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Every yeor expensive equipment is ruined ond workers ore injured by dongerous metol bonding. Your bottom line is threqtened by A^-^^^rl nrnrlr rct expensive repolrs, ond rising lnsuronce rqtes. Sweed Choppers turn this proflt-sucking menqce into vqluoble scrop thct you con eosily recycle. Increose sofety! Out-of-control insurqnce cloims, repoir bills, qnd storoge problems wrll become o distqnt memory once Sweed's money-moking choppers ore put to work.
fl fusiness lorecosr 1999: Consolidotion
ffi -
At oll levels of the building moteriols indu$ry the big ore getting bigger ot the expense of the smoll. How long will the shokeout continue?
lEUfillllhers follow leod of porrners G-p and Sourheosr Wood?
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When Ace Hardware surveyed dealers at its annual convention, some interesting facts surfaced regarding Generation X, those age 2l to 34. The data showed that the younger set is every bit as involved with d-i-y as their Baby Boomer parents. Their interest in hardware is not confined to computer hardware.
Over half the Ace retailers had seen an increase in Gen-Xers compared to five years ago. Nearly 45% of the dealers said the younger shoppers rep resented 30Vo or more of their customer base. Two-thirds of the dealers said it was economics that propelled the 20- and 30-somethings into their stores.
There are a number of factors at work. One is the low mortgage rates and new financing plans that have allowed an unprecedented number of the young to become first time home buyers. Statistics indicate that the greatest percentage of home fix-up occurs in the first three years after a property changes hands. No longer having landlords to turn to, new homeowners soon realize that when
something breaks it is either fix it yourself or pay someone else. For many just out of school or in new jobs, or with a growing family, the only option is a trip to the local home improvement purveyor. The middle aged are the ones who employ the handymen, not the Generation X crowd. It's all a matter of money.
The media has also piqued the interest of many in d-i-y with the numerous home repair and remodeling shows on network and cable television. The Internet has a seemingly endless supply of information on the subject.
The most commonly purchased product was paint. Landscaping ranked a surprising 527o, plumbing at 40Vo, room remodeling 33Vo, and deck building 267o.
Whether for the joy of it or because of harsh economic neccessity, a growing legion of weekend warriors is forming among Generation X. Those who capture their pahonage now, may just have customers for life.
TruServ is expanding its presence on the Internet, as well as developing its own Extranet Member communication forum, a secure network Providing members with access to the coop's products, progranx and services.
The members-only forum includes on-line versions of the monthly advertising and circular planners and Members' Edge news video.
New capabilities for its current TruServ Online site include a new menu system and capabilities for email, filing of warehouse claims, enhanced ordering and item search.
TruServ also has develoPed a do-ityourself tool for members with no programming expertise to create and update their own Web sites. Stores can select from a varietY of Page designs and build a site in about 30 minutes. TruServ will rcgister each domain name for $150 and Provide round-the-clock support for $75 per month.
The co-op also has three new Web sites: ToolsforTomorrow.com on its student award program, Gardenplace. com, an idea source for gardeners, and
Induserv.com, an electronic catalog for commercial and institutional buyers. It already operates TrueValue. com, ServiStar.com, CoasttoCoast. com, TruServ.com, TaylorRental.com, GrandRentalStation.com, and Home& GardenShowplace.com.
Univenal Forest Products has Purchased 6OVo of the outstanding shares of engineered wood I-joist producer and technology licensor Nascor, Inc.
Nascor manufactures wall Panels, roof trusses and wood l-joiss from its Calgary, Canada location and licenses its I-joist technology and brand name to 17 firms-including Universal-in North America, Europe and AustraliaThrough its licensees, it is North America's sixth largest manufacturer of engineered wood I-joists.
Universal plans to increase its current production and distribution of Nascor products, consolidate its IJFPIJoist brand products under the Nascor name, and integrate existing wood Ijoist equipment in Shakopee, Mn., into
other Universal facilities.
According to Universal ceo William G. Currie, Nascor "complements our Open Joist 2fi)0 and conventional nail-plated floor truss product manufacturing capabilities, by allowing us to provide the entire range offloor system alternatives to the sitebuilt construction market."
To better reflect culrent members' products and to position itself for international growth, the National Wood Window & Door Association is changing its name to the Window & Door Manufacturers Association.
"It is a reflection of our current membership introducing more and more lines of non-wood windows and doors," says association president Alan Campbell. "It's no secret that vinyl windows and steel doors are growing in popularity."
The new name allows the group to promote and prospect members across the entire window, skylight and door indusnry. The group has developed a new logo and is redesigning its Web site.
LTHOUGH overall sales of building products continue rising to meet increasing demand, the number of companies selling those products is not growing but shrinking.
Consolidation is rampant at every level of the building materials industry. Through the entire distribution chain, from wholesaler, treater, co-op, retailer to service providers such as software vendors, the big seem to be getting bigger, often by acquiring smaller competitors or forcing them out of business.
Will the consolidation continue? Who will sulyiys-3nd what is their secret?
tomers, presents a looming threat retailers must recognize and manage.
Among retailers, consolidation has meant the growth and expansion of some strong, aggressive comPanies and the demise of many others, large and small, that were unwilling or unable to respond to the changing nature of the market and our customers. This will not only continue, but the pace is accelerating.
Because the various sectors of the building materials industry are so interconnected, what is happening at the retail level affects and is affected by the process at all the other levels. We all serve customers and are someone's customers.
The reduction in the number of building materials dealers will continue. Among independents, it will become increasingly difficult to compete against the double assault of the chain/big box competitor and the emerging, pro-oriented specialist such as Carolina Holdings and Pelican. These independent dealers will have to capitalize on the advantages of agility and quick response while looking for every opportunity to unite and cooperate with similarly positioned companies if they are to survive and prosper.
The rapidly occurring changes in the distribution of products will provide opportunities if independent dealers work to benefit from rather
we have lost the contributions and leadership that these and other locally owned and operated small businesses have provided. These are losses that may never be measured, but are certainly felt in communities across our country.
Those dealers that are surviving are the best and tend to elevate the standards of service for customers and contributions to their communities. As these dealers "raise the bar" by improving their efficiency and expanding their services, they and their customers benefit.
As fewer companies come through the process, there will be more competition for materials. We already see manufacturers committing most or all of their products to a single company or taking positions with one type of retailer, thereby limiting access for others.
We are also seeing consolidation in the form we used to call vertical integration as at least one major building products manufacturer acquires distribution capability in order to be closer to its customers. Distributors and coops are shrinking their numbers through mergers and acquisitions that should enable them to achieve economies of scale in operations and wield more clout with manufacturers. Key to this improvement will be the willingness of independent dealers to unite in support of these efforts.
Consolidation will continue at all levels of the building materials industry. This consolidation will bring tougher competitionl competition from fewer but stronger dealers vying for the same customers: competition from suppliers and producers attracted to the large consolidated builders that will look to eliminate the dealers' place in the market, and competition for materials as fewer consolidated producers and distributors choose with whom they will do business.
Do it Best Corp. is a $2 billion hqrdware, building materials and lumber cooperatiNe with more than 4,000 retail members throughout the U.S. and in more than 30 foreign countries. Based in Fort Wayne,ln., the 53-year-old company has distribution facilities and regional lumber and building materials offices throughout the U.S. On Dec. 31, 1997, Do it Best (then HWI) merged with Our Own Hardware, a similar buying coooerative based in Burnsville, Mn.
ROWTH in the home improvement industry and in the segment relating to lumber and building materials continues to gain strength and challenge distributors throughout the distribution channel (including cooperatives, wholesalers, buYing groups and other distributors). Consolidation at the retail level has resulted in significantly reducing the number and increasing the size of lumber and building materials retailers.
than be hurt by them. The big boxes are waging their own dual-front battles as they wage war against each other while exploring entry into the pro-dealer markets. Their numbers will diminish, but the survivors should be very strong for a time.
