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As the recognized voke of the building nuterial industry in T exos, lkluhomo, Arkansos, Lou isio no, Iillksissippi, Alobomo, Florido, 6eorgio, South Corolins, Nofth Corolins, Virginio, Kentucky ond Tennessee, Building Products Digest fteeps ylu up to the minufe on the South. Eoch isue of thts glossy nonthly mogozine contoins the lotes| in industry news, ne'l'ls of people ond componies, plus New Products, New Literoture, ond urticles and tips on how to manoge, morket und merchondisl ... ideus thot con mokeyou mlney 0swellus mve ylu nlney. Building Products Digest is sent free to oll quolifying building products retoilers and wholesolers in the 13 Southern stotes or of reasonoble rstes to others in the industry. lust fill out the form below ond FM to 949-852-0231, or moil it with your check to Building Products Digest, 4500 Compus Drive, Surte 480, Newport Beoch, Co. 92660. Ouestions? CullAutumn ot (949) 852-1990. r r

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Company Address City State _ Zip o Pau Lope Hardwood Decking ' Large Timbers

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SGBAPi'iHfiT'fil'ili8

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 - lEUfillllhers follow leod of porrners G-p and Sourheosr Wood? lff ileorlv 1^500 conyerge on Dollos for llAtUlA Troders tUlorker shore ofthis emerging morket.

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?

EH Psll ouf and sove: 1999 Deluxe Industrv (alendor of tvents 5 lditoricl t6 lew: Bfefs f5 biler:

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Back issues (urtren avallablo), $4.50 + shipping whatever it takes. fhat's a rommitment we've made to Willamette customers for the Setter part of a century and that's not going to ehange. Tell you why. Having loyal partnerships is what we value mosi. Everything it takes l0 deliver products of consistent quality-traditional and e,ngineered wood-is a Willamette priority. As it should h. Because the customers we work with every day depend on this quality standard to do their iobs well. After all, they have a vested interest. Which is why making caBital investments in our.plants, kecping pace with'new nlofuct development, and responsibly managing our {orest resources are so important to the job we do now and in the future. lt's a team etfort, and one we're mighty proud of. lf you'd like to know more, call us at l-S00-SS?-l|7rtr ext. l|tr or visit us at www.wii.com.

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ls Generation X Really Generation D.l.y?

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.