"I've been standing behind Adams Lumber for-10 Jrearri.

"We buy Cedar fencing materials in different grades, in widths ranglng from 3-7/2" to 12", and lengths from 4' to 8'. Adams is the only source for some of that material. They're prompt, ship on our schedule, are consistent in grade, and allow us to mix truckloads of different sizes and grades. They take care of us, no matter what."

traditionally the largest foreign customer for American lumber, were down 53Vo.

For 1999, exports are expected to fall0.5Vo to 1.269 billion bd. ft.

New Mark For Treated Wood

A new identification program has been introduced to help dealers, contractors and building code officials recognize and distinguish treated products under the American Lumber Standard Committee treated wood program.

In order to comply with the Uniform Building Code, treated wood must be marked with an ALSCaccredited agency's quality stamp or end tag. In the West, five different agencies are authorized by the ALSC to inspect treated wood. Each agency has its own unique mark that it places in a different position within stamps or tags, making it sometimes difficult to recognize or locate.

In addition, due to the absence ofa single, universally recognized mark, the market regularly accepts material with invalid quality stamps or material that does not meet AWPA standards.

To help clarify the situation, the Western Wood Preservers Institute has introduced the CheckMark ldentification Program, providing a noticeable checkmark for quickly locating the accredited agency's logo on treated wood stamps or end tags.

The treating industry also produces products that do not require ALSC oversight, such as landscape timben for non-structural applications and decking products that carry their own manufacturer warranty.

Railroads To Share Gateways

CSX Transportation, Jacksonville, Fl., and Union Pacific Railroad have struck an industry-first agreement said to streamline east-west traffic through major gateways that connect the two railroads.

Although railroads traditionally "pre-block" freight cars for connecting railroads, this is the first time the process will use a formal, structured plan to direct flows through the most advantageous gateways, quickening traffic and maximizing the use of each interchange point.

CSXT's and UP's major interchange points are New Orleans, La.; Memphis, Tn.; St. Louis, Mo., and Salem and Chicago, Il. Transition to the new routing is expected to take six to l2 months.

GRADUATING CLASS for TP Training Systems'March 29-April 2 Level 1 NGR lumber grading school: (lront, i+) Andy Norton, instructor Timber Products Inspection; Bobby Oakie, Union Camp, Folkston, Ga.; Eessie Robinson, Georgia-Pacific, Prosperity, S.C.; Pearl Howard, Union Camp; Sara Combs, G-B Prosperity. (Back) Hal Badford, G-P, Mc0ormick, S.C.; Stephen Henson, G-P, Varnville, S.C.; Chris Rose, Jasper Lumber, Jasper, Al.; Bobby Carter, G-P, Prosperity; Paul Haithcock, Troy Lumber, Troy, Al.; Dennis Berry, J.W. Jones Lumber, Elizabeth City, N.C.; Tlm Blalock, J.L. Sizemore Lumber, Graham, N.C.; Mark Cox, A&C Log Homes, Dexler, Mo.; John Perry Georgia Lumber, Covington, Ga.; Richard Deloach, G-P, Claxton, Ga.; Gary Gunn, Gunn Lumber, Sikeston, Mo.; Keith Sapp, TPI instructor.

Ergonomics Proposal Costly

An ergonomics regulation proposed by OSHA could increase business'cost from $180 per back injury to $21,660, according to Deborah Hayden, v.p. of operations, Tindell's Builders Supply Inc., Knoxville, Tn.

"(OSHA) can ruin us with one elroneous interpretation, and this draft standard is rampant with possibilities," warned Hayden, one of 20 small business representatives handpicked by the Small Business Administration and OSHA to evaluate OSHA s Draft Ergonomics Program Standard.

One of the biggest problems with the draft cited by Hayden is a Medical Management Removal provision in conflict with many state workers'compensatic.n plans. The provision would allow employees up to six months to recover from their Workplace Muskulo-skeletal Disorders (WMSD) at IOOVo wages/salary plus benefits.

OSHAs dehnition of a WMSD would include back strain, sprains, swelling, etc., related to heavy lifting or repetitive motions. Hayden says the nature of the building supply industry and the necessity of manual handling would subject the industry to excess scrutiny by OSHA inspectors.