The disappearance of hundreds of independent building materials dealers has been only one of the results of consolidation in the way products get to consumers. The nature and fabric of our communities has suffered as
The lines of distribution are being redrawn by consolidation. The essential issue is for dealers to identify who these lines of supply serve and support those manufacturers and producers serving the dealers' interests. Dealers must also be willing to provide the value-added, diversified and unconventional services that their customers need. Those companies, large or small, that recognize and capitalize on the opportunities will prosper. Others will find these changes too threatening and be overwhelmed.
In 1990, total retail sales from hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards totaled $87.5 billion. By 1998, that figure had increased 66Vo to $145.3 billion. In addition, it was estimated in 1990 that there were approximately 46,800 independent hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards throughout the U.S. By 1998, the number of indePendent retailers had declined to 43,600, a decrease of just under J7o. ManY expect these trends to continue in the future.
As consolidation continues at both the retail and wholesale levels, it has become clear that several factors continue to stimulate consolidation:
(1) Increased efficiency. The growth and size of wholesalers serving the lumber and building materials industry continues to drive the emphasis for a more efficient model. As more volume is added to the
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wholesaler, the company's resources are spread among a larger base enhancing the efficiency of the entire system. In this connection, the wellmanaged distributor that can grow its business can often do so without proportionately growing its cost of operation. As a result, increased efficiency is generated that should benefit both the wholesaler and others in the distributor chain.
The opposite effect can take place, if the wholesaler is not well-managed or the wholesaler ineffectively executes the combination. A poorly planned or implemented combination may result in a larger company which is unable to promptly transition the business and could even result in a less efficient wholesaler due to increased costs or other operational or transaction related expenses.
(2) PricelLeverage. The additional consolidation and expansion allow the wholesaler to bargain with the manufacturer or producer in a way that will enhance pricing and other services. This greater volume can create additional efficiencies for the producer and manufacturer that should translate into lower and more competitive pricing for the wholesaler and distributor.
(3) Availability and product selection. The continued consolidation of purchasing power with fewer, yet larger wholesalers, allows a wholesaler or buying group to go to the marketplace and obtain better product availability and product selection and to deal more effectively with products of limited supply. While much time is focused on pricing, in many market situations product availability is a far more important factor than price, especially when there is a limited supply available in the marketplace. Further consolidation enables the larger and more efficient wholesaler to arrange for better product availability and selection.
(4) Technology enhancements. For any entity, the technology enablement is a key factor in the growth and stability of a wholesaler or buying group. Technology can effectively take costs out ofthe entire distribution system in ways that will provide added benefit at all levels of the chain. In addition, technology allows the retailer to interact with the wholesaler in a more efficient and meanineful way. This could include the eleitronic placing of orders, the negotiation of pricing or many other uses of technology to enhance the available information and to assure that both the wholesaler and the retailer are able to provide the product in the most efficient way possible. These technology costs are frequently driving forces in merger and acquisition analysis. The savings and increased efficiencies of sharing those costs among the combined organization and the detriment of having those costs born by an efficient, yet smaller organization frequently serye as a catalyst for the combination of wholesalers.
Throughout the 1990s, we have witnessed significant consolidation at the wholesale level that has involved the home improvement industry and the lumber and building materials industry. These mergers, consolidations and alliances have resulted in assuring continued growth and efficiency in the distribution chain. In recent months, we have observed situations where manufacturers or producers are joining forces in the marketplace with buying groups. While it is clearly too early to determine the impact of these strategic alliances or mergers, they have attracted much interest within the industry and may result in other transactions that cross traditional lines of wholesalers, cooperatives, buying groups, retailers, etc.
From the retailers' perspective, these strategic moves may create added efficiencies in the distribution system that should enhance the retailers' position and desire to obtain
product at a competitive price. It is not clear whether these strategic alliances or consolidations will, in fact, result in better product availability or selection for retailers. Retailers must carefully position themselves in ways which will assure that their distribution partner can provide not only attractive pricing and efficient distribution, but also product availability and selection.
The market forces that have created consolidation remain active. and we anticipate even greater consolidation among wholesalers, cooperatives and buying groups. We also expect to witness transactions that cross traditional lines, with consolidations occurring between buying groups and wholesalers or cooperatives with the objective of capturing greater efficiencies within the distribution system and assuring retailers of better product availability and selection.
Hassenstab is the chief executive officer of Distribution Management Systems Inc., a supplier of software to the wholesale building products distribution industry.
HE BUILDING products distribution industry, by its nature, lends itself well to the benefits of consolidation. And as the leading provider of software to the wholesale segment of the industry, I can assure you we at DMSI have seen and felt its effects first hand. Not only in our own customer base, but also amongst our peers in the software industry.
Within our customer base, consolidation is paying off. When one of our customers acquires another building product distributor, they quickly experience the synergies and economies that come with consolidating and centralizing.
What drives mergers and acquisitions in the building product industry? Among our customers, we have seen
(1) National distribution. Being able to increase product lines and service areas to meet the nationwide demands of the big boxes.
(2) Capitalizing on resources. It takes substantial financial and technical resource to effectively take advantage of today's industry changes and new technology.
(3) Gaining market share. Too much supply is chasing too little demand and diminishing margins. A well-placed acquisition can increase market share and improve the margin outlook in a given region.
(4) More buying Power. Bigger distributors are able to negotiate better prices to offset margin pressure.
Family owned business opportunities. Owners that have no succession plan are not able to pass the business down within their families. Selling becomes their most logical exit stratecv-
As building product distributors get into the M&A game, needs change rapidly. Consolidating companies face the challenge of managing more locations, more product lines, and more resources. The right busi-
ness system foundation (processes, controls, and practices) can dramatically impact the ultimate success of a consolidating organization. Some of our customers are aggressively pursuing growth through acquisitions. We at DMSI have worked hard to Provide the resources, software foundation, and technology tools our customers need to achieve consolidation efficiencies in the shortest period of time with the least amount of pain.
Unlike our building product distribution customers, software suppliers, by nature, do not find themselves very well suited to consolidation. Where distributors find synergies in consolidation, software providers face difficult challenges. Late last year we all saw some merger activitY in retail focused software companies-a likely result of too much suPPlY for a shrinking retail market. These software companies will be challenged to achieve the ultimate benefits of fully integrated products and services. Why? As a software develoPer, we know just how difficult it must be to truly combine software businesses. For software companies to play in the acquisition game, each enterPrise must run as a separate business unit with separate products even though they do essentially the same thing.
Distributors and retailers stand to gain the most from mergers and acquisitions. As their size increases so does buying power, level of resources, market coverage, etc. But as software companies attempt to merge into one cohesive organization, we see more challenges than rewards. Support suffers, focus on core solutions is diminished, and customers become dissatisfied.
In light of all that we have observed of late, our forecast is that M&A's will continue in the building products distribution industrY. Software company transactions. on the other hand, are likely to slow while the recent acquirers attempt to unravel the secret of merging Past acquisitions in a way that truly results in a better overall enterprise.
II N PART, the widespread consolidation in the building materials industry is being driven bY America's fancy for big box retail.ers, A handful of retail giants Produce such a large percentage of sales that they can dictate terms to their suppliers. The retailers cut out middle men and squeeze other vendors' rnargins so tightly that suppliers are forced to band together to survive and compete.
But the consolidation is occurring not only within each level of the industry, but also across traditional lines of distribution.
Southeast Wood, the main supplier of treated products to big box behemoth Lowe's Cos., had purchased much of its white wood from G-P. Now, through a unique Partnership
deal, G-P is a customer of Southeast Wood.
Georgia-Pacific pays to Put its inventory through Southeast Wood's treating facilities and has taken over sales and marketing for the treater. Southeast's sales and customer service personnel now work for C-P.
G-P, according to one analYst, "saw the handwriting on the wall. The treaters would go out and make a deal with the retailer, then come back and have to beat uP on the suPplier to get the price theY want."
