Building Products Digest - May 2000

Cedar-the Classic Decking Material

Choose cedar for your deck, and you'll be glad for decades to come. Cedar accepts a finish easily, and it stands up like a hero to the elements. Plus it provides a look of timeless distinction, so you'll enjoy relaxing and entertaining outdoors. For additional information, please contact the Weyerhaeuser Customer Service Center nearest you.

SHOW AIIE]IDEES FOR PEN]IIES OTI IHE DOtlAR

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Asking the right questions con help steer column customers to the right product for their iob.

Serving 13 Southern states

PUBLISHER David Cutler (dculler@ioc.net)

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About the Cover

a DEG( tO Dri fot. Itt Cedar, of Course.

The iront cover is a paid adverlisement, this month sponsored by Weyerhaeuser's national network of Customer Service Centers.

lmagine your customer finding out, after he moved into his new home, that for a minimal cost, he could've had roof decking and wall sheathing that not only would've kept his home more comfortable, but also would've cut his cooling bills as much as 25ok? You'd be hot under the collar, too. And do you know who your customer would be hot under the collar at? You. The builder.

To ensure that you don't receive any unpleasant phone calls, or damage to your reputation, just tell your prospective homebuyers about the energy saving product called SOLAR BOARD'Radiant Barrier Sheathing, made by International Paper. It's laminated with polished aluminum that refects up to 97"/o of. radiant heat from the sun, which keeps attics 20-30o cooler, which reduces energv costs to cool a home bv as much as 25olol And in Winter, SOIAR BOARD helps hold heat in a house as well. Your customers will be grateful to you for as long as they own their home.

However, if you've akeady sold homes without SOLAR BOARD, pray those homeowners don't find out it costs only a few dollars more per sheet than regular sheathing. It won't take them long to figure out that SOLAR BOARD would've paid for itself very quickly and, after energy savings into their pockets month after month, for years to come. That For complete information about SOIAR BOARD and the name of the wholesaler nearest you, just call us at l-800-527-5907. You'll see for yourself, the only thing SOIAR BOARD heats up is your sales.

Wen Homebuyers l{now About It, It's A No Brainer

DAVID CUTLER publisher dcutler@ioc.net

The $l5() Billion Gorilla

It won't come as a surprise to anyone in this business that residential remodeling is on a roll.

This being National Home Improvement Month, some interesting, even amazing, numbers have been trotted out by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). The remodeling market is expected to reach $150 billion by the end of this year. Remodeling's role in our entire economy is profound, surpassing many trendier markets that get more publicity.

"A healthy economy, a population increase, an aging housing stock and more people owning their own homes are resulting in a boom for the remodeling industry," notes NARI president Ken Skowronski. "Household incomes are on the rise, resulting in more discretionary monies, and homeowners realize the value of investing in their residences."

Other numbers buttress the confidence. According to a Harvard study, there are now 120 million homes in America, with new homes adding only l%o to 27o to the total each year,

leaving the remaining 98Vo to 99Vo targets for fix-up. About 25 million homeowners undertake some type of home improvement project every year, NARI says, adding that projects in the high five and six figure range are becoming commonplace.

Baby Boomers (everyone born between 1945 and 1964) continue to be the prime market for remodeling. They represent 457o of the American population, are generally well educated and financially well off. They spend twice as much on their homes as those over 64 years of age. As Boomers enter their peak earning years, they are choosing to stay put and invest in improvements. Boomers work longer hours than any other group since WWII and have the highest ratio of dual income families.

The statistics for the Generation X and Seniors groups that bracket the Boomers are also strong.

The remodeling roll is expected to continue. Are you on board?

Universal Buying Out Aljoma, Walker-Williams

Universal Forest Products, the nation's largest wood treater, has agreed to purchase four more treating facilities, three from Walker-Williams Lumber Co. and one from Aljoma Lumber.

The additions increase Universal's industry-leading holdings to 23 treating facilities with a capacity of more than 1.2 billion bd. ft.

Walker-Williams is parting with treating facilities in Westville, In.; Blanchester, Oh., and Youngstown, Oh., where operations were being cut back(see April, p.23).

"Our four existing lumber treating facilities in the Great Lakes region are running near full capacity," Universal ceo William Currie said. "These three strategically located facilities will give us an additional2OO million bd. ft. of capacity, allowing us to expand our service to the do-it-yourself retail and pro-dealer markets. With seven facilities in the Great Lakes region, we will be the largest supplier of pressure treated lumber and value-added products in the Midwest."

Walker-Williams continues operating its fencing and decking plants in

Hatchechubbee and Falkville, Al. John Taylor, pres., Walker-Williams, said, "In light of the consolidation in the industry and the reduction in the number of d-i-y customers, we felt it was important for us to exit the treated lumber business and focus on our deck accessory and fence business."

Aljoma's Medley, Fl., plant is one of Florida's leading pressure treated lumber and specialty wood products manufacturers serving South Florida and the Caribbean.

E-Tail Shakeout Predicted

Most retailers that operate solely on the Internet will be out of business within a year, predicts Forrester Research Inc.

"There are just too many companies out there that don't have what it takes to last, and they won't last," said analyst Seema Williams.

The firm expects rising competition plus a continued sell-off of dot-com stocks to cause a rash of bankruptcies and buyouts over the next few months.

The problem is an overcrowded online marketplace where seemingly everyone is selling the same products.

The advantage lies with the largest and best known, who boast the highest customer and sales growth, and traditional chains with well established brand names, even though many (WalMart, Sears, Home Depot) are just launching their online attack.

"There are 30,000 e-tailers out there, and probably 25,000 of them will have to go away," said Ernst & Young's Mark Doll. "But that will end up helping the biggest and best players who can ride the tide."

The research firm says that the shakeout among online retailers has already begun and should intensify as competition builds, investors grow more cautious, and funds dry up just when merchants need money for holiday marketing.

South Carolina Kiln Sold

West Union Hardwood, West Union, S.C., has been acquired by moulding firm Menzner Lumber & Supply.

The acquisition gives Marathon, Wi.-based Menzner its third location, including one in Weir, Ms.

Thad Cloer is in charge of the new location, succeeding his father, Nat, who retired after l7 years as owner.

LISA doeswi ndows. 4

Microsoft@ WindowsrM lumber production, inventory, sales & accounting software for sawmills, remanufacturers, wholesalers, panel plants and treaters.

Dealers fine-tune their Web sites

A LTHOUGH some of their Web la,sites look Iike nothing more than online billboards, building material dealers overall are beginning to incorporate flashier and more money-making features, according to a random survey of 100 industry Web sites by Building P roducts Digest.

Most encouraging was retailers' growing participation in e-commerce. Of the sites surveyed, 267o offer full online sales. Most are lead-ins to other companies' sites (Do it Best, TruServ, overnight shipper Hardware Express.com), with the linking retailer getting a percentage ofthe sales.

Another 57o offer mock online sales. By e-mail, customers can submit orders or quote requests, which are then processed by conventional methods.

An additional 37o promise that their e-commerce facility is under construction.

Other sites are used to push instore sales. Brevard Lumber Co., Titusville. Fl.. runs a limited time Internet special, offering lower prices on felt paper rolls to customers who say they saw it on the Internet.

In addition to offering online sales through Do it Best, Adams Lumber, Englewood, Co., among others, encourages customers 10 print out coupons from their Web site and bring them into the store.

A few, including McGuckin Hardware, Boulder, Co., use their site to promote gift certificates.

Information on career opportunities with the company is found on 287a of the sites. Many provide online employment applications, while others, such as Causeway Lumber Co., Fort Lauderdale, Fl., even provide online customer credit

applications.

While the sites range in content from a single page of type to hundreds of colorful, flashing, photo- and animation-filled pages, the trick can be to get visitors to look at all of them. Dixieline Lumber, San Diego, Ca., devised a clever way to encourage visitors to explore its Web site: by inviting them to play the Dixieline Web Game for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate. Contestants have to search throughout the site to find the 10 answers for the online crossword puzzle.

Some dealers encourage communication by asking customers to "register" with their site, often providing access to otherwise off-limits areas. Moynihan Lumber, North Reading Ma., solicits visitors to join its EClub. Members are informed by e-

sites, local tures.

Once a mainstay on most Web sites, "hit counters" (which show how many people have visited the site) are included on just lSVo of the sites surveyed. Numbers of visits ranged from 152 for a less-than-year-old site to 15,'732. Curiously, the typical numbers-averaging a few thousand-aren' t blockbuster figures, explaining perhaps why most of the other compapies track site traffic, but keep the statistics to themselves.

mail about upcoming events, receive exclusive offers and coupons, and are notified when the site is updated.

Columbia, S.C.-based Boozer Lumber Co.'s site features photos of recent construction projects using Boozer components, such as wall panels, floor trusses and roof trusses.

Similarly, Compton Lumber & Hardware, Seattle, Wa., showcases photos of customers' projects such as humidors and drums using materials purchased at the store.

Links to vendor or local interest

Another dwindling practice, posting when the site was last updated, appears on only ll%o of the sites. Nearly half of those updated within the last two weeks, and the inclusion of that date can be helpful to let visitors know if there's something new since their last visit. But it's information that arguably shouldn't be included by others, such as the mediumsized Pacific Northwest chain whose last update was October 1997 and a three-unit Canadian dealer who last visited its own site in 1996. More embarrassing, though, are those who inadverdently revealed their neglect by advertising badly outdated information, such as long-expired monthly specials, broken links and events that had long since passed.

"The obvious bottom line appears to be that the Internet for many companies is an operational pain in the neck. Most Web sites reek of being something the boss ordered up," noted one Southern California business analyst. "It's because once these me-too companies go online, everyone apparently goes back to doing business the old way."

"The Internet for many companies is an operational pain in the neck."

Adding an e. to your business

D)ECOMING e-savvy is hardly a l)fad. More industries, from booksellers to financial institutions to millwork jobbers, are merging toward online business models in order to survive. To remain competitive within their own industry, lumber and building material distributors must try to learn from the early pioneers.

No doubt, understanding the Internet economy is vital. There's real money to be made from a business model that integrates an electronic storefront with an existins real-

world operation. But does your company have the desire to adapt, or even the know-how to compete in an ebusiness environment?

"A lot of wholesalers and distributors are asking themselves if they can successfully develop an e-business strategy," says Byron Hansen, director of electronic commerce at software maker Distribution Management Systems, Inc. "I don't know if they can. But I do know that there are companies already doing it and they're winning. People in the lum-

ber industry should be asking not r/ but how they're going to adapt to this new online marketplace."

At the crux of getting the lumber industry online are two stumbling blocks. First, are lumber's physical characteristics. It's large and it's bulky. There's no getting around that. The methods required to handle it can be crude and freight fees can outweigh some ease-of-order Internet services.

Second, the automation process offered by e-commerce provides the strongest support for products with "standard" pricing. Lumber wholesalers, however, historically treat lumber as a commodity, negotiating "special" prices more often than not.

While these "buy-side" reasons for delaying an Internet presence have some merit, many businesses fail to recognize that e-commerce represents only one segment of the e-business world. It's the totality of an e-business strategy that drives success.

In the new global marketplace, ebusiness may be the only way you can differentiate yourself from the competition. Included in e-business are:

. Buy-side features (pricing, order entry, order fulfillment, e-commerce/ EDI, etc.)

. Information (relationship) management

Messaging (e-mail, intranets, extranets, etc.)

Inventory/warehouse management

ONLINE catalogs will help make it easier for customers to place orders. DMS| e-commerce director Byron Hansen, here helping Tanya Hansen, says there's fast-growing interest in technology training seminars.

