Softwood Tariff Talks Break Down

U.S. and Canadian representatives suddenly called oft trade negotiations in late February after reaching an impasse over punitive U.S. duties imposed on softwood imports from Canada.

Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew said he was "very disappointed" about the break in the talks because it came after "great progress" between the two countries on proposals to reshape Canadian provincial forestry regimes. "We are realizing the gap is too large on an export tax and we cannot agree on what to do on the $1 billion that has already been collected," he said.

The latest discussions have focused on convincing Canadian provinces to lessen timber availability by withdrawing land into parks or reserves. Some provinces would increase wood prices by holding market-based auctions of standing timber.

For its part, the U.S. would curtail 27Vo import duties for lumber coming from participating provinces.

Sticking points include the fate of the $650 million in punitive damages collected so far and the size of an interim tariff to be assessed until a final deal is reached. Canada agreed to a temporary l5o/o import tax; the U.S. wants 257o.

Analysts say Quebec may also be holding up negotiations. While the other provinces seem anxious to strike a deal, Quebec allegedly refuses to change its logging fee and timber pricing system.

BMC Gets Bigger in Texas

BMC West Corp. has moved its Houston, Tx., Lone Star location to a larger millwork and customer service facility across the street.

BMC had previously consolidated two of its other Houston businesses, BMC Millwork and Marvins Window Planning Center, into the new custom and production facility.

The newly consolidated operation has 192,500 sq. ft. of warehouse, production, office and showroom space on nearly 15 acres. A two-story showroom and selection gallery covers 9,000 sq. ft.

"The new facility will provide us with the opportunity to continue our growth in this dynamic residential construction market," said BMC's

Dave Ondrasek.

The company claims the showroom will be among the largest displays of millwork products in the southwestern U.S.

BMC West is a subsidiary of San Francisco, Ca.-based Building Materials Holding Corp.

Hardware Show Splits In Two

At odds over whether to relocate the National Hardware Show, the event's owner and its sponsor will stage competing shows in2OO4.

This year's National Hardware Show-Aug. l0-12 in Chicagc-will be the American Hardware Manufacturers Association's 27th and final year as sponsor. Next year, it will introduce its own AHMA Hardware Show April 18-20, 2004 at McCormick Place, Chicago.

Trade management company Reed Exhibitions, though, hopes to reverse declining attendance by moving the 59th National Hardware Show to Las Vegas, Nv., May lO-12,2004, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center. Both parties agreed on moving their shows to the spring, to better coordinate with industry buying cycles and new product introductions.

Lou Bush, ex-Tampa International Forest Products, is a new building products specialist for Dixie Plywood & Lumber Co.'s Tampa, Fl., location. He succeeds Tom Minick, who has been promoted to sales mgr.

Bill Carter, ex-Willamette Industries, has joined the sales staff at Mid-States Wood Preservers, Simsboro, La.

Donnie Nixon, ex-Louisiana-Pacific, has joined the industrial lumber and plywood sales department at Lodge Lumber. Houston. Tx.

Stan Collyar, ex-Builders Mart of America, has joined The Buying Source, Greer, N.C.

Ron Pearce, president and c.e.o. of Deltic Timber, El Dorado, Ar., will retire Aug. l.

Rick Angel has joined Goldston Lumber, Goldston, N.C., as sales mgr. He succeeds Jay Bennett, who has retired.

Bob Eldens, ex-Kenfor, is the new v.p.-sales at Kennison Forest Products, Sulphur, La.

David Duke, ex-Tampa International, and Cliff Lee, exTimberland Resources, have opened a sales office in Tampa, Fl., for Stringfellow Lumber.

Omar Sital has been named store mgr. of McCoy's Building Supply Center, Del Rio, Tx. Rick Rivera is now mgr. of the Alice, Tx., location.

Michael R. Bayles has been appointed president of the building products segment of Quanex Corp., Houston, Tx. He will remain corporate v.p.

Barry J. Kulpa has resigned as president and c.e.o. of Huttig Building Products. Michael A. Lupo, director of building materials distribution, will serve as interim president/c.e.o. until a successor is found.

William Warden, executive v.p.-administration, Lowe's Cos., Nonh Wilkesboro, N.C., has retired after 10 years with the company as an employee and 17 as an outside counsel.

Ken Miller, ex-Shearouse Lumber, and David Cherry, exCox Industries, have formed a new company in Port Royal, S.C., named The Port Republic Co.

Tom Morgan has been appointed c.e.o. of Hughes Supply, Inc., Orlando, Fl. He will continue on as president.

David C. Adams, lumber sales, has retired from Stock Building Supply, San Antonio, Tx.

Scott Monds is the new mgr. at Plywood & Plastics, Norfolk. Va.

Don Alley, roof truss plant mgr., Causeway Lumber, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., has retired after l9 years with the company. Randall J. Ramora is the new staff accountant, and Milagros Pagan is the new human resources coordinator.

Justin Sutton is a new mgr. trainee at 84 Lumber Co., Pineville, N.C.

Paul A. Brunner has been appointed an independent director of Trex Co., Winchester, Va. Richard A. Wittenberg, executive v.p., will retire later this year and not seek reelection to the board when his term expires in May.

