CNRG Expands into Georgia
Central Network Retail Group, Natchez, Ms., has expanded into Georgia with its acquisiton of Habersham Hardware & Home Center, Cornelia and Clarkesville, Ga. Brentt Cody, grandson of Habersham founder Paul Reeves, will serve as district manager for CNRG’s newly formed Georgia district. CNRG now operates 39 home centers in seven Southern states under six brands—Habersham, Home Hardware Center, NFL Home Center, Morrison Terrebonne Lumber, Elliott’s Hardware, and Town & Country Hardware.
Bankrupt Harvey Lumber May Face Auction
An auction seems likely for W.T. Harvey Lumber, Columbus, Ga., which filed for bankruptcy protection in December. In early January, the court set a minimum price of $2.3 million for the company, which was founded in 1863. The company’s total debt tops $6.5 million, and it had been unable to secure refinancing. Its main office and lumberyard are located near downtown Columbus, with a second yard in Phenix City, Al. Four other locations near Columbus were already closed, due to market conditions. A “stalking horse” bid has been submitted by Bubba One LLC, which was formed by the four children of W.E. “Bubber” Gross Jr., the former chief executive officer of Harvey Lumber, who died in early 2012. The siblings include Gross’ son, Bailey, who is president and c.e.o.
“The company is actively soliciting other bidders who would pay more than what was offered in the stalking horse bid,” said Fife Whiteside, Harvey Lumber’s attorney. “All remaining assets will be liquidated after the sale, by auction or otherwise.”
APA, WCLIB Pick Up for AITC
The American Institute of Timber Construction is dissolving after 60 years, moving its glulam certification operations to the West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau and transferring its three American National Standards to APA–The Engineered Wood Association. WCLIB absorbed staff members of the AITC inspection bureau and began certifying glulam for AITC producers Jan. 1. It will also continue using the AITC quality mark. APA is now managing ANSI A190.1 (for Wood Products, Structural Glued Laminated Timber), ANSI 405 – 2008 (for Adhesives for use in Structural Glued Laminated Timber), and ANSI 117 (for Structural Glued Laminated Timber of Softwood Species). “APA has had a good working relationship with AITC for many years. We’re pleased to take the responsibility for these standards, which are vital to the glulam industry,” said APA president Dennis Hardman. “We’re taking steps to ensure a smooth transition of the standards committee and to provide uninterrupted support to the industry with up-to-date product standards and design specifications.”
SUPPLIER Briefs PB&H Moulding Corp. , DeWitt, N.Y., is closing after 128 years. Northland Forest Products, Kingston, N.H., is upgrading its hardwood concentration yard and drying facility in Troy, Va. The addition of new machinery and buildings will “streamline product flow, dramatically improve waste recovery and recycling, and allow for a significant increase in shipping efficiency.” J.D. Hardwoods, Windsor, Oh., suffered damage to a few small structures and mulching equipment in a Jan. 20 fire. Its main building was spared. OMG, Agawam, Ma., has acquired commercial roofing and fastener manufacturer W.P. Hickman Co. , Asheville, N.C. It will operate as Hickman Engineered Systems, an OMG Roofing Products company. M-D Building Products , Oklahoma City, Ok., has acquired Loxcreen Co ., West Columbia, S.C., manufacturer of extruded doors, windows and flooring. O’Connor & Associates , Carpentersville, Il., is now selling Integrity Composites’ DuraLife decking and railing products in the Midwest and Southeast, including N.D., S.D., Il., Ia., In., Ky., Oh., Mi., Mn., Wi., western N.Y., and western Pa. CertainTeed, Valley Forge, Pa., is exploring sites for a new asphalt roofing shingle plant in the Midwest. Vermont Natural Coatings
has moved its manufacturing, shipping, and R&D operations to a new, larger facility adjacent to its Hardwick, Vt., headquarters.
ITW Building Components Group , Grand Prairie, Tx., has
opened a new 21,000-sq. ft. office and testing lab in Orlando, Fl.
LP Building Products’ LP SolidStart LVL received CE approval, which is required for trading construction materials throughout the European Union.
30
Building Products Digest
February 2013
Building-Products.com