Catalog management

E-commerce simply means buying and selling on the Internet. It can be between two businesses, a business and a customer, or even between two consumers. Many associate it with online catalogs. The trouble with lumber, some mistakenly believe, is making products such as 2x4s-and other of its many forms-into an online catalog image that encourages sales.

If you consider e-business to be an entire storefront of Web-based business, where buy-side features are only a component, then you'lI begin to see the bigger picture. Electronic catalogs offer not just visual identity, but immediacy. They're a venue for product descriptions, specifications and technical information that's not always at the fingertips of your sales force.

You may build your new business processes around an e-commerce package, but once established, consider developing a higher level of customization. More than buoying the bottom line with sales across new markets, e-business is about streamlining and integrating all of your company's service offerings to improve customer satisfaction. The experiences customers have with your busi-

that fulfillment on time and without needless overhead costs. E-mail messaging can even remind customers to place orders to ensure a smooth delivery flow.

Your e-business strategy should include many ways to individualize service in much the same way that you do face-to-face.

Electronic Data

Interchange and its data-sharing through extranets is the precursor to the buy-side features of e-commerce, and it can still play an important role in a global network strategy.

EDI helps bind the supplier-distributor relationship by improving communication with streamlined, automated ordering and confirmation. It's an important tool for inventory management. helping you trim overhead. avoid out-of-stocks and improve order turn-around time. Barcoding processes can be tied into your e-business strategy to helP update your warehouse data quickly. And, new buy-side order entry and catalog products, such as DMSi's EntryNET, are also helping to integrate that inventory management and pricing with online order entry.

"What e-business is all about is providing a higher level of service," Hansen says. "That's what society wants. So, to succeed, you try to find new ways to change the ratio of revenue to cost with tools that can help. That's what the Internet offers."

process with your delivery and valueadded service. Companies in all industries are finding ways to adopt their business models to include ebusiness and the most flexible lumber enterprises will be among the leaders who establish themselves as the first source to go to on the Internet.

For example, when a customer logs onto your Web site, a welldefined e-business application will be able to pull historical data on that customer to help you recognize habits and predict sales in advance. lf a lumber contractor buys a certain type of paneling from you six times per year, then you can have orders with the appropriate quantity and pricing shipped to your warehouse to meet

Before the lumber industry dives into the e-business, two important things must happen, he adds. First, those in the lumber industry must be willing to break the old habits of doing business. And second, those in the industry must be willing to accept the emerging technology.

E-business is confusing, but it affords up-to-the-minute access to service information, order processing, industry trends. new practices. new technology and new products. Your e-business strategy must address how you'll match a more efficient ordering

"People in the lumber industry should be asking not if but how they're going to adapt to this new online marketplace." ness is what keeps them coming back.

WEB-BASED order systems allow orders to be placed up to 24 hours per day.

comments.

The comments typically mean thal the individual is:

o Taking on too much to be effective

o Living an unbalanced life

o Busy, but not overly productiye

o Doing "things" that are unnecessary

o Lacking in organization skills

I believe the first step is to invest the majority of your time on major things and minor time on '(ninor things. In business. there are two majors to focus on: your people and your clients.

Let's start with the president. His primary focus is to ensure that the v.p.s are doing their jobs well and to determine the resources necessary to support each one of them. He must also invest enough time with them to make sure they beat (not meet) every project deadline. His time, therefore, is to keep everyone focused on productivity to grow revenues.

The big challenge I see with presidents is that an Open Door Policy becomes an invitation for anyone to barge in and needlessly chew up the president's time. When someone asks for "five minutes," they usually take 15-and then it takes five to 10 minutes to get refocused after they leave. So, that's 20 to 30 minutes that is lost. And how many times a day does this happen? Often, it's six to 10 times

Becoming a super time manager

By Bill Blades William Blades. LLC Gold Canyon, Az.

per day. Count the hours this now tolals and multiply by 25O work days. It's a staggering number. Yes. he looks efficient, but he is not beins effective. Efficiencv is doing things right. Effectiveness is doisrg the right things to begin with. Big difference here.

The v.p. of sales needs to harness her time more so than anyone else. And she needs to help her salespeople do the same. Why? The average salesperson loses three-and-a-half hours a day. The v.p. and the troops need to maintain focus on the target accounts they want to land and keep. Yet,"the smaller clients often get as much time as the larger clients

When the v.p. goes into *re neta. she must make sure that breakfast, lunch, dinners.arrd. client visits in between are widr tafget accounts and

An Open Door Policy

becomes an invitation for anyone to barge in and needlessly chew up the president's time

not with one of the salesperson's "comfort zone" clients. And the routes taken need to be in order, not in a zig-zag manner. If the salesperson is haphazard in laying out the events of the day, you have two people in the car losing time.

I mentioned earlier that many salespeople lose three-and-a-half hours a day. That equals 875 hours or

22 weeks in a year. Now, does it make sense for the v.p. to be extremely focused? If the v.p. is haphazard, the salespeople will probably be also. So goes the v.p., so go the salespeople'

Most salespeople lose an abundance of time every day due to an accumulatioir of starting the day later than top per'formers do, calling bn the "wroog" clients and people too long, cixdUcting "service calls" on comfort-zone clients, laying out client visits in a haphazard manner, not getting the visit aecomplished in a businesslike manrter along with many more time wasters.

Hig! performers schedule many of their first appointments as breakfast mffings. Scheduling three breakfast taeetings at 7:00 a.m. equals 150 more client visits in a year-and it equals 150 calls made before your competitors make their first ones.

High performers understand that time is their real currency. use it or lose it. They understand that losing just five minutes daily equals 1,250 minutes annually. Sound trivial? It isn't. If you want to earn $100,000, you must think and act like a $100,000 person does. They understand that each minute, gained or lost, is worth 85P. Again, small potatoes? No, because that translates to $12,000 annually if you pick up 60 minutes daily.

Bill Blades, CMC, CPS, is a professional speaker and consultant specializing in sales and leadership issues. He can be reached at (480) 67 I -3000.

E HAVE heard "I don't have time." "l just don't have enough time," "I have too much on my plate," and other similar

fiFTEN pricey additions for a \-fhomeowner, columns can add even more to a home's resale value and elegant appearance. So, make sure your customers get the right products for the job by asking the right questions:

(a

$ ls ttre application load-bearing or simply decorative?

Columns can be used for structural support as well as for decorative purposes. As such, various columns will bear different amounts of weight. Their load bearing capacity is directly related to the surface area of the lumber used, the length of the column and the compression strength of the particular wood species. Manufacturers can provide tables showing exact capacities.

The thickness of the stave is another important indicator of a column's strength (thickness also influences the price). A stave that is too thin won't provide adequate support or withstand the rigors of architectural detail work.

While great for lightweight, decorative applications, expanded polystyrene (foam) is non-load bearing.

(.

$ Are the columns for interior or exterior use?

Wood columns must be ventilated when installed outdoors. "It is the same effect that you get when you wear glasses or sunglasses outside in the heat from an air-conditioned interior," says Jeff Davis, Chadsworth's l.800.Columns, Wilmington, N.C. "Your glasses will begin to perspire. The same effect happens to columns when the temperature on the outside of the column is one degree and the interior is another degree."

Adequate ventilation must be provided at the top of the column by a vented recessed soffit and at the bottom by the plinth or plates. The ventilation must be maintained at all times.

Flashing should be used for exterior capitals to prevent moisture from entering the column shaft. Premium grade caulking also should be applied where the capital meets the beam and rests on the column shaft.

It is not necessary to ventilate interior wooden columns, but you must always ventilate wooden columns when used outside. Fiberglass/composite, expanded polystyrene and stone columns do not have to be ventilated for interior or exterior use.

If the columns are to be installed

outdoors, climate becomes a factor. Several manufacturers claim that fiberglass composite makes for virturally indestructible columns.

While wood columns require oilbased primer and paint (zinc-free, if for redwood) and fiberglass accommodates exterior paint, different primers and paints work best in different weather conditions.

Species used for exterior column shafts include redwood, western red cedar, pine, and a variety of other clear western wood species, with staves offered in both solid or fingerjointed construction. For interior applications, pine, poplar, mahogany, cherry, oak or virtually any commercially available wood species may be specified.

(. S Will the columns be used to disguise existing poles and beams?

Wrapping around structural supports is one of the most frequent uses of columns today. Wood and expanded polystyrene columns can be split in half for reassembly around structural

members. The inside clearance of the shaft, though, first must be determined. If it is a pole, subtract the thickness of the lumber from the top diameter. If it is a square piece, get the diagonal.

o S Witt the columns be stored before installation?

Prolonged storage is not recommend for wooden columns and decorative capitals. If they must be stored prior to installation, first sand, prime, fill and paint columns, then keep them in a dry, well ventilated place in an upright position.

Wooden columns and decorative capitals, in fact, should be primed as soon as they are delivered, then treated with two coats of oil-based paint.

lf the columns are to be installed outdoors, climate becomes a factor.

Answers on columns

Tough as steel

Metal framing industry strengthens push into residential construction

ETNERGIZED by a l-lmulti-million dollar promotional budget and the support of the National Association of Home Builders, the push to increase the use of steel framing in residential construction has shifted into high gear.

Already well entrenched in the commercial market, new product technologies and innovations in steel framing are being developed for the residential market. At the same time, industry associations are assisting end users as well as the distribution chain in changing from wood to steel.

Convincing builders to switch has been slow, though noticeable. While in 1990 only lVo used steel for interior residential construction and 07o used steel for exterior construction, eight years later,57o were using steel for interiors and l%o for exteriors. Still, only abott 67o of U.S. homebuilders say they currently use steel.

According to the North American Steel Framing Alliance (NASFA), steel has the highest srrengrh to weight ratio of any building material. It doesn't rot, warp, split, crack, creep, expand or contract with changes in moisture content, burn or add fuel to the spread of a fire. Termites can't eat it, and it doesn't provide a comfortable home for any other undesirable organisms. And a historical graph of steel prices doesn't look like the seismographic readout from a major earthquake, just a flat line.

Of course, in order to be a viable option for builders,

steel framing must be economically feasible and easy to use. "It is not enough to have an excellent product," says Don Moody, NASFA president. "The market must be ready for the product in order for it to be accepted and used on a widespread basis. And that day is not far off."

NASFA's mission is to enable and encourage the widespread, practical and economic use of and preference for steel framing in residential construction. To help accomplish this, NASFA benefits from a broad-based growing membership including steel producers, steel converters, roll-formers, screw and tool manufacturers, distributors, builders and a wide variety of companies producing products and services for the residential construction market. NASFA also benefits from a strong working relationship with the NAHB and NAHB Research Center, which have been instrumental in the development of new steel framing product innovations and highly effective in raising awareness of steel framing among their builder members.

So where is steel framing today? Many of the front-end market enabling elements are in place already. The Steel Stud Manufacturers Association has standardized steel framing members, so that one nomenclature system universally identifies the same stud across all manufacturers. Prescriptive standard s, known as the Prescriptive Method for Cold-Formed Residential Steel Framing, Second Edition, have been developed and continue to be expanded. These standards have been added to new model building codes, the International Residential Code and International Building Code, and are currently in the CABO code. With this

STEEL-FRAMED homes are becomino a more common site in regions witF special weather resistance reouirements or building codes, such as in Florida and Hawaii.

accomplished, it is now possible to build steel frame homes in the same way wood frame homes are built in about 857o of the country, without engineering.

