TOPICS

president of MLA for 1985-85, was recently in Oklahoma City to attend the Oklahoma Lumbermen's Annual Convention and Building Products Exposition. Trumbull will also attend the 1985 Arkansas Lumberfest October 25-26in Little Rock. Trumbull said interest in this year's event \,\'as at an all time high because of the great line-up of programs and activities arranged by the planning committee chaired by Ben and Evalena Mayo, Mayo Building Supply, lnc., Bentonville, Ar.

Art Linkletteq television and radio star for more than 30 years and author of "Kids Say the Darndest Things," will speak at the breakfast session on Oct. 26. Mike McClelland, vice president of sales and marketing for Hardware Wholesalers, lnc., will present information on how dealers can effectively compete against the larger chain operators.

The 1984-85 chairman of the Arkansas state committee of the Mid-America Lumbermens Association Jim Hayes, and his wife, Carole, have announced that Saturday has been declared "Razorback Day." The association has arranged for buses and tickets for the Arkansas-Houston football game in Liltle Rock that afternoon. A victory party is planned for the evening.

I NEVITABLY, when a worker's comI penstion rate change occurs, there is some confusion. With four rate changes in the past 18 months in Texas, it is easy to understand that a geat deal of confusion has resulted.

For example: in May, 1984, a change was effected which netted a large decrease in rates. The lumber yard rate went from $6.66 to $4.!X. However. new statistics showed that this premium decrease was too great, and a change was implemented effective October I, 1984. This overall increase of 290 applied to existing policies as well as new and renewal policies. The yard rate was increased from $4.1)6 to $5.07. However, on existing policies, this change is applied as a flat percentage at audit. Therefore, the audits for the policies expiring in September, 1985, will use the $4.1)6 rate, but also show a perccntage surcharge for the rate change.

Another change occurred effective January I, 1985. However, this change ap plied to new and renewal policies only. No adjustment to existing policies was necessary. The overall change was an increase of 8.690. However, the perccntage varied by class. Lumber yard (823a) increased from $5.07 to 55.29, a 4.390 increase.

The final rate change occurred August

October 1985

I, 1985. It applies only to new and renewable policies. The explanation for the change given by the State Board of lnsurance was that updated payroll factors rvere applied which indicated an rncrease was necessary. The lumber yard rate went irom $5.29 to $5.66.

Texas Employment Commissioner

Mary Scott Nabers and William Grossenbacher will conduct a series of seminars in the next few months to help "Texas employers cut the costs of doing business in Texas." Held from 8 a.m. to ll:30 a.m. the meetings for the remainder of October, November and December are as follows: El Paso, Marriott, Oct. l7; Midland,/ Odessa, Holiday Inn Country Villa, Oct. 18; Fort Worth, Hilton Hotel, Oct. 3l; Dallas, Regent Hotel, Nov. 7; Sherman, Sheraton Hotel, Nov. 8; wichita Falls, Hilton, Nov. 2l; Texarkana, Howard Johnson, Nov. 22; Laredo, La Posada Hotel, Dec. 5, and San Antonio, Marriott North, Dec. 6.

A seminar by Carl Dill on "How To Create Effective Marketing and Advertising Without lncreasing Costs" is scheduled for Oct. l7 at the LAT building in Austin. A retail lumber seminar will be presented in cooperation with the Western Wood Products Association in Dallas on Oct. 15. The half-day session will be held twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The site will be announced.

Home Center

(ContinLted Jront page )0)

fhg_$gn Oi The Times

As a group, home centers and building material dealers are now doing a much more professional job of visual merchandising and signing than in previous years. Stores with high profile gondolas and racks are taking a lead from the supermarket industry and featuring big, bold price signing at the end caps. Rounding out prices to even dollars instead of the typical ninetynine cent endings allow for the bigger eyecatching type styles. Bulk merchandising (hardware, tools, electrical, etc.) in addition to the same items on carded peg hooks is increasing the store's volume.

Power aisles with wanted basic and seasonal products are being merchandised for impulse shopping and fast turn-over. Wooden crates and barrels have made attractive dump displays.

Future Dates

Check our Calendar on page 18 for information on upcoming conventions, meetings and trade shows rn your region.