eln otion news

Louisiana Building Material Dealers Association is staging its summer conference Julv 20-23 in Destin, Fl.

Southern Building Material Association has chosen the theme "Profitability Is the Issue" for its summer conference June l5-18 at the Boardwalk Inn/Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms (Charleston), S.C.

The program includes presentations by Bob Gibson on "Managing Your Sales for Greater Profitability" and

Marley Adding Moulding Mill

Marley Mouldings, Marion, Va., will build a new cellular vinyl millwork plant in Bristol, Tn.

A subsidiary of Etex Group of Belgium, Marley currently operates three such plants in Marion and one in Waco, Tx., producing 320 million lineal ft. per year from nearly I million sq. ft. of manufacturing and warehouse space.

With site preparation set for early fall, the new facility's $17.5 million first phase will add 150,000 sq. ft. and 100 employees by fall 2001. Future expansion will create an additional 200,000-250,000 sq. ft., bringing the total investment to $40 million and full employment to 400 by 2005.

In WTGA They Truss

As of mid-April, 33 wood truss manufacturers have become or are in the process of becoming certified in the Wood Truss Council of America's quality control program, according to the WTCA.

The voluntary program, which helps manufacturers manage the quality of trusses they produce, establishes the frequency and criteria by which trusses are checked by the manufacturer for cutting accuracy, assembly and plate replacement and wood quality.

WTCA, which reported that partici pation has doubled since Jan. l, regularly monitors certified companies' data to ensure compliance with program criteria.

golf, oyster roast, board meeting, and tours of Southern Lumber, Charleston, and Berlin G. Myers Lumber, Summerville.

Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association will follow its July 11 Congleton Cup Golf Outing with a summer board meeting July 12 at the Holiday Inn South, Louisville.

KLBMDA members joining the recent National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association legislative conference in Washington, D.C., included: Gerry and Bonnie Boland, Boland-Maloney Lumber Co.; Steve and Rhonda Kelly, Kelly Bros. Lumber Co.; Ronnie and Lenora Goode, Cole Lumber Co.; Ralph Jones and daughter Joy, Jones Do it Center; Gerald and Norma Scott, Fugate Lumber Co.; Pat and Louise Bieschke, Palumbo Lumber Co.; Wesley and Kitty Mccoun, Lawrenceburg Supply Co., and Paul and Twyla Gabbard and their children, Malone Lumber Do it Center.

Florida Building Material Association is holding its summer conference June 15-17 at the Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo.

Kentucky Forest Industries Association returns the KentuckY Wood Expo to London, Ky., Sept. 1516 at the Laurel County Fairgrounds. Daily activities include invitational lumberjack competitions, skidder and knuckleboom contests, equipment demonstrations, log rolling, pole climbing, and educational programs.

International Paper's Chase Comes To End

After a tense bidding war, their consent shortly. International Paper Co. successfully To help improve its bottom line, outbid Finland's UPM-Kymmene International Paper, which assumed Corp. to acquire Champion $2.3 billion of Champion's debt, will International Corp. for $7.3 billion, or most likely sell over $3 billion in $75 a share in cash and stock. assets within the next l8 months,

The world's largest paper firm is including timberland in Texas and "in a hurry" to improve its financial Washington, according to industry status, said John T. Dillon, chairman analysts. and ceo, who no doubt was pleased lnternational Paper owns and manthat the Justice Department swiftly ages 5 million acres of U.S. timberapproved the merger. Canada and land and annually produces 4.79 milBrazll are expected to follow with lion tons of paper.

And The Home lmprovement Survey Says...

A survey of 3,000 American home improvement consumers to determine how, when, why and where they shop reported some interesting trends.

"Customer Focus 2000," performed by Customer Contact, Inc., for TC Advertising, revealed:

While Americans of all ages enjoy gardening, younger green thumbers are the ones with the buying power. According to the study, 477o of Baby Boomers (age 36-54) intend to make gardening purchases within the next l2 months, followed by 41Vo of GenXers (age 24-35), but just 217o of Seniors.

Home decorating is also fancied by Gen-Xers (4lVo) and Baby Boomers (38Vo), with nearly one in three GenYers (18-23) also saying thar rhey plan purchases in this segment. Credit the booming economy for their confidence to improve their surroundings.

Not surprisingly, the younger sect doesn't mind rolling up its sleeves and performing home improvements themselves. Of those surveyed, at least 36Vo of Baby Boomers, GenXers, and Gen-Yers said they're d-i-v proud, compared to lSVo of Seniors willing to do the work themselves.

Home improvement spending continues at healthy levels, according to the study, which said that half of all consumers surveyed spent over $500 on home improvement in the last six months. E-commerce purchases are still lagging, however, judging from only one in 10 online shoppers surveyed reported making an Internetbased home improvement purchase within that same time period.