To make sure builders take advantage of this, NASFA has trained over 1,500 code officials on steel framing to date and will train another 3,000 this year. An extensive seminar program, underway since last May, has been well received by building code officials across the U.S. The intent is to familiarize code officials with the Prescriptive Method and steel framing resources available today. Following the seminars, some code jurisdictions are voting to allow submittals based on the Prescriptive Method. As a result, builders and framers will spend less time and money, and will have an easier time getting plans approved.

NASFA has also helped develop and launch the SteelXpert estimating software for steel framing,

VEBSIONS of new software help lake the mystery a major eleout o1steelframing for end users and distributors

playing field. SteelXpert provides the user with a takeoff and estimate based on local supplier pricing right from a set of plans, in compliance with the Prescriptive Method. The software program automates member selection, estimates, bills of materials, etc. associated with building with steel. "steelXpert takes the mystery out of steel framing for those builders and contractors who are unfamiliar with it," says Moody. "It is a major step toward enabling the practical use of steel framing because it eliminates the confusion and reduces the burdens associated with using steel framing for home builders."

Because SteelXpert virtually enables any framing contractor or builder to identify, specify, quantify and order steel framing, all in accordance with the Prescriptive Method, distributors are interested in using the software as a value-added service to their contractor customers. As a result, a distributor version of the software is due out later this year. Distributors will be able to offer takeoffs and estimates using SteelXpert for steel framed projects and at the same time, start tracking steel usage in residential construction in their areas so that plans can be made fbr stocking common stud sizes along with all the tools and accessories that come with the steel frame job.

Coinciding with front-end market-enabling efforts, research and development funds are being poured into fastening and tooling technology fbr residential steel framing to bring hard construction costs in line with those of wood. Training programs are being developed and implemented on a local basis in high schools, community colleges, votech schools, apprenticeship programs, and other training institutions, using a universal best-practices training manual called the National Training Curriculum, published by NASFA.

At the same time NASFA prepares the market. it is promoting innovative steel framing products that are economically viable options for the builders today. They include

two framing applications: steel floor systems and nonload-bearing wall systems. In both of these applications, NASFA claims steel will save the builder time and money. They're also a good place to start because they can be tried with the least implication on the rest of the construction process.

Only about 6% of U.S. homebuilders say they currently use steel.

Reportedly, steel floor joists generally will be less expensive than dimension lumber or engineered wood products while offering similar or greater spanning ability. One example of a steel framed floor system, the Trade Ready Floor System developed by Dietrich Industries, Inc., the NAHB Research Center, and HUD specifically for the housing industry, was introduced last year. It is manufactured with larger reinforced holes to accommodate plumbing and ductwork, and with a host of time and labor saving accessories.

Like steel floor joists, there is increased use of steel studs in interior non-load-bearing walls, primarily because of the significant cost savings and ease of use. In areas of Florida, where concrete block is the predominant exterior wall material. steel has about a 5O7o share of the interior stud market. Two factors are driving this market: competitive price and knowledgeable installers. (The drywall contractors are used to steel.) Add that to steel's strength in high winds and resistance to termites, two important issues to Florida's home buyers.

With the help of local steel framing alliances, mini market infrastructures are popping up everywhere-California.

Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Chicago, Atlanta, both of the Carolinas, and many others. These local infrastructures are being put in place to make it easy and efficient to order, obtain, and install any steel framing product available today.

NASFA believes distribution of steel framing will follow in the footsteps of the lumber industrv, making the switch to steel an uncomplicated one for the builder and framing contractor.

And NAHB continues to actively promote steel to its members, according to NAHB, "until we're sure (steel producers) are well on their way" toward gaining complete acceptance by builders.'

The tide may finally be shifting to try steel framing on an application-specific and/or market-specific basis across all seements of home buildine.

Rrrrrrrrs

McCoy's Building Supply Centers has remodeled and reopened its Sherman, Tx., sfore as its first pro-focused McCoy's Contractor Sales

Phillips Home Center, i|l{cComb, Ms., has been opened by Todd, Jim and Ben Phillips, who is also store mgr.; Jewel Dunaway, office mgr.

Leeds Building Products, Kennesaw, Ga., has purchased Jeriel Supply, Dallas, Ga., as its 16th location

Big Tin Barn recently held a grand opening at its new Lufkin, Tx., location

West Building Materials held a grand reopening at its newly remodeled store in Clarksdale, Ms.; gen. mgr. Byron Cochran, asst. mgr. Charlie Ford

Lyons Lumber, Frankfort, Ky., is modernizing its door shop

84 Lumber opened a new 20,0ffi-sq. ft. location in Dickson, Tn.; store mgr. Brad Knight, mgr. trainee Steve Armstrong, yard mgrs. John Pewitt and Richard Aulidge...

Carolina Holdings, Raleigh, N.C., agreed to acquire 34-uiit Intermountain dealer Anderson Lumber, Ogden, Ut. ...

Home Depot opens new stores this month in Daphne, Al.; South Lakeland, Fl., and San Antonio, Tx. the chain agreed to sell Maytag and Jenn-Air appliances, three months after dropping Whirlpool (see March, p. 28) ... the company received the 2000 Outstanding Corporate Growth Award from the Association for Corporate Growth International ...

Lowe's Cos. is testing 1,200-sq. ft. rental centers at s-ix stores^,

including Jacksonville, Fl., and Houston, Tx. ... the chain is seek- ing approval to build in Wilmington, N.C., and on 16.53 acres in Memphis, Tn.; to enlarge its Hendersonville, N.C., store, and to reroute a street that runs through the middle of its property in Decatur, Al., allowing a larger replacement store to be built

Lowe's has begun construction of a replacement store in Galax, Va.; got the go-ahead to build a replacement store in Suffok, Va.; is preparing to break ground in Conyers, Ga.; will co-anchor the proposed Eagle Harbor Plaza in Fleming Island (Jacksonville), Fl.; plans a 163,000-sq. ft. store in Winter Haven. Fl.. and has acquired 12.2 acres in D'Iberville, Ms., to build a lI2,I13-sq. ft. store by the fall

, Anniversaies: Smith-Phillips Lumber Cp., Winston-Salem, N.C., l20th ... West Building Materials, Atlanta, Ga., l05th ... Riverside Lumber Co., New Orleans, La., 80th ... Composite Panel Association, 40th

Wrorrslt:rsltrlurlrrunrrs

Louisiana-Pacffic will open its first wood fiber composite decking plant in Selma, Al., in mid-May and hopes to add a second location by 3rd quarter 2000 .,

Eurodrawer Inc., Mocksville, N.C., has been acquired by 2lon Industries, Inc.

Guardian Industries Coro. raised its offer to buy Cameron Ashley Buitding Products, Dallas, Tx., from $17 to $18.50 a share, topping the management group's sweetened proposal of $18.25 per share (see April, p. 28)

Euramax International. Inc.. Norcross, Ga., has acquired the assets of Gutter World. Inc. and Global Expanded Metals, Inc. for its Amertmax Home Products division; principals Alan Butler and Bahram Ahlzadeh will stav on with Amerimax ...

Caraustar, Fort Mill, S.C., opened its 10th regional ProfectA-Board warehouse in Columbus. Oh., serving Oh., Ky. and In. ...

U.S. Concrete, Inc., Houston, Tx., has completed its acquisition of Mi.-based Superior Cos. ...

U.S. Lumber, Suwanee, Ga., is now distributing the Fiberon deck and railing system

Spruce Computer Sys/ems has joined the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers As sociation's Manufacturers and Services Council ...

DW Distribation, DeSoto, Tx., has named Owens Corning as its 1999 Supplier of the Year ...

WMA, Inc., Plano, Tx., is now representing Zero International's window. door and stair accessories in Northern Texas

Senergy, Inc.. Jacksonville. Fl., has named ABC Supply as distributor in Texas and the Southwest for its residential and commercial exterior cladding systems

New Web site: Curt Bean Lumber Co., Glenwood, Ar., www.curtbeanlumber.com

Housing starts in March (latest figs.) dropped ll.2Vo to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of l.6 million ... single family srarts inched up marginally to a 1.31 million rate, multifamily plummeted 41Vo to a rate of 295,000 units ... permits fell 4.5Vo to 1.58 million units ... in the South, starts remained flat at a 746.ffi0 rate.

Louisiana Drops Mandate For Treated Framing

Louisiana homebuilders are claiming victory after state Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom backed down from requiring treated wood framing on all metro New Orleans' remodeling and new construction projects.

The plan was part of a statewide campaign to destroy untold thousands of Formosan termites which have ravaged trees and public buildings (see Jan., p. 34). ln New Orleans, for example, the bug reportedlY causes $300 million in damages annually to public buildings.

After meeting with building and treated wood representatives, among others, Odom made his decision and admitted he was willing to reexamine

Mill Hopes Closure TemPorarY

Lea Lumber & Plywood Co., Windsor, N.C., one of Bertie County's oldest and largest businesses, has "indefinitely suspended" operations, with the hope of one day reoPening.

The mill employed about 200 workers, primarily producing drawer sides and furniture backs. After doors closed March l, about 10 hourly workers stayed on to fill orders.

Company officials would onlY saY that the business, which oPened in 1947, was "closed temporarily until further notice" so it could "reorganize."

County develoPment coordinator

Tim Ivey has been working to get the mill back on line. "I personally feel the company will reopen under some name; it may not be Lea Lumber & Plywood," Ivey said. "On top of economic loss from flooding and the hits agriculture has taken in recent years, it would be especially hard now to lose this company permanentlY."

Merger Temporarily Derailed

The proposed union of Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian National Railway is stuck at the station for 15 more months, awaiting the creation of new consolidation rules.

In applying the brakes to what would have created North America's largest railroad, the Surface Transportation Board called the industrY "already fragile," and said additional mergers could bring destabilization' Canadian Northern aPPealed the decision, while Burlington said it planned to do the same.

his position.

"I think everybody has some concerns with this thing," he said, "and rightfully so."

Odom's words were music to statewide homebuilders' ears. "We've been told that there will be no mandate, period," said former legislator Ron Gomez, a Louisiana Homebuilders Association lobbyist. "And that's the way it should be."

Joe Elder, Elder Wood Preserving, Mansura, who serves on the termite study committee, said Odom caught "a

lot of flak" from builders, the steel industry and others.

Odom said that representatives of the steel industry, concrete manufacturers and pesticide companies will be added to the Agricultural Department termite control task force, which will begin working on creating a program to educate homeowners on how to control the pests, rather than requiring a treatment method.

"At the end of the process we'll come up with a list of Products that can be used and that are effective in controlling termites," he said.

We treasure our most important assets: our customers.

Pacific Forest Products' raPid growth and success can be attributed to our commitment to providing customers with HonestY, Reliability and Quality Service.

From warehouses in Miami, Fl., and Birmingham, A1., we distribute softwoods and hardwoods, including Southern Yellow Pine Lumber, Pl1wood, Hem-Fir, Spruce Products, Millwork, and Doors-from coast to coast.

We are agents for manY EuroPean and South American companies for pine and hardwood.

Our Hardware Division in Miami offers a wide range of brand name lines such as Moen, Liasco, Price Pfister, Elkay, Dewalt, Black & Decker, American Tool, Seagull Lighting, Sylvania, Eagle, Kwikset, Leviton, and others. Come visit our new showroom! BIRMINGHAM,

(2OS) 682-'7 550' F ax 205 -682-'7 48r

(Domestic

(Wholesale Distribution/Domestic Sales) SYP, Lumber & Plywood, Hardwood Specialty Products, Imported Softwoods & Hardwoods, Spruce, GYPsum Products www.pacificforest.com

Listings are often submitted months in advance. Always verifii dates and locations with sponsor before making plans to ittend."'

