Walker-Williams Cuts Back Operations

Downsizing has struck WalkerWilliams Lumber Co., Inc., the nation's fifth largest pressure treater.

In addition to cutbacks at its Columbus, Ga., headquarters and sales office, at the end of last month the company closed its unprofitable Blanchester, Oh., plant, which served south and west Ohio as well as much of Kentucky.

The Hatchechubbee, Al., plant stopped treating lumber last summer to concentrate on fencing and decking.

84 Lumber Lone Star Bound

As part of its national expansion campaign, 84 Lumber plans to open up to 40 stores in Texas in the next few years, according to chief operating officer Bill Myrick.

"We see the state as being full of growth opportunities," he said. "There's a potential for many stores there." He said the firm is scouting the Dallas and Houston areas. and has chosen sites there, although he would not reveal specific locations. "We know where physically we want our stores to be," he said, adding that San Antonio is another desirable market.

The firm will continue manufacturing and treating fencing in Falkville, Al., but has contracted another company to handle Treating Service Only operations.

Westville, In., is also switching over to TSO.

Lumber operations continue unchanged in Youngstown, Oh.

Walker-Williams' CCA treated wood production slipped 69o last year to 300 million bd. ft. (see Top 25 Treaters, p.9-12).

For a time, 84 had a significant presence in Texas, until the bottom fell out of the oil market in the late 1970s and early 1980s, forcing the closure of every Lone Star unit, save one each in El Paso, Austin, Plainview and Alvin.

The 391-unit company announced plans last December to open 150 new 84+ format stores within the next three years.

Scotty's Converts 36 More

Scotty's has converted the remainder of its larger home centers to the

Bargain Outlet format, and may introduce the concept to its smaller hardware store locations.

After converting l0 stores Jan. 15, nine more Feb. 12, and Eustis, Fl., soon after, Scotty's unveiled the new format at l8 locations March I I and l8 more March 25.

The new format divides home centers into five stores-within-a-store: a closeout store. dollar store. home fashions outlet, flooring outlet and flooring store (see Feb., p. 17).

Yet converting additional stores will be trickier; a primary reason for remaking the home centers was to better utilize excess space-a rarer commodity in the l0,OO0 to 20,000-sq. ft. hardware stores.

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