CAROLINAS

A ltrrOUGH business conditions -still are reported as being poor by most, both dealers and suppliers, there seems to be a little more optimism about the future.

Interest rates have started downward. Most economists believe the recession has bottomed out. Also, the Reagan administration seems determined to reduce the federal deficit with his tax reform legislation. The demand for housing is still there and will continue to grow.

In a recent survey conducted by a special committee appointed by North Carolina's Governor James Hunt, respondents reported that the supply and expenses of housing is one of their top concerns. As future growth in the Carolinas looks very promising so does the continued growth of our industry. Don't despair,recovery is coming.

Supply, Inc., Langley; Select Paneling, Muskogee; Velma Lumber & Builders Supply, Velma; Timber Products, Inc., Tulsa; Whitcomb Lumber & Supply, Woodward; and Hughes Lumber Co., Shawnee and Stillwater.

Others are Gordon White Lumber Co. , Pauls Valley; Stigler Lumber & Supply, Stigler; Carnegie Lumber Co., Carnegie; Frederick Lumber Co., Frederick; Hooker Lumber Co., Hooker; Marshall County Builders Supply, Kingston; T.H. Rogers Lumber Co., Bristow, Hugo, and Madill; Curtis Building Center, Perry; and Chelsea Lumber Co., Chelsea.

New associate members are Hefners Block Plant, Wagoner; Carey Interests, Inc., Oklahoma City; Sunbelt Moulding, Inc., Dallas; Dubie-Wells Insurance Agency, Tulsa; C.I.G. Contracting, Inc., Lawton; Dave Riley Construction, Clinton; Curd-McCrary Lumber Company, Tulsa; Chapman Construction Co., Lawton; Midwest Steel Corp., Oklahoma City; Spitler Auction, Inc., Prague; and Rockwool Industries, Belton, Tx.

At CLBMDA's Young Carolinians Summer Idea Exchange new officers and directors were elected.

They are Bob McCarley, Myrtle Beach Lumber Co., chairman; Chuck Campbell, Black Mountain Lumber Co., vice chairman; Gene Tanner, Waccamaw Lumber & Supply Co., sec.-treas.

North Carolina directors are Robby Hoyle, Cleveland Lumber Co.; Linda Simpson, Southern Woodworks,; David Barringer, West Durham Lumber Co. South Carolina directors are Whit Shaw, Shaw Lumber Co., and Wilson Mishoe, Waccamaw Lumber & Supply Co.

by Don A. Campbell

lF SOMEONE were to ask me to name Ithe most important ingredient in the successful operation of a retail lumber yard, I would unhesitatingly say that it is the knowledge of the things your customers want and need.

We spend countless hours trying to buy our merchandise at the cheapest possible price. We seek out weak suppliers who, under pressure, will give us a special discount. Invzuiably we use this price concession as the irresistible bait to lure customers into our place of business. As a rule, we pitch our entire approach on price, never giving any consideration as to what our customers need or what we can do to fulfill those needs with a minimum of effort on the part of the consumer and the maximum of service on our part.

We just €rssume that our customers need what we have been able to buy and that the price concessions we make will create in the customer a consuming desire to separate us from the merchandise we so temptingly offer. But knowledge and experience are the best guideposts in steering our business through any roadblock that gets in our way.

Home centers have been springing up like discount stores did in the late'6Os. There is no doubt that these stores do mean more competition and that com'#fii:iliiisjlf;1::':i.i_iiiliiiiir.?.tl.ijll'.llil?.iii:+lilliil-q::.::i.1iir-1'-i-1iliill.liE 9,i:t::tji:iif,'.i