Mlv

Greater Houston Lumber & Building Material Dealers AssociationMay 11, meeting and barbecue, Northside Columbus Club, Houston, Tx.; (713) 225-5551.

Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers AssociationMay 13-14, annual surplus auction, Big Burley Barn #2, Carrollton, Ky.; (800) 844-1774.

Lumbermen's Association of TexasMay 17, safety first meeting, Arlington, Tx.; May 23-25, estimating workshop, Austin, Tx.; (800) 749-5862.

Wallace Hardware Co.May 17-18, spring show, Gatlinburg Convention Center, Catlinburg, Tn.: (423) 586-5650.

National Sash & Door Jobbers AssociationMay 18-21, leadership conference, Crown plaza Resort, Hilton Head Island, S.C.; (800) 7 86-727 4.

Virginia Forest Products AssociationMay l9-20, expo, State Fair Grounds, Richmond, Va.; (804) j3j-5625.

Do it Best Corp.May 20-23, spring market, Indianapolis, In.; (219) 748-s300.

Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers AssociationMay 2l-24, annual convention, Cloister Hotel, Sea Island, Ga.; (jO3) 264_ 1690.

Houston Hoo-Hoo ClubMay 22, spring golf tournament, Pine Crest Golf Course, Houston, Tx.; (28 I ) 485- I 855.

furr

National Oak Flooring Manufacturers AssociationJune 24, mid-year meeting, The Chateau, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada; (901) 526-5016.

Southern Building Material AssociationJune 7-11, summer conference, Wild Dunes Hotel, Charleston, S.C.; (ioq 3i6, 1503.

Southern Building ShowJune 9-10, Charlotte Convenrion Center, Charlotte, N.C.; (800) 854-7736.

Southern Pressure Treaters AssociationJune 11-13, summer meeting, Loews Hotel, Annapolis, Md.; (703) 204-0500.

Lumbermen's Association of TexasJune 14, team buildine seminar, Austin, Tx.; (800) 749-5862.

Temperate Forest FoundationJune 14-lZ, Southeastern Teachers Tour, Asheville, N.C.; (503) 5j9-6j62.

Florida Building Material AssociationJune 15-17, summer meeting, Ocean Reef, Key Largo, Fl.; (352) 383-0366.

Houston Hoo-Hoo ClubJune 22, past presidenr's night, Allen Park Inn, Houston, Tx.; (281) 499-5575.

furv

Carolinas-Tennessee-Virginia LeadersJuly 13-16, summer idea exchange, Etowah Valley Golf Resort, Hendersonville, N.C.;(804) 323-8262.

Watters & MartinJuly 16-17, market, Scope Exhibition Hall. Norfolk, Va.; (8001 446-8205.

Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.July 19-20, summer meeting, The Greenbrier, White Sulfur Springs, W.V.; (336) 88s-83 I 5.

Louisiana Building Material Dealers AssociationJuly 2023, summer conference, Destin, Fl.; (225) 344-4317.

Houston Hoo-Hoo ClubJuly 22, elections, Allen park Inn, Houston, Tx.; (281) 499-5575.

International Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Exposition - July 22-24, Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky.: (800) 558-8767.

qtion news

Lumbermen's Association of Texas installed Bob Burns, West End Lumber, Houston, as its new president during the annual convention and buying market April 12-13 at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center, San Antonio.

He succeeds Don DeGroot, R.E. Sweeney Co., Fort Worth. Other incoming officers included 1st v.p. Roy Deering, Fort Worth Lumber, Fort Worth; 2nd v.p. Mitja Peterman, Allied Lumber & Merchandise, Sealy; associate v.p. Betty Evans, DW Distribution, DeSoto; treasurer Kyle McCarley, Paris Lumber, Paris; secretary Harlan Myers, John E. Quarles Lumber, Fort Worth, and sgt.-at-arms Chuck Pool, Main Street Lumber Do-it Center, Denison.

Cassity Jones, Cassity Jones Lumber, Longview, was named Lumberman of the Year. Evans was recognized as Associate of the Year. (Convention photos appear on next two pages.)

LAT will again hold its convention in San Antonio April 19-21,2001.

Webre presented the President's Award to Gregory. Jeb Ransone, Jeb Ransone Lumber Co., received the Supplier of the Year Award, and Joe Elder, Jr., Elder Wood Preserving, the Ned Ball Award.

Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association is holding its lOth annual surplus auction May 13-14 at Big Burley Barn #2 in Canollton.

The annual Congleton CuP Golf Outing will be held July ll at 27-bole Quail Chase Golf Club, Louisville.

Southern Building Material Association is sponsoring a William Darling estimating seminar May 16-18 at the Holiday Inn Express, Pineville, N.C.

Mid-America Lumberrnens Association is partnering with the National Association of Credit Managers to provide collection services.

Introducing the Heritage Aluminum Panel Column

The first aluminum panel column with an integral quarter round moulding-as fine as you'd expect from a quality trim carpenter, the Heritage offers the character of wood with none ofthe concerns. Historical design in modern materials means year-after-year beauty, and makes painting, caulking, rot and insects worries of the past.

Louisiana Building

Material Dealers Association welcomed Jerry Smith, Smith Building Supply, Denham Springs, as its new president, succeeding Dudley Webre, Jr., Landry Lumber & Supply, Luling, during its recent annual convention in Lake Charles.

New lst v.p. is Alan Martin, Martin Lumber Inc., Baton Rouge; 2nd v.P. Douglas Gregory, Morrison Terrebonne Lumber. Houma: treasurer Frank F azzio, Lumber Products, Metairie; national dealer director George Kellett, George Kellett & Sons, Metairie, and executive v.p. Jon A. Cromwell, LBMDA, Covington.

District directors include Trey Kiper, Winnsboro; Carl Frusha, Monroe; Marty Harrel, Winnfield; Allen Wiggins, Alexandria; Jimmy Robertson, DeQuincy; Tim Hoffpauir, Eunice; Nolan LeBlanc, Breaux Bridge; Steve Ashy, Lafayette; Richard Gaiennie, Opelousas; Wallace Poole, Covington; Michael Hayden, New Orleans; Chuck Weckwerth, Pearl River; John Holmes, Baton Rouge; Will GanleY, Baton Rouge; Tommy Berthelot, Baton Rouge; Steve Buller, Ville Platte; Ronald Tassin, Mansura; Robert Vice, Houma, and Tim Nevitt, Irvington, Al.

Mississippi Building Material Dealers Association will hold its midyear board meeting Aug. 4-5 at the Imperial Palace, Biloxi, site of next year's trade show.

Kentucky Forest Industries Association raised over $2,500 during its 35th annual meeting in Lexington for the charity Log a Load for Kids. Prize winners included Mac Harris, Heartland Timber, Benton, and Hagan Wonn, Somerset Wood Products, Somerset, who took home Husqvarna chain saws.

With the Heritage, Columns, Inc., the originator of the aluminum column in 1963, sets yet another industry standard for both new construction and renovation.

Our entire line of load-bearing aluminum columns offer:

Enduring beauty

Load bearing structural strength

. For remodeling, replacement or new construction

Prefinished (white, almond, sandstone)

Prime coated

. Easy installation

Maintenance free

Lifetime warranty against decay, splits and insects

Full selection of column sizes

(Square or Round)

Plus standard or decorative caps and bases

- Arnold Kraft, pres./ceo, e -W ood.com, add re s s i n g the Northeastern Lumbe r M anufacture rs' As s o c iation

"If you don't learn to use the Internet to develoP an e-commerce capability, you risk being left in the dust."

Texas dealer round u

TEXAS WELCOMING committee (1) sunounds Susan Hannaford, Susan Warnecke at Lumbermens Association of T_exas convention April 13-16. (2) Donna DeGroot, Ray.Sale, *Op. eqry (3) Don peGroot, Bob Burns. (a) Jeff Ktir6, (atny tr,ti.e, eiii Robinson. (5) Ms. Kittv, Melvin Faircloth. (6) Emilv Fidsier Drrdtev'Chenla-tnt i iltp (5)Ms. Kitty, Fairctoth (6)Emity Fiesier, Dudtey'Chapls-61, i',,. Bounds, _Twyla Sessions. (7) Steve Alexander, Toriy Venable, Toni Steeiman, Chuck Colvin. (8) Jerry Weeks, Kelli Waxley, Sammv Scruoqs. (9) Scott Stanford. Al Klorz. _Trryyla (7) Colvin..(8)Jerry Sammy (9) Stanford, Klotz, Jason Hensor. (10) Albert Mickadriit, Larry'schniritz,'Sieve Bohnert. titt WitiG Sigler, Alan Propes, Jim Watson, Steve B'aker. (12) Lisa Goff Carot Mitn'e fi:lr Robert Forernan, Orjan McCarty, Ron Col propes, (12) Lisa Goff, Carol Milne. (13) Forernan,-Orjan Coker. (1a) Greg Bright. Marilyn Archer, Neal Bavousett, Beth Stewart. (15) Rob Reams, Lisa Wriqhl Mit-chell Demnv. (16) Lvnda Swan, Jim fvtopy (tZ)John Rogjrtski, Bobby Byrd-, Lee Baxter. (18[Mike'Beyer, Money. (17) Jbhn Bobby Bvrdl gaxter. iisiMiLe'etur. Albert Reed, Fred Grampp. (19) David Wynri, Sieve Williams, ge'ckv parrv. pittv Owens, Blair "Bubba" Huffman, Allen Horne. (20) Erik Wilson, Frank St'ewart.' Fred Owens, (Convention coverage on previous page, more photos on next page)

DISPLAYING their wares at LAT's annual buving show in San Antonio, Tx. (continued froin previous page): (1) Matt Freeman, Donald Elder. (2) Marc Ross, Wes Johns. (3) Gary & Debbie Monis, Larry Kestler. (4) James Moore, Tammy Bennett, Jimmy Moore. (5) Dan

Tresch, pro lootball's Tonv Dorsett, Mark Niewerth'. (6) Todd Hebert,'Richard O'Dell, Scott Stewart. (7) Richard Boorman. (8) Steve Childs, Sid Taylor, Lynn Barstad, Debbie Vogt. (9) Craig Blakemore, Walter Hixson, Eddie Strawn. (10) Walter Wallace, Joe Collins, Chris

Roberson. Carter Smith. Chris McCollum, Clint Cowan. (11) Earl Hankamer, Jason Gouge. (12) Ed Underwood, Bruce Cardova. (13) Jason Williams, Debra Federspiel, Brad Napp, Jerry O'Ferrall. (14) Ken Kennedy, Randy Monis. (15) Jeff Tant, Richard Guttermuth. (16) Jerry Combs, Joel Tigett, Patrick McCaslin, Bill Weatherly. (17) Tom Lynn, Bryar McKlveen, Wayne Owen, Daryl Carter. (18)

Charles Andrus, Jack Moseley. (19) Art r) Todd Hopkins, Wade & Charlet King. (20) Braid, Bryant "Woody" Kirk. (21) Chris Krauter, Matt Robinson, Bill Munoz. (22) Bobby Burk, Linda & Bill Burk. (23) Sam Crowe, Dave Spencer, Bobby Hanison,

Is Your Packaging Closing the Sale?

\Alhether you're a buyer or exhibitor; you'll have the chance to see the industry's best packaging and merchandiser units at the Packaging Exposition during this y"ur't INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE WEEK" held in conjunction with the NAIIONAL HARDWARE SHOW@ & BUILDING PRODUCTS EXPOSITION in Chicago, IL.

I Approximately 800 entries will be featured in the special display in the Grand Concourse area between exhibit halls during the August 13-16,2000 Show.