Our Customers Think the Davm of a New Millennium is Something to look Fonruard to.

Building material dealers using SPRUCE computer systems have nothing to fear when it comes to the Year 2000.

Happily, 92o/o of our customers can still use the original hardware they purchased from SPRUCE when the clock stri.les midnight on December 31, 1999.

And because we're not in the midst of the Year 20OO Upgrade Crisis, we can continue to provide the best support in the industry.

How can we be so sure we have the best support? Because we can make these claims:

A We have the highest support personnel-tocustomer ratio in Ure industry.

A We know you by the sound of your voice when you call for support.

A We answer and resolve support calls immediately.

A Our support fees are virtually the same today as they were l0 years ago.

Can your software supplier say the same?

If you want a computer company with the foresight to save you money over the long haul and still provide you with a high level of personal support, call SPRUCE today. You'll be happy you did (especially when the Year 2000 rolls around).

Depot Looks At Gertified Wood

Recently the target of a spate of environmental protests, Home Depot has joined the Certified Forest products Council, which entails working toward independent third party certification of all wood products stocked at their stores.

The chain has set no targets or timetables, only the goal "to increase the amount of certified wood products in our mix as supply becomes available." In addition, Home Depot said it will actively support suppliers committed to "scientifically based forestry practices that are environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable."

Lumbermen Cruising Mexican Riviera

Hoo-Hoo International is taking to the high seas this fall for its l07th annual convention.

The meeting will be held Oct. 3-10 aboard Carnival Cruise Line's new ship, the Elation, as it cruises the Mexican Riviera.

The fraternal lumber industry organization has opened the cruise to everyone in the lumber industry and their friends.

Membership in HooHoo is not required. Aside from board and committee meetings, most of the HHI functions will be held the final day of the cruise, including elections, award presentations and installation of officers.

After departing Los Angeles, the ship spends two days cruising down the Pacific coast, before arriving in Puerto Vallarta. Then it heads north to Mazatlan. then Cabo San Lucas, and eventually, back to Southern California.

The Elation's lobby is the social centerpiece of a magnificent six-story Atrium. The majestic vessel features miles of deck for sunning and strolling, resort-calibre spa facilities, Las Vegas-style casino and entertainment, fine dining, plus a huge outdoor entertainment area with three pools, six whirlpools and a spiral waterslide.

Daylong stopovers at Mexico's most popular resorts offer watersports, duty-free shopping and sightseeing.

Deadline for reservations and payment is July 9. For more information, call (800) 454-7174 or (253) 845-5330.

Door Distributors Add A Fifth

Holmes Architectural Door & Hardware, Inc., Jacksonville, Fl., with a branch in Orlando, has merged into Hardware Corp. of America.

Four commercial door, frame and hardware distributors formed Chevy Chase, Md.-based HCA in June 1998 with the intention of consolidating the localized and highly fragmented contract hardware industry by developing a national network of wholly owned subsidiaries.

As part of HCA, partner firms maintain their local market identity and decentralized operations, but gain access to shared resources, such as training, marketing, human resources, financing and information systems. They also get greater access to capital, the ability to share and refer work throughout the enterprise and shared best practices and management experience.

Ron Lane has been named general mgr. for East Coast operations at Causeway Lumber Co., Fort Lauderdale, Fl.

Rick Flores has been named eastern region plywood sales mgr. for Willamette Industries, Rock Hill, S.C.

James Hatcher III has been promoted to president of Pleasants Hardware, Richmond, Va., replacing John t'Jack" Williams, who has retired. Robert Traweek, Jr., is now v.p.retail & commercial sales; Fran West, v.p.-industrial & contract sales, and Martin Mertz, v.p.-information systems.

John Lindsey, ex-7-D Wholesale, has opened an office in Fort Lauderdale, Fl., for Skana Forest Products Ltd.

Ken Nichenko is the new Jackson, Ms., area mgr. for Renewable Resource Associates, Inc., Lithonia, Ga., according to Lon J. Sibert.