A vertical company, G-P has vast timberland holdings and a network of mills and distribution centersbut owns only two treating facilities. Southeast Wood is the nation's third largest treater, with eight plants in the South and Midwesl
"Georgia-Pacific is a very Powerful, well known name," saYs Fran Giknis, Gf marketing services man-
ager for building products- The Southeast deal "allows us to brand treated lumber and leverage the strength of the G-P name in the treated lumber business."
Southeast's customers are now G-P's. The deal also allows Southeast to lock in a white wood supplier, and provides both firms with more control over costs.
Southeast continues to buY a small amount of wood from other suppliers-"to get the product mix the customers want"-but G-P's goal is eventually to be able to Provide everything the retail accounts need.
G-P also continues selling wood to other treaters.
Other producers and treaters are keeping a close eye on the success of the G-P/Southeast Wood partnership-and several reportedlY are exploring similar deals of their own.
NAWLA president (1) Steve Boyd (right), with John Davidson at the recent Traders Market. (2) Jim Hassenstab, Debbie Langenfeld, pat Diederich,. Monte.Jensen. (3) Mark Dippel, Sam Howard, Teiri Adaii. (+) Joc_!r Voelzke, Michael Swiger, Allan Hurd. (5) Blair Huffman, Rob6 McOoleman, Denise Underwood, Mark Giles. (6) Ken Robinson, Robert Foreman, Danell Smith (7) Denise Xeyser. 1d;'ToOO Fox, Tom Meyer. (9).Thom Wright, Kris Lewis. (10) E.J. Langtey, Mike Gites. (11) Neil Nakamura, Jack Burnard, Eddie Smalling, Deari Duchi, Brett Siaulhter.
Bulluxc Pnolucrs Drcnsr Drcevern 1998
(-12) K.qn Fowlel Tom Daniels. (13) Danny Miiler, Notan Schweikt. (14) Doug.Holt,.Z_qe-Ialtos, Jan Kirschner. (15)Jim Malloy, Tim Bradley, Ric( Palmiter._(16) Steve Snavely, Dennis Downer. (17) Herb york, Larry Petree. (18) Richard Bartsch, Mindi Spencer, Tonv Darlinq. (19) Randv .C_qllilsr..Pglg Henningleld, Joe Rodrick. (20) Carot Ptpt<ins, BudOl rtumti, (21)_Bill O'Ban1o1, Chuck Bloom, Dave Cunningham. (22) Biily Gunn, Dan Thornton, Bob &etz. (23) Mike McKanna, trleg a aitilttittoy.' (More photos on next two pages)
NEARLY 1,500 attended NAWLA's 3rd annual Traders Market, including (1) Michael Panella, Jerrv Lonq, Janet Pimental. (2) Greg Carter, Tom W'arnock. (3) Steve We6kes,J.J. Tomjack. (4) Roy Seammell. Jim Steinlicht, Ve'rne Sheldon. (5) Zee Taltos, Gary Webb, Dave Curda. (6) Jeff Comiort, Pat Colgan, Greg Kruse. (7) Darrel Garoulle, Brad Bower. (8) Alan Beaudoin, D'enise Laviqne. (9) Matt Duprey. Russell Coulter. k6vin Hancock. (10) Roy Shaffer. Steve Winebrennet Steve Culbertson' Bob Peterson. itt) Aiit Wood, Fagan Cox. (12) Doyal Marks, Neal
Youno. (13) Craiq Larsen, Barbara & Ron Wilson, Eddie Pearce. (14) Patrici Speil, Joh-n Haqqertv, Joe Haggerty. Jim Spell. (15)John Picot. Barrv Schneider, Wavne Knutson. (16) Bill McGovern. David Weinstein' (17)'Jim Outram, Allison Koppel. (18) William Gunnell, Greg Hexberg. itgi CtauOe Scott, Ed Lanqlev, Greq Mitchell. (20) Bryce Piggot, Dave koirar. Tom Bead, Ed Burke.-(21)Jim Sloan. Chris Close. Roger Clark. Steve Webb, Perry Nydigger, Lee Aquilanti.
(More Photos on next Page)
DALLAS, Tx., was the site of NAWLA's Nov. 5-7 Traders Market (continued from previous pages). On hand: (1) Jeny Gustafson, Lee Roy Jordan. (2) Willie Goynti, Joe McNeet. (3) Larry Audette, Jim Collins. (4) Bick Fischer, llghard Figura, Gene Baker. (5) Steve Bush, Bill Hurst. (6) Mark Nizic, John Grove, Scott Driskill. (7) Marty Hawkins, Tom Huting. (8)
Len Williams, Art Bructon. (9) Joe Godfrev, Lee Ashburn, John Hall. (.t0) Beverly Dirl Grosso, Barbara Clausen, Jan Griswold. (11) Joe Hums, Chris Weiss. (12) Karl Krauter, Rick Hogue. (13) Kyle Keaton, John Snead. (14) Don Juslice, Terry Griffirh. (15) Rod Nichbts; Terry _Clark, Ken Caylor. (16) Terry Baker, Chad Bailey. (17) Phiilip Gee, Bructi Cheng,
Chad Findlay. (18) Sid Hottender, Phit Dodson, Bob Carlson. (19) Bailev Crump, Greo Watts. Joe Klohs, Mario Marchi. (20) Mark iunkins. Charlie Quarles. (21) Matt Prince, Randv Dover, Waren Glenn, Stacy Fisher. (22) Pete'r Stoyanov, Johnny Konecny, gitt HetlanO.
fN THE past, many retail dealers
Icounted on engineered wood inventories from nearby distributors to supply their builder customers. Today, the growing demand for engineered wood and longer order files are causing more dealers to take control of their own distribution.
An increasing number of retail dealers are now stocking I-joists, laminated veneer lumber, and glulam beams at their own yards to serve the booming engineered wood Products (EWP) market. That's the report from manufacturers and distributors who supply EWP for residential and commercial construction.
Having engineered wood beams available at their yards speeds availability for builders, an important factor for customers who change specs or need same-day delivery.
in for EWP information.
As EWP beams replace the traditional 2x8 and 2xl0 conventional framing, today's lumber business has become as different from the Past as has a computer from a tYPewriter.
Distributors are encouraging retail dealer customers to rethink their operations to increase supply and technical services for contractors, builders, and other pro customers.
North Pacific Lumber Co.'s Paul Johnson conducts EWP training sessions for many of the company's dealer customers. During a recent session,
he concentrated on several points, including:
o More builders are looking to their dealers to do materials take-offs and review construction plans from structural engineers. Dealers should look to their distributors and suppliers for span tables, technical literature, computer software and other assistance.
o Retail dealers should learn basic questions to ask their builder customers when they call in for EWP information. For example: "Do You need a cantilevered beam?" "A beam with camber?" "Are You measuring post to post, or wall to wall?"
o Builders should also be cautioned not to cut, rip or saw an engineered wood beam after it arrives at the job site because this could decrease its design values.
. Structural engineers are becoming a more significant factor in specifying EWPs for all types of applications. Engineers are calling for stronger beams due to today's longer spans and heavier floor and roofloads. The extra margin of strength provided by glulam beams compared to LVL has caused engineers to specify more glulams such as the AnthonY Power Beam, which has a 3,000 fb rating that makes it the strongest structural beam in the EWP family.
o In many cases, dealers can helP builders save money and time by sub-
stituting special glulams such as the Power Beam for LVL and PSL in tYPical structural applications. This often permits a smaller size beam of equal or greater strength, and avoids nail laminating. The structural engineer should approvc substitutions or changes.
o The solid wood in Glulam Power Beams provides better nail holding ability than nailing into a veneer beam-an important Point when attaching seismic straps or tie-downs.
o Unlike conventional glulams, Power Beams come in I-joist compatible depths, allowing for flush floors'
o The kiln-dried lumber in glulams helps avoid call-backs from solid sawn lumber that cups, twists or warps' This is an important point as more builders specify stucco exteriors.
o Although many conventional glulams come with a camber that causes a "hump" in the floor, Power Beams are non-cambered for flat, solid floors.