The economy gets another favorable pat on the back for allowing consumers to think about purchasing a new home in the next year, with GenXers and Gen-Yers leading the way (lo7o each), followed by Boomers (9Vo) and Empty Nesters (77o).

Ad inserts were the overwhelming method of influencing consumer's shopping decisions. Fully 827o claim to read the inserts, while 44Vo say they make home improvement purchases from them. What's more,5O7o of those asked said they plan home improvement shopping trips around items they've seen in ad inserts.

EGarden Nets Co-op Trio

E-commerce marketplace egarden.com has signed an agreement with Ace Hardware Corp., Do it Best Corp. and TruServ Corp. to sell lawn and garden products and related accessories to the co-ops' members.

The b-to-b site enables independent vendors to list their products for sale to the 18,000-plus Ace, Do it Best and TruServ member retailers, in addition to offering 24/7 service.

Separately, egarden.com agreed to buy findplants.com.

Annual Hoo-Hoo Shindig

The 108th annual Hoo-Hoo International Convention will be held Sept. 9-13 at the historic Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Tx.

Numerous meetings will be held, as will recreational pursuits such as dancing, golfing and shopping excursions, all within a brief stroll of the legendary Alamo.

The Menger Bar was President Theodore Roosevelt's founding place of the Rough Riders. Roosevelt was given #999 for his Hoo-Hoo number during a 1905 concat in Fort Worth.

Southern Pine's New Brand

The Southern Pine Council has launched a new slogan, "Southern Pine By Design," as part of a firstever brand identity program for southern pine lumber.

The slogan can be used in promotional materials to help establish brand name recognition for one of the nation's oldest and most respected lumber species.

Depot Racial Bias Probe

Home Depot will allow the Michigan Deparrment of Civil Rights to monitor employment practices in its Detroit area stores for two years.

The agreement placed on hold the state's probe into complaints about alleged racial bias.

In January, the department requested information from Home Depot about its personnel practices after a dozen former and current employees in a Southfield, Mi., store claimed the chain discriminated against AfricanAmericans.

Great Southern Buys Treater

Great Southern Wood Preserving Inc.. Abbeville. Al.. is now operating six pressure treating plants with its purchase of Memphis Wood Preserving, Horn Lake, Ms.

Originally built in 1986 and upgraded in 1996, the plant is located on 11 acres, includes a 10,000-sq. ft. warehouse, employs 10 people and annually produces 75 million bd. ft. of lumber using a 1'x72' treating cylinder.

Great Southern also has begun construction of a seventh plant, in Columbus. Tx.. set to come on line during the first quarter of 2001. The 40-acre facility-with an additional 20 acres available for the future-will have 160,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space and an annual treating capacity of 200 million bd. ft.

Gameron Ashley OKs Buyout

Cameron Ashley Building Products Inc., Dallas, Tx., has accepted Guardian Industries' offer to buy all outstanding shares for $18.35 per share in a cash deal valued at about $159.6 million.

As part of the merger pact, Guardian began a tender offer to buy all of Cameron Ashley's 8.7 million outstanding shares.

Cameron Ashley earlier entered into an amended merger pact allowing the company's senior management and two investment groups to buy all the outstanding shares at a $18.25 per share in cash. Soon after, Guardian sweetened its takeover bid to $18.50 a share, but the investment grouP declined to up its offer again and its earlier agreement was terminated.

Ace Debuts New Magazine

Ace Hardware has launched a new, free magazine for its preferred customers.

Ace homeplace features articles on d-i-y projects, plus tips and ideas. NFL announcer and Ace spokesman John Madden also will regularly pen a column.

Ace retailers who do not offer the Helpful Hardware Club reportedly may sell individual issues or offer free copies at checkout areas.

Go-op Gives Away The Web

Do it Best Corp. has launched a new program to provide free Internet service to retail members and their customers.

The program, in partnership with service provider freelnternet.com, offers members' customers free dialup access, free Web browser software and free e-mail. Retailers can order CD-Roms containing the software from their retail service center at minimal cost and distribute them free to their customers. For customers who already have Web access, the software can be downloaded from doitbest.com or from any member's Web site.

A small ad banner is displayed online. The ad cannot be eliminated, but it can be moved around the screen.

"Estimates are that members could save their customers an average of $200 per year in Internet fees. That means if 2,000 members each gave away 200 CD-Roms, we could potentially be saving our customers $80 million a year," said Larry Pensinger, director of e-commerce.

In addition to the free Internet service, member retailers are issuing promotional offers to customers for their first electronic order. Individual retailers decide what discount they'll offer, such as free shipping or 25Vo off the total.

