Tarheel treats you best.

Single-hook hangers include single bar, double bar, triple bar, double hook and triple hook models. All are finished with durable baked-on white epoxy or lacquered brass.

The Multi-Hanger attaches to the top and bottom door hinge to act as a towel bar, clothes tree, drying rack or valet. Four bars are included in combinations of 7" bars (ideal as hooks for coats and robes) and 14" bars (to hold towels, ties or items to dry). Each bar has a ball-end cap for safety and to prevent articles from slipping off, and the entire unit is finished in chip-resistant ivory epoxy.

Gonvertible For Drivers

A tool accessory kit which converts a cordless screwdriver into a drill is new from Arco Products Corp.

The package includes a l/4" keyless chuck, which holds any size drill bit up to l/4" diameter and accessories with shanks \p to 1/4" diameter, and a lO-piece high speed twist drill set.

Llquld Concrete

Con-Crax, a pourable gray crack filler to repair concrete surfaces, is new from Revere Products.

l)esigned to repair cracks up to l /2" wide by l" deep in driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, stairs and concrete floors, the filler comes ready-to-use right from the bottle.

Scuff Tough Turf

A new mid-priced sheet vinyl flooring with a revolutionary wearlayer has been developed by Tarkett Inc.

[:asy Choice flooring's Scuff (iuard layer provides extra protection from athletic shoes and eliminates the "immediate sculf ' caused during installation.

It is offered in four contemporary designs.

flush caps and unobstrusive lines that blend with any decor.

Glass Substltute

Polycarbonate glazing sheets offlering thermal insulation, high impact strength and excellent light transmission are now available as an alternative for glass in greenhouses, sunrooms, shower doors and other d-i-y applications from Polygal.

Reportedly it is self-leveling, quick setting and durable yet flexible for a water-tight seal.

Small, Sleek & Shiny

M iniature decorator lighting switches - nearly one-fourth the size of conventional switches have been introduced by Carlon.

Manufactured of sturdy, lightweight polycarbonate, Futura wall plates mount flush to the wall, featuring recessed mounting screws and

The 15 amp light switch can accommodate single pole or three-way wiring, and it snaps into place without screws.

The structured sheets are said to maintain their mechanical properties in temperatures from -40" to 250'.

Weighing 4 oz. per sq. ft., the sheets come in 4'and 6' widths with clear, bronze and opal tints. Connecting profiles are available in coordinating polycarbonate or aluminum.

Fiber Cement Backerboard

Hardibacker, a lightweight, dimensionally stable and water-resistant ceramic tile underlay, has been introduced by James Hardie Building Products.

Designbd for ceramic tile floors, countertops and shower areas, the fiber cement backerboard features accurately trimmed edges to reduce installation time since no sealing is required at the joints - only butting together. The product is said to require scoring on only one side, is l /4" thick to eliminate buildup at thresholds, produces a clean cut edge, and is 500/o lighter than most other backerboards.

Reportedly, it can be nailed or screwed up to l/2" from the edge, has high tensile and flexural strength to resist breakage, and does not peak or swell at thejoints. It comes in 3x5 and 4x8-ft. sizes.

It is also said not to rot or burn and to resist permanent water or steam damage, termites and other pests.

Fully Organized

An entire kitchen-full of organizers to maximize use of vertical and rear storage areas has been introduced by Clairson International.

Ball-bearing slides reportedly assure smooth swivelout or glide-out motion, even heavily loaded. Most baskets and racks can also be lifted out or repositioned for convenience.

The Keije line includes adjustable glide-out coated wire pantry organizers, pull-out trash containers and hampers, tiered baskets and lazy susans, pots-and-pan drawers, utility carts, oak message center, and undercabinet, swivel-down spice, knife and cookbook organlzers.

Clay Gloner

PlasTerra flower boxes and bowls featuring the look of real terra-cotta but only a fraction of the weight are new from Akro-Mils Specialty Products.

Made from a durable plastic resin, the containers reportedly are strong, impervious to moisture and will not chip, crack, dent or peel. Each has a removable leach plug for drainage.

steel tanki heavy duty 34 lb., 6.2 amp vacuum; 7 ft. long, 1.5-in. diameter vinyl hose and hose adaptor: cloth filter assembly; foam filter sleeve; three-wheel dolly, and three paper filter bags.

grill, heavy duty frames with predrilled attachment holes.

Flower boxes come 6-112" high, 8" deep, in 18", 24" and 30" lengths. Bowls measure 12" across, 5" deep; 14" across, 5-2/4" deep; 18" across, 7-3/8" deep, and 24" across,9" deep.

Wet/Dry Vacuum

A wet/dry vacuum cleaner with centrifugal blower is new from Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.

