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Building Products Digest

SEPTEMBER 2021 SEPTEM

THE VOICE OF THE LBM SUPPLY CHAIN — SINCE 1982

NELMA SPECIAL ISSUE • CYPRESS • CEDAR • REDWOOD • UPHEAVAL IN OSB

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CONTENTS

September 2021 Volume 40 n Number 9

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Special Issue

Features

Departments

36 NELMA

10 FEATURE STORY

RESOURCES TO HELP THE SUPPLY CHAIN SELL

12 INDUSTRY TRENDS

8 ACROSS THE BOARD 20 OLSEN ON SALES 24 SELLING WITH KAHLE 26 LUMBER 411 32 MOVERS & SHAKERS 50 NEW PRODUCTS 56 ASSOCIATION UPDATE 58 DATEBOOK 60 CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE 60 IN MEMORIAM 61 ADVERTISERS INDEX 62 FLASHBACK

NORTHEASTERN LUMBER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION ROLLS OUT NEW TOOLS AND MORE

EASTERN WHITE PINE AND SPFS.

UNCERTAINTY RUNS HIGH IN OSB AMID ROLLER COASTER PRICE SWING SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS WITH CYPRESS

14 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT BPD

SEPTEMBER 2021

Building Products Digest

THE VOICE OF THE LBM SUPPLY CHAIN — SINCE 1982

NELMA SPECIAL ISSUE • CYPRESS • CEDAR • REDWOOD • UPHEAVAL IN OSB

SUBSTRATE MATTERS WITH VERSATILE WESTERN RED CEDAR

16 MARGIN BUILDERS

SPECIALTY LUMBERYARD IN NEW MEXICO BUILDS ON REDWOOD

18 COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE GOOD FORTUNE FOR MID-CAPE

22 TRANSFORMING TEAMS

HOW TO SURVIVE THE LABOR SHORTAGES

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ACROSS the Board

By Patrick Adams

The curse of easy n all of history, nothing good has ever come from “easy.” It seems most of mankind is in a constant search for “easy,” but it often leads to tempting shortcuts that only derail them from actually achieving it. It’s an interesting curse that tempts us all.

Easy money, easy life, easy relationship. What could be wrong with that? I started considering that recently when—as seems to have become source for many of my tales—a few buddies and I were talking over cigars and drinks by a fire. A friend with a long history of, let’s say, “adventures,” most of them highly confidential, remarked, “In all of history, nothing good has ever come from ‘easy.’ People should learn to embrace and celebrate hard times because nothing is a better teacher.”

In this small group I was in, there was no shortage of hard times, or the lessons from them. I thought back on my life, one that through age now has me look back on my hard times with a form of sideways gratitude, because I would not fully appreciate my life and family now had I not been through it all. As we shared examples that supported his argument, I threw a grenade into the otherwise calm dialog. “If that is true, and we can all share that we are grateful for our hardships, why do we make it so easy on our children?” I asked.

There is no right answer to this challenge, but equally we should not curse at the hard times. This great industry knows better than most that the “good times” are only a moment to take a breath before the next cycle hits where you fight for every penny of margin. The countless number of things that can impact our business and lives at a moment’s notice only goes unmentioned because it would be too depressing to discuss regularly. And yet, we persevere. We get up, fight for every inch, and if we’re lucky, get to go to bed that evening tired from our hardfought battles.

I’ve known a few people in my life who had it “easy.”

While for brief seconds I’ll admit there was a slight tinge of jealousy, very quickly I saw how hollow their lives were. There was no purpose, no drive, no goals. They never lost, but technically never won either because there was never a fight.

Now, as we look across our landscape, we hear the constant criticism of all that could be better. What could have been more efficient, more organized with less error… easier. It seems that everyone is a critic who themselves has the “perfect plan” had they been in the role. I listen to this and instead of joining in, I smile in thinking

I

back on the endless list of hardships I’ve had, things I could have done better, and things I know now that I wish I knew then.

As our industry goes through yet another roller-coaster slide, I know many sit back and ask why four-digit prices couldn’t hold on just a bit longer. My friend’s answer is, “because hard times create hard men, and you should be thankful that you’re one of them.” And his answer to my challenge about our kids? Well, I’ll spare you the details but in general, his explanation centered on them having us as parents and whether it be now or later, they will experience tough times too!

