Experts answer questions

(Continued from page 9)

Q: Uorn can I improve the appearance of my yard?

A: fn" best way is to work with a company that offers complete in-house yard planning. A plan based on size and product movement will keep the yard orderly and clean, sending a positive message to customers. Some companies specializing in lumber and building material fixtures provide planning at no charge.

Q: fforn ""n I get the most for the least in modernizing my yard?

A3 first determine stock needed to service your customers. Plan storage and retrieval of materials to allow customers to get in and out quickly. The goal is to cut down on movement necessary to pick orders and allow more customers to load theirownmaterials to cut labor costs. If your business leans towards d-i-y and small contractor, all items should be pickable by hand.

Q: Wfr"t best enhances the operation and bottom line ofa yard?

A: e well sited cantilever drive-thru lumber shed can maximize loading efficiency of yourdelivery trucks as well as those of customers. This shed will save more man hours than any other single addition to your yard. Add the savings gained by eliminating lift truck damage to lumber and weather losses and you may have investment payback in as few as two years. Better customer service is a plus. Both contractor and d-i-y customers appreciate the time saved in pulling orders and the convenience of a covered loading area.

Q: Uoro long does it take to retrofit a yard? Will I be able to operate while work is in progress?

A

A ! Most storage systems can be installed in about a week. The work usually doesn't interfere with day-to-day operations.

Q: Will the expense of a new layout pay? If so, how?

A3 fne expense of a new yard layout begins paying for itself immediately by reducing waste and increasing operational efficiency. Your yard will run with fewer people who have more time to assist customers, thus increasing sales. By using cube space, you can move upward, not outward, to free usable space for future expansion or other areas of business. An important aspect often ovedooked is flexibility, especially for future growth. You want to add on, not rebuild. Equipment such as racks depreciates faster than a building or shed.

Q: Wft"t are the tax benefits of rack supported buitdings?

A 3 R""t "upported structures can be depreciated in seven years since they are considered equipment. Only the cement pad is exempt from this.

Obttuarles

Llllle D. Glbbe, co-owncr with her latc husband, Albert, of Cash and Carry Lumbcr Co., Chattanooga, Tn., dicd April E, 1992, in Chattanooga.

Ben L. Cowglll, 66, owner of Southcrn Supply Co., Lcxington, Ky., died April28, 1992.

A former Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association board member, Mr. Cowgill closed his company about a ycar ago.

Lorc's Paraeol Puts Out Powsr

About 1,2fi) residents of Rome, Ga., lost their electricity recently when strong winds blew a patio umbrella from the local Lowe's into powerlines.

The umbrella caused an electrical short March 8, temporarily knocking out power and toppling three hot lines. Falling wires smashed a windshield and burned the hoods of several cars below.

News Brlels

(Continued from page I6)

Cenaintced Corp. donated over 4000 squarcs of asphalt shingles to Habitat for Humanity. .

Moen Inc. is a sponsor for the 1992 U.S. Diving Team at thc Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain Ace Hardwarenamed The InvinCo. as an Acc Vendor of the Year

Annivcsaries: National Forest Products Association, 90th; Wagoner htmber, Wagoner, Ok., l00th; Home ltmber, Seminole, Ok., 65th; Pearce Lumber and Hardware, Ruston, La.,56th; Forest Products Trffic Association, Memphis, Tn., SLst; Florida Menl Products Inc., Jackson, Fl.,69th.

Fix it

(Continued.liom page 36) program, yet, in spite of telling them how to do it, I usually got, "[t ain't broke so why fix it?"

I would suggest a rental program. The average do-it-yourselfer doing a major project will need professional equipment only once or twice in his lifetime. After they go to a rental store, they have to shop for their materials elsewhere. Give them good knowledgeable service and a rental program and for the most part you'll sell the materials.

Gablnot Salor Lorp

Kitchcn cabinet selcs jumpcd 15% during Fcbnrary ovcr the samc pcriod last ycar, thc largcst singlc monthly incrcasc in ncady fivc ycars and the third consccutive month of growth.

*It's bcen 15 months since we've had threc consccutive months of growth in cabinet salcs, and the spikc of I 5 % is ccrtainly a pooitive indicatorthat wc're on the right back,'said Kitchen Cabinct Manufacturcrs Association cxecutive vicc president Dick Titus, analyzing a KCMA survcy of stock and custom companics reprcscnting over half the cabinet markct.

Story Plugs Cassette Sales

I was overwhelmed by the extent of the coverage you gave the'I'm a Tree" audio cassette project in your magazine. Your generosity is truly appreciated.

We have sold almost 1,00O copies during the past month, so we are very excited about the potential for reaching reasonable people and the very important elementary school population.

Norman E. Murray President

UoC Coatings Corp.

P.O. Box 1066

Buffalo, N.Y. 14215

For background on the proiect, see editorial, p.6; story, p. 38, andorder blank, p. 35, inJanuary issue plus order bl'ank" p, j5, in

I would suggest installed sales as a means of fighting the competition and increasing sales and profits. I would tell them to go after commercial accounts, again for plus sales, profits and a plus competitive niche. It was frustrating to hear "That would take too much time and effort, plus additional people. Why should we bother when we're doing great now?"

The key to success, I have found, is "When you're doing well and on top, start planning ahead on what you have to do to stay on top when the inevitable competition knocks on your door."

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