OUALITY

famed retailer said that he was concerned by what he sees as the decline in the quality of products, service and ethics. He feels products have been cheapened to provide dividends to placate stockholders and that customers have come to expect less.

Bigness, he said, has isolated management from customers and the products. Marcus urged managers to become involved in daily activities, especially sales. Avoid dullness, he

.. . from the Land of the lUauaio

BETTER PRODUCTS-AND WELL WORTH IT

PONDEROSA PINE LUMBER, MOULDINGS AND MII.I-WORK. PLUS PAFNCLEBOARO

Je Shiprnan, general sales marnger, all prodr.rcts

Elvira Mitchell, prticleboard sales

'' Mitch Bmne, nillwo'k & lumber sales counseled, be innovative, re-invigorate your store, it will invigorate your customers and employees. Educate, don't train your people like animals, add a spirit of fun, he said.

Another of the many show speakers was Sanford C. Sigoloff, head of the troubled Wickes Companies, Inc. that filed Chapter l l bankruptcy last year.

In an unusual "state of the company" address, the savior of troubled firms (sometimes described as Ming the Merciless) noted that Wickes had lost $233 million in the first quarter of 1982, but now had $300 million in cash. The firm has bought eight Gibsons Discount Centers in East Texas, which will operate under the Howard Bros. Discount Stores banner; and has remodeled 375 other stores.

Sigoloff said that the better business climate caused them "to look for annual growth of home remodeling to be almost three times 1982's level." He had no comment on the plan Wickes recently sent to its creditor committee for the reorganizing of the firm's debt.

Southern firms receiving Home Center of the Year awards included Lowe's Cos., Inc., N. Wilkesboro, N.C.; Stripling-Blake Lumber Co., Austin, Tx.; Central Texas Hardware, Inc., Bryan, Tx., and Discount Home Center, San Antonio, Tx.

Future show dates are: 1984, Chicago, Mar. ll-14;1985, Atlanta, Mar. 17-20; 1986, Chicago, Mar. 9-12; 1987, Chicago, Mar. 8-ll; 1988, Atlanta, Mar. l3-16; 1989; Chicago, Mar. 12-151. 1990; Chicago, Mar. ll-14. Chicago meetings will be held at McCormick Place; Atlanta gatherings will be at the World Congress Center.

The annual Innovator Awards program emphasized the many new and varied do-it-yourself products available and unique methods of displaying them in home centers.

The winners were: Dap, Inc.; Gibson-Homans Co.; Handy Home Products, Inc.; RBI Industries (Channel Drain Div.); R.V.I. Homecare Products (Formby's Div.); Shop-Vac. Corp.; Stanley Works (Automatic Openers Division); and Surefire / Igniter Products, Inc.