I share in his belief that “easy” is a curse and thankfully, most of my tough times these days don’t last so long that they break my hope and gratitude for all that I have. As we prepare to celebrate 100 years of service to this great industry next year, I consider all that the publications have witnessed in that time, reported and shared with many of your elders. We have a LOT planned next year that will equip us for another 100 years of service during the easy times, and especially the tough times.

I close with wishing you all just a moment or two of “easy times” as we finish out summer. But more than anything, take pride in all that you’ve created through the tough times. In the next couple of months, I’m going to ask just a few small favors of each of you to help us prepare for some amazing things next year. Stay tuned and as always, thank you for allowing us to serve you!

Patrick S. Adams Publisher/President padams@526mediagroup.com

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

Building-Products.com

FEATURE Story

By David Koenig

DESPITE CONTINUING demand, OSB prices began dropping fast during the summer after 18 months of record increases.

Uncertainty runs high in volatile OSB market fter reaching historic highs in June, the price of OSB began to drop through the summer, at one point plunging several hundred dollars in a single week.

Through the end of the summer the fast-falling prices have frozen many buyers, afraid the drop will continue. Yet

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2021

OSB Top 10

1 West Fraser

Headquarters: Vancouver, B.C. OSB Mills (12): Huguley, Al.; Cordele, Ga.; Guntown, Ms.; Bemidji, Mn.; Joanna, S.C.; Jefferson and Nacogdoches, Tx.; Grand Prairie and High Level, Alb.; Barwick, Ont.; Chambord and La Sarre, P.Q. [Plus Scotland, Belgium] In February, West Fraser—one of the world’s biggest lumber manufacturers—also became the world’s largest producer of OSB overnight, with the completion of its purchase of Norbord. West Fraser operates 12 OSB mills in North America (seven in the U.S., five in Canada), with an industry-leading combined annual capacity of more than 8 billion sq. ft. It also has an OSB mill in Scotland and one in Belgium. All have been running close to capacity.

And in May it restarted its mill in Chambord, P.Q., which had been dormant since 2008.

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with customers remaining active, purchasers can’t wait too long. “Business is still crazy, although buyers are holding off when they can to let prices settle in,” explained Langboard’s Chuck Rigoni. “Most can’t hold off much though, as their customers are so busy. We believe there is still very

2 Louisiana-Pacific

Headquarters: Nashville, Tn. OSB Mills (9): Clarke County and Hanceville, Al.; Houlton, Me.; Sagola, Mi.; Watkins, Mn.; Roxboro, N.C.; Carthge and Jasper, Tx.; Maniwaki, P.Q. [Plus Peace Valley, B.C. (idled); Brazil, Chile] Capitalizing on the high prices for OSB, LP has been generating considerably more revenue on slightly less production. In 2020, its nine North American OSB mills produced just over 3.5 billion sq. ft., a 5% drop from the previous year, but increased net sales by 57%. Similarly first quarter 2021 sales jumped 145% on 7% lower volume.

LP is currently upgrading its Peace Valley OSB mill in Fort St. John, B.C., with plans to restart the facility later this year after a two-year layoff. By the time it ramps up by full production in mid-2022, the facility will add around 750 million sq. ft. of product. In the meantime, current overall capacity is 4.84 billion sq. ft.

The company has also been increasing its percentage of value-added materials OSB. In the first quarter, 47% of its OSB output was LP Structural Solutions (radiant barrier, air/water barrier, premium subflooring, fire-rated sheathing), up from 43%—continuing a recent trend.

Building-Products.com

real demand in place, and business should be good through 2022, although with the virus and other uncertainties anything could happen.”

In one sense, OSB prices “returning to earth” was as inevitable as gravity. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average mill price of OSB increased 510% over 18 months, outpacing the spike in lumber prices by 180 percentage points. NAHB reported that prices for certain OSB items in certain markets rose even more.

Reportedly, the delivered price of 3/8” thick OSB sheathing in Portland, Or., skyrocketed an astounding 662% from Janauary 2020 to June 2021.

OSB has grown to be the product of choice for most structural panel applications in new construction, outproducing plywood by a margin of two to one. Yet there are far fewer OSB mills than lumber mills, so the product is more susceptible to shortages when construction activity takes off.

As well, offered one analyst, the OSB industry has a large number of mill that “are somewhat long in the tooth, so more maintenance downtime is needed to keep them running.”

3 Weyerhaeuser

Headquarters: Seattle, Wa. OSB Mills (6): Arcadia, La.; Grayling, Mi.; Elkin, N.C.; Sutton, W.V.; Edson, Alb.; Hudson Bay, Sask.