EWP trainer Paul Johnson (right) reviews product knowledge informa' tion with a retail salesman.Lummus Supply Co., Atlanta, Ga., has acquired l6 acres in Oakwood, Ga., where it will build its 9th location by next summer ...
Pelican Cos., 48-unit chain based in Conway, S.C., agreed to merge with B^SZ HoWings, Dallas, Tx., operator of lI Builders Sapply & Lumber units and five Western Building Products locatrons ...
. Cox Lumber, St. Petersburg, Fl., is building a larger replacement yqr4 i! Ocala, Fl., for an early to mid-1999 opening
MG Building Materials, San Antonio, Tx., has completely remodeled its Uvalde, Tx., yard and added a new 20,000-sq. ft. store...
Mahoning Lumber Center of Florida has relocated its main office from Sanford, Fl., to Youngstown, Oh., to concentrate on the Northeast; during its l5 years in Florida, Mahoning furnished 3,000 mall stores ...
Carolina H oldings, Raleigh, N.C., has acquired Carolina Truss Co., Monroe and Florence, S.C.
Hechinger's converted the Hollywood, Fl., Builders Square into an experimental cleaiance center and early next year will close Builders Square stores in Coral Springs, Miami and Sunrise, FI....
Mill Creek Lumber, Tulsa, Ok., opened a retail carpet store in Oklahoma City; Jack Rodden, carpet mgr. ...
Sunflower Lumber Co., Indianola, Ms., has been purchased by Fletcher and Tomilyn Duke...
Villa Rosa trailer park in Jacksonville Beach, Fl. five activists were arrested for scaline a giant construction crane in fron-t of Depot's Atlanta, Ga., Hq. and unfurling a 2,000-sq. ft. banner protesting the chain's sale of old growth wood ...
Home Depot relocated its 4year-old international sales divi sion to a new 25,000-sq. ft. office in Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
Lifu Styles, Inc. of Greenwood, Ms., has been opened by Wayne and Julia Banks, previously with Simpson, Stepp &'Intt, specializing in vinyl, caq)et, paneling, cabinets, kitchen and bath accessories, light fixtures and ceiling fans
Scottyb has remodeled its Orange Park, Fl., home center, expanding its home accessories and flooring lines and revamping the nursery
lowe's Cos. opened new superstores in North Fulton (Atlanta), Ga., and Hoover (Birmingham), Al., Ron Wells, store mgr. ... the chain is building a 135,00o-sq. ft. replacement store in Morristown, Tn., for a late spring opening; got county commission approval to proceed with a location in Gulf Breeze, Fl., and plans to build a $15 million, 115,000-sq. ft. store with 30,000-sq. ft. outdoor center on Dixie Hwy. in Louisville, Ky., by mid-l999 ...
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Atlantic Trading Co., with DCs in Suwanee, Ga.; Columbia, S.C., and Birmingham, Al., and Bestwood Forest Products, with DCs in Greenville, S.C., and Raleigh, N.C., have merged into Suwanee-based U.S. Lumber Group ... the new company has since acquired Keefer Lumber Co., Forest, Va.
TruServ Corp. is nearing completion of expansions at its
New Orleans Flooring Supply, New Orleans, La., has operied-a warehouse in Jackson, Ms. ...
Web-Lift, Inc. is the new name of forklift manufacturer Spyder, Houston, Tx., following its merger with Manitex (see Oct.,p. 36)
^. Hughes lrpply has acquired tlre protection device distributor and fabricator Douglas Leonhardt & Associafes, Charlotte, N.C., with branches in Nashville, Tn., and Atlanta, Ga.
Bostik's Construction & Distribution Division has acquired H.B. Fuller Co.3 hand-held slue gun line and glue stick manuTacturing business ...
Temple-lnland Inc., Diboll, Tx., agreed to purchase for $120 million HF Bancorp,Hemet, Ca., parent of Hemet Federal Savingi & Loan Association, which will be merged into Temple-Inland's Guaranty Federal Bank
Black & Decker Corp. won its patent infringement case against a Taiwanese-owned company over its DeWaIt power tools
Star Paper Tube, Inc., Fort Mill, S.C., signed a partnership agreement with Canadian paper tube and core maker DesignTibes Co....
National Fenestration Rating Council is cutting dues by 57o to 5OVo to increase membership
New Web site: North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, Alexandria, Vl., www.naima. org ...
U.S. home ownership rate hit a record 66.8Vo for the 3rd quarter
Housing starts in Oct. (latest figs.) rose 7Vo to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.695 mi[- lion single family starts climbed 3Vo to a 1.248 million pace multifamily starts were at 38,000 for 2-4 units, 371,000 for 5+ units permits jumped 1O% to an annual rate of 1.697 million.
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Mid-America Lumbermens Association's directors at a special meeting voted not to renew Dan Hall's contract as executive v.p. His contract expired Oct. 29.
'"The decision was very deliberate and carefully considered," said board president John Humphreys. "It reflects the board's opinion that new leadership is needed and at the same time, acknowledgeq the difficulties that Mr. Hall has faced oVer the last 27 months."
During the transition, an interim management team will make the daily decisions. Mary Sue Voth, director of administration, will manage the Kansas City office and staff; Art Brown, Kansas regional mgr., will take on responsibilities for the state regional managers, and Humphreys will provide oversight from the board.
Virginia Building Material Association is sponsoring several seminars in the spring in Richmond: "Credit, Collections & Mechanics Lien Law" Feb. 10, "Yard & Warehouse Storage & Material Handling"
Feb. 23, "OSHA Recognized Standard First Aid & CPR" March 2, and "The Art of Getting Paid" tentatively set for April22.
Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association's team of Stu Voyles, TrusJoist MacMillan, and Bruce Humphrey, Quinn Lumber, took 2nd place at a recent Tri-State Golf Outing.
(l) Non-reporting of injury to OSHA, $22s.
(2) Failure to use a push stick when a standard guard not available, $3,500.
(3) Documentation of recent employer conducted safety inspections, $225.
(4) Documentation of recent safety meeting/training for each employee, $225.
(5) Documentation of forklift training program,$225.
(6) Name plate, load limit, model # missing from forklift, $l10.
(7) Rated load capacity not marked plainly on mzrst so operator could see, $l10.
(8) Horn, whistle or gong on forklift did not operate, $560.
(9) The travel on a radial arm saw extended beyond table, $l 125.
(10) Radial arm saw did not have antikickback device for ripping purposes, $l 13.
(ll) Radial arm saw did not have a device to cause cutting head to return to starting position, $l 13.
Total: $6531.
One of my insureds recently had an injury occur to one of their more experienced employees in which the worker cut off two fingers on an unguarded table saw. The accident created fines from OSHA that I thought might be of interest to your subscribers. They were as follows:
Many of these violations are common around lumber yards. In many cases, they can be eliminated or reduced if the owners are aware of these problems.
Jerry Pond
DJR Insurance Agency, Inc.
316fi) Railroad Canyon Rd., #D CanyonLake, Ca.92587
ond Ouolity - Thofs whot Somerset Door E Column Compony is oll obout! And even though we've since the tum of lhe century, don't let thot We moy be steeped in trodition, but our hdoy ore os modern ond uptodote os you'll Becouse, ofter oll, we've perfected the of producing todoy's product with the some sld trodition os we inrorporoled when we 0ive us o coll to leom more obout the exriling,
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r Self-counter sinking bugle and trim heads
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o SelFtapping coarse threads. Coated with non-stick, dry lubricating film o Solid nickel/ chrome stainless steel for superior corrosion resistance .6 lengths: l" through 3"
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Listings are often submitted months in advance. Always veify dates and locations with sponsor before making plans to attend.
Houston Hoo-Hoo ClubDec. 10, Christmas party, Houston, Tx.; (281) 499-5575.
Oklahoma Lumbermen's AssociationDec. 12, Christmas party & board meeting, Guthrie, Ok.; (800) 44+1771.
