finance.

Kansas' Star Shuffles Management

Preparing for what it's calling "an aggressive decade of growth," Star Lumber & Supply, Wichita, Ks., recently reshuffled its top leadership.

"What you're going to see over the next decade is a lot of growth from Star," said Chris Goebel, who was named c.e.o. and chairman of the board. "We'll look at people, we'll look at business, and we'll look at acquisitions, both here and in new markets."

Chris replaces his uncle, Robert Goebel, who will continue to serve as a member of the board. Patrick Goebel was named president and chief operating officer. He will also replace his father, Michael, on the board. He previously served as senior vice president of the company's building material group. Both men are grandsons of founder Earl Goebel, who started the business in 1939.

The company has a truss plant and four yards in Wichita.; yards in Hutchinson, Salina, and Manhattan, Ks., and one yard in Oklahoma City, Ok.,

Blast Blows Top Off Lumber Shop

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of an explosion inside a shop building at Shelby Lumber, Shelby, Ne., that blew its metal roof several feet into the air.

The company called its natural gas provider Dec. 19 after employees smelled gas in the building. An energy company worker had just turned off a gas line and walked away when the blast rocked the metal building.

Firefighters contained flames to the shop area, so most of what was burned was scrap materials.

Transport Firm Breaks Down

Carlen Transport, Hampden, Me., is shutting down its 105-truck fleet and its Bangor, Me., reload due to the slow economy.

Founded 23 years ago by Lenny and Carol Peters, the firm employed nearly 120 and specialized in the paper and lumber industries.

Owner Lenny Peters will continue to run Mitsubishi truck dealership Carlen Service Center, Hampden.

Depot Invests in Handheld Tech

Home Depot plans will invest more than $60 millionit's biggest capital investment in 2010-in handheld devices that will help employees stock shelves, make telephone calls, and ring up customer transactions anywhere in the store.

"This is the first big customer-service tool we've given our associates in a very long time," said Matt Carey, who was hired away from EBay in 2008 to become Depot's chief information officer. "If you compare us to a world-class retailer, from a technology perspective, 1991 is kind of where we are pegged."

For the past 10 years, the chain's employees have managed inventory with computers powered by motorboat batteries on rolling carts. In contrast, Lowe's has used handheld wireless technology in its stores since 1995.

Starting this spring, each of Depot's 2,000 U.S. stores will receive at least five of the Motorola deviceswhich combine mobile-telephone calling, walkie-talkie communications among employees, and inventory management in a single device. With an attachment, the device can process credit and debit cards, allowing purchases to be made away from the checkout registers.

"With the wpy things are going in the economy, it's better for a retailer to invest in a customer-facing technology than a back-end technology where they may not see a rate of return as quickly," said researcher Sahir Anand.

The device used at Lowe's is similar to Depot's. Employees in any department can start customer purchases that cashiers complete by typing in shoppers' phone numbers. Lowe's does not use the credit-card processing function because of concerns over possible theft of transaction information over the wireless network.

Lumberyard's Crafty Fundraiser Feeds Locals

The fifth annual Bread 'n' Boards fundraiser at Sears Trostel Lumber & Millwork, Riverside, Co., raised more than $17,000 for a local food bank.

"This year, there was some real gravity to doing it and doing it well ," said store manager Matt Chavez. Due to the bad economy, the food bank distributed 7.5 million lbs. of food in 2009-up from 6 million lbs. in 2008.

More than 5fi) cutting boards in four different shapes were auctioned off during the Dec. 5 event.

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Each came with a bottle of finishing oil, plus a coupon for a free loaf of bread from a local bakery.Top price was $200, for a "signature" board made by a craftsman who's also a customer. "We wanted to involve more people and wanted to add more variety to the signature boards," said Chavez of the boards created by local craftspeople.

Every board sold at the event was made from hardwood scraps collected at the company's millwork facility and glued into blanks. These were then routed and shaped by employees and customer-volunteers at the Riverside location-half before the event and half during, so attendees could witness the process.

INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS SHOW bounced back to Las Vegas, Nv., Jan. 19-22. [1] Jon Bailey, Bebe Rogers. [2] Sven Backhaus, Peter Graal. [3] Chris Tenels, Carol Lyn Groce. [4] Scott Enegren, Justin Gregory, Jack Delaney. [5] Jim Abbott, Matt Prince, Curtis Eck. [6] Jessica Navascues, Rex Scott. [7] Jerry Higman, Will Higman, Randall Richards. [8] Lany Crossley, Jay Lattanzio. [9] Joel Adamson, Ken Goodnough. [10] Don Dellget, James Mahler Jr., Nisha Vyas, Kyle

Conner-Diven. [11] Jeff Richards, Bob Edwards. [12] David Jeffers, Brad Monow. [13] Kim Pohl, Howard Rothstein. [14] Kenneth Roush, Steve Schwartz, Jack Nagy. [15] Alan Stoneking, Eric Sigmon, Phil Lail, Brian Orchard. [16] Scott Stout, Dan Warren. [17] Jeff Mclendon, Lawrence Newton. [18] Jeff Morlock, Jack Krass, Chris Johnson, Mirco Walther, Max Henmann, Bill Bevacco. [19] Brent Gwatney, Gina Hardin. (More photos on next page)

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Febnary 2010 r BuMing Producb Dip$ r qI

Rates: $1.20 per word (25 word min.). Phone number counts as 1 word, address as 6. Centered copy or headline, $9 per line. Border, $9. Private box, $15. Column inch rate: $55 if art furnished "camera+eady' (advertiser sets the type), $65 if we set the type.

Send ad to Fax 949-852-0231 or dkoenig@ building-products.com. For more info, call (949) 852-1 990. Make checks payable to Cutler Publishing. Deadline: lSth of previous month.

To reply to ads with private box numbers, send conespondence to box number shown, c/o BPD. Names of advertisers usino a box number cannot be released.

Boise Cascade

Are you interested in success and growth? Boise Cascade's Building Materials Distribution (BMD) may be the place for you.

While our company. like everyone in our industry, has been affected by the downturn in the housing market, we've stuck with our basic strategy; remained committed to our customers, suppliers, and employees, and continued to invest in our growth and success.

Our future is solid and bright. Our strategy is to grow in existing markets and expand to new markets. In order to accomplish these objectives, we are looking to strengthen our team. We will do this in two ways: First, we will continue to provide resources and opportunities so existing employees can grow and be successful; and second, we are interested in attracting and hiring new people to help us grow in all aspects of our operations in sales, management, operations, purchasing, etc.

If you are interested in joining our team, visit our website at www.bc.com/careers to leam more about our company and current job openlngs.

If you'd like to leam more, please contact us by faxing or emailing your interest to 208331-5886 or BMDHR@BoiseBuildine.com. We'd like to hear from you!

SALES LEADERS WANTED: Established moulding manufacturer looking for commission sales leaders to represent our products. Full time/part time. Great territories available. Successful candidate will be a self-starter with hardwood moulding sales experience.5Vo commission. We have excess capacity with our 15 moulders and are looking to fill it! Email resume to rogerstevens@asihardwood.com.

LUMBERTRADER

We are a wholesale lumber company looking for an experienced trader. Any species. No restrictions on mills or customers. No relocation.6O7o split for trader. Call John at Lakeside Lumber at (623\ 566-7100 or email lakesidelumber@cox.net.

WANTED: LUMBERYARDS FOR SALE.

We have a growing list of clients asking for yards to purchase. We are business brokers as well as financial advisors to the lumber & building material industry. We will prepare a marketing package that will create enthusiasm internally and externally. Contact Philip Arsenault of American Business Consulting at (508) 864-7500. See our website at www.amerbusconsulti ne.com.

WE BUY AND SELL PANEL STRIPS

Plywood, OSB, particleboard and MDF by the truckloads. Lumber Source, Phone (800) 8741953, Fax 888-576-8'723, email LumberSource @ worldnet.att.net.