Weyerhaeuser’s six OSB mills have slowly been increasing production, hovering near an annual pace of 3 billion sq. ft.

4 Georgia-Pacific

Headquarters: Atlanta, Ga. OSB Mills (5): Fordyce, Ar.; Hosford, Fl.; Clarendon, S.C.; Brookneal, Va.; Englehart, Ont. G-P’s OSB operations have a combined annual capacity of 2.65 billion sq. ft.

5 Huber Engineered Woods

Headquarters: Charlotte, N.C. OSB Mills (5): Commerce, Ga.; Easton, Me.; Broken Bow, Ok.; Spring City, Tn.; Crystal Hill, Va. In June, Huber announced plans to build a new 800,000-sq. ft. OSB facility in Cohasset, Mn. Set on 400 acres, the $440-million plant will supply Zip System and AdvanTech structural panels to western and Midwestern markets—increasing Huber’s overall OSB capacity by 30%.

Its five mills are currently able to produce up to 2.556 billion sq. ft. a year.

6 Tolko Industries

Those issues are gradually changing. Several new mega-capacity, state-of-the-art facilities have been added over the last few years.

This past spring, West Fraser restarted a long-idled OSB plant in Quebec, and RoyOMartin increased production capacity at its mill in Texas.

As well, later this year Lousiana-Pacific will restart its Peace Valley operation in British Columbia after a top-tobottom overhaul, and RoyOMartin will begin construction on a second OSB mill in Corrigan, Tx. Next summer Huber Engineered Woods will start up a huge, high-capacity plant in Minnesota.

OSB production during the first six months of 2021 totaled 11.9 billion sq. ft., a 7.1% increase over the first half of 2020. With the expectation for healthy demand to continue and the promise of increased production going forward, hopefully less volatility is in store for OSB markets.

Headquarters: Vernon, B.C. OSB Mills (3): High Prairie and Slave Lake, Alb.; Meadow Lake, Sask.

Tolko, with a combined capacity of 2.26 million sq. ft. at its three OSB mills, has been focusing on upgrading its T-Strand brand OSB products, including improved packaging, transferable warranties, easier on-site use, and increased length capabilities.

7 RoyOMartin

Headquarters: Alexandria, La. OSB Mills (2): Oakldale, La.; Corrigan, Tx. To meet rising demand beyond its two mills’ 1.7 billion sq. ft. capacity, RoyOMartin in April unveiled a new production line for Eclipse OSB Radiant Barrier at its Corrigan, Tx., facility, and last month announced it would be building an additional OSB plant in Corrigan.

8 Arbec Forest Products

Headquarters: St. Leonard, P.Q. OSB Mills (2) Miramichi, N.B.; Shawinigan, P.Q. Arbec’s two OSB mills have a combined capacity of 620 million sq. ft.

9 Forex Amos

Headquarters: Montreal, P.Q. OSB Mill (1): Amos, P.Q. The company is now in its third year of producing 7/16” OSB, with a max capacity of 450 million sq. ft. yearly.

10 Langboard

Headquarters: Quitman, Ga. OSB Mill (1): Quitman, Ga. Langboard OSB has an annual capacity of 440 million sq. ft.

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September 2021 n Building Products Digest n

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INDUSTRY Trends

By Ian Faight

OUTDOOR FURNITURE made of cypress offers improved aesthetics, thermal properties, and durability. (Photo courtesy of Lake Cypress Outdoor Products)

Spending time outdoors with cypress or homeowners and buyers, outdoor living space continues to be a top feature in today’s homes. And we’re not just talking about basic patios, run-of-the-mill tables, and flimsy seating. Families who have been cooped up in their homes are investing in quality furnishings for their outdoor spaces. And what does that mean for lumber dealers and distributors? New opportunities for a beautiful, versatile, and distinctive wood like cypress.

and holds up well to the elements in all seasons—especially in our hot and humid climate.”

Cypress also accepts a variety of finishes to meet any style, which is an attractive attribute for homeowners.

“We partner with local painters to finish our projects, but if it were up to me, we’d use a clear sealer instead of a pigmented stain,” he adds. “I like to show the wood’s natural beauty.”

like termites and carpenter bees. These attributes make it perfect for outdoor tabletops—not to mention it’s a beautiful wood with lots of character.

