#'-ryffi Plumbin

Business Jorerost 2001: The

go to.4grket

Attendonce ond enihusiosm continues to run high for NAWLA event in Dollos.

S, " 11sJg-11 g ble f o resf ry stondords sought

Sewing 13 Stfrhern states

PUBLISHER David Cutler (dcuiler@ioc.net)

SENIOR EDITOR David Koenig (dkoenig@ioc.net)

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dave DelVal (ddelval@ioc,net)

COiITRIBIffiNG EDITORS Dwight Cunan, Gage McKinney

A0 SALES MAIIAGER C ,Casey (chuck@ioc.net)'

ART DIRECTOR Martha Emery

CIRCULATION Heaher Kelly

How to Advertise

Contac't orr adve{$lng oftlcos tor rrbsl

U.S.A.: Chuck Casey, 4500 Campus Drive, Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 9266G1872. Phone (949) 85il-1990 Fax 949-852-0231

E-mail chrrck@ioc.net

IIIIERNET ADS: Davfrl Cutler, www.building pfoducts.com. Plrene {9{9} 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 E-mafi dcu{er@ioc,net

How to Subscribe

Call tleethsr at (949) 852-1900 or oend a checlt for fra fol@ing amount to BuiHing Products Drgest 45@.Campus Ddve, $!ite 4$, Newport Beadt, C€, *660-1872:

U.S,A,: One year (12 issuos),,$5

Two years, $41

Three yearo, $55

FOREHN lFeqyoarpaid in a&qrice in Us funtb): $ufac+Canada or Mexico; $37

Other muntries, $45

Air rates also available.

Single mpes, $3 + shipping Bac* issues (rrl'en available), $4.50 + shipping

We Build Tr,tst

Pors

Say What?

Every convention, meeting or industry gathering these days seems to have a session or two on computerizing business. The e-commerce people eagerly participate, sensing enormous opportunity for their companies. Likewise, retailers. wholesalers. distributors and others in the distribution channel are straining to learn how their companies can use computer systems [o energize and improve their businesses.

So far, so good. But then language begins to get in the way. The lumber folks, used to the traditional jargon of this business, suddenly are hearing and reading words and phrases from the technical world of the computer. As some computer presentations proceed, and the talk sinks slowly into a morass of techno babble, you can see the effect upon the audience. Formerly eager listeners place their pencils next to their papers, their bodies now leaning back in their chairs. Some look down the table at friends, shrug and smile; body language saying it all.

Every industry has its specialized language and computers certainly are no different. But caution needs to be exercised when tossing out phrases like Web-enabled WAP phones and wireless PDAs, phototonic cross connect systems, quoting via a configured system, automated deployment of new site functionality, active matrix, optical Internet backbone, preconfigured for easy integration and configuration flexibility. Surely, there must be some better way to express all these things. Using plain, unadorned, basic English would be a good starting point. l" Yellow Pine Boords'C','D', #2 l" Yellow Pine Boords (Potterns)

But the lure of jargon is strong, and we don't fault the computer folks for developing new names and terms to describe functions that, possibly, have never existed before. Their challenge is to do it with maximum clarity to help everyone understand.

While our industry has not been a leader in adapting electronic technology to operations and mangement, still, considering the unique challenges faced in building products sales and distribution, it seems to us that our people have done a very credible job.

2x4 thru 2xl2#1, #2. #3 MS Yellow Pine

1', 2u , 4' , 6" Yellow Pine Wolmonized l" Ponderoso Pine Boords'C', 'D', #2, #3

2" Doug Ftr #2 & Better, Ulility

2'Spruce Pine Fir #2 & Betier, Ufility

Redwood & Cedor- Inventory

(Lloyd Wheeler, Dovid

Bryont Longford,

Yellow Pine CDX & Sturdifloor

Yellow Pine BC Sonded

Yellow Pine Premium & Decorotive Sidings

Woferboords

Fir Sonded & Fir Sidings

Hordwood Plywoods

Hordboord Sidings - Mosonite *1 &#2

Treoted Plywoods Avoiloble

3200 Troup Hwy,, Ste, 242,Iyler, TX 75701 . (903) 595-2102 . (800) 333-8418

Payless Cashways Adds 5, Shuts 22

Accelerating its transition to a pro focus, Payless Cashways is closing 22 locations in nine states and has opened five new PCI Builders Resource stores geared to serve home builders.