The l0-gallon capacity unit has positive water shut-off to protect the motor from direct exposure to water. Its filter system traps both coarse materials and fine dust particles. The vacuum can be used as a blower by switching the hose from intake to exhaust.

Features are a l4-in. diameter

Accessories include major floor tool, l0-ft. hose, squeegee shoe, l5in. crevice tool, carpet insert, utility nozzle, double bend floor rod, furnace cleaning kit, hose carriers, steel hose connectors, fabric or felt shod attachment shoe, and brushes.

Precautionary Screenang

Screen Guard from Alumax helps protect door screens from damage by pets and children.

The guards include mounting screws and expanded aluminum

VER WHAT'S, NE\fl

. TREATMENT'S AVAILABLE ON .25 AND .40

O WATER REPEI,LENT TREATMENT AVAILABLE KILN DRIED AFTER TREATMENT AVAILABTE o AU, LUMBER lS GRADE MARKED AND A, INSPECTED

They are available in mill finish, white or bronze in several sizes to fit a wide range of screen doors.

Surface Upgrades For Sure

SureCoat acrylic-coated Southern pine particleboard from the SurePine Division of Willamette Industries now features newly enhanced surfaces.

Surfaces are coated by a new precision roller with greater surface uniformity, fewer gloss differences and a slightly matted texture for an improved appearance.

Set Tight

Rockite, an expanding, pourable, anchoring and patching cement that sets in l5 minutes, is new from Hartline Products Co.

The powder-like compound mixes with water to a pouring or pliable consistency for quick, permanent repair ofcracks, holes or breaks in concrete. It is also said to anchor bolts and similar items in concrete with more than twice the holding power of objects anchored only in fully cured or conventional concrete.

Easily Blocked

A totally mortar free glass block installation system resulting in quicker, easier and more attractive projects has been introduced by Pittsburgh Corning Corp.

Utilizing clear silicone sealant, durable plastic channels and plastic spacer strips, the KWiK'N EZ System for PC GlassBlock panels presents a continuous all-glass look,

Kits include step-by-step instructions, a 20-ft. roll of spacer strip for the joints between blocks, 10.3 oz. tube of mildew resistant sealant and a spoon-like striking tool to finish the joints. Channels for the perimeters of the panel are sold separately in 4-ft. lengths.

The channels attach to the top, sides and bottom of the frame to help align and secure the panel. As the panel is assembled, spacer strips are inserted between individual blocks and rows, and the joints between blocks are sealed.

Stuck On Vinyl

A multi-purpose silicone sealant offering high movement characteristics of up to 500/o for outstanding adhesion to vinyl and most other building materials has been introduced by Ohio Sealants.

unaffected by outdoor weathering. The sealant comes in black, bronze, brown, grey, translucent and white, and may be painted or stained with oil and latex paints.

Double Standard

Low-emissivity glass is now standard on all Andersen products for 1990.

Fine Textured/ Kiln Dried

Premium Qualify

Lumber

Half Pak PrL.

NAVA-PAK Handi-cut/ Home Ctr. Brds. Half Pak PT.L. and PlV.

NAVATRIM Premium Mldgs. and Millwork Bundled/Unitized/

The one component, room temperature vulcanized, neutral silicone, solvent free sealant adheres without a primer to vinyl, brick, concrete, glass, most metal, plastic and wood.

It is said to maintain permanent flexibility, provide easy extrusion in hot or cold weather, and be virtually

The glazings feature a soft-coating technique which bonds a microscopic, transparent metallic substance to the inside surface of the double-pane windows. The coating blocks radiated heat from entering the home in warm climates and keeps warm air in during cooler weather. It also reduces ultraviolet rays.

Wlllamette Art Revlves Past

Every year for the last 18 years, Willamette Industries has sent its wholesale customers the one thing they can't seem to get enough of - a little piece of history in the form of quarterly calendars, each featuring a photograph of a turn-of-the-century logging scene.

Willamette Industries officials receive frequent phone calls and letters from customers thanking them for the calendars or wondering how they can get additional copies.

"Everyone wants a tie to the past," says Gene Walters, general sales manager for Willamette lumber and plywood. "The past helps define our industry and the role we've played in American life."

The timber industry has played a particularly influential role in America's growth, he points out. When America began its growth spurt in the early days of the century, the timber industry supplied the lumber that became homes, stores and businesses eventually, towns and cities. Not to mention creating jobs for entire communities.

They were hard jobs, too. The faces that stare out from these old photos tell a story of backbreaking work. In one photo, a dozen men and their horses are dwarfed by the huge trestle they have just built by hand from giant Douglas firs deep in the Oregon forest wilderness. The photo is credited to 1895.