I All Packaging Exposition entries (exhibiting companies only) will qualify as part of an industry recognition program. Retailing and wholesaling merchandising executives will evaluate the entries and those judged to be the best will receive prestigious Packaging Exposition Awards.

I For additional details and entry forms for exhibitors, contact:

American Hardware Manufacturers Association

801 North PlazaDrive, Schaumburg, lL 60173-4977 USA

Phone: 847.605.1025 FAX: 847.605.1030

www. NationalHardwareShow.com or AHMA s FAX on Demand Service 888.424.7458

(Request FOD Document #106)

Sponsored and conductedby the American Hardutare Manufacturers Association

The World's Largest Collection of N ew

The 21st Annual New Product Exposition during INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE WEEK" held in conjunction with the NATIONAL HARDWARE SHOW' & BUILDING PRODUCTS EXPOSITION represents the single biggest compilation of new items for the trade. At one time and place, attendees will see what is to be found in the exhibits of this ye6u's Show.

I The New Product Exposition will be located just inside the McCormick Place South Exhibit Hall during the August 13-16,2000 events in Chicago, IL.

I This year, for the first time, all entries in the New Product Exposition will receive internet exposure on AHMA's New Products Online service.

I For additional details and entry forms for exhibitors, contact:

American Hardware Manufacturers Association

801 North Plaza Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4977 USA

Phone: 847.605.1025 FAX: 847.605.1030

www. NationalHardwareShow.com

oTAHMA s FAX on Demand Service 888.424.7458

(Request FOD Document #105)

Sponsored and conductedby the American Hardutare Manufacturers Association

s

lN ATTENDANCE at the recent spring meetings of the Southern Forest Products Association and the Southern Pine Council at the Peabody Hotel, Memphis, Tn. (left to right): (1) Steven Anthony, Clary Anthony, Jr. (2) Gayle Barns, Clayton Barns. (3) Jeremy Plaisance, Richard Kleiner, Jim Loy, Nancy Loy, Eric Gee. (a) Nan Jones, Ross Lampe, James Malphrus, Tom Jones. (5) Brian Greber, Pat Patranella, David Kellam, Mike Warren. (6) Ken Kellums. (7) Jane Yancey, Dick Yancey, Jr., Rich Gouldin, Jr. (8) King Cole, Alex Hopkins. (9) Mike George, Cathy Marx, Tarun Bhatia. (10) Harry Hardin, Lany Lewis, Joe Henley. (11) Dave Mason, Doug Burgin, Jeff Easterling. (12)Jim Kaake, Kelly McCloskey. (13) Tami Kessler, Carolyn Moynan, Ewell Smith. (14) Elaine Galt, Ed Galt. (15)Tom Rice, EthelRice. (16)Joe Elder, Cindy Barsalou, Randy Barsalou. (17)Vicki O'Neill, Buddy Klumb. (18) Clif Jones, Rick Warner.

Kevin Rooney, ex-Trus Joist Corp., is new to engineered wood products sales at Willamette Industries, Inc., Ruston, La. Rick Larkin is a new wildlife biologist.

Ron Brill, executive v.p. and chief administration officer, Home Depot Inc., Atlanta, Ga., plans to retire March 2001. He has been with Depot since 1978. Mark Baker has been appointed executive v.p. and chief operating officer. Lynn Martineau, Western division group president, succeeds him as group president-MidSouthern divisions.

Richard Boorman has joined Burk Lumber Sales, San Antonio, Tx., and is promoting the TimberTech line.

Brad Pender, ex-Hawkins Lumber Co., has been appointed sales mgr. of Diversified Wood Products, Mobile, Al.

Larry Tubbs has been appointed v.p., national sales & marketing for Conner Industries, Inc., Fort Worth, Tx. A former l}-l/2-year employee, he rejoined the firm after a three-year absence.

Frederick Patton "Pat" Douglas, Mayfair Window & Door Co., L.P., Lafayette, La., has been named eastern regional sales mgr., responsible for sales east of the Mississippi River.

Robert Ostrov has been appointed chief administrative officer and general counsel of TruServ Corp., in charge of the legal and human resources departments.

Jack Holshue is store mgr. of the new Home Depot in Hendersonville, N.C. At the new store in Waco. Tx.. Neal Brown is store mgr., Jim Fau co-mgr., and Jason Stallings and Rowdy McMurray are sales associates.

Alan Davenport, ex-Wickes and 84 Lumber, has been named v.p. of national sales and marketing for Builders FirstSource, Dallas, Tx. Lora Kellogg has been promoted to v.p. of marketing at Scotty's, Winter Haven, Fl. Mary Middleton has been promoted to buyer of home fashions.

Theresa Anderson has been promoted to senior v.p.-operations & merchandising support for Lowe's Cos., North Wilkesboro, N.C. Thomas O'Malley, Tosco, has been elected to the board.

D. Ray Ball, Jr., president, Ball Homes, has been appointed to the board of DlYonline.com, Lexington, Ky.

Jim Roe has joined 84 Lumber, Morehead, Ky., as mgr. trainee. Loretta Armstrong and Shelia Tyler are cashiers at the new store in Dickson, Tn.

Smith employees take pride in carrying on the Smith tradition offne woodworking.

Robert D. Rudow has been named v.p. of sales & marketing for Egarden.com, Raleigh, N.C.

Scott H. Muse has been named president and ceo of Lighting Corp. of America, Spartanburg, S.C.

Craig A. Hindman, DuoFast, has been elected chairman of the board for the International Staple, Nail and Tool Association. Mark Kania, ISM Fastening Systems, was elected vice chairman. Other elected committee chairman: Henry Schniedermeir, Paslode, technology committee; Anthony Muto, Senco, legislative and legal advisory, and BiffRoberts, Senco, public relations.

Richard B. Witaszak, ex-executive v.p. and chief financial officer, Fred's Inc., has been appointed senior v.p. and chief financial officer of Payless Cashways, Inc., succeeding Raymond P. Springer, who departed in December to join an Internet start-up company.

Carl Spencer, Gulf States Paper Co., Moundville. Al.. was named Best Overall Grader at a recent grading contest sponsored by Hood Industries, Waynesboro, Ms., and Timber Products Inspection, Conyers, Ga. Jasper Lumber Co., Jasper, Al., won Best Overall Team. Other winners: written testdimension: Eddie Gurganus, Jasper Lumber, l st; John Burroughs, Jasper Lumber, 2nd; Ben Fuller, East Alabama Lumber Co., Lafayette, Al., 3rd; visual testdimension: Spencer, lst; Greg Arnold, Hood Industries, 2nd; Daryl Stevens, Hood Industries, 3rd; visual test-wide dimension: Larry Smith, Hazelhurst Lumber Co., Hazelhurst, Ms., lst; Spencer, 2nd, and Eddie Waller, Gulf States Paper Co., 3rd.

Mitch Crews, Woodstock Mills, Scottsdale, Ky., was elected president of the Kentucky Forest Industries Association, Frankfort Ky. Alan Richardson, Wayne Dry Kilns, Monticello, is now v.p., and Dean Carter is secretary/treasurer. Directors: Carl Dickerson, Dickerson Lumber Co., Glasgow; Joe Fields, Fields-Ashby Lumber Co., Fulton; Tom Broadfoot, Westvaco, Wickliffe, and James Wells, Greentree Forest Products Inc., Wrallingford. Shelia Rush, Graham & Hammer Lumber Co., Hestand, was named Outstanding Communicator of the Year.

Rich Margosian has resigned as president of the Composite Panel Association after 15 years with the group, the last six as president.

Byron Potter, president and ceo, DW Wholesale, DeSoto, Tx., has been elected chairman of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. Tim Dunlap was elected secretary/treasurer to the executive board of Associated Building Material Distributors of America, Inc.

Jim Bosler is a new product specialist at InCom Distributor Supply.

Steve Tyahla is the new chairman of the board of the Lumbermens Credit Association, Inc., publishers of the Red Book. David Tyahla is now executive v.p. Ryan Jarrett Broome, receiving supervisor, Lowe's, Valdosta, Ga., wed Frances Stephanie Gupton Jan.29 in Valdosta, followed by a honeymoon in London and Paris. Maude Lynn is preparing a dramatic reading for the annual company picnic at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

Where Single D-l-Yers Mingle

Whether one credits like-minded shoppers, store ambiance or the chain's free building and renovation courses, Home Depot is scoring a cupid's bulls-eye with singles nationwide.

Stories of love and romance found amid lumber and hardware are being reported from Depots nationwide, according to the New YorkTimes.

In Wilkins Township, Pa., for instance, one middle-aged Depot shopper got down on bended knee to propose to his girlfriend, whom he had met the year before in that very same store. Choking back tears of joy, the woman accepted, much to the delight of store employees and shoppers who cheered the happy coupleto-be.

The chain was even voted one of the Top 10 places to meet men by the readers of Delaware Today magazine, some of whom said the home improvement giants are particularly "single-friendly" because they attract other common-minded souls.

According to one shopper, "You couldn't find a better place to meet someone you have something in common with."

Ace Pushes Standardized Operations

In an attempt to boost its market share and stem competition, Ace Hardware Corp. plans to overhaul its strategic practices.

Dubbed "Vision 21," the program entails participating Ace stores to adopt standardized operating and merchandising procedures based on practices at the chain's most profitable units.

"The foundation of this program is to foster and ensure that certain characteristics o[ Ace stores are consistent so that all of our customers enjoy the optimum retail experience no matter what Ace store they visit," said David Hodnik, president and ceo. "In addi-

tion, having similar processes and technologies among all Ace retailers means that our owners can focus on the customer rather than developing administrative practices."

The Oak Brook, Il.-based buying group estimated its market share of the home-improvement industry to be roughly 87o, almost identical as in 1989.

Conversely, in that same period, Home Depot and Lowe's Cos. have increased their market share to 30%.

"If we wait too much longer, we'll be facing retirement as a business model," Hodnik observed.

More Lumber In Your Futures?

Hoping to provide another tool for hedging the price risk of buying lumber, the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange is considering adding contracts for the North American lumber

Termite Conference

A conference about building homes and other structures to resist Formosan termite invasion will be held May 3l-June I at the Radisson Hotel, Baton Rogue, La.

Hosted by the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the conference will include information about the pest and its habits. Instructions about how to renovate existing structures to resist the insect will also be discussed.

"This particular termite is not only voracious, but it is sneaky," said LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dennis Ring. "It is difficult to detect until it has wreaked considerable damage. It is difficult to get rid of."

The Formosan termite first came to the U.S. in the 1940s and has now spread throughout the southeastern states and west to California.

industry.

The Exchange is working with C.C. Crow Publications to study the feasibility of offering derivative, nonagricultural "products which are relevant to the lumber industry and regionally based," said Terry James, chairperson of the new product development committee.

Portland, Or.-based market reporter Crows is surveying industry firms to gather input to be used in designing the contracts. Currently, the nonprofit WCE, Canada's only agricultural futures and options exchange, offers futures contracts on oats and field peas, as well as both futures and options contracts on canola, flaxseed, feed wheat and western barlev.

Cypress Plant Making Grade

Elder Forest Products, Crowley, La., has revised the names of various grades under which the firm ships its cypress lumber, according to owner Donald Elder.

"If one studies current grading rules covering cypress lumber, they will quickly see that current grades as written are simply not suitable, in many instances, for remanufacturing/processing products for home construction, remodeling, commercial or architectural use," said Elder. "Some grades were completely eliminated from the rules book, among other changes. We offer not just a piece of cypress lumber, but are doing our dead level best to offer a complete program."