Porter Taylor has been appointed ceo of Dean Lumber Co.. Gilmer. Tx., according to Steve Dean.

Rusty Yazdanpour is now general mgr. for Idaho Timber of Florida.

Patricia A. Barnard has been promoted to senior v.p.-human resources at Georgia-Pacific, Atlanta, Ga.

Jesus Rosales has retired from Frontier Wholesale, Lubbock, Tx., after 49 years.

Louis Paolino, Jr. has been named chairman of the board of U.S. Plastic Lumber Corp., Boca Raton, Fl.

Dan Elliott has been named co-mgr. of 84 Lumber, Falling Creek, Va. Wes Bride is mgr. in Jackson, Tn., and Doug McCubbin is new to outside sales in Campbellsville, Ky.

Steve Weinstein, Louisiana Pacific Corp., has joined subsidiary ABTco, Huntersville, N.C.

Dave Koestner is new to sales at Dixie Plywood Co., Tampa, Fl.

Pat Schaefer is now the president of Central Woodwork, Inc., Memphis, Tn.

Gerald Swan, ex-Fibreboard Corp., has been named executive v.p. & cfo of Cameron Ashley Building Products, Dallas, Tx., replacing Andrew Kerner, who has left the company.

Thomas E. Evans has been promoted to technical sales rep at General Products Co., Inc., Fredericksburg, Va.

Rosetta Lue has been appointed mgr. of the new customer response center at Celotex Corp., Tampa, Fl.

Al Klawuhn is the new branch mgr. for the central states division at Canton Lumber Co.

Rick Neal has been promoted to v.p./controller of accounting at McCoy Corp., San Marcos, Tx.

Perry G. Jennings is the new senior v.p. of human resources for lnwe's Cos., North Wilkesboro, N.C., succeeding Cliff Oxford, who has retired. Stephen Hellrung has been named seniorv.p. & general counsel.

Tom Burroughs has been appointed general counsel for Do it Best Corp. Promotions include: Jim Martin, retail merchandise mgr.; Doug Bieberich, retail product mgr.-tools; Jeff Frazier, retail product mgr.-lawn & garden tools; Tom Snyder, division mgr.-building products; Todd llixson, division mgr.-lumber & panel productst Tom Molloy, division mgr. of pro sales; Brad Seelig, sales mgr.commodities, and Heather Martin, communications mgr.

David Warford and Alan Hastreiter are new to national sales at Glen Oak Lumber & Milling, Inc.

Dr. Johnetta B. Cole has resigned as a director of Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga. Donald Keough has also retired from the board. He has been succeeded by Bonnie Guiton Hill, who resigned from the board at l,ouisiana-Pacific in March.

Gary Lalla has been named brand mgr.residential at Clopay Building Products Co., Inc.

Jack Beene, business mgr.-particleboard & MDF, Temple Inland, Diboll, Tx., is the new chairman of the Composite Panel Association.

Robert Hawkins, Wallace Hardware Co., Nashville, Tn., has been named Hardware Salesperson of the Year. He oversees Northern Kentuckv.

Edward L. Zimmerman is the new v.p.merchandising & marketing for Payless Cashways.

Thomas Vasis is now director of mktg. for Klein Tools.

Michael Thaman, Owens Corning, has been promoted to president-exterior systems business.

Kathleen Peot is the new channel mgr.hardware & intemational business for Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.

Brad Ashton is now national account mgr. and Garret Van Winkle national sales mgr. at Lamson Home Products. Lyman Shipley, Coastal Lumber Co., Weldon, N.C., is back from a business trip to England.

Yul B. Hirt is in charge of health and safety matters at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to owners llugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

Instant Lumber From Straw?

Recent discoveries about the formation of wood cells has convinced Virignia Tech researchers that lumber mills may one day be extruding 2x4s made from straw.

According VTI, the cellulose deriviatives from almost any plant mixed with lignin, in the proper portions and given the right conditions, should automatically self-assemble molecularly into wood-like cells.

A commercial formula for instantly transforming straw into wood could circumvent years of tree growth, but will take years of work to calculate, VTI claims.