Lumbermen's Club of MemphisJan. 7, luncheon meeting, Racquet Club, Memphis, Tn.; (901) 682-2838.
Mid-America Lumbermens AssociationJan. 7, yard foreman seminar, Oklahoma City, Ok.; Jan. 11-12, basic estimating course; Jan. 13, advanced estimating course, St. Louis, Mo.; Jan. 14-15, basic estimating course, Little Rock, Ar.; (800\ 747-6529.
National llousewares Manufacturers AssociationJan. 1013, International Housewares Show, McCormick Place, Chicago, Il.; (847) 292-4200.
Building Products International ShowcaseJan. 11-13, Bell Harbor Conference Center, Seattle, Wa.; (253) 922-66/;0.
TruServ Corp.Jan lLl4, lumber market, Bally's Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nv.; (773) 695-5000.
Louisiana Building Material Dealers AssociationJan. 14. 17, annual convention & buying show, Hilton Hotel, Baton Rouge, La; (225) 3444317.
National Association of Home BuildersJan. 15-18, Intemational Builders' Show, Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Tx.; (202)822-02s4.
Buttery lfardware Co.Jan. 16-17, annual show, Palmer Auditorium, Austin, Tx.; (915) 2t+7-4141.
Florida llardware Co.Jan. 16-17, winter show, Downtown Marrioft, Orlando, Fl.; (904) 783-1650.
Monroe llardware/Smith llardwareJan. 16-17, combined spring dealer market, Charlotte Merchandise Mart, Chadotte, N.C.; (919) 735-628r.
Southern hessure Treaters AssociationJan. 17-19, winter meeting, New Orleans Hilton Riverfront, New Orleans, La.; (334) 968-5726.
Virginia Building Material AssociationJan. 19, sales seminar, Holiday Inn Central, Richmond, Va.; (804) 323-8262.
Ace Hardware Corp.- Jan 2l-?12, winter convention, Phoenix Civic Plaza, Phoenix, Az.; (630) 990-6600.
American Hardware Manufacturers AssociationJan. 2426, Hy att Regency, Phoenix, Az.; (847) 605- I 025.
DIY & Home Improvement ShowJan. 4-26, Olympia 2, London, England; (01 l ),14-18 l -462-0721.
Do it Best Corp.Jan. 26-27, winter market, Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Az; (219) 748-5300.
Worldwide D-I-Y CouncilJan. 26-29, Budma 99 trade fair, exhibition hall, Poznan, Poland; (317) 293-M06.
llouston Hoo.Hoo ClubJan. 28, bowling toumament, AMF Diamond Bowl, Houston, Tx.; (281) 499-5575.
Kentucky Lumber & Building Material AssociationFeb. 1 6, annual convention, Louisville Convention Center, Louisville, Ky.; (502) 245-6730.
National Hardwood Lumber AssociationFeb. 4-5. marketing basics course, Memphis, Tn.; (800) 933-0318.
Carolinas-Tennessee Building Material AssociationFeb. 56, annual convention & buying show, Charlotte Merchandise Mart, Charlotte, N.C. (704) 376-1503.
John Anthony, president, Anthony Forest Products Co., El Dorado, Ar., has been elected to the board at National Bank of Commerce in El Dorado. Steve Hopkins is Anthony's new mill mgr. in Atlanta, Tx. Buddy Rosser is forestry mgr. Steve MurphY was named plant maintenance supervisor for the Urbana, Ar., sawmill. Mac Brinkley is planer mill supervisor and Terry Etheridge, assistant plant mgr. John Makuvek, III, ex-LouisianaPacific, is now eastern sales mgr. for laminated power products, succeeding Steve Collie, who has joined Epperson Lumber Sales.
Enos Reece has been promoted to mgl. of Barton's of kachville, Ar., succeeding Greg llufford, who is managing a new store in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Other new Arkansas managers include: Randy Ivy, Harrisburg; DannY Harvison, Trumann, and Jeff Cole, Barton's Design Center, Jonesboro.
Adam Wallace is store mgr. of the new 84 Lumber in Winchester, Tn. Jim Robinson has been named co-mgr. in Kingsport, Tn.
Kimberly Ann Keuper, ex-Tolleson Lumber Co., is now selling from the Perry, Ga., office of Dobbins Forest Products, Birmingham, Al.
Chris Mangino is managing the new Home Depot in Roanoke, Va. Robert Moody is mgr. and Patrick Adams asst. mgr.of the new Albany, Ga., unit.
Scott Greene has been promoted to v.p.mktg. for Universal Forest Products.
Alex R. Aiken, Intemational Paper Co., Dallas, Tx., was elected chairman of APA-The Engineered Wood Association, succeeding James E. Allen, Union Camp, Chapman, Al. Duane IL Peterson, Champion International, Camden, Tx., is vice chairman; James Sterret, Boise Cascade, and Ronald Paul, Georgia-Pacific, Atlanta, Ga., are regional trustees.
Michael Ilanna, ex-Louisiana-Pacific, has joined Sunbelt Trade Services, Orlando, Fl.
Robert Taylor, Taylor's Do it Center, Virginia Beach, Va., was elected to his second term as chairman of the board of Do it Best CorP. Norris Rader, Norris Rader, Inc., New Iberia, La., was also elected to his second cons@utive board term.
E. Dwain Plaster becomes Pres. and c.o.o.-flooring division for Triangle Pacific, Dallas, Tx., Jan. l, succeeding M. Joseph McIIugh, who is retiring after 22 years. Joseph B. ThomPson was promoted to director of mktg.-
division; Richard Quinlan is directorcorporate sales, and Joseph F. Reddington, distribution sales rngr.
Richard W. Brown, Truss Systems, Inc., Oxford, Ga., is the new president of the Wood Truss Council of America.
Joseph Llhlick has been named national projects mgr. for Benchmark General Products Co., Fredericksburg, Va. Derrick T. Bell is now south central regional sales mgr. for Ar., Ok., Tx. and La, and Mark II. Hansen is regional sales mgr. for Ky., among other states.
Kenneth R. Cartmill has been named program director/business process redesign for Celotex Corp., Tampa, Fl. F. Wallace Bromberg, Jr., National Woodworks, Inc., Birmingham, Al., was elected lst vice-chairman of the National Sash & Door Jobbers Association, New Port RicheY, Fl. Bob Wimsatt, Wimsatt Bros., l,ouisville, Ky., has been named chairman of the North American Building Material Distribution Association's new Roofing Distributors Alliance committee.
John Lenart has joined Prudential Building Materials as v.p.-sales & mktg. Dave McKenna is the new purchasing director.
Keith Purchase, ex-TimberWest Forest Corp., was appointed executive v.p. and chief operating officer for MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. Tom Buell is interim chief executive officer at TimberWest.
Bruce I. Cantor has been promoted to national sales mgr. for PermaGrain Products, Inc.
Neale Haynes, Southern Gulf Trucking, Shreveport, [,a., recently hunted pheasant in South Dakota on an Eaton Corp. and Kenworth sponsored trip.
Matthew Larry Boyd, a junior at Mississippi State University with a 3.2 GPA, received the Lumbermen's Educational Foundation, Inc.'s 19981999 scholarship.
Jean Poole is the new human resources director at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to owners llugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.
Ouali$ Fabrication - manufactured with highest quality steel to exacting standards. Designed Right - by our team 0f engineering protessionals.
0n Time Delivety - backed by more than thirty years of experience.
Service - outstanding support every step of the way. Gustom Hardwale - virtually any hanger can be designed, engineered and fabricated in the industry's fastest turn-around time.
That's right, in this one-time close-out sale, we'lltake 50% off the price you're paying for any of the SEMCO oroducts we have in inventory: straps of all kinds, embedded anchors, caps & bases, hangers, aluminum plywood clips, and much more. To take advantage, call 1-800755-6001, ext.4736.
Ask for the latest edition of the Alpine Construction Hardware Catalog. lt contains more than 900 individual items, including construction details.
coats to concrete, wood, tile, terazzo and most other subflooring materials.