Elder said that his olant must have

the raw material to produce a wide range of products.

"When our products go out the gate they are unique because we guarantee everything to be 100% usable," he said. "Current grades and their names are not representative of our products. We developed a set of 'finished product' rules and the result has been on trial for several months, and now we have decided to go all the way."

As an example of how the plant's grades are different, Elder said, "As written in the rules, when applied to our bevel and bungalow sidings, the Selects & Better grade is fully two grades lower than our new C2F (clear two face) grade. When relating this same grade to S4S stock, our new Cabinet & Finish Grade S4S is one grade higher."

He said that customers in need of cypress that is clear on one face for paneling or wainscot pattern can use the new CIF (clear one face). "Our new Quality takes the place of the #1 and #2 Common rule book grades for patterns that may contain knots," he added.

The final two new grades are Yard Grade for patio, nursery, agricultural and fence work, and the Dex grade for covering 2" roof decking.

Hit The Road, Jack!

Federal officials have proposed rules that will close some existing forest roads and make it tougher to build new ones.

Reportedly, over 380,000 miles of roads wind through national forest lands, mostly in California and the West. Of these, only 20Vo can be maintained, according to the U.S. Forest Service, which said the majority of the roads are crumbled and causing environmental damage.

While the Clinton Administration issued a moratorium last year on building roads on 50 million acres of roadless national forest land. a final decision on how much land will remain roadless is expected later this year.

The new regulations emphasize maintenance and reconstruction of existing roads rather than new ones, said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, much to the delight of environmentalists.

Loggers, on the other hand, claim the proposals are helping to run them off federal land.

Top Builders Forego Old Growth

Under seige by environmentalists, two of the nation's largest home builders, Kaufman & Broad and Centex Corp., agreed to phase out the use of old growth wood products.

After convincing retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe's to agree to stop selling old growth, enviro groups such as the Rainforest Action Network identified home builders as their next target. Protesters at the International Builders Show in January threatened to begin demonstrations at Kaufman & Broad and Centex new home developments across the country if within two months the firms didn't give in.

Updated Industry Reference Books

A pair of North American softwood forest products industry reference guides are available from Random Lengths.

The 2000 Big Book contains addresses, phone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses and Web site information of over 8,100 U.S. and Canadian softwood firms, including 3 I,000 key personnel.

The Yearboo,ft provides 11-year price histories of over 200 lumber and panel products, housing starts for 19691999, interest rates from 1995-1999,1 1-year price histories of North American exports and shipping volumes by species and destination.

The Big Book is $219.95 and the Yearbook costs $42.9s.

Proper Phone Etiquette

Ever wondered if you or your staff are communicating effectively with your customers on the phone?

The following guidelines from Wells Fargo Bank can help make any customer call a success:

(1) Answer the phone by the third ring, greet the caller and offer your firm's name plus your own.

(2) Give the caller your undivided attention by listening carefully before asking them how you can help.

(3) When placing a caller on hold, be sure to explain why you need to do so, give an estimated time and ask for permission. Make sure they agree to wait too!

(4) Limit the number of people a caller must speak to by training your staff to answer any question-from a product inquiry to order status.

(5) If the caller requests to speak with someone who is unavailable, ask how you can help. If you must take a message, estimate when the message will be returned.

(6) When concluding the call, repeat any actions you are going to take for the caller and ask if you can help in any other way. If not, thank the caller, and let him or her hang up first.

American D-l-Yers Not $hy

American home improvement budgets average $2,888, a 57a gain over 1999, according to the American Express Retail Index.

Of 1,000 surveyed homeowners, '197o said they plan to pay for their projects with cash, up from 69Vo last year; l57o wtll finance the work using tax refunds, whlle l3%o will use credit cards.

Consolidations Create Giants

The rapid number of worldwide consolidations has quickly changed the ranking of global lumber companies, according to Wood Markets.

Consequently, U.S. companies are being displaced as the world's largest and most dominant lumber producers.

Weyerhaeuser improved its lead as the world's largest softwood lumber producer in 1999 by acquiring MacMillan Bloedel, increasing capacity ro more than 5.5 billion bd. ft.

After Big W come five tightly grouped firms with capacity ratings between 2.55 and 2.7 billion bd. ft.

The proposed UPM-Kymmene/Champion International merger finished second with 2.7 billion bd. ft., followed by StoraEnso of Finland whose acquisition of Austria-based Schwieghofer enabled the firm to produce roughly 2.7 billion bd. ft.

Georgia-Pacific Corp. came in fourth with 2.65 billion bd. ft., and Canfor Corp. surged into fifth place with 2.55 billion bd. ft., thanks to its late-1999 purchase of British Columbia's Northwood.

International Paper rounded out the top six, with 2.55 billion bd. ft.

Ace Ups Conservation Effofts

In the wake of the recent 30th anniversary of Earth Day, Ace Hardware has stepped up its ongoing Conservation Initiative.

Efforts include national retailer advertising and merchandising support, promotional events, and customer recycling programs to help retailers sell d-i-y products that reduce energy and water consumption or are made of recycled or less toxic materials.

According to retail merchandising mgr. Jimmy Alexander, "We've adopted the Earth Day motto of 'Shop Ace and Make Our World a Better Place' to let our customers know that many of the d-i-y products on the Ace retail shelves can help them save natural resources and money and protect our planet for the future."

Last year, for example, Ace's recycling program collected I I,000 lbs. of rechargeable Ni-Cd batteries, salvaging over 2,000 lbs. of toxic-heavy cadmium. A similar program to reclaim mercury by recycling fluorescent lamps is expected to expand nationwide by next year.

Among other programs:

o Ace Kids Club features conservation projects;

o Helpful Hardware Club for Ace customers has special

conservation product buys and articles on conservation in its consumer magazine;

o Monthly retail end-caps offer conservation item selections, and

o Conservation-related products are highlighted in national circulars.

Atlanta is 1999's Permit Champ

To quote the old Frank Sinatra song, 1999 was a "very good year" for building permits, particularly in Atlanta, Ga., according to U.S. Housing Markets. The 10 metropolitan areas with the most singlefamily home construction permits last year were:

(l) Atlanta, Ga.

(2) Phoenix, Az.

(3) Chicago,Il.

(4) Washington, D.C. 28,529

(5) Dallas, Tx.

(6) Houston, Tx.

(7) Las Vegas, Nv.

(8) Riverside, Ca.

(9) Minneapolis, Mn. 18,319

(10) Charlotte, N.C.

U.S. To Produce Europallets

Shippers of goods to Europe, take note: Europallets may now be produced and repaired in the U.S., according to the European Pallet Association.

Measuring the standard 800mm x l200mm, the nine block Europallet is used throughout Europe and designated by the EUR marking.

Ready Europallet availability will help U.S. exporters and their customers comply with European environmental laws and avoid costly packaging taxes.

The Quality Leader in Treated wood Producfs

literqture

Accessible Building Products

The 10th edition of the Directory of Accessible Building Products for customers with physical limitations is available from the NAHB Research Center. 400 Prince George's Blvd., Upper Marlboro, Md 20'77 4: (301) 249 -4000.

Composite Decking Guide

Let lt Drain

Lumber & Flooring Guides

A pair of brochures on premium architectural lumber and Bitterroot floors are free from Whiteman Lumber Co.. Inc.. Box 179, Cataldo, ld. 83810.

I Get A Charge Out Of You

A lift truck battery charger technical bulletin is free from GNB Technologies, 829 Parkview Blvd., Lombard, Il. 60148; (877\ 462-4636.

Can You Handle lt?

A 754-p. catalog of handles, levers, leveling devices, hand knobs and other standard parts is free from J.W. Winco, Inc., Box 510035, New Berlin, Wi. 53151; (800) 877-8351.

Roof Or Consequences

A roofing fact sheet is free from Polycoat Systems, 5 Depot St., Hudson Falls, N.Y. 12839; (800) 547-4004.

The

Taxman Cometh

An excess inventory tax deduction guide is free from the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources, 560 McClure St., Galesburg, Il. 61401; (800) 289-455 L

Construction Training

A multimedia construction training system with 40 hours of interactive instruction is available from Xactware, Inc., 1426 E.750 North, Orem, Ut.84097; (80u932-9228.

A full-color brochure on environmentally-friendly StranDek composite decking manufactured from recycled plastics and wood fiber is free from Hoff Forest Products, 420 W. Franklin, Meridian, Id. 83642; (877) 446-3030.

Building Products CD-Rom

Georgia Pacific's ProductPro

Interactive. a CD-Rom-based multimedia training program on all major categories of building products, is available from the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association. (800) 634-8645.

Southern Pine Porches Video

A southern pine porches design and construction video is $5 from the Southern Pine Council. (504) 443-4464.

Bathing Beauties

A catalog of whirlpool baths, showers, sinks and toilets is free from Jacuzzi,2l2l N. California Blvd., #275, Walnut Creek, Ca. 94596; (800) 288-4002.

Wood Flooring Catalog

A32-p. catalog of wood flooring products is free from Harris-Tarkett. Inc.. ,423\ 928-3t22.

An Enlightening CD-Rom

An interactive dimensional lighting CD-Rom is available from Progress Lighting. (864) 599-6000.

The Dynamic Duo

Guides on storage, handling and safety recommendations and on rim board installation are free from APA-The Engineered Wood Association, Box I1700, Tacoma, Wa. 9841 l: (253) 565-6600.

A 4-p. brochure on the Delta-Drain water re-directing system is free from Cosella Ddrken; (888) 433-5724.

Take lt On The Glulam

A 60-p. design guide to installing their Classic Glulam is free from Willamette lndustries, Inc., 1300 SW Fifth Ave., Portland, Or. 97201l. (503) 227-558 |

Blockheads

A l6-p., full color catalog of aluminum clad wood, aluminum, wood and glass block windows and panels is free from Pacific Accent, Box 8337, Portland, Or. 9770 I : 888 522-4527

Shower The People

An 8-p. brochure on ProForm shower curbs, doorjambs and niches is fiee from W.R. Bonsal Co., (704) 525-1621

Pallet O'Mine

A full-coIor "Pallets and the Environment" brochure is fiee from the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association, 1800 N. Kent St., #9 I I. Arlington, Ya.22209: (703) 527-7667

Restoration Proclamation

A catalog of adhesives, sealants, coatings and other restoration products is free from Abatron, Inc., (800) 445-l'754

Take A Sniff

A brochure on the Skunk Train, which runs 40 miles through California Redwood country from Fort Bragg to Willits, is free from The Skunk Train, Box 907, Fort Bragg, Ca. 9543'7; (800)'7475865.

roducts

Tiles Direct From The Sands

Ceramic floor tiles inspired by the sands of the world's most beautiful beaches are new from Portobello America, Inc.

Ocean tiles range in size from 2" x6" to I 2"x 1 2" and come with coordinating trim and border tiles.

Circle No. 903

Profiles Encouraged

Hit The Deck

Thermoplastic-based decking that is said to look and feel like finished wood and comes with a lifetime limited warranty is new from McFarland Cascade.

EWOOD is said to resist harsh weather, bugs, rot and salt water and can be washed with water.

The product's T-clip fasteners offer uniform spacing, eliminating surface nails and screws, and hold boards solidly in place.

Reportedly, decks will not crack, splinter, or check and contain UV protection to maintain color

Circle No. 901

Michael Weinig, Inc. has introduced a new Profile Center that claims a four-fold increase in oroductivity due to its Powerlock iooling system, LogoCom software and complete CNC machine setup.

Merchandise hanss on either slatwall or inverted slot frxtures.

