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Ir HOSE of You who haven't been I able to participate in any of our west coast tours. now have a chance to do so, Sept. 22 through Sept. 28! The scenery in the Pacific Northwest promises to be breathtaking (especially to a group of lumber dealers!). As always, the tour will offer a blend of business related tours of lumber operations in conjunction with the pleasure of seeing some of the most picturesque scenery in the country.

The tour begins on Sunday, Sept. 22, in Portland, with a get-acquainted/ orientation reception. The first day on the road will find us touring the Stimson Lumber Co. and Willamette Industries mills in the Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene.

Tuesday will be highlighted by a stop at Pope & Talbot, Inc.; a trip to the top of the Cascade Mountain Range; and a visit to Gilchrist Lumber Co. The Gilchrist operation is located in a genuine company town, Gilchrist. The company still owns virtually everything (houses, store, etc.). We will also visit the High Desert Museum.

On Wednesday, we will stop at Dan Forest Products Co. to see their fully computerized small-log mill and visit the Ochoco Lumber Co. in Prineville. That afternoon, we will travel up 6,000 feet to the beautiful Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood to spend the night. The lodge was built in the 1930 s by the Civilian Conservation Corp. (C.C.C.) and utilized heavy timber construction, including complete trees!

Thursday finds us heading for Hanel Lumber Co. located in Hood River, which borders on the beautiful Columbia River. That afternoon, we will visit Broughton Lumber Co., a firm still utilizing 1920 technology to produce quality lumber. On the way to Portland that afternoon, we'll travel along the scenic Columbia River Gorge, stopping at the Bonneville Dam and Fish Ladder. Thousands of adult salmon migrate through this facility every year to reach the small stream they consider home.

Friday's stops include a visit to the Western Forestry Center and North Pacific Lumber Co. (a lumber wholesaler).

Since no trip to the Northwest would be complete without a visit to the Mt. St. Helens area, we have made special arrangements to visit and observe the devastation area along the Toutle River and spend some time at the Mt. St. Helens observation area (which is the closest area open to the public). On Saturday a tour guide will point out the highlights along the way and for those who are really daring, helicopter trips into the volcano crater are available. The Mt. St. Helens tour is optional for those who wish to stay over an extra night.

Sound great?? It will be! Call us now, because space is limited.

Future Dales

Check our Calendar on Page 18 for information on upcom' ing conventions, meetings and trade shows in your region.

DRIVE THRU TWO THTcKwESSES OF HARDBOARD WITHOUT BEND'NG!

Hand Tool Users Want Quality

Research among dedicated do-ityourselfers shows that users of nonpowered hand tools want durability, a life-time warranty, precision performance and quality, made - in - U.S.A. materials and workmanship.

In addition, according to a survey conducted by the SK Hand Tool Corp., hand tool users are willing to pay more for these product benefits. "The more serious the tool users, and the more demanding and sophisticated use he or she makes of the tools. the greater the interest in premium tools," Thomas M. Corcoran, SK chairman, reports. "In fact, frequent users of hand tools report that they buy the most expensive brands."

With the development of the do-ityourself market, the home center has

Hardware Convention Program

Leaders in and out of the hardware industry will headline rhe 1985 National Hardware Convention Oct. ?-U23 in San Francisco.

Co-sponsored by the American Hardware Manufacturers Association and the National Wholesale Hardware Association, it is the annual fall gathering of the nation's leading hardware manufacturers and wholesale distributors.

become a major source for hand tools. For the combined professional and home craftsman markets, total hand tool sales have reached the $1.5 billion mark with the home centers claiming a large share. Projections for the rest of the '80s show that the total will continue to grow at a rate of l2slo p€r annum.

The premium market, according to Corcoran, is the $5CX) million annually expended by the professional mechanic and the dedicated do-it-yourselfer. Another $2O0 million is spent by other consumers with industrial buyers spending an additional $20 million.

To stimulate continued grofih, manufacturers are improving their prducts, packaging and marketing programs. Their efforts are expected to have a positive effect on home center sales of hand tools.

make up for the loss, they explain. At a 2u/o net profit, the loss requires $25,m in gross sales to break even.

Maze Stormguard Hardboard Siding

NAILS are specially designed for the job: strong high carbon steel shanks to eliminate bending small and well formed heads set flush without puckering the siding surface Stormguard protected: Double hot-dipped zinc-coated for maximum rust and corrosion resistance. Available with plain or Screw-Down shanks for extra holding power.

This year's program features J. Peter Grace, chairman of the board of W.R. Grace & Co.; Thomas J. Peters, author of "ln Search of Excellence;" Maureen Reagan, daughter of the president and special consultant to the Republican National Committee Chairman; Bruce Merrifield. president of Merrifield Consulting Group; and economist Dr. Barry Asmus.

"The major speakers portion of our convention program should prove both provocative and educational for all delegates," said William P. Farrell, exec. dir. of the AHMA.

True Cost Of 5500 Stolen

Very few retailers consider security as a profit making expense, but according to the experts at Pinkerton's, Inc., they should.

They point out that when an effective security system prevents such losses, the gain drops immediately to the bottom line. In addition to providing protection against both internal and external stealing, a security staff can detect malfunctioning equipment, safety and fire ha'ards. This can help keep insurance and compensation claims down.

Viewing overhead expense as a real profit center can be worthwhile.

Lots ol Paneling For R & R

About l69o of the total production of panel products was used in the home repair and remodeling market last year. The 3.6 billion sq. ft. used is expected to be surpassed this year.

Oak Floodng Takos A Vacatlon

Oak flooring will be showcased in a vacation cabin to be featured in the September issue of Fomily Circle.

No. 2 common oak strip flooring is used in every room of the 8(X) sq. ft. vacation home with easy maintenance and a warm appearance stressed.

The Oak Flooring Institute sup plied 700 sq. ft. of material for the project. Dept. 43, Peru, ll.61354

If $500 worth of merchandise is stolen, you must earn an additional $8333 in sales (at a 690 profit) to