In another photo, circa I 890, a pull boat sits anchored in the Louisiana bayou, its steam engine working to drag huge cypress logs from the swamp. Along the shore sits a man with a gun, security in case an alligator should appear.

"A lot of our customers are simply unaware of our history. They like the nostalgia," says Walters, a l1l8l0t look at The Thompson Lumbet Co., one ol the first lumber manufacturers in Texas, circa 1907-08. second g,eneration lumber man. "ln fact, some of our customers have never been inside a sawmill."

What started as a clever mailing in 1972 has become one of Willamette's most enduring and sought after projects. Customers frequently frame the calendars, and ollen save the photographs.

Willamette relies on its advertising agency, Marx/Knoll, Denight & Dodge of Portland, Or., to come up with the photos, which generally are found in historical society libraries. museums or private collections, Occasionally, an interesting story comes along with the photo.

One year, Willamette was persuaded to replace the calendar mailing with a different project. Walters says the outcry lasted for weeks. "Man, did we get a lot of angry phone calls," Walters recalls. "We sure learned our lesson."

For now, Willamette has every intention of producing its popular calendar series for years to come, says Walters. "We'd be crazy not to. "

Distributors New Directory

The 1990 National Building Material Distributors Association membership and product directory is now available.

Names, locations, key contacts. fax numbers and products handled are listed for each of the over 500 distributor, manufacturer and allied members. NBMDA member services information also is included.

FAX: 503-684-7906

1 -800-LJB-LMBR (552-5627) ln 0regon 503-620-5847

8858 S.W. Center Ct., Tigard, 0R97223

P.0. Box 23955, Tigard, 0regon 97223

1.8OO.LJB.LMBR FAX (s03) 684-7906

Willhms Bros. Consolldatim

Williams Brothers Lumber Group, Atlanta, Ga., will centralize its five yards in metro Atlanta into three locations.

"The moves we are implementing are a response to current market conditions," said president Gerald Johnson. "Residential construction has slowed in the metro Atlanta market, and we are taking steps to keep us in alignment with the cycles of that market."

Single-family permits in metro Atlanta were down 2lo/o in the first I I months of 1989, compared to the year-earlier period, according to the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Atlanta. Multi-family permits in the metro area were off 300/o in the same period.

The Lumber Group will close a retail store in Snellville in mid-April and shut down a southeast Atlanta site in Glenwood in mid-Mav. The

Hickson's New Tech Genter

The new $2.5 million Hickson Technology Center in Conley, Ga., is now under construction. Completion is expected by the end of the year.

The center will house a fully equipped pilot plant designed to facilitate pressure treating research and development. This will include a structural test laboratory, an exposure test laboratory and a fire test laboratory. Offices for the technical services staff are included in the center.

"When the test equipment goes on line in the new pilot plant," Roger Fox, who has been instrumental in coordinating equipment needs for it. said. "there will be few limits to what we can try in our ongoing efforts to find better treatment methods and new preservative systems."

sale of the firm's millwork facility in downtown Atlanta is underway to a real estate investor. Doors, windows and architectural millwork will be purchased from other manufacturers.

A truss manufacturing plant at the Glenwood operation recently lost its offices in a fire and will be affected by a Georgia roadbuilding project. Williams Brothers Lumber Group is evaluating alternative sites and sources of supply.

"The contractors whom we served from the two closed store locations will be served without interruption by our yards in Duluth, Conyers and Marietta," Johnson noted. "And by eliminating duplicate operations, we'll be able to sustain a high level ofservice to contractors, yet be able to operate more efficiently."

Construction site deliveries will be unaffected. officials of the Blue Circle, Inc. firm said.

ture," explains Ed Mahaffey, manager of The Paty Co. store in Kingsport, Tn. "We realize that and we believe you have to add a value to that product in order to be successful."

Service is the added value, Mahaffey says. "You have to provide superior service in order to attain that competitive edge. Our business reputation is that we excel in customer service."

Explaining that excellence does not come easily, he stresses that it takes training, vigilance and good management support.

"lt comes from the top down. Our corporate management tries to oper- ate the company by example. They are quicker than anyone to stop and take care of a customer service problem," Mahaffey adds. "They do that consistently. They reinforce it all the time and they try to monitor it."

Making customers feel welcome is vital to a good service philosophy. Customers also should feel free to complain or gripe about what they don't like without store employees becoming defensive or angry.

"We realize we make mistakes," Mahaffey said. "We make mistakes daily and we do everything we can to conect them. We do it gladly, with a proper frame of mind, good tone of voice and good attitude."

Paty Co. Service Concepts

Customer service is one way a company can maintain a competitive edge in a market area crowded with dozens of stores filled with similar products.

"We sell pretty much the same product as any company of our na-