Circle No. 905

Mack The Knife ls Back

Stanley has introduced a utility knife with a bi-material construction and a rust-resistant metal core.

Change-overs for the Unimat 3000 Brillant reportedly take less time when compared to its predecessor. Utilizing 12,000 rpm tooling reportedly enables the unit to produce at twice the feed speed of conventional unjointed moulders.

Circle No. 904

Wall Of Fame

Moveable merchandise wall systems with steel slatwall panels and maple laminate trim are available from MegaWall Corp.

Strong To The Finish

Hilti has introduced a powderactuated tool for laying metal tracks on floors, ceilings and walls.

DX 35 I fastens suspended ceiling hangers and drywall profiles and attaches to concrete, steel and masonry.

The 5-lb. product features a quickload magazine that allows the user to fasten up to 700 nails per hour.

Circle No. 902

The product comes in l2', 16',20', and 24' sizes in white baked enamel and other colors, plus metal finishes.

The Contractor Grade Instant Change utility knife can cut string while the blade is retracted and allows blades to be stored in the handle.

Circle No. 906

A Real Shoot'em Up!

A decking, flooring and roofing tool that shoots l-314" to 3" screws is new from Milwaukee Electric Tool.

Sharp-Fire's positive screw alignment reportedly eliminates missed hits while its positive lock offers noslip adjustment and clear marking for adjusting screw length.

Circle No. 907

Pot Luck

A two-piece, 1.6 gallons-perflush toilet and a 25"x21"x33" high pedestal sink are new from Jacuzzi. The Kalara Suite is made of vitreous china, triple glazed into a stain-resistant, glossy finish. A countertop sink and singlethreshold acrylic shower base are also available.

Circle No. 908

Wood Composite Decking

Composite decking made from recycled plastics and wood fiber that never needs painting or sealing is available from Hoff Forest Products.

Touch'em Up

Insulating foam to keep dust and dirt out of walls, ceilings and around doorways is new from Convenience Products.

Touch 'n Seal U2-200 FR is MSHA approved and has a Class I rating.

Prone To Prune

A pruning tool that cuts in tight, hard-to-reach spaces is new from Fiskars Lawn & Garden Products. Gooseneck Swivel Lopper's long neck allows users to reach higher, or cut at ground level with less bending and stooping.

StranDek reportedly won't rot, warp, split or splinter, has a slip-resistant surface and will change to an offwhite or cream color in 12-16 weeks of exposure to sun and water.

The product repels moisture, resists termites, spans 24" on center, and can be fastened with traditional tools and fasteners.

While carbide tip blades are recommended, all woodworking saw blades can cut the product, which is hollow and weighs 2.224lbs. per ft.

Circle N0.909

I'm Just Putty ln Your Hands

An epoxy repair putty for filling holes, patching cracks, bonding surfaces and repairing leaks in most materials is new from T. Christy Enterprises, Inc.

Non-shrinking FastFix can be formed, drilled, sanded, tapped, sawn or painted and comes in 4 o2.,7"-long sticks.

Once mixed, the steel-filled product will harden in minutes.

Circle No.910

Someone To Wash Over Me

Quikrete has introduced a product that reportedly removes mold and mildew from concrete. stucco. brick. flasstone and wood surfaces.

toncrete & Stucco Wash removes mildew, algae, black mold and light soil stains from concrete patios. sidewalks and other surfaces. '

The l2-oz. concentrated solution cleans up to 350 sq. ft.

The product comes in a moistureresistant carton with disposable cylinders.

Circle N0.912

No Generation Gap Here

Kroy Building Products has introduced second generation vinyl decking that features a clip for installation anywhere on a continuous channel.

The 2"x8" product reportedly is strong enough to allow up to a 32" span between supports.

Decks allegedly will never rot, rust or corrode and come in three colors.

Circle N0.913

The 34" tool cuts branches up to ll12" tn diameter and weighs 3.75 lbs.

Circle N0.915

Going In Tile

American Marazzi Tile has added a new l3"xl3" glazed ceramic tile for floors, walls, countertops and hearths.

is ovoiloble by circling the corresponding Reoder Service number opposite the inside bock cover ond sending the form to New Products Editor FAX to 949-852-0231, by E-moil to ddelvol@ioc.net, by moil to 4500 Compus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beoch, C0.92660, or by colling (e4e) 8s2 r ee0.

Mesoootamia has the look of rustic stone and comes in five colors.

Circle N0.916

Plane Speaking

A planer with a left or right chip eject, a vacuum attachment and an edge guide fence is new from Bosch.

Model 3365's single-blade drum automatically positions the blade at the cutting angle, and its Woodrazor blade is made of micrograin tungsten carbide.

Circle No. 917

Put Siding Out To Stud

CertainTeed has improved its Monogram RigidForm 180 siding. StudFinder combines precise nail slot locations with graphics that align with standard 16" on-center construction to indicate stud locations along siding panels.

Circle No, 918

on ony Ne\/\/ Product

Go Ahead, RollTape

Translucent, solid acrylic attachment tapes with strong bonding power are available from Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.

Hammer Out The Details

A 17.4-lb. drilling and chiseling hammer with a drilling range of l/2" to 6" is new from Hilti.

TE76-ATC drills into wood or steel and disengages if the housing begins to rotate quickly.

Circle No. 921

Norcryl's strong bonding power can reduce or replace fasteners. rivets. liquid adhesives and welds.

The product comes in roll widths froml/4" to 18".

Circle No. 919

Cross The Finish Line

A transparent finish that highlights the natural beauty of wood's color, grain and texture is new from Okon.

Natural Choice penetrates deep into the wood's surface and comes in three colors.

Circle No. 920

Let's Talk Man To Mantel

Polystvrene constructed mantels that apply to siding or brick exterlors afe new from Cellwood. Standard sizes are 35", 40" and 44" base lengths to fit most windows. A 120" model is for rows of windows and garage doors.

Circle No. 922

\lapsranr- PERMAGoRNER@ / Starter StriD ';-T-rTt-;r lnside L uspatent#s,ei6,oss lU | | | lJl Corner (F shown) h-\ .01 L:f.X':r!', IPANELSTARTil H,MOLD/ _ _bi;rt;;silil' PLANKSEAMil

Save The Last Fence For Me

Vinyl fencing planks that are said to look like genuine cedar are new from Kroy Building Products.

Timberlast panels have a 1"x8" tongue-and-grove profile and come in Cedar Crest (tan woodgrain) or Greystone (weathered gray cedar).

Circle No.923

Big Brother ls Watching You

Kamco Enterprises has introduced a digital surveillance system that reportedly allows business owners to view activities at their establishment from their home comDuter.

PCcam records day after day of surveillance at 30 frames per second (real time) on a 10-gigabyte hard drive.

Circle No. 924

SCHWERD'S Quclity Wood Columns since 1860

A.F. Schwerd Manufacturing Co, has been producing wood columns and pilasters for over 135 years. The wood is thoroghly seasoned oine for exterior use: additiorial lumber species available for interior. Production besins with a minimum 2" shaft wall thickness-using solid piece lumber (no finger joints) resulting in a quality, durable column. Columns are available in diamelers from 4" to 5Cf and in the length required for your specific installaiion up to 35'. To assist in your restoration prciects, we can manutacture columns to match yor exisring design. Capitals., shafts, bases and plinths can be purchased separately.

^w wlNDow | -l #5,e37,5e2

v'> #6,032,426 F'iAb"fiib# lm1

FLASHTNG G' lM

#i'#H' ffi ' *o'o iiftr"="V=--

Fiber cement is the best siding and soffit product available. lt has the warmth of wood with high structural strength, holds paint very long, is noncombustible and will not rot or be eaten by termites. Tamlyn PVC accessories are the perfect complementary products in reducing homeowners'worries by helping build low maintenance homes. Build your profits by promoting Tamlyn PVC trim to go with every fiber cementordershipped ! E,ffi

800. rs4:1ib% | f,A+ER'ttg I HHil?r e. e6z6

To Receive a free video and sample ring, please provide your stro€t address.

No. 150lmr Coridhirn M. 142 Gcl lqic

rffi#fr5M

Our complete aluminum bases are manufactured of thick metal and are recommended for exterior columns for a seamless base that will last a lifetime. The aluminum plinths are ventilated for air circulation throush the column shaft Complete aluminium bases are available in three architecturallv-correct swles for even diameter colJmns from d" to 3Y. Call or write for our free catalog.

Stainless Steel Screws

Fiber cement, fiberglass, light steel, gypsum board, wood panel, plywood and wood screws manufactured from 410 and 305 stainless steel are new from Swan Secure.

Wrapped Around Your Finger

A high-capacity horizontal fingerjointer for processing both hardwood and softwood is new from GreCon Dimter.

Model HS 120 has feed speeds up to 120 lugs per minute for manufacturing fingerjointed edge-glued panels. stair and furniture parts, turning squares, flooring parquet, structural parts, studs, mouldings and window parts.

Circle No. 926

Laser Tag

Reportedly corrosion resistant, Billy Goat screws are available with a trim head and square drive, wafer head with wings and Phillips drive, flat head with wings, square drive and self-countersinking ribs.

Circle No. 925

Hilti has introduced a laser range meter with an integrated calculator for determining area and volume.

PD 20 runs on two AA batteries and fits easily on a portable tripod.

Circle N0.927

Safety Glasses

Radians, Inc. has introduced new safety eyewear with comfortable earplugs and polycarbonate lens that reportedly block out 99%o of UVB and UVA rays.

A.V. wraparound safety glasses feature an adjustable temple that comes in black, red and blue and a black, breakaway neck cord.

Lenses are available in six colors and are reportedly scratch resistant, anti-static and anti-fog.

Circle No. 928

You Bet Your Knife

DuoMatic, a safety knife that cuts vinyl, linoleum, drywall and more is new from American Safety Razor Co.

Circle No. 929

Hardwoods For High-End Decks

Decks are going even higher end, as homeowners have become more interested in connecting the exterior to their interior space.

"The exotic has gone mainstream," notes Brian Lotz, managing director of Timber Holdings Ltd. "While a $10,000 deck was extravagant in the early '90s, decks now often range up to $75,000. The deck and amenities can be used as a second, self-contained living space."

For luxurious installations, the company supplies Iron Woods brand hardwood decking which, unlike softwoods, reportedly lasts a lifetime.

"But beware," cautions Lotz, "not all woods are created equally." Just like for softwoods, there's a range of grades, which set standards for allowable defects, such as sapwood, worm holes. knots. and moulder tear-out.

There are three generally accepted standard grades in the industry: FEQ/FAS (First And Seconds); FlF (First I Face); and #2 (Seconds). All of these grades allow various amounts of defects.

So, Timber Holdings created its

own grade above industry standards, Premium Select Grade. Every piece of Iron Woods is selected to meet the company's premium zero-defect standard on all four faces. Every hardwood board sold is clear, straight and over-length, so there is no waste, no picking through to find usable boards.

"We regularly reject 20%o-407o of production when re-grading FEQ/ FAS to our Premium Select standard," says Lotz.

Lower grades are then converted into interior-grade products where the defects are not subject to decay and harsh exterior environments.

"We know this high grading standard adds cache to the brand," said Lotz, "so we hand-pick and sort every board at the processing mill before it goes into distribution."

Many hardwoods are both durable and beautiful, naturally resistant to wear, and perfect for decking, arbors, fence panels, raised gardens, posts, rails, cabinets, and pool surrounds.

Look for more and more of these woods to be used, both in new and retrofit construction. "Decking,

Show Me The Money

Last year, chief executives' total compensation surged l0.8%o to an average $2,857,676, according to a Wall Street Journal survey of 350 large U.S. businesses. Among building products-related firms...

