Distributoni: a vital link in the haldwood chain

HE MIDDLEMAN or link between the lumber vard. the home center and the hardu,ood irdustry mill is a simplified description of the job performed by the members of the Hardu,ood Distributor's Association.

The 70 members of the HDA in the United Sates and Canada take possession of hardu,ood frrom the sawmills, store it in a distribution warehouse or yard, establish its quality and then distribute it to their customers in quantities as large or small as buyers need. Distributon'ability to respond promptly to any size order, taking responsibility for the quality of the hardwood, benefits the customer who is sometimes unfamiliar with the intricacies of ally and grade. By utilizing a distributor, a lumber yard, home center or other

Story at a Glance

HDA comprised of hardwood distributors...problems such as f inancial issues, operational prcblems arc addessed...newslettet annual convention link members throughout U.S. and Canada.

hardu,ood user can nnintain less imentory and have less morry tied up in uood. The mill ovner. tm. beneFlts frorn sales to a distributor. By selling large amouns of wood to one person who is a "good pay." he can cut his billing and collections.

Members of the Hardwood Distributor's Association deal primarily in hardwood although some handle plywood. MDF. particlorood and softuoods. Sorne also operate dry kilns and offer hardu,ood related services.

Most disnibuton deal with a nriety of hardu,oods. both dornestic and imported. Some specialize in the exotic woods. In addition to stocking a number of species, they inventory a variety ofthicknesses to meet the specialized needs of customers such as cabinet makers, custom furniture companies and manufacturers of musical instruments.

Orn Gudmundson, president of Northland Corp., LaGrange, Ky., association president, estimates that members of the association sell in excess of 400 million board feet of hardwood each year. Another source familiar with hardwood distribution estimates that distribution yards sell well over a billion feet of hardwood lumber a year, accounting for about 2O% of all hardwood lumber produced, about $500 million.

The association is based on the common interest of hardwood and represents its members in problems unique to the product. The group is diversified in interests with members representing small companies doing less than $l million a year in business as well as the chains with numerous warehouses.

Membership in the group is open to any distributor. Applications for joining are available from the secretary/treasurer who also acts as membership chairman, Arthur Poletz, Schaller Hardwoods, Foplar Bluff. Mo. There is no association office or executive director. Members handle the operation ofthe organization.

Dealing with problems is a major function. Research into the use of net tally as opposed to green mill tally is an ongoing project. The organization also deals with legislation as necessary although it no longer retains a lobbyist. Financial issues are a function as are operational problems. The resources of the association are used each year to have a CPA compile a privileged financial report of the industry.

The association produces a newsletter sent out to members. An annual convention is held each year in conjunction with the National Hardwood Lumber Association. The Hardwood Distributor's Association meeting is held the weekend prior to the NHLA meeting in the same location to facilitate cost and travel for those attending both meetings. Most members belong to both associations as well as one or several wholesale hardwood groups.

Seven trade association are involved. They include the National Dimension Manufacturers Association, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Association, Fine Hardwoods/American Walnut Association, Hardwood Manufacturers Association, Hardwood Plywood Manufacturers Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association and the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association.

Southern Hardwood Video

Hardwood is the subject ofan educational video commissioned by the Roy O. Martin Lumber Co., Inc., Alexandria. La. Included in the professionally scripted and filmed production is the operation of their two-year-old double band sawmill in Lemoyne, La., which features the latest computerized technical and engineering features.

Audrey Osborn, sales manager, (800) 342:7217 may be contacted for a free copy ofthe video.

Scotty's Millionth Door

Scotty's millwork facility, Winter Haven, Fl., recently produced its one millionth door. The plant also manufactures vanity cabinets and rooftrusses.

Within 3 minutes, one operator can trim an entire packageof hardwood or softwoodlumber,to length.

Imagine!

Currently utilized to: r Precision End Trim r Double End Trim r Pencil Trim o Convert Discounted Lensths into Prime Movers

Crosscut - Efficiently. lnixpensively and Precisely r Manufacture: Pallet Stock, Fencinq, Trusses. Ties. Bedframes. Shelving and Stickers-

Equipment operating, or scheduled for operation, in:

United States: Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, California.

Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec.

For o detailed information

Sam Rashid

Dach. contoct:

Manufactured under license from Stihl, W Germany, by:

D-5374 Hellenthal, Blumenthal

Postfach 26

West Germany Q4821 820 TLX: 833668 HOLI D+

Obituaries

Minor Crenshaw, sales manager for Leaf River Forest Products Inc., New Augusta, Ms., died Aug. 16, 1986, in Hattiesburg, Ms., after a lengthy illness. He was 61.

