HWI Renamed Do lt Best Corp.

Building materials buying cooperative Hardware Wholesalers Inc. has changed its corporate name to Do it Best Corp.

According to president and c.e.o. Mike McClelland, as its sales of lumber and building materials grew, the company's original name no longer entirely represented its business. "Today, our membership is made up of hardware stores, home centers and building supply stores-the entire home improvemenl sector," he said. "We're also exploring non-traditional ways of selling products through industrial/commercial sales, our members' Internet Web sites and more. Do it Best Corp. covers all those facets."

The new name also supports its Do it Best retail stores, private brand products, truck fleet and Web site. "It's only natural that our corporate name and logo reflect our member programs and retail identities,"

McClelland said.

Several consumer focus groups came to that same conclusion, which helped reinforce the decision to switch names. The co-op also conducted a formal member survey to review names suggested by members, consulted outside retail design and advertising firms, and put it to the vote of the board of directors.

Founded in 1945, the Fort Wayne, In.-based co-op serves more than 4,000 retail members in the U.S. and 3l foreign countries.

Palco OKs Headwaters Plan

Pacific Lumber Co. has reached an agreement that would allow it to log on about 192,000 acres in Humboldt County, Ca., while protecting the 7,480-acre Headwaters Forest and 12 adjacent parcels.

After months of negotiation, Palco and parent Maxxam Inc., Houston, Tx., reached an agreement in principle with the federal government on a multi-species Habitat Conservation Plan and with the state on a Sustained Yield Plan covering more than 200,000 acres.

"This is an important milestone for The Pacific Lumber Co. as it will give added stability to our operations that we have not possessed for the last l0 years," said Will Riegel, v.p.-sales & mktg. "This will translate into more predictable and continuous production, particularly in our architectural grades of redwood and Douglas fir uppers."

Door And Window Sales Dip

U.S. sales of doors and windows are expected to dip slightly this year before rebounding to new heights by the year 2000, according to the National Wood Window & Door Association.

Last year, approximately 48.9 million prime windows were sold in the U.S. A 3.5Vo decrease to 47.2 million units is predicted for 1998 due to a cooling in the housing market, but sales should top 50 million by 2000.

Door manufacturers shipped 12.3 million residential entry units in 1997, but expect to ship 11.8 million in 1998 before recovering to 13.2 million by 2000.

Residential passage doors, with sales of 30.4 million units last year, will follow a similar pattern.