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Craig Forbes, ex-New South, has joined Weyerhauser's Central Sales South divisions in Hot Springs Ar., as lumber sales mgr.

Shawn Enoch is now director of sales and marketing at Cedar Siding Inc., Rochelle, Il.

Thomas Glauber. ex-ElmsfordInterstate, is now handling operations and sales for Sherwood Lumber's new DC in Maybrook, N.Y.

Missy Hartley has joined 84 Lumber Co., Eighty Four, Pa., as a commodity buyer. Ray Yecko is a new designer, and Jordan Adkins an inventory mgr. New mgr. trainees include Rodney Newhouse in Elkview, W.V.; Jeremy Bowman, Mount Pleasant, Pa., and Eric Pillsbury, Wrightstown, Wi.

E.J. Oreske is the new sales mgr. at Franklin Timber, Bude, Ms.

John Fairbanks, Ormond Beach, Fl., has joined BonaKemi USA, as regional contractor mgr. for the Southeast.

Paul Beattie, ex-Williams Brothers, has joined Wheeler's Building Materials, Rome, Ga., as director of sales and operations in metro Atlanta. Mark Ingersol, ex-84 Lumber. has been hired as Wheeler's first divisional manager, overseeing sales and operations in the Carolinas.

Matt Ramos has been named store mgr. of McCoy's Building Supply, El Campo, Tx.

Mark Chenoweth has joined Manufacturers Reserve Supply (MRS), Irvington, N.J., as sales mgr.

James Smith has been promoted to president of the building products division of National Industrial Lumber Co., Heath, Oh.

Thomas Chieffe, ex-Kraftmaid Cabinetry, has been appointed president and c.e.o. of Associated Materials Inc., Cuyahoga Falls, Oh.

Rob Cohen has been promoted to president and c.e.o. of Armstrong Cabinet Products, Lancaster, Pa.

Sandy D. McDade has been promoted to senior v.p. and general counsel of Weyerhaeuser Co. Craig D. Neeser has assumed expanded responsibilities as senior v.p.-international and industrial wood products. Miles P. Drake, ex-Air Products and Chemicals Inc., is now chief technology officer and senior v.p.-research and development. Kim Williams has joined the board of directors, replacing Robert J. Herbold, who retired from the board earlier this year.

Barbara Tamkin has joined Hickory Hardware, Portland, Tn., as human resources director. Matt Southards is now digital asset mgr., and Robert Shirley program mgr.

Tomas Hernandez, Bonsal American, Charlotte, N.C., was promoted to area sales mgr. for Bonsal branded tile and stone installation products in south Florida. Dennis Bowman is now director of engineering.

Paula Erickson has been promoted to the newly created position of director of advertising and brand development at Ace Hardware Corp., Oak Brook,Il.

Robert '(Rob" Scobie has joined Hyde Tools, Southbridge, Ma., as v.p.-sales & marketing.

Melanie Vergas has been named marketing analyst for Progress Lighting, Spartanburg, S.C., replacing Roger Geyer, who has retired after 47 years. Paige Malouche is now director of marketing services: Kent Welke, marketing services specialist; Ryan Clark, senior graphics designer; Craig Wright, product mgr.-recessed and linear fluorescent products, and Chris Primous, product mgr.-track, undercabinet, wall sconces, landscape, bath fans, controls, commercial outdoor, and LED products.

Fernando R. De La Cruz has joined Briggs Industries, Charleston, S.C., as product marketing mgr.-vitreous china and steel products. Victor E. Post is v.p.-business development, and Bart Hamilton. ex-Kohler. national commercial accounts mgr.

Edward Schlesinger has been promoted to v.p. and general auditor at American Standard, Piscataway, N.J. Dale Eltiott, ex-Snap-on Tools, is now president of the global bath and kitchen business. Donald Devine, ex-Kimble Glass, president of business in the Americas, and Richard Ward, president of bath and kitchen-Asia.

Randy Iles, ex-Kimball International, has joined Silver Line Building Products Corp., North Brunswick, N.J., as executive v.p.

John Cate, ex-Omron Electronics, is now director of marketing at Klein Tools, Lincolnshire, Il.

Kent Guichard has been promoted to president and chief operating officer at American Woodmark Corp., Winchester, Va. Jake Gosa continues as chairman and c.e.o.