Underlay can be used to resurface the entire subfloor of most commercial, industrial and residential applications.
Both products are cementitious and said to cure rapidly.
Circle No. 803
Walking-stilts that eliminate the need for ladders and scaffoldins and enables workers access to conTined elevated areas are new from Marshalltown Trowel Co.
SkyWalker walking-stilts are constructed of gold anodized aluminum
Melamine panels for interior residential, commercial and institutional applications are new from Roseburg Forest Products.
Available in two decorative faces or one decorative face and a balancins backer. the panels consist oT melamine resin-impregnated decorative paper, thermally fused to particle-
An adjustable wrench that prevents slipping by gripping fasteners on all four sides is new from Stanley Works.
The Claw Cinch Lock Adjustable Wrench fits standard and metric bolts and will not round off hex bolts.
board or MDF.
The product is available in widths of 49" and 6l", lengths of73" to l2l" and thicknesses ranging from l/4" to l- l /8".
Applications include kitchen and bath cabinets as well as office and hotel furniture.
Circle No. 801
The tool's alloy steel construction and its offset and angled head raises the wrench to Drotect a user's knuckles from work iurfaces.
leg tubes that resist bending and flexing and can be used by painters, plasterers, drywall mechanics and acoustical ceiling installers.
The stilts are available in 18"-30" and24"-40" models.
Circle No. 804
on ony New Product is ovoiloble by circling the corresponding Reoder Service number opposite ihe bock cover ond sending the form to New Products Editor, either by FAX to 949-852-023 1, by E-moil to ddelvol@ioc.net, by moilto 4500 Compus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beoch, Co. 92660, or by colling (e4e) 8s2-r 9e0.
The wrench is available in three sizes: 6"/l50mm, 8"/200mm, and 10"/25Omm.
Circle No. 802
A pair of floorcovering products designed to ease installation and leveling for new or existing interior floors is new from L.M. Scofield. Slimpatch removes surface defects on subfloors before new floorcoverins installation. Once applied, the produc*t creates flat, durable patches or skim-
A new energy recovery ventilator from Venmar Ventilation Inc. provides a continuous flow of fresh outdoor air.
The AVS Duo receives stale indoor air, coupled with unhealthy contaminants and humiditv. and exchanges it for a continuous ilow of fresh, clean outdoor air.
The pollutant-detecting remote control activates the ventilation system when it detects carbon monoxide or fumes from solvents and cleanins products.
The ventilator comes in three sizes with a lifetime warranty on its energy recovery wheel.
Circle No. 805
Base blocks, corner blocks and rope mouldings in various designs and sizes are available from JMS Millworks.
The Complete Toilet Tank Repair Kit accommodates most toilets, including 1.6 gpf and 3-bolt models. The kit contains a flush valve with an adjust-a-flush flapper, tank to bowl gasket, 400A fill valve, chrome tank lever and various bolts, nuts and washers.
Circle No. 807
Fireplaces and chimneys constructed of cast stone that can be installed by most d-i-yers are available from Cultured Stone Corp.
A kneeling board that supports a user's back and knees and offers increased protection while roofing is new from Cougar Paw Products.
Base Blocks are available in red oak and poplar and range in size from 718"x2-314" x7" to 7 /8"x5-l/2"x8" Styles include plain, detailed, and detailed & fluted.
Red oak and poplar corner blocks come in three designs: square edge, detailed edge and floral. Sizes range from 7 /8" x2-3/4" x2-314" to 7/8"x5l/2"x5-l/2".
Rope mouldings come in five different designs and range from l/4" to 4" with a 3/8" to 24" diameter. Wood styles include red or white oak, hard maple, ash, birch, hickory, poplar, pine, alder and soft maple.
Circle No. 806
A new toilet repair kit from Fluidmaster, Inc. contains everything d-i-yers need to repair their commode.
A line of polystyrene-based masonry trim products is new from Max Products Corp.
Canamould is available in over 100 profiles, including columns, keystones and quoins and is manufac-
Lightweight and non-combustible, Cultured Stone is available in 19 different textures and 84 colors.
Circle No. B0B
tured with a polystyrene base, imbedded fiber mesh and a flexible cementious coating.
The product is packaged in 8' lengths and is compatible with stucco, brick and EIFS.
Circle No. 809
The Cougar Paw Kneeling Board easily moves from one location to the next and reportedly will not damage the roofing surface.
The product is constructed with a non-slip l-l/2" kneeling pad with a built-in foot rest as well as tractiongrip pads.
Circle No. 810
Plank flooring manufactured from longleaf southern yellow pine is new from Albany Woodworks.
NuHeart Pine is kiln dried to 8Vo, milled with a relieved back and comes
in traditional and plantation grades. The traditional grade has a 95Vo vertical grain, no knots and a 90Vo dense growth. The planks are available in 3/4"x3-l/8" and 6'-17' lengths.
Plantation grades have a mixed grain, dense growth, and occasional tight knots of no more than l" to ll/4". These planks come in 314"x4l/8" and 3/4"x5-1/8", with lengths of 6',-16'.
Circle No. 811
A olastic tool box that features a large-capacity tool tray, three seethrough, closable parts storage compartments on top and a padlock-ready latch is new from Waterloo Industries.
The Jumbo Tool Box contains a removable tool tray and can carry up to 3l lbs. oftools and parts.
The 7.3-lb. product measures 24l/2"x10-314" and is l0-l/2" deep.
Circle No. 812
A door and operating sidelite that enables homeowners to move large pieces of furniture into and out of their house has been introduced by Weather Shield Windows & Doors.
The Furniture Door Entrv Svstem
allows greater accessibility to the home via its in-swing or out-swing caoabilities. Manufactured from a steel panel with a polyurethane core, it comes in various sizes.
Circle N0.813
A hopper gun with a tubular orifice plate that focuses the spray pattern and reduces masking and clean-up
time is new from Marshalltown Trowel Co.
The Sharpshooter I is made of fiberglass reinforced nylon resin and its gun fastens directly to the hopper,
eliminating the need for extra attachments. The tool features a flow control valve on the gun rather than the compressor. Its unique sizing and tubular form of the holes in the orifice plate makes pattern matching easier.
Circle N0.814
A sealer that can be applied by brush, roller or low pressure spray to penetrate below the surface of wood, concrete, stucco and adobe to form a
strong, breathable water barrier is new from Okon, Inc.
Waterproofing Sealer is a clear, water-based coating that reduces absorption and migration, preventing water damage.
Once applied, the product dustproofs and helps prevent freeze-thaw damage and staining.
The sealer can be used as a primer, additive or topcoat to prolong the life of painted interior and exterior surfaces.
Circle No. 815
A lumber grader that accommodates sizes from 2'x3' to 2'xl2' and evaluates up to 2000+ ft. per minute has been developed by Metriguard Inc.
Garon Treds can be applied to concrete, wood or metal stairs.
The custom fit treads are suitable for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications and are available in ll colors.
Circle No.817
The1200 High Capacity Lumber tester is available with a PC data system that reportedly permits flexible grading, automatic production and calibration records, and enhanced spray marking.
The grader has a total installed length of 15'3" and a closed-loop drive system option, enabling the machine to be placed closer to the planer outfeed.
Circle N0.816
A stairway tread manufactured from heat-resistant extruded aluminum alloy to provide long-lasting traction and prevent slips is new from Garon Products, lnc.
We offer the lollowing to the trade:
oDRYWALL SCREWS - Complete assortments of all types in standard bulk packing.
. DRYWALL SCREWS - In art designed 1# and 5# boxes plus color coded buckets. A runaway success slory.
.DRYWALL NAILS - We have them all. ULTRA PC DRYWALL NAIL, Brite AI Blued AI Vinyl, Clear Coated, EG, etc.
o CONCRETE STUBS - All sizes lrom 3}/8' to 1-114' in sturdy bulk packages or smaller boxes.