“I recently used cypress to build an outdoor table with matching bench seating. It’s finished in an oil-based stain to enhance the wood’s color and a few coats of spar varnish to provide protection from direct sunlight and UV rays.”

Outfit Outdoor Kitchens

Stunning Dining Tables

An outdoor kitchen wouldn’t be complete without a dining table to sit down at and share a meal. And Benjamin Deshotels, a blacksmith and owner of Backwards Anvil LLC in Port Island, La., says no wood is better suited for this application than cypress.

“In our neck of the woods, cypress has a rich history and that’s a big motivator to incorporate it into our projects,” Deshotels says. “Cypress also performs well in outdoor environments, and it’s resistant to insects

Seating That’s Built to Last

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When it comes to kitchens, there can never be too much storage—and that goes for the outdoors, too, says Robert N. Holley of M&M Millworks of Louisiana, a custom cabinet shop in West Monroe, La. “We focus on producing top-notch kitchen cabinets, regardless of if they’ll be installed indoors or out,” Holley says. “We prefer working with cypress because it’s local, easy to sand, offers a rustic appearance,

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There are a lot of factors to consider when buying outdoor furniture— including quality, durability and price.

And according to Steve Peugh of Lake Cypress Outdoor Products in Sulphur Springs, Tx., cypress checks all the boxes.

“We’re a family-owned business that takes pride in crafting high-quality, Adirondack-style furniture, and we’ve preferred working with cypress for more than 30 years,” Peugh explains. “Cypress is a naturally duraBuilding-Products.com

ble wood and it won’t decay like pine and some other common species. It’s also stronger and denser than cedar.”

And when it comes to wood alternatives, like polywood and plastic, Peugh says there hasn’t been much competition.

“In my experience, people choose cypress for three reasons.

First, cypress has better thermal properties and it won’t heat up like alternative materials. Second, it’s more durable and will last for many years. People think polywood will last forever, but it gets brittle and will break. And lastly, cypress is less expensive than wood substitutes—which is surprising to many customers.

RUSTIC LOOK of cypress is right at home in many outdoor kitchens.

(Photo courtesy of M&M Millworks of Louisiana)

“Homeowners are tired of replacing their outdoor furniture every few years, so they’ll come to us to learn about and invest in cypress chairs, rockers, and swings. And at the end of the day, people don’t want to sit on plastic, they want the real thing.”

OUTDOOR TABLE and companion benches were built of southern cypress and finished with a light stain. (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Deshotels with Backwards Anvil and Gary Hart with Sugar Mill Forge)

Building-Products.com

– For more information on cypress and how it’s being used in outdoor spaces, please visit the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association’s website at CypressInfo.org and follow @cypress_info on Instagram.

September 2021 n Building Products Digest n

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PRODUCT Spotlight

By Simon Cameron

MODERN LOOKS for western red cedar include 1”x6” tongue-and-groove siding finished with a bleaching stain.

Substrate matters

The versatility of western red cedar rom a consumer’s perspective, choosing finishing materials and appearance products like siding has always been about weighing the pros and cons of one material over another. The question of cost, of course, is a major factor, as are considerations like long-term value, return on investment, and appearance and versatility. To complicate matters, trying to navigate a market and media landscape overrun with non-wood products and conflicting information only exacerbates the difficulty in making a final decision.

Providing consumers and industry professionals with relevant and persuasive information on western red cedar (WRC) has been at the core of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association’s mandate for over 65 years. While many retailers are selling out as soon as they have supply, the time to promote the importance of softwoods like cedar has never been more important, said Brad Kirkbride, managing director of the WRCLA. “We have an amazing story to tell about why choosing a natural product like cedar matters. And there are a host of reasons why consumers and professionals need to know that story now. Given the growing number of

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competitive products in the market, demonstrating to consumers the benefits they get with a product like WRC siding now will mitigate a situation like what happened to the decking market when composites gained traction.”

The WRCLA’s strategy of emphasizing siding is timely given James Hardie Industries’ recent expansion plans and their “It’s possible” campaign, which focuses on exterior solutions that include siding.

“We’re going to see more non-wood entrants in siding,” noted Kirkbride. “This is why we research what our audience needs to know to choose WRC over these products.

One of the biggest competitive advantages cedar siding has over non-wood is the incredible versatility you get in terms of textures, profiles, finishing options, grades, or even if you want a horizontal or vertical design. But we also have a younger audience that’s coming of age soon that will change the game. It’s a generation of consumers who have a very different relationship with brands than we did, and who interact with content in a whole new way.”