A past president of the Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association and former employee of the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau and Southern Forest Products Association, he was a member of the SFPA marketing committee at the time of his death.

Mr. Crenshaw is survived by his widow. Katherine, two daughters, two brothers. and one sister.

News Briefs

(Corttinuctl 1rcm Jtagc 16)

Morrison Services,lnc. , Shelby, N.C., has merged with Elliott Technologies as a wholly-owned subsidiary...

Custom Building Products is building a new facility near Atlanta, Ga. ...Briggs West Plumbingware, Colton, Ca., is now the western operating unit of Briggs Plumbingware, 1nc., Thmpa, Fl. VT Industies, Bryan and Houston, Tk., is celebrating its 30th anniversary ...Campbell Hausfeld is 150 years old this year...

Nuway Distibrzrors observed its l0 years in Atlanta, Ga., with "Dealer Appreciation Night" for over 300...

Paul L. Harang, owner of Brazoria Lumber Yard. Brazoria, Tx.. died Sept. l. 1986. in Bay City. Tx. He was 52.

A lifetime resident of Brazoria. he served as a director of the Lumbermen's Association of To<as, past president of the Bay City Lumbermen's Association. former mayor of Brazoria. and on the city council for l8 years.

Mr. Harang is survived by his widow. Benita. mother. a brother. son. daushter. and two grandchildren.

Monroe H. lbigt, senior vice president ofSteves & Sons. San Antonio. Tx.. died Aug. 28. 1986. in that city. He was 66.

A native of Texas. Mr. Voiet was an employee and officer in the Ste*ves Companies for 39 years.

He is survived by his widorv. [.ouise. a daughter and two grandsons.

Coington bunber Co., Corrington, Tn., is operating from a trailer follorving a $l million fire on June 10... Scor6"s has relocated employees of its lOth St. store in Ocala. Fl.. to other stores in the chain following a fire in late June; a replacement store will be opened later this year...

Scotty's Inc., with sales of $453,444,000, ranked l8th in Florida's top 50 companies, rising from 2lst place in 1985. ..Strunk htmber, Key West, Fl., was a sponsor for the city's summer art program...

The Interior Insulating Window Insfiarc and the 50 year oldAmerican Archit e ctural Manufacture rc As sociationhave merged...

Total hardtyood erpons during the first half of 1986 were valued atSn4 natrick "Tfun" McClelland, manager of Wickes Lumber Co., Goldsboro, NC., died in a car accident near Kinston, NC., on Aug. 4. 1986. He was 28. million. ..BiWood Flooring has contributed $5,000 tothe National llbod Fl oo ri n g As soci at i on's educational program...

He rryas transferred to Goldsboro from Albany. Ga.. two years ago. His wife and two others also died in the three car collision.

Mr. McClelland is survived by a brother. a son. and a daughter.

Russell hocler, former president and chairman ofthe board ofBelknap Inc.. Louisville, Ky., died Aug. 26, 1986. He was 83.

Born in Auburn, Ky., Mr. Procter joined Belknap Bluegrass Hardware Co. in 1925 as an order clerk. He was named president in 1955 and chairman in lt)69.

Mr. Procter is survived by one daughter. two sisters, and four grandchildren.

National Seat andthe Four Oaks Seat Dit. of Moldex International, /nc. , Four Oals, NC., hare merged... Williams Hand Tool,Inc. , Norcross, Ga.. has sold its WlcanTool Subsidiaryto Dearby'Corp, Chicago, Il, for an undisclosed amount...

HARDVT'OOD FLOORING

(Continued from page 10) established grades and regulations. The NOFMA trademark on the back of each flooring strip is an assurance to the retailer, contractor or builder, and building orvner that quality flooring has been used in its construction.

To aid retailers in their promotion of hardwood floors the NOFMA has several publications of interest to consumers, including the do'it-yourself customer, and builders and other professionals. They include: "Hardwood Floors are for Real and for a Lifetime" and a condensed version of this 8-page color brochure designed as an envelope enclosure. "Hardurcod Floors for'lbday and Tomorrow;" "The Wood Floor Care Guide," which has been extremely popular with homeownen; "The Hardwood Flooring Installation Manual" and the "Hardu,ood Flooring Finishing/Refinishing Manual," both eight pages with detailed instructions; "Hardwood Floors, Walls and Ceilings," a 4-page color folder with grade descriptions and photographs, installation and finishing specifications and other technical data.

Sample copies and a price list with quantity discounts are awilable by writing the National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association, 804 Sterick Bldg., 8 N. Third St., Memphis, Tn. 38103.