What pressure treating industry associations do for the dealer

A RETAILER or wholesaler of Fl pressure treated wood may feel that he is on the firing Iine confronted by the consumer on one side and threatened at the rear by the Environmental Protection Agency.

However, there are industry associations to support him and the product. The American Wood Preservers Institute, which has changed its role and focus in the past few years, is one of the industry's strongest backers. To find out how they are coping with industry problems, we queried president John F. Hall at Vienna, Va., headquarters.

Q: What major changes have affected the wood preserving industry in recent years?

Retail CAP Gompllance

Is the retail link a "missing" link in the implementation of the pressure treating industry's Consumer Awareness Program? Not at all. Despite reports elsewhere many retailers are doing an outstanding job.

The 1987 industry audit conducted by Decision Systems, Inc., Denver, Co., showed l00o/o participation by both treaters and manufacturers and a 70% rate of compliance by wholesaler /retatlers.

Some companies have designed special CIS boxes or stands to display Consumer Information Sheets at point of purchase. Since there are no restrictions regarding advertising or using company names outside of the border surrounding the EPA wording, the sheet can double as a marketing effort.

A: There has been a tremendous market expansion especially in the di-y market as homeowners embraced pressure treated wood for all kinds of building and remodeling projects. But more important, the industry has received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency for the continued use of wood preserving pesticides and for the continued production of pressure treated wood products. This reflects the positive value pressure treated wood has in today's economy.

Q: Wtrat is the most important environmental issue facing the wood preserving industry today?

A: EPA's current proposal to list additional wood preserving wastes and residuals as hazardous would have to rank number l. The effort to provide a sound alternative to this listing involves the entire industry and its allies. It is a twofold effort. It involves persuading both Congress and the regulators that the alternatives have merit and deserve consideration.

Allied organizations are assisting the industry to get CAP information to the consumer. Newspaper and magazine articles and editorials plus presentations at conferences and seminars have been used to explain the importance of the CAP.

George Eliades, president of the Society of American Wood Preservers, has addressed the top management of retail chains and wholesalers to explain the importance of their role in reaching the consumer. The American Wood Preservers Institute, John Hall, president, has produced a video training film to educate retail clerks.

These associations document their supporting efforts and submit a compendium, along with the annual audit, to EPA each November to demonstrate the industry's commitment.

Q: Oo you think the industry's voluntary Consumer Awareness Program has been detrimental to industry's marketing efforts?

A: The statistics say no. The use of pressure treated wood products has more than doubled since 1980, so if consumers regard the special handling information as being different from any of the other product information precautions they receive, sales do not reflect that. The Consumer Awareness Program is an opportunity for market reinforcement of industry products. The CAP provides a sales point which reassures the public that pressure treated wood products when properly used are environmentally safe as well as economical and long lasting.

Q: Would you characterize the Consumer Awareness Program as a success so far?

A: The manufacturers and the treaters have done an outstanding job in awareness and compliance. The program is still very new and the industry needs to inform and persuade on the wholesale/retail level to achieve 1000/o compliance as well. Both AWPI and SAWP are concentrating our best efforts to achieve this. We realize the difficulties retailers experience with rapid turnover and the need for continual training and retraining so we are developing additional information to help them, However, a salesman who is well informed and can well inform his customers gains consumer confidence and this will translate into repeat business. The industry is dedicated to making this program work.

O: How have these events affected AWPI?

A: They've shown the need for effective representation at the national level on environmental laws and regulations and they've provided a rallying point for industry efforts nationwide, resulting in a much more cohesive industry.

AWPI's former role lay in providing technical information about the use and characteristics of pressure treated wood products. With the interest in environmental information, AWPI now focuses on environmental regulations affecting the industry and the use of its products.

Story at a Glance

AWPI's role in pushing and protecting pressure treated interests. what it has done and plans to do in coping with increasing EPA regulation tive. Achieving this goal will result in considerable cost savings to EPA, to industry and certainly to the American tax payer.

...why AWPI is bullish on pressure treated products.

Q: Is this goal achievable?

A: Definitely. But it will take a unified industry to make it happen with participation from all frontsgenuine cooperation with the regulators because. after all. we share the same purpose - and a sound data base to work from.

Gl: Is there real cooperation between the regulators and the industry?

A: I believe so. There is no "tilt" in our direction, but recently EPA in particular, has indicated that it wants to hear from industry. EPA has asked for hard data from us in order to make viable decisions. I don't think this is any kind of window dressing. I believe EPA has genuine interest in making the right decisions for all concerned and we should and are making every effort to provide that data.

Q: How does AWPI interact with the states?

Gl: What is AWPI's primary mission?

A: We want to assure the development of reasonable laws and environmental regulations and to make sure that directives are understandable, achievable and non-duplica- involvement media training program and are updating and augmenting consumer publications 0n the proper use, handling and disposal of treated wood products.

A: eWPl provides assistance to its members in state environmental regulations. When possible we attempt to help members obtain recertification credits under state certified pesticide applicator programs. We provide speakers on pertinent subjects and supply logistical help for seminars and conferences.

Gl: What program changes do you forsee for AWPI in the near term?

A: Of course we will continue to expand information gathering activities and we will increase dissemination of environmental information about pressure treated wood products. In 1987 we installed but have not perfected, an On-Line computerized system for our members which will be refined to afford them instant access to the information they need to assist them in making informed business decisions. We will probably need to increase staff to handle the work load and to increase our expertise. Naturally, our major objective is to provide the best services we can on a timely basis. ln order to do that AWPI needs both financial support and member participation. Therefore, we will campaign aggressively for new members and continue to work closely with our allies to accomplish our aims.

Gl: where is the wood preserving industry headed?

A: 1987 was a banner year. Unforeseen events, nationally and internationally, can make the best of guesses go askew but the future looks undeniably bright. And there seems to be a renewed interest and involvement with the associations so that the wood preserving industry is rapidly gaining acceptance on all levels as the credible, responsible industry it is.