(Domestic Division/Intemational Sales)

Softwoods & Hardwood Products, Millwork (Hardware Division)

Plumbing, Hardware, Electrical & Other Buildine Materials

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From warehouses in Miami, Fl.. and Birmingham, Al., we distribute softwoods and hardwoods, including Southern Yellow Pine Lumber, Plyvood, 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.

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Bob Dole, former Senate Majority Leader, will serve as strategic consultant to EqualFooting.com, Dulles, Va.

Tim Powell has been named general mgr. of Weyerhaeuser's Nashville, Tn., building materials customer service center. Tor Driflot has transferred from the Oklahoma City, Ok., CSC to become general mgr. of the Cincinnati, Oh., CSC.

Kirk Hammond, ex-WalkerWilliams Lumber Co., has been named v.p. of sales and marketing for Columbus Lumber Co., Brookhaven, Ms.

Eddie Kropp has been promoted to director of e-commerce for Carolina Holdings, Raleigh, N.C.

Kevin O'Meara has been appointed senior v.p.-operations for Builders

FirstSource, Dallas, Tx. Charles Horn has been named senior v.p. and chief financial officer.

Dennis W. Banford, ex-Peachtree Windows and Doors, Inc., is now in charge of the engineering department at Tucker Millworks, Lithonia, Ga.

Ileana Connally has been promoted to v.p.-benefits for Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga. Ramon Gregory is now senior v.p. of customer service operations.

Jim McBlroy, Dan Croft and Nicholas McNutt are new to the flooring plant at Little River Hardwoods, Knoxville, Tn.

Eric Givens has transferred from Cambridge, Md., to become mgr. of 84 Lumber Co., Anderson, S.C. Tam Reynolds and Josh Davis are mgr. trainees. Jeremy Greer has been to promoted to co-mgr. in Mauldin, S.C.; Greg Bracklin and Greg McGuigan are mgr. trainees in Dickson, Tn., and David Dunn, mgr. trainee, Crestwood, Ky.

David Crook is new to sales at Timberland Resources, Greenville, S.C.

Mike Morris has been appointed mgr. of Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, Corbin, Ky.

Michael Rymsha, ex-Grossman's, has been named v.p.-product marketing for ewood.com.

Mike Henley is new to sales at Forest Park Trading, Birmingham, Al.

Darrell Hickey, ex-B&B Sales, has been appointed mgr. of White House Lumber Co., Perryton, Tx., succeeding Brian Biggs, who has left the company.

Richard Kleiner has been promoted to director of industrial markets for Southern Forest Products Association, Kenner, La., succeeding Jim Stann, now with Weyerhaeuser Co. Bric Gee has been promoted to director of state and environmental affairs.

Geary Sharber has been promoted to v.p. of sales and marketing at Diamond Hill Plywood Co., Darlington, S.C., succeeding Dan Russo, who has left the company. Andy Schermer is now branch mgr. in Jacksonville, Fl.

Mike Ketly, ex-Georgia-Pacific, Jessica Brock and Ed Kennedy, both ex-Weyerhaeuser Co., have joined Talpx.

Greg Schutz has been appointed president of the tool group for Vermont American Corp., Louisville, Ky.

Kelley Spence has joined the wood preservation department at Universal Forest Products, Inc.

Gary Davidson, asst. mgr., is starting his 25th year with Anderson Lumber Co., Inc., Alcoa, Tn.

Duane Peterson, v.p. of manufacturing, Champion International Corp., was elected chairman of APA-The Engineered Wood Association, Tacoma, Wa., succeeding Alex Aitken, International Paper, who has retired after 12 years, including l7 months as chairman. Howard Meck, v.p. eastern oriented strand board, Weyerhaeuser Co., also retired, after 19 months with APA.

Kevin Hayes has been appointed advertising & publicity mgr.

John D. Roach, chairman, president and ceo, Builders FirstSource, Dallas, Tx., has been elected to the board of NCI Building Systems, Inc., Houston, Tx.

Brantley Burton Felintin, assistant store mgr., Home Depot, Griffin, Ga., wed Tammy Jeanette Corley May 6.

Nancy Fisher, Allison's Home Improvement, Lottsburg, Va., has received a Grow Ace Award for increasing purchases through Ace Hardware by at least lO7o. Other winners: Roy Carter Jr., Mount Dora Ace Hardware, Mount Dora, Fl.; Carol Tullock, Tullock Ace Hardware, Etowah, Tn.; M.D. Buchanan, Buchanan Brothers Ace Hardware, Graham, Tx.; Dal Durden, Swainsboro Supply, Swainsboro, Ga., and John Reynolds, Reynolds Ace Hardware, Foley, A1.

Carrie M. Holm has joined the delivery department at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.