uflng re

Ston Plrnnlng Swlco

Thc Nrtiond Lunbcr & Bulldlng Mrtcrlal Dealcr Arsocisdon hu inr,oduccd a ncw Storr rnd Yrrd Dcvclopncnt Prognn ihncd at hclplng inda' pcndcnt lumb6 dealcrr bccomc norcconpctidvc.

Scrvicer rengc fum dcrigning rack systems for rero-fit ap plications to providing comprchensive sie andysis, fcasibility studies and dcsigning complete material handling systcms for new yard opcrations.

S:toruataGlane

RefixtuTing begins with an image .types of displays and racks now available how to position and select the proper fixtures.

act specifications. A few even offer Computer Aided Design services to help dealers lay out their new displays. Many home improvement product manufacturers also offer product specific displays which increasingly are emphasizing maximum product displayed in a minimum amount of squarc footage. Displays are often eyecatching, portable and able to act as an extra salesman, with informative headers, samples and "take home" litelarure.

Drawbacks for these include devoting too much space to a product and the disjointed look that may result from too many one-of-a-kind displays.

Refixturing a store begins with determining the store's image. Will you present the naditional "gondola store" or a "stock them high to watch them buy" home center? With the success of some of the giants, many stores are scrambling to tie into the home center image. But it's more than stocking everything on self service racks. You must be able to turn a profit on high volume and low margins, and you'll need an ample square footage, high roof facility to accommodate this.

National rack and fixture companies have signed on to plovide a full range of products. "Whe0rer it be racking for sheet goods, pallet storage of roofing, cement and insulation, cantilever racks for lumber storage, rack supported buildings or storc fixturcs to attractively display shelf goods, we will provide it all," said Gary Donnelly, NLBMDA executive vice prcsident.

Gary D. Storbakken, a 25year veteran of marketing, advertising and storc planning in the building material industry, will direct the new program, based out of Michigan Lumber & Building Materials Association headquarters in Lansing.

long. You want to create an easy flow layout to get people through the store and even into the comers quickly.

Aisle sizes can be determined by considering what is to be stocked. Will it be hand-carried to the checkout or toted in a shopping cart? Do you need forklift access?

Racking and fixture companies are constantly introducing entirely new systems and variations on industry standards such as cantilever racks, pallet racks, cantilever rack buildings, door frames, A frames, half-A-frames, bins and specialty racks, some custom designed and accessorized to your ex-

To position the fixtures, look at an overhead view plan of the facility. Where are the structural members? Where are the roll up and entry doors? Make an intersection of lines across doors and between members to create natural traffic patterns. This allows you to identify where the racks do not be-

In actually selecting the best types of fixtures, one fixture representative recommends research, "There's a wealth of information out there." he says. "First ask your affiliated co-op." The majors all have helpful suggestions and sources for fixtures. Next. visit other stores both similar in size and location and different in size and location.

Finally, contact the fixture companies themselves. "We are constantly calling on dealers so we run into everything," he adds. "We have a lot of information available just for the asking. All you need is the initial idea."