This new generation of consumers is the group referred (Continued on page 48) Building-Products.com

MARGIN Builders

By David Koenig

Specialty yard builds its business on redwood edwood has been a favorite material for generations of builders. One lumber dealer, in fact, has so much affinity for the wood, it has based its business on it.

The Redwood Store of Farmington, N.M., was founded in 1988 by Dave Hough and is now co-owned with his wife Cheryl and managed by their son Daniel.

It is part full-service retail lumberyard and part in-house specialty manufacturer, producing its own fence panels, deck boards, outdoor structures, furniture and other items. “We have a ‘standard line’ of furniture, arbors, trellis and decks, but we do custom sizes frequently,” said Daniel. “Quite often customers bring in a pictures of items, and we accommodate them as best we can.”

He adds, “Variations in sizes of our arbors are a common request. Large beam pre-cut and pre-stained custom arbors are very popular with local and regional professional landscapers.”

Although the company also handles Douglas fir and cedar, its “primary and preferred species of wood” is redwood.

“Redwood is a great material to build with,” Daniel notes. “The rich, warm color works well in just about any project and its ability to remain comfortable to the touch is important to a lot of people as they consider building materials for high-touch areas.”

The Redwood Store’s customer mix is 60% homeowner, 40% pro. Selling them on the advantages of redwood is helped by having a highly experienced staff, including one employee who has been with the company for 30 years and another for 26.

“First and foremost (experience) creates customers who know they are

R

REDWOOD STORE is led by (front) owners Cheryl & Dave Hough, (back row, l-r) production manager Shane Wilson, and manager Daniel Hough.

SHOWROOM displays its wares, including in-house milled furniture and garden structures.

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Building-Products.com

getting knowledgeable, experienced and efficient service,” Daniel explains.

“Experienced employees are able to not only do their daily jobs more efficiently, but also take care of customers, projects and yard service quickly and effectively. This, in my opinion, is why

we have such a loyal customers.”

How does the firm retain its workers?

“I would like to think a good working environment and consistent work,” he says. “We always have and always will pay a comfortable living wage, so our employees can enjoy life.”

What’s next for The Redwood Store? “To keep doing what we are doing, do it better when possible, and slowly branch into things that accompany what we do,” Daniel says. The concentration on redwood, however, is here to stay.

Arbor Master Farmington, N.M., homeowners were seeking to add to the landscaping of their home and had some pretty specific ideas in mind. In particular, they desired a curved redwood arbor to provide shade over a large, curved concrete seating area. The new seating area and redwood arbor serve as a beautiful centerpiece for their main outdoor gathering space.

To bring their ideas to life, the homeowners reached out to Copper Creek Landscape, who had previously completed landscaping for them, as well as for the previous owners of the same home.

Materials for the project, including all the redwood, came from The Redwood Store. Since 1988, The Redwood Store similarly has cultivated a following of loyal customers in northern New Mexico. Furthermore, Copper Creek Landscape and The Redwood Store have a great working relationship. According to Copper Creek’s Mark Christensen, “The Redwood Store Building-Products.com

has always given me exceptional, caring, and professional service.”

When it came to choosing materials for the project, there was no question what the homeowners wanted to use. “We knew we wanted redwood for our arbor” said the homeowner. “We didn’t consider any other material for the project. The strength, natural beauty, and durability of redwood truly makes it the perfect material for the northwest New Mexico climate, where our weather conditions range from below freezing temperatures in the winter to well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.”

The homeowners further shared that they wanted a redwood arbor specifically for its “wow factor.”

“We wanted something that flowed with the natural curves of our home, landscaping, and natural surroundings. We wanted it to enhance our home, which it does. The redwood arbor is in perfect

harmony with our new landscaping, and we now have a gorgeous place to sit and relax, eat with family and friends, or just sit and enjoy the beautiful views.”

September 2021 n Building Products Digest n

17

COMPETITIVE Intelligence

By Carla Waldemar

Cape of good fortune aptain Oscar Nickerson, it seems, had had enough of sailing the Atlantic. In 1895, he traded in his oceangoing schooner and bought a lumberyard in Chatham, Ma., re-christening it with his family name.

