Dealers demand quality in hardwood

Co., Memphis, Tn. "Is this important to you?" our editors asked dealers.

Most agreed that they prefened the supplier or his representative to visit their operation. They welcome personal attention and feel it helps the supplier to meet their needs.

Most dealers buy from manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors, selecting.the supplier according to the immediate need.

SitoryataGIatre

Criteria for selecting hardwood supplier quality outranks price . on-time delivery, secure packaging important...NHLAmembers preferred.

One dealer commented that it was easier to deal with a small, family company, adding "they usually have quality products."Another noted large distribution yards have the advantage of more products.

"I look for NHLA members. They go by the rules, know what you want and give it to you. The lowest price is not always the best."

"For special needs I go with the menu and call a company that can routinely fill them rather than someone who can't."

Questions about shipping got strong rcactions from dealers.

"On-time is very important."

"Packages that blow-up and come apart in piggyback containers are my

(Please turn ro page 36)

Home Depot has formed a southeast division based in the Tampa, Fl., regional office, with Bruce Berg as president.

Berg, who was promoted from senior vice president-merchlndising for the southern region, heads a staff including vice presidents-operations Lynn Martineau, Tampa, and Larry Bucksbarg, Atlanta; vice presidentsmerchandising Bryant Scott, Tampa, and Jesse Behnke, Atlanta. Martineau moves from Atlanta; Scott from western division, Fullerton, Ca., and

MCI Adds 3 Forest Groups

The Hardwood Forest Foundation, Temperate Forest Foundation and Evergreen Foundation have signed an agreement with MCI Telecommunications Corp. that will allow their members to donate 2% of then monthly long distance telephone charges to the environmental programs of the three foundations.

"We are pleased that MCI wants to do business with three foundations that support the principles of forestry as a science and people as an essential element of the environmental equation." said Hardwood Forest Foundation executive vice president Emest J. Stebbins, who also has the same title at the National Hardwood Lumber Association.

The Hardwood Forest Foundation, Memphis, Tn., publishes information for both professionals and the public, and awards grants and scholanhips to individuals and institutions that further hardwood forestry research and education.The Evergreen Foundation, Roseburg, Or., publishes Evergreen magazine, which addresses environ-

Bucksbarg from regional manager in l.ouisiam and Alabama.

Specific stor€ assignments for the rpw division's operations and merchandising vice presidents will be determined. The division expects to have rpproximately 89 storcs by the end of the year.

A northeast division based in Plainfield, N.J., also was fonned. hesident and c.o.o. Arthur M. Blank explained that the move was prompted by the success of the western division which watl crcated in December 1990.

Thc U.S. Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports and U.S. trade officials are protcsting thc move by Canada, but no official action has aken placc.

Increased lumber prices could not be dircctly linlad to the announcement. Futures were selling well, but with the construction season ending no big buys were being made. Lorenzo Merrill, forest products analyst for Lehman Brothers, expects that by late fall lumber will be trading at the $150$160 range.

Natlonal Show Goes South

mental issues in the old growth forest region of the Pacific Northwest. The Temperate Forest Foundation, Portland, Or., conducts research and films documentaries on the interactions between people and the environment in sustainable ecosystems.

Canada Drops Softwood Tax

As of Oct. 4, Canada stopped collecting its self-imposed tax on softwood lumberexports to the U.S.

Put into effect in Dec. 1986, the ax followed U.S. threats to impose a countervailing duty as a result of investigations finding timber supplied to Canadian mills was in effect being subsidized, giving them an unfair advantage over U.S. mills.

Mike Apsey, president of the Council of Forest Industries of British Columbia, said that since the agrcement was signed, "timber costs and other charges have increased dramatically for our producers." Canada's share of the U.S. lumber market has dropped from a hrghof 33Vo in 1985 to26Vo.

Dates through 1997 including Dallas, Tx., and Atlanta, Ga., venues have been announced by the National Home Center Show.

"Expansion at both the Dallas Convention Center and the Georgia World Congress Center enables us to once again rotate the show," said John Berry, vice p'resident and director. The show has been in Chicago, Il., for the last six years. Prior shows alternated between Dallas, Atlanta, New Orleans, [:., and Chicago.

Chicago's McCormick Place will host March 8-10,1992 and March 2l23, 1993 shows with March 6-8,'94 and March 12-14,'95 set for Dallas and March 17-19,'96 and March 2-4, '97, Atlanta.

Enviro Groups Suffering

Revenues have fallen by as much as 50% for many of the country's leading environmental groups, including Conservation International, Greenpeace U.S.A., the Sierra Club, the wildlife Federation and the Wilderness Society, reports Outside Magazine.