Jenna L. Morgan has resigned as director of government affairs for the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association to become legislative director, legislative and political relations area, for the National Association of Home Builders.

Wayne Vanadore has been promoted to v.p./general mgr. for PGT Industries, Venice, Fl. He will relocate to the company's newly acquired manufacturing facility in Lexington, N.C.

Colin McCown, Thomasson Lumber Co., Philadelphia, Ms., has been named executive v.p. of American WoodPreservers' Association, Granbury, Tx., effective June l. He succeeds John F. Hall, who is retiring after 17 years wirh AWPA.

Greg Warren, ex-Taylor Bros., is now the general store mgr. at Bedford Hardware Co., Bedford, Va.

Wade Macht has joined Alcoa Home Exteriors as southeastern territory sales mgr. for the Retail Brands Group, covering N.C., S.C., Ga., and Fl.

Judge Godfrey, ex-The Oeser Co., is the new southern regional sales mgr. of distribution crossarms at Brooks Mfg., Bellingham, Wa.

Jim Wright is the new marketing mgr. at Nexwood Industries.

Chris Liddell has been promoted to senior v.p. chief financial officer at International Paper.

Richard Frost has been promoted to executive v.p.-commodity products, procurement and engineering for Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

Charlotte Lefler, Davis Lumber Co., Stuttgart, Ar., recently earned certification as a Certified Kitchen Designer from the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Dennis Stine, president, Stine Lumber Co., Sulphur, La., agreed to serve as interim c.e.o. for the Port of Lake Charles.

Toni Faulk, marketing mgr., Enterprise Computer Systems, recently gave birth to a baby girl, Bridgett.

Joe Hardy, the SO-year old founder of 84 Lumber, will run for county commissioner in Pennsylvania this May. If elected, Hardy has promised to accept only a $1 salary.

Grace D'Lightning, famed NASCAR driver, is now sponsored by Mungus Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., report Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

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Blaze Strikes Alabama Yard

The remains of Bennett Lumber Co.'s fbotball-sized warehouse were still smoldering days after a March 9 l-ire ol- undetermined origin.

Reported about l;30 a.m., the blaze at the Piedmont. Al., yard was fueled from inside by the warehouse's contents, including finished wood and equipment parts. Firefighters initially were successful in containing, but not extinguishing, the fire-ensuring that adjacent buildings and equipment were not engulf'ed.

Owner James Bennett vowed to rebuild the warehouse. which was under l0 years old. The company has been in Piedmont for 56 years.

Weyco Shuts Alabama Mill

Weyerhaeuser Co. has permanently shuttered its Millport, Al., plywood operation.

The closure eliminates nearly 250 jobs. The company's Millport lumber operation will continue.

The plant, with an annual capacity of 224 million sq. ft., had been shut down since Feb. 20 because of local log supply issues.

Hardware Returns To Town

The owner of Ramsey's Hardware, Front Royal, Va., plans to open a 5,500-sq. ft. True Value hardware store in Berryville, Va.

The yet-to-be named store is expected to open May l in the old Berryville Lumber Co. building.

For now, owner Lee Bowen has decided not to carry lumber. "We may eventually get into that business, but let's get the hardware parl running first," he said.

Lee is leasing the building fiom Jay Hillerson. who plans to rnaintain the old lumber outbuildings for his Clarke County roofing business.

With the exception of lumber, Lee plans to stock much of the same items that the Berryville Lumber did, as well as rent professional-grade tools fbr homeowners and contractors.

Berryville Lumber Co. closed in March 2002.

L. Leslie "Les" Evans, 85. coowner, Evans Lumber Co., South Charleston, S.C., died Feb. 7.

Mr. Langford worked briefly at Westvaco before joining the family business. His brother Walter D. "Pat" Evans Sr. is now the owner.

Lawrence Cook, 58, retired president, Cook Brothers Lumber Co., Franklin. N.C.. died March 9.

He retired in 200 1 after 35 with Cook Brothers Lumber.

West Virginia Hardwoods To China

West Virginia hardwood firms are seeing green as the state increases its trade relations with China.

Allegheny Wood Products, Petersburg, is the latest to jump into a market ripe for hardwood, veneer and logs.

The company recently opened a sales office in Shanghai, and according to Asian sales director Yongjie Hue, is already shipping "several million dollars" worth of exports to China.

Over the last three years West Virginia has seen its hardwood exports to China increase six-fold, from $1.1 million in 2000 to $6.8 million last year.

Other firms selling direct to China include Wescor Forest Products, Clarksburg (logs), and The Dean Co., Princeton (veneer). "China is a new market for us," said Wescor's John Jacobs. "It's going to be a big market, and we hope to be a part of it."

The state has been active in promoting trade relations with China, recently sponsoring a trade mission to the country that included Cranberry Hardwoods, Beckley, and Frank E. Wilson Lumber Co., Elkins.

Kentucky Truss Manufacturer Cited

A Kentucky truss manufacturer pleaded guilty last month to knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

Trussway Ltd., Buckner, Ky., is facing possible fines of up to $3,000 per illegal worker.

Last June, federal immigration agents raided the facility and arrested 5l Trussway employees who apparently had entered the country illegally.

At the time of the raid, Trussway's Kim Krizak had claimed the workers falsified work documents.