.TENSION PINS - High profit item in 1-1l8' length.
oSTATNLESS STEEL EXTERIOR SCREWS - End Corrosion problems with BPA Stainless Steel Screws. Used for outdoor decking, and all types of wood conslruction.
OM W buy trm BPA, you'll be@re a regular. Cail 6. We'rc nxixs to lBar tm You.
A 32-p., full-color booklet, "The Book Behind the Look," that demonstrates costeffective and creative applications for North American hardwoods is free from The Hardwood Council. Box 525. Oakmont, Pa. 15 139; (412) 281-4980.
A catalog of cordless and pneumatic nailers, framers and staplers is free from Paslode Corp., 888 Forest Edge Dr., Vernon Hills, Il. 6ffi61-3105; (800) 6823428.
A l2-p. catalog, "Original English Garden Tools," is free from Ames Lawn & Garden Tools, Box 1774, Parkersburg, W.V. 26101; (800) 725-9500.
The centennial edition of the Buyers Guide & Directory is free from the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America, 1900 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa. (215) 564-3484.
A l2-p., full-color brochure on walkie pallet mover models is free from Mitsubishi. Inc.. 20ll W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N., Houston, Tx.77043-2421; (888) g8-5438.
A 4-p. booklet announcing a new spiral saw is free from Roto Zip Tool Corp., 1861 Ludden Dr., Cross Plains, Wi. 53528; (877) 768-6947.
A 100-p. lawn and garden tool catalog is free from Ames, Box 1774, Parkersburg, W.V. 26101; (800) 725-9500.
Two new CD-Roms on vinyl windows have been introduced: About Vinyl Windows, $35 from Tim Carter,3166 N. Farmcrest Dr., Cincinnati, Oh. 45213I ll2, (888) 537-8833, and a window catalog on CD-Rom from Astrup Co., 2937 W. 25th St., Cleveland, Oh.44113; (216) 696-2820.
An 80-p. full-color kitchen and bath ventilation product catalog is available from Patton Building Products, 800 E. 101 Terrace, Kansas City, Mo. 64131; (800) 334-4126.
An 8-p. brochure on the Lincs family of undercabinet lighting systems is free from Alkco Lighting, 11500 Melrose Ave., Franklin Park, Il. 60131; (847) 4510700.
A brochure on formaldehyde-free MDF products is free from SierraPine Lfi., 215l Professional Dr., #200. Roseville, Ca. 95661; (888) 633-747'7.
A 208-p. catalog of over 250 hand tools is available from Truecraft Tools, 615 Pierce St., Somerset, N.J. 088756739; (800) 532-8665.
Barns and Backbuildings, a new book on how to plan and construct backyard projects including a directory of products and services, is $9.95 from Don Berg, Architect, Box 698, Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11571; (516) 766-5585.
Brochures on DiG15S/l8S Series pneumatic tire lift trucks and on threewheel lift trucks are free from Daewoo Corp., 4350 Renaissance Pkwy., Warrensville Heights, Oh. 4a128; (216) 595-1212.
A catalog of old-fashioned door hardware is free from Nostalgic Warehouse, 701 E. Kingsley Rd., Garland,'tx. 75041; (9'12\ 27r-0319.
A 2.-p. color information sheet on merchandisers for ceramic tiles is free from United States Ceramic Tile Co., 10233 Sandyville Rd., SE, E. Sparta, Oh. 44626; (330) 866-5531.
of onv New Literoture item
by contocting eoch compony directly... ond pleose mention thot you sow it in Building Products Digest!
Hardwood Expressions, a 36-p. guide to hardwood flooring, cabinetry, furniture and woodwork, is free from the Hardwood Manufacturers Association, 400 Penn Center Blvd. #530, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235; (800)373-9663.
A catalog of southern pine lumber products is free and a new 16-minute video on installing southern pine lx4 strip flooring over a concrete slab is $5 from the Southern Pine Council. Box 641700. Kenner, La.; (504) 443-4464.
912-367-3671
Kbrista Bnrnes, Wren Carte4 Stan Isom, Judy Ogden, DonnaWbitaker
AuBur
Erungart Equitrnent............(800) 223-3023 (205) 52C2000
Grayson Lumber Co.p.............................. ......(20F,1 n2-W7
Groal Souhem Wood PresoMng..................(800) 6i197539
Gu[ Lumber Co., Inc.....................................(334) 457€872
lrcEwon Lunber Co. .....(S3r'.l 432-2
McshanLurtorCo. .....(205) 375627'
Moad S(lrhem Wmd Produds.....................(800) 2734597
Mellco, Inc...........................(800) 86S1411 (205) 2390256
Prudsnthl Bukr|g Ma10da1s..........................(800) 60G99€
Sodheast Wood Tnalins-.............................(8m) 44{100
Stdngilsllow Lumber Co., Inc..........................(800) 82$9400
Walkor-Williarns Lumbor Co.....---...-.--.(800) 727-9007
Wsy€dEousot Co. ..............(800) 541-4825 (205) 381-3550
Anhmy Fo€st PrcducB Co..........................(8@l
lloover
Prudendal Bukfing
Rayoniet
Sunbelt Matedal lhndlhg...(800) 35{}S92 (nq fi9-n44
Ur|ivelsal Forost Prodicb..............................(91 2) 98$8066
Wblker-V$lliam LurSer Co...........................(706) 32$4491
WoyerlEouser Co. ..............(800) 282-3370 (404) 35t5971
Wrenn Handin9...................(800) 851.6766 (r,0) 987-7666
Glen Oak Lurnbor & Mi111n9............................($Wl 242-8272
McErwn Lumber Co ......(502) 96+9887
Weyorhaousar en. ..............(800) 752{032 (5(r2) 368-3331
gdor Lumber Co., Roy O...............................(800) 844-0615
Eldsr Wood Prosenrlng.......(800) 467-8018 (318) 96+2196
Gaiennie Lunber Co ......(318) 94&3066
Landry Lunber Sales, Ritad ......................(318) 442-0453
Manin, Roy 0.................................................(800) 2995174
McElroy irehl, Inc...............(888) 562-3576 (318) 747-8045
Amerizn Wood Pesoilors
ChesaDsaks Hadwood Products
Rates: 25 words for $23, additional words 70C ea. Phone number counts as I word, address as 6 words. Headline or centered copy, $6 per line. Private box or special border, $6 ea. Column inch
rate: $45 camera-ready, $55 if we set type. Send copy to 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872, FAX 949-852-0231 or call (949) 852-1990. Make checks payable to Cutler Publishing. Deadline: 20th of ea. month. Payment must accompany copy unless you have established credit with us.
To reply to ads with private box numbers, send correspondence to box number shown, in care of Building Products Digest, 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca.926ffi-1872. Names of advertisers using a box number cannot be released.
PAN PACItr'IC Forest Products, a growth company cclebrating its lfth anniversary, is seeking professionals to join our sales force. Establish your exclusive customer base from one of our three officcs in Oregon or one in Florida and enjoy one of the industry's best compensation packages. If you have professional sales experience and are interested in joining our respected team, send your rcsume to: Pan Pacific Forest hoducts, Inc., P.O. Box 1507, Bend, Or. 97709, Attention: Sales M-ug"t, orcall Ron Hanson, (800) 7768131.
WANTED: Plywood/OSB strips, drops; sound, square, uniform, dry, thickness l/4 thmugh 23R2. Prcfenrd width, 3-ll2, 5-ll2 or wider. Length 32 to 96 inches or longer. Mixcd or truckload. Send price and availability to FAX #901-682-8501, or mail to: Lumber Source, 4746 Spottswood, Memphis, Tn. 38117. Phone (888) 5768723 (I-SOURCE).
($45 per column inch for camera ready copy; $55 if we set type)
S0-YEAR-OLD LUMBER COMPANY for sale or lease in the North Texas area. Established market. Willing to deal. Terms available. Fax interest to 972-437-3115, or c-mail at oll@rbm-tx.oorL
Sel Group International Inc. has merged with fellow comrgated pvc and polycarbonate panel supplier Suntuf, Inc.