C

The outfit stayed in the Nickerson tribe for well over one hundred years, until, in 2012, local businessman Jeff Plank became the first non-Nickerson to helm the operation since its inception 117 years earlier. But he was

TO HONOR Mid-Cape’s 125th anniversary, late last year Jack Stevenson and Jeff Plank were presented an engraved sawblade by vendor SBC Cedar.

COMMUNITY EVENT: Mid-Cape’s 2nd annual First Responder Appreciation Day.

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not your nose-to-the grindstone, 24/7 hands-on man. His focus was more on the financials than on planks. And on the chance to grow the operation.

Meanwhile, Jack Stevenson, living in Atlanta and manning a framing operation, had grown up with peoplepleasing in his DNA. As a kid, he’d worked in his dad’s lumberyard back in the northerly stretches of Wisconsin, which convinced young Jack that he was no fan of frostbite. But what about Massachusetts?

Jack made sure that the cape, where Mid-Cape (now its name) was located, didn’t qualify as Arctic after a friend of his scored an interview for the yard’s newly-vacant top position. Jack decided, “If he doesn’t take the job, I will!”

And he did. In 2014 he assumed the role of Mid-Cape’s president, declaring that he felt at home with the “good, strong nucleus of people working there. They invigorate the company,” he noted, following a time when speaking up was not always the norm.

A staff of over 250 employees now populates Mid-Cape’s five shipping locations, scattered along the shoreline of Cape Cod Bay, and the Kitchen & Window showroom on Martha’s Vineyard. Launched seven years ago. “They’ve become empowered, especially with the addition of a few more key people of more aggressive style,” who embody Jack’s vision of “building the company where it counts—like, concentrating on selling framing packages, not just screen repair.”

In hiring, Jack values experience— of course—but even more important, he feels, “is, putting people first: how they treat folks. Not ‘Me, me, me!’

That,” he emphasizes, “is not the key to success.”

A smile is nice, but it had better be backed with expertise. Rather than Building-Products.com

flitting from, say, selling paint one hour to custom millwork the next (Mid-Cap added that niche five years ago when the company acquired “a key hire, who drives that business for us”), all staffers are assigned a specific department, where they can build up knowledge. And respect.

“Our people drive our business: You just can’t do it without them. If you listen to your people, empower them, and work with them, you’ll be closer to your customers.

Showing your staff how much you value them is the very foundation of our success—reps who take the time to get to know our customers and make them feel welcome. You’ll hear customers talk about when their dad or granddad shopped here.”

Why do they keep on coming back? Jack has the answer: “It’s our people!

“They seem to like to work here”—where turnover is low—“because the operation is not just about us [managers]. We’re real people, very much hands-on. It’s very much a team concept, with a very strong service ethic. It’s in their DNA,” Jack chuckles. “Our managers need to be people who mesh with other people—that’s the key to success.” Plus, a strong customer-forward outlook: “Think of the customer first: You’ve got to be much more externally focused and able to find solutions.” Mid-Cape has instituted a training department, specifically tasked with recruiting and retaining such employees.

Mid-Cape’s customers (primarily the seasoned pros who erect the cape’s storied seaside residences) remain loyal, Jack believes, “because of the core values that drive us— which we constantly reinforce. ‘Do the right thing’ may sound hokey, but we do it. Yet,” he adds—“remember ‘The customer is always right’? That’s been under some revision in the past ten years. We’re doing a lot more custom orders than standard, and we go to great lengths to make sure those orders are written exactly as the customer specifies. So if they end up not liking it, it’s not our fault. We’ve got to protect ourselves, too.”

To grow that customer base, Jack and his managers are “very active” in the local homebuilders’ association.

Builders are frequent guests at golfing and fishing outings as well as vendor-fired Lunch & Learn sessions. “Plus,” Jack notes, “our managers have a very aggressive nature, from a leadership standpoint. But,” he adds, “you can’t be ego-driven. “ You’d better be community-driven, however, to play on this team. Payback is a big part of Mid-Cape’s mission.

These days, social media is an active ally, especially

MID-CAPE’S “Truck for a Cause” supported veterans.

Building-Products.com

Jack Stevenson

marketing via Instagram. Mid-Cape employs a full-time social media guru, effective in reaching new and younger customers. And it’s been successful: “They tag and re-tag us,” Jack reports. The website also boasts a livechat function and the invitation to be added to the outfit’s mailing list.

Mid-Cape’s locations have been built from scratch, although the most recent addition represents an acquisition of century-old Wood Lumber Co. in Falmouth, Ma. They’re all six far from identical, and that’s by design.