Roy Jones, Fayetteville PRO Lumber & Supply, Fayetteville, Ar., won the 2006 Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award and been named retailer of the year for Wallace Hardware Co.

Jason O'Hara, project mgr., Heritage Millwork Corp., Perth Amboy, N.J., was also promoted to head coach of the wrestling team at Maritime College, Throggs Neck, N.Y.

Dr. Arthur Peddick Shue is helping millworkers deal with foot pain at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., report owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

OSHA Fines Suwannee

Gregory Scott Johnson, 30, was killed Aug. 26 while completing maintenance or repair work on sawmill machinery at Suwannee Lumber Co., Suwannee, Ga.

The death is being investigated by OSHA and the Suwannee County sheriff's office, which said foul play was not suspected in Johnson's death. "He was pinned there for an undetermined amount of time," said deputy Mark Garcia. "He was last seen 15 minutes or so prior to when the other workers realized he was caught in the machinery."

The sawmill portion of the plant was shut down indefinitely following the accident, which was the first for Suwannee Lumber in nearly 20 years. According to the Department of Labor, 277 American workers were caught in or compressed by equipment or objects in the workplace last year.

A Counter Offer

(Continued from page I 8) their return. Before I could roll them off the sales floor, three customers each bousht one. I left the wheelbar- row where it was. We sold out in three weeks.

The simple lesson: be different. When appropriate, use non-traditional displays. Find a couple of old hardware store "pickle barrels" to hold bulk material. Or, use open stepladders to display hard hats or extension cords. Experiment. Anything new, surprising or out of the ordinary will gain customers' attention and keep your counter from being invisible.

Customer Experience Architecture provides a blueprint for the performance of your entire operation. Constructing an effective customer experience is an ongoing process. but it can give you a competitive edge that is difficult for others to replicate.

Most of your competitors will be slow to adopt this level of service, and will spend the next three years trying to catch up with you. Others won't attempt at all because it's new and unconventional. Some may laugh and call you crazy. Meanwhile, the people that matter, your customers, will be casting their votes for you as the Supplier of Choice.

- Mike Dandridge is founder of High Voltage Performance and author of The One Year Business Turnaround. He can be reached at (254) 624-6299 or via

Universal To Acquire Aljoma

Universal Forest Products, Grand Rapids, Mi., signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire Aljoma Lumber. Inc.. which manufactures pressure treated wood and industrial products that are sold throughout South Florida and the Caribbean.

Headquartered in the Miami suburb of Medley, Fl., Aljoma had sales of approximately $230 million last year. "Aljoma is a solid strategic and geographic fit for Universal," said president and c.e.o. Michael B. Glenn. "We look forward to adding Aljoma's capabilities and success to our company and to offering our growing portfolio of products to the thriving southern Florida and Caribbean markets."

Similar intent was announced by Universal in March 2000, but the deal was cancelled three months later by Aljoma's senior management because of "several business and operational issues that could not be overcome." Founded in 1976, the company has 400 employees at its one facility.

"For years, we've considered Universal a great fit for our company, our customers, and our people," said c.f.o. David Flinn. "We look forward to closing this transaction in the near future and offering the breadth and depth of Universal's products and service to our customers."

Alabama Hardwood Mill Opens

Forest Technologies Holdings LLC plans to process hardwood flooring and decking at a 16,000-sq. ft. plant it will lease near Reform, Al.

The firm, which produces portable sawmills in a B.C. plant, will also assemble portable sawmills and distribute parts for another firm's forestry machinery at the same location.

The hardwood flooring will be made from an exotic South American species logged in Surinam, South America. According to co-owner Lindsay Flett, the trees were covered by a lake when a hydroelectric dam was built 40 years ago.

Divers use air-driven chainsaws to cut the trees under water, said Greg Robart, a consultant to Forest Technologies. "They are actually very proficient and very safety conscious," he said. "We've had no serious accidents and we're very proud of that fact."

Some of the sawmills assembled at the new plant will be sold to small family lumber operations in South America that could sell wood to Forest Technologies. Operations should start up in mid-October.

Fire Strikes Maine Yard

Quick action by an employee saved a storage building at Hammond Lumber, Belgrade, Me., from being burned down Sept. 7.

Robert Jolicoeur was unloading wood shavings in the building when the loader he was operating caught fire. He quickly put the vehicle in reverse and backed out of the building. Then he rushed back and extinguished flames on the floor with his bare hands.