The new PCI stores are in Lake Dallas and Duncanville, Tx.; Cincinnati, Oh.; Kansas City, Mo., and Denver, Co. Builders represent the largest segment of Payless Cashways' professional business, which also includes remodel and repair contractors, institutional buyers and project-oriented consumers.

Among the stores to be shuttered are Funow Building Materials on Lamar Rd. in Austin, Tx.; in Florence, Ky., and Colerain, Huber Heights and Miamisburg, Oh., and Payless Cashways units in South Fort Worth, Addison and Denton, Tx., and on Winchester Rd. in Memphis, Tn.

Other closings are in California, Oregon, Arizona, Indiana and Minnesota.

The closures will leave the chain with 121 locations, a number of which will soon be remodeled. Some locations, including Payless Cashways in Collierville, Tn., will close their showroom, but keep their lumberyard open as a PCI Builders Resource. Three years earlier, Payless Cashways closed 30 stores while it reorganized under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Ace Begins Oklahoma Joint Venture

Ace Hardware Corp. and Comanche Ace Home Center, Lawton, Ok., have entered into a joint venture to open at least three stores in the region within the next 24 months, and as many as 10 over the next 12 years.

While specific locations have not been announced, the operation, Southern Hardlines Ace Hardware, LLC, will be managed by Comanche's John Cullison.

"This joint venture provides an ideal opportunity to increase Ace presence in the Oklahoma market," said Ace president/ceo David Hodnik. "While at this time we cannot divulge the specific locations we're looking at, we have identified several that have all the right elements, including demographics, competition and future potential growth."

Willamette Spurns Weyerhaeuser Bid

Willamette Industries Inc., Portland, Or., is fighting off a proposed $5.3 billion buyout by rival Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way, Wa.

Willamette's board unanimously rejected the unsolicited bid, explaining that the offer did not reflect its value or growth potential and was an attempt to capitalize on low stock prices hurt by poor industry conditions.

Weyerhaeuser is contemplating whether to pursue a formal hostile tender offer by taking it directly to Willamette shareholders. Although Willamette has strong corporate defenses to fend off an unwelcome suitor, merger analysts predict that shareholder pressure eventually may force the firm to accept a deal at a higher price.

Weyerhaeuser says it first approached Willamette two years ago, began merger discussions last August, and submitted a formal proposal in early November. A week later, after receiving no response, Weyerhaeuser tried to exert pressure on the Willamette board by releasing a letter written to Willamette president and ceo Duane McDougall, thereby disclosing the offer.

At $48 a share, the initial offer represented a 387o premium over Willamette's recent stock price, which promptly rose $11 to $45-314 a share following the announcement.

According to Weyerhaeuser, within three years a merger could save about $300 million a year. The deal also calls for the assumption of $1.7 billion of Willamette debt.

Anderson-Tully's New Flooring Line

Anderson-Tully Co., Memphis, Tn., is expanding its veneer plant in Vicksburg, Ms., to produce pre-finished, engineered hardwood flooring and other engineered products.

Produced from FSC-certified timber, Capella Hardwood Floors will be available in the spring, initially offered in 2114",3-114" and a wider plank from oak, maple, pecan, cherry, walnut and ash.

The expanded facility will produce aluminum oxide finishes and square edge products. According to Worth Roberts, vice president of flooring sales, the flooring has a precision tongue and groove fit and unique "engineered strip" construction. A thick wear layer will offer the same refinishing opportunities as standard solid 3/4" products.