“They all share deliveries, but are distinctly different from each other—no two alike,” Jack instructs. “Wellfleet, for instance, is a quaint hardware store. Falmouth is our most charming. South Dennis acts as our hub” in serving the famously well-heeled residents of these storied coastal towns. (Can a whiff of the Kennedys be caught on the breeze?)

Are more additions in the game plan? “We’re always looking,” Jack confirms.

The new Kitchen and Window Showroom in Falmouth, added to better serve the area’s growing cache of builders, already is contributing to the region’s growth of new residential construction. And, of course, that Mid-Cape millwork plant also builds market share, never mind the current lumber shortage. Mid-Cape isn’t worried. “A lot of industry money is tied up in that right now, and it does create more challenges,” Jack allows. “But we’re on top of it—especially with our specialty, white cedar shingles.”

It’s no surprise to hear Jack declare his reason for getting up in the morning: “I love what I’m doing! I love leading this team, the chemistry of it. And I love the prospect of new opportunities: Our staff is fair and honest, and I like to see them prosper. Plus, I love to serve the community—six different towns with projects to support.”

Carla Waldemar cwaldemar@comcast.net September 2021 n Building Products Digest n

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OLSEN on Sales

By James Olsen

Stealing is legal y brother has had a brilliant career. He had a lot of Fortune 500 Vice President jobs, but the one he had that we would most recognize was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for DIRECTV during the Entourage era. He says, “I don’t have to be that smart. I just have to be smart enough to steal ideas from smart people.” In fact, he was much more a marketer than a salesperson, so when he went to DIRECTV, most of the curriculum he used with his sales team he took (stole!) from me!

Another one of my brother’s quotes: “You know why we’ve done so well? Because we kept reading after college.” Reading is a conversation with an expert who is begging us to steal their ideas! Picasso said it best: “Bad artists copy. Good artists steal.”

M

Charm

I sold lumber for 17 years and did it the wrong way for the first seven! I was a know-it-all. You can’t teach someone who knows everything, anything. I worked with brilliant salespeople but wouldn’t listen to any of them. I worked hard, but I wasn’t friendly with my customers. All I cared about was getting the order and my customers felt it, so people would pick me off when I was the least expensive, but never worked with me like a partner (where the real money in sales is) because I wasn’t treating them like a partner.

I woke up one day and realized I had to change my style.

I had to be more likable. I started studying the two most charming guys I knew, Matt Dierdorff and Steve McNulty, who both still trade lumber today. Matt and Steve are not pushovers but everyone who meets them, likes them. After studying my two friends for about six months I realized that their best attribute was their ability to LISTEN to others.

I started to slow down, LISTEN, and take the time to get to know everyone (not just the buyer!) at all of my accounts. When I started caring about my customers, they started caring about and buying a lot more from me. I doubled my business in less than a year!

Why Is This a Good Deal?

I have a brilliant student. She has done very well in a short time in the business. She is a demanding student in the sense that she will challenge the ideas I give her, but once she is convinced, she executes!

She works with a Master Seller. When she was new, she would ask him, “Why is this a good deal? What should I

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

tell my customers?” Then she would repeat what he told her with her own spin.

Best Customers, Best Practices

We need to get curious. We need to start asking our best customers how they run their businesses. Get into the details with them. People love talking about their business.

This will build a better bond with these customers. In addition, we can take the ideas we get from our best operators and share them with our other customers. This makes us look like more knowledgeable salespeople, brings value to our entire account base, and sets us apart from all the sellers who are just trying to get the order.

I Don’t Like Them

We don’t have to love all our co-workers, but we can steal their ideas. I worked with a salesperson who didn’t like me much, in fact did everything he could to get me fired (it didn’t work). We were rearranging the cubicles on the floor and when the Vice President asked me where I wanted to sit, I told I wanted to sit across from this salesperson. He said, “James, you don’t even like him. Why do you want to sit across from him?” “Because he is a great salesman, and I can learn from him.”

And I did learn a lot from him.

There was also some, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” strategy happening.

We don’t have to go it alone.

There are plenty of people that will help us, that want to help us. We just have to keep our egos in check and our curiosity high to take in (steal) all the great ideas that are floating around us.

James Olsen Reality Sales Training (503) 544-3572 james@realitysalestraining.com Building-Products.com

TRANSFORMING Teams

By Susan Palé

Where have all the workers gone?