The new company retains Suntuf s name, Livingston, N.J., headquarters, and distribution centers in Florida, Texas and Van Nuys, Ca.
SGI president Elizabeth Benham will serve as v.p. and sales & marketing mgr., while its Amityville, N.Y., quarters becomes the new Northeast regional distribution center.
Dale Todd, Rayonier, Baxley, Ga., was recognized as best overall among 84 graders and Union Camp, Meldrim, Ga., as best overall team at Cox Wood Preserving's 7th annual Timber Products Inspection grader contest.
For individual categories:
o Bruce Kicklighter, Union Camp, won the written testdimension, with runners-up Russ Rambo, Union Camp;
Todd, and John Beaver, Culp Lumber, New London, S.C.
. Written test-RED or boards- Donnie Lloyd, Rayonier, followed by Todd, Kicklighter and Rambo.
o Visual-neo or boards- Robert Washington, West Ashley Lumber, Cottageville, S.C.; Scott Ray, Union Camp; Joe Ladson, Westvaco, Summerville, S.C., and John Grant, Georgia-Pacific, Varnville, S.C.
o Visual-dimension-Nancy Varnadue, Stone Forest, Orangeburg, S.C.; Alfred Pierce, Union Camp; John Adams, New South, Conway, S.C., and Jeffrey Bennett, Union Camp.
o Visual test-wide dimension- Beaver; Doug Cross, Sizemore Lumber, Graham, S.C.; David Streweler, Union Camp, and Pierce.
Power tools, by far, top the list of the most popular gifts purchased in hardware stores during the holiday season, according to a recent survey of Ace Hardware dealers.
Nearly half (48Vo) of the 132 dealers surveyed selected power tools such as drills, sanders and saws as the most commonly purchased holiday gift.
Hand tools and housewares were each named by about 207o.
A few dealers named unusual items such as pet supplies, plumbing products and hunting apparel as commonly purchased presents. Automotive maintenance supplies and paint producs didn't rnake any retailer's list.
Texarkana, Tx.-based Kerr-McGee Chemical LLC's creosote treating plant has earned Star status, the highest level of recognition under OSHA's Voluntary hotection program.
To qualiS for the program, a facility must have injury rates below the national industry averages for three consecutive years, and its safety and health programs must exceed OSHA's standards.
The latest three-year injury and lost-workday incidence rates for K-M's plant are, respectively, 88Vo and 8l7o below industry averages.
Robert L. Hixson, Sr., 67, chairman of the board of Hixsorrlumber Sales, Inc., Pine Bluff, Ar., died Sept. 23.
A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, he got his start in the lumber industry as a salesman for W.S. Fox & Son. In 1959, he founded Hixson Lumber Sales in Pine Bluff, eventually expanding into Magnolia and Plumerville.
He served on the board of the Arkansas Forestry Association.
James McKenzie, 51, president of Southern Wood Specialties, Starkville, Ms., died of a heart attack October 2.
A native of Starkville and a graduate of Mississippi State University, he was a longtime member of the Mississippi Building Material Dealers Association.
Alfred G. Moore, 74, president of A.G. Moore & Co., Norfolk, Va., died Oct. l0 in Norfolk.
A native of Norfolk, he served in the U.S. Army in England, France and Germany during WWII and was a graduate of Virginia Tech.
He began working for A.G. Moore & Co. in 1949, eventually rising to president. His father founded the business in 1946.
David Moore, Mr. Moore's son,.is currently overseeing operations.
John L. McMinn, 69, owner of B&M Building Supply, Water Valley, Ms., died of an aneurysm Oct. 5 in Oxford.
He founded the firm in 1967.
- Anhur Martinez, S e ars c hai.nnan, c o mme nt in g on Home Depot's plans to open smaller hardware stores
Elsie M. Hicks. 76. retired coowner of the now-defunct Farmers Merchants Lumber Co., Brenham, Tx., died Oct.3.
Mrs. Hicks and her husband. John
J. Hicks, founded Farmers Merchants Co. in 1972. She closed the business in July 1990, two months after the death of her husband.
"This is not exactly a chopped liver business, so we are going to defend it very hard."
EAX to 949-852-0231 or call (949)852-t990 or mail to Building Producrs Digest, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca.92660-1872.
Name (Please print)
For more information on products or companies (see list at right), circle the appropriate Reader Service FAX Response number(s):
For more information from advertisers, use FAX Rgtponse nwnbers in brackets.
Advantage Business Computer Systems llZ,y'l .......................Cover IV
Alpine Engineered Products 11141......47
American Pole & Timber Co. [111]....45
Bean Lumber Company, Crur.t ...........A
Bowie Sims Prange I1061 .......................6
Breco Wood Products U101.................45
Buie Forest Products [1E] ..................51
Building Products Digest ....Cover II,40
Building Products of America [117] ...51
Cox lVood Preserving Co.....................2.E
Qlnmpler Plastic Pipe, Inc. [104].........3
Eastex tr'orest Products U 191...............53
East Texas Forest Products [121]........54
Elder Wood Preserving Un1..............56
Grayson Lumber Corp. [1f5]..............50
Haase Industries, Inc. (Magnetic Push Broom) [116]
Ilickson Corp. -----............................20
Iloover Treated lTood Products 11231.._.......... .............s7
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Jordan Redwood Lumber Co., Lee Roy [102]......
Johns ManviI|e....................-----........30
LJB Lumber Sales [107] ........................7
Merchant Magazine, T\e -..................42
National Building Products Bxpo .......34
National Hardware Show ...................34
North American VYholesale Lumber Association
Osmose [10f]................................Cover I Product Sales Company ....,.................?2
QB Corporation ...................................?,6 Rayonier [120].......-..............................53 Sherwin Willianrs ...-...---...................38
Somerset Southern Door & Column Co.lll2l...46 Gulf Tmcking If 0E]...............7
Suntuf .........32
Swan Secure Products, Inc [f n]........46
Sweed Machinery, Inc. [103] ................3
Wagner Electronic Products t10!)1........8
Willamette Industries, Inc. [105]...........5
Youn CARD CAN APPEAR IN JANUARY'S SPECIAL
Use this low cost opportunity to deliver New Year's greetings to customers, friends and suppliers. Your business card will appear in a Special Section in our January issue, exposing your message at an extralaus prtce. Cards will be reduced slightly, to 2-3/8" x I-3l8".
IT'S THIS EASIY:
Just send your business card and a check for $60 before December 17 to Building Products Digest, 4500 Campus Drive, Suite 48O, Newport Beach, California 92660.
At this low price, your check will be
Celebrate the New Year by comyour receipt. municating with the trade. And at a price that can't be beat! Cutler at (949) 852-1990.
$uestions? Call David
Flexibility is often an overused buznvord in today's business climate. This is especially true for many of today's computer systems created for companies like yours.
Some computer systems advertise their flexible nature, but fail to mention the time and monev required to achieve that flexibility.
Many of these systems include expensive charSes for each software upgrade. Custom features can cost thousands and take months to program.
At Advantage, we heard one message loud and clear from our customers: "build flexibilitv into your system so that customization and software upgrades are both timely and cost effective." Which is why we designed our software around an easy-to-modifu database engine. We include configuration utilities with every system to help
takes six months custom feature, ften it's nrobably
tailor the software to your needs. Custom features can be written quickly and efficiently. In fact, the database design makes it so easy to incorporate customer input we offer software upgrades free of charge!
If you're looking for a computer system sup plier that can truly listen and respond to your needs without costing you an arm and a leg, cal Advantage today at 800-991-7283 or visit us at wwwabcsinc.com. We think when it comes to discussing your business, you'll find we're all ear
"lf qou thinft l'yn going to paq a service fee every again for eacfr software upgrade, then qou're not listening!'
I I I t
"l won't ever haue c0mputel system that Gan't grow with my businessi'
,Mvantage: The C-nmputer Compotty With fhe Persornl Tbuch.