"It was very fortunate he was able to get back out," said Jeffrey Stevens, who works in Hammond's lumberyard and is the town's fire chief.

"To tell you the truth, I didn't think I'd make it out," said Jolicoeur, who also works as a firefighter. "I guess somebody was watching out for me."

Founded in 1953. Hammond is based in Belgrade and has seven locations throughout Maine.

Ainsworth Pulls Back

Ainsworth Lumber Co. has put all proposed projects on hold until the $200 million expansion of its OSB plant in Grande Prairie, Alberta, is completed. The company also permanently closed a production line at its OSB millin Bemidji, Mn.

Built in 1981, the closed line produced 280 million sq. ft. (3/8" basis) annually. The second line, which will continue to operate, produces 300 million sq. ft. (3/8" basis) per year.

"The high costs of production, coupled with current market conditions, made it economically unsustainable to continue operating this line," said Brian Ainsworth, chairman and c.e.o., who added that the "age and condition of this facility make the closure necessary."

Proposals put on hold include two OSB plants in the Quesnel-Prince George area that would process timber killed by the mountain pine beetle, and a proposed OSB plant in Lisbon, N.Y. Also on hold is an engineered wood production plant near Winnipeg.

"As we've indicated previously, nothing new will be initiated until the Grande Prairie project is finished and we see a much improved market outlook, and we assess our financial strength to process with any other project," said executive vice president Michael Ainsworth.

Allied Fined After Fatality

Gallagher's Building Materials, Weymouth, Ma., a subsidiary of Allied Building Products Corp., has been fined $47,000 by OSHA in connection a March 17 forklift accident that killed one employee.

Police said John DiTullio. 42. was struck by the forklift when it lurched forward in a storage area. "He was caught between the load of drywall on a forklift and crushed between the drywall that was on the floor," said OSHA spokesman Ted Fitzgerald.

Allied was cited for two alleged serious violations - $ 12,000 in proposed penalties-and two alleged repeat violations-$35,000 in proposed fines-of safety standards involving the use of forklifts. In March 2005, Allied was cited for similar hazards at its location in Hicksville. N.Y.

OSHA inspectors said the forklift truck's brakes had not been set to prevent its movement, and several employees who operated the vehicle had not been trained to operate the devices safely.

"The OSHA standard governing forklift trucks is specific and stringent," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director. "It requires employees to be effectively trained and equipment to be inspected and kept in proper working order," she said. "Failure to ensure these safeguards leaves employees vulnerable to accidents such as this one."

"There is a l5-day period to contest a finding and request a conference with OSHA to discuss the issue." said attorney Donald Keating. "We are in the initial stages of the appeal process."

Roofing Tiles Made Of Paper

C.J. Schmidt and his wife, Maryke, have spent the last five years developing building materials made from recycled paper.

"This is the next generation of biobased industry," said state Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, who announced that the Schmidts had received a $60,000 state grant for the development of lighter roofing tiles that wouldn't require structural modifications.

A previous $101,000 grant from the state Department of Natural Resources was used for the development of a faux brick panel. They also received a $15,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to help with the protection of intellectual properties. Each grant requires a substantial investment by the Schmidts' company, Bayland LLC.

Georgia-Pacific Corp. has agreed to divert paper waste from landfills to a manufacturer who would make the new products. "In Green Bay alone there are more than 100,000 pounds of suitable waste," said Schmidt, who hopes to have a licensing agreement with a manufacturing firm by the end of the year.

Schmidt admits he isn't the first person trying to convert cellulose fibers into basic building materials. But through trial and error, and with some help from building industry experts, he said, he has overcome two of the biggest problems with paperbased products: water absorption and compression strength.

Introducing the next

generanon oJ aecKmg

CrossTimbers has created a Droduct with a unique combination of oak and polypropylene plastic. This product formula provides a stronger composite lumber than most other competitors products utilizing a combination of wood and polyethylene,

The nontoxic composite used in CrossTimbers is the result of intensive research. It is a new-generation composite product engineered to yield superior strength, longevity and dimensional stabiliw at an affordable Drice.

Unlike "first generation" decking composites, CrossTi mbers contains no rerycled polyethylene products. CrossTimbers consists of a combination of oak and polypropylene, giving it a clear performance advantage when compared to other composite building products currently in the marketplace.