Chlef execufivg,f,gFffiny

Nolan D. Archibald, Black & Decker

George J. Hanad, Bolse Casde

Samuel W. Bodman. Cabot

Alstqr D. Correll, Georgl+Pacific

Mark A. Suwyn, Louisiana.Pacific

Jerorre F. Tatar, lled

David R. Goode. Norfolk Southern

Glen H. Hiner, Orvens Coming

Millard E. Banon, Payless Cashways

L. Pendlehn Siegel, Podatch

Raymond W. LeBoeuf, PPG lndustrles

Christqher M. Connor, therwin'Wllliarnc

John M. Trani, Stanley Works

Clitford J. Grum, Te*npblnland

Richard K. Davidson, Union Pacific

John Luke Jr., Wosfiraco

Steven R. Rogel, Weyerhaeuser

Duane C. [tuDorgall, UYllhrBtte InduSries

fences and other exterior amenities built with these woods do not require near-term replacement," said Lotz. "It's a one-time installation that saves contractors margins and frustration year after year. And it pays back property owners every time they look at it."

New B2B Site Starting Up

A new business-to-business Internet marketplace for lumber, forestry and construction launches this month.

Structured as an exchange, an auction and a multi-vendor catalog, TheBigB28.com provides a closed community of retailers, wholesale distributors and manufacturers with a complete one-stop marketplace.

Frank Denny, founder of Builders Square, serves as chairman of TheBigB2B.com, as well as of affiliated companies TheBigStore.com and TheBigHub.com.

Buyers use a self-guiding search engine to locate products and identify the buying option that best suits their needs, whether drawing from listings on the exchange, auction or an electronic catalog of goods, with content provided by member suppliers.

The system also accommodates ordering (creating online requisitions, submitting purchase orders, executing contracts, tracking orders), fulfillment (credit scoring, credit hold, letters of credit, bill presentment, payment, accounts receivable and accounts payable status), and replenishment.

The Web site goes online May 20.

Purchase Card With A History

A new purchasing card has been introduced that helps contractors keep track of their jobs and dealers stay atop industry trends.

While dozens of chains and several buying groups already offer private label credit cards, the new card from Information Tools reportedly offers something more: innovative reporting feaures.

Contractors receive monthly printed reports detailing their card purchases by job and stage, regardless of the retail location, and also have daily access to up-to-the-minute information via a secure, password-protected Internet site.

Participating dealers receive online access to aggregated industry trends as well as information on contractor building and spending acitivity.

ified qds

Rates: 25 words for $25, additional words '70Q ea. Phone number counts as I word, address as 6. Headline or centered copy, $6 per line. Private box or special border, $6 ea. Column inch rate: $45

camera-ready, $55 if we set type. Send copy to 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872, FAX 949-852-0231 ot call (949) 852-1990 checks payable to Cutler Publishing.

Deadline: 20th of ea. month. Payment must accompany copy. To reply to ads with private box numbers, send correspondence to box number shown, c/o Building Products Digest' 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872. Names of advertisers using a box number cannot be released.

IF YOU ARE a market-driven supplier, call 800-966-2801 or visit our Web site StainlessSteelNails.com and learn how to become a Program Dealer for Swan Secure.

Matching clients with candidates for win-win solutions! ! !

5601 Bridge St. #31 1 817-457-9995

Fort worth, TX76112 Fax 817-457-9998

Gary Morris-President

E-Mail: Gary@GRMMRLcom

Website: www.GRMMRI.com

REMANUFACTURING SPECIALIST, center match on 1", 2", 3"and 4" lumber. Other patterns including flooring, ceiling, log siding and more. Custom CCA treating. Custom KDAT. We manufacture Southern Yellow Pine 1x4 and 1x6 S4S and patterns. Call Billy Ryals, Laurel Lumber Co., Laurel, Ms., (601) 649'1 696: F ax 60l -428- 1214.

Excellent oppot'tunity for motivated building supply sales pnofessionals with an eye towand the future' Work from youn existing location fon an emerging leaden in online building materials sales. Youngoal will be to cultivate relationships with retail, wholesale and sunplus building supply stores as well as liquidatons. Pt'oven sales expenience in the building supply and materials industry a must. Minimum 7 years experience. Highly competitive base salany plus commission; potential for' stock ootions. Health benefits available' Mail

WANTED: Plywood/OSB striPs, droPs; sound, square, uniform, dry, thickness 1/4 through 23132. Prefened width, 3-112, 5-ll2 ot wider. Length 32 to 96 inches or longer. Mixed or truckload. Send price and availability to FAX #901-682-8501, or mail to: Lumber Source, 4746 Spottswood, Memphis, Tn. 38117. Phone (888) 576-8723 (LSOURCE).

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Georgia-Pacific......,..,......,...(800) 866-1414 (205) 233-0256

Grayson Lumber Corp................,............ .......(256\ 292-9227

Great Southern Wood Preserving........,.........(800) 633-7539

Gulf Lumber Co., lnc. ...........,....,..,...... ...........rc34\ 457 -6972

McEwen Lumber Co .......(gg4l 492-2922

l\,fcShan Lumberoo, .....p05\g7,-6277

Mead Southern Wood Products.............,.,.....(800) 273-6597

Pacilic Forest Products.......,(800) 730-6330 (205) 682.7550

Sanford Resources (TrimJoist)....,...............,..(205) 695-7129

Stringfellow Lumber Co., Inc. ...............,.........(900) 825-9400

Walkerwilliams Lumber C0..........,....,.,.,......,(800) 727-9007

Weyerhaeuser C0...............,(800) 541-4825 (256) 381-9350

Anmrms

Anthony Forest Products Co. .......,..,....... .......(800) 2Zj-2926

Bean Lumber Co., Curt ..,....(800) 232-2926 (900\ 492-2952

Deltic Timber Corp. ........(870) 98j.641 4

Hoover Treated Wood Products.,.........,........,(800) 832-9663

Lewis Lumber & Manufacturing Co. ,..............(870) 397.2884

Weyerhaeuser Co. ,...,....(800) 643-1513

White River Hardwoods..........,..............,........(800) SS8-01 j 9

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Alpine Engineered Products......................,.,..(954) 78j-9335

Building Products of America.........................(800) 962-15j8

Fastening specialists Inc....................,.......,..,(407) 888.9099

Hoover Treated Wood Products, Inc. ....,........(904) 258.7810

McEwen Lumber Co. (Dekay Beach).............(561) 276-5155

McEwen Lumber Co. (Jacksonville)...............(904) 793-0170

McEwen Lumber Co, (Orlando)..,..............,.,.,(407) 299 4280

McEwen Lumber Co. (Tampa) ..........,............(B1g) 248-41 1 1

Pacific Forest Products........(800) 845.0224 (877) 955-9663

Precision

Inc.............,(8BB)

Soulheastem Metals Mfg. C0........................,(904) 757-4200

Soulhem Pine

G:oncn

647.8981

langboard........,....,.,...,........(800) 864.3730 (912) 269-9949

l/oultrie Manutacturing Co, ...........,.,.,............(800) 941-8674

Osmose .......070\ zz}-Blu

Pacific Lumber Co. ....,..(770) 993-8939

Ray0nier........,........ .......(912) 367-3671

Relco Forest Products (Langboard)..........,....(877) 633-5264

Universal Forest Products...............,.,.,...,......(912) 985.8066

Weyerhaeuser C0....,,..........(800) 282.3370 (404) 355-5971

l(rrrucn

Glen oak Lumber & Milling ......(800\ 242.9272

McEwen Lumber Co ......(502) 297-8321

Weyerhaeuser Co................(800) 752-6032 (502) 368-333j

Loulsnm

Elder Forest Products..........(800) 256-71 97 (31 8) 625-81 41

Elder

Pine Counci1....................................(504) 443-,1464

Anderson-Tully Lumber C0. ....,...,..................(601) 629-3203

Lumber ...............(800) 654-6743 (601 ) 833.1 990 Hood Industries...... .......(601) 735-5071

Shuqualak Lumber C0...................,.......,........(601 ) 793-4528

Southern Lumber Co. .........,(800) 748-8919 (601) 362.0019

TrimJ0ist................. .......(800) 8,U-8281

Weyerhaeuser BMD ............(800) 858-0310 (228) 865-1077

llonu &noum

Chemical Specialties, Inc...............................(704\ 522-0825

Crumpler Plastic Pipe, Inc..,.,.....,........,..........(800) 934.5071

DLH Nordisk, Inc. ..............,............................(800) 688-2882

East Coast Millwork Distributors.....................(910)

Oruromr

DTRECT IAAPORTER oF TROPICAL DEGKING

NEW $4.5 million, 63,000-sq. ft. headquarters in Mooresville, N.C., marks Michael Weinig Inc.'s third move to larger facilities since Weinig established the North American subsidiary in 1976. Expanded training and demonstration room along with more office space was required to accommodate past growth and future plans for its sales and service ol moulders/planers and tool grinders for the woodworking industry.

uqlres

John Greene, 86, retired former partner and salesman, Bishop-Roney Lumber Co., Louisville, Ky., died of a heart attack March 12.

He was an industry veteran for almost 40 years and is survived by his wife, Marjorie, formerly a bookkeeper for Square Deal Lumber Co., Springfield, Or.

Jack Tosh, 58, lumber buyer/inspector for West Tennessee Lumber Co,, Savannah, Tn., died of a heart attack March 13.

A native of Tennessee, he worked for Bruce Hardwood Floors and Haynes Lumber Co., Jackson, Tn.. prior to being hired by West Tennessee Lumber in the spring of 1999. He was a 35-year veteran of the lumber industry and a member of the Lumberrnen's Club of Memphis.

TOURING the City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Spirit of Life Award honoree Pat Fanah (front row, lourth from left), executive v.p. of merchandising, Home Depot, and his guests are addressed by pediatrics specialist Dr. James S. Miser. Fanah ilill receive the award foi professional, humanitarian and philanthropic achievements at a reception Aug. 15 in Chicago, in conjunction with the National Hardware Show & Building Products Exposition.

At Btitt Lumber, we specialize in redwood fence posts, boards and rails - made directly from the log in our modem sawmill. We're large enough to meet your customers' needs, yet small enough to care and provide the personal seruice you need.

EAX to 949-852-0231

or call (949) 852-1990 or mail to Building Products Digest, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca.92660-1872.

Building Products Digest - May 2000

For more information from advertisers, use FAX Response numbers in brackets,

American Pole & Timber Company t1041............ .............6

Bowie Sims Prange [114]...............28

Britt Lumber 11211........................37

Building Products Digest ..Cover III Chicago Mercantile Exchange 11221................................Cover IV

Columns, Inc. [111]........................19

Crumpler Plastic Pipe [110] .........18

Deltic Timber Corp. [109].............f9

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Distribution Management Systems, Inc. [102]....

DLH Nordisk U201........................36

Elder Forest Products, Inc. [107]...8

Elder Wood Preserving Company t1131 .25

Expo Preview ......................Cover II International Paper [103]................5

LISA Lumber Systems, Inc. [105]..7

Pacific Forest Products [1081........17

Schwerd Manufacturing Company, A.F. [118] ..-..........32

Smith Millwork, Inc. [112]............24

Somerset Door & Column Company [1 16] ..............27

Spruce Computer Systems t1061....8

Swan Secure Products. Inc. [1ls]............ ...........27

Talpx, Inc. [119].............................33

Tamlyn & Sons [117].....................32

Weyerhaeuser Co. [101].......Cover I

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