How to survive the labor shortages of 2021

’m writing this the morning of August 6, and the monthly jobs report from the USDOL has just been issued. Last month’s report was somewhat underwhelming, so this one has been eagerly awaited. It has lots of good news: • The economy added over 943,000 jobs in July, well ahead of economic forecasts. The biggest gains were in hotel, restaurant and public school positions.

• The U.S. unemployment rate is now 5.4%, down from 5.9% in June. That is a significant monthly drop.

• Average earnings are up 4% from July, 2020.

Despite all this positive news, if you are an employer trying to hire, you are most likely not smiling. 2021 has brought a significant labor shortage that has impacted employers across industries and occupations.

In June, the Washington Post published a list of the occupations facing the most critical labor shortages.

Among the top 10: • Sawmill workers (#1) • Long haul truckers • Veterinarians • Mental health practitioners Not exactly a homogeneous list, is it? And while the labor shortage is certainly challenging, there are some strategies you can adopt to help you meet those challenges.

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1. Don’t Blame It on COVID COVID certainly knocked the rug out from under the economy, but many of the factors influencing current labor shortages existed before the pandemic. The working age population of the U.S. has been shrinking for a while now, and the lack of affordable, available child care and parental leave has kept many parents out of the workforce.

Record stock market results and increased housing prices have influenced many older workers to re-assess their financial positions and decide to leave the workforce.

And don’t assume this will all go away when COVID is “over.” With case increases on the rise almost everywhere, “over” doesn’t seem imminent.

Extended federal unemployment benefits, scheduled to expire next month, have been widely blamed for being an incentive to stay home. However, over half of U.S. states have already ended this extension with no reported impact on availability of qualified workers.

2. Understand Salary Compression–And Take Steps to Address It If you haven’t heard of salary compression—or your organization hasn’t experienced it—consider yourself fortunate. It occurs when the salary relationship between two or more employees is too small to be equitable. It occurs across industries and impacts jobs at all levels, although right now the impact on low wage workers and their team leaders and first-line supervisors is particularly significant.

A common example involves a new hire that demands more than current employees performing the same work. If you really need this new hire, you pay them what they are asking and then figure out how to manage that internally.

There’s no easy, single solution to resolve this situation.

Some strategies that do help include: • Standardizing pay practices and eliminating out of cycle salary increases • Creating promotional paths and career ladders for experienced employees • Attracting new hires with a combination of base salary plus signing, performance, and/or attendance bonuses to minimize internal equity issues Building-Products.com

3. Out with the Old

It’s not too early to discard some out of date pay policies that simply don’t work in the current environment. Now is the time to get rid of annual reviews of salaries and pay policies (once a year isn’t often enough), across the board pay increases of 2%-3%, and giving out of cycle increases in response to individual employee “asks.”

Instead, it’s time to think about year-end planning. Some things to focus on now include: • Analysis of current pay levels to identify both external competitiveness and internal equity issues • Research of market competition, including new employers in the area (they frequently offer very high starting salaries to lure experienced workers), employers expanding facilities, and changes to competitors’ salary policies • Analysis of turnover and recruitment statistics to determine why employees leave—and where they go—and why prospective employees refuse offers • Progress toward achievement of 2021 business objectives, in anticipation of payout under existing incentive plans

4. Retain—So You Can Recruit Less One of the best ways to avoid the recruiting headaches of 2021 is to keep the employees you have. That’s not an easy task—so many people have left their jobs this year that economists have dubbed this the “great resignation.”

So what can you do to retain employees? An early 2021 Prudential Pulse of the American Worker survey says 26% Q. What deductions can we take from a non-exempt employee’s paycheck?

of surveyed employees plan on leaving their jobs this year.

Of those, 80% cited lack of career advancement as a reason, 72% said they were rethinking their skills and careers, and an overwhelming number wanted more flexibility in scheduling and work-from-home options. These, of course, are in addition to pay and benefit and lack of good supervision issues that always make the list of why employees leave.

5. Understand Your Competitive Markets We’re often asked by clients to “find out” what a specific competitor in the same industry pays for a certain job.

Organizations typically don’t volunteer that type of information, but even if they did, there wouldn’t be a lot of value in it. Yes, you have competitors in your industry, but you most likely have lots of other competitors as well. If you hire entry-level employees, you are competing with big box retailers. And your accounting, finance, human resources, customer service, and IT employees can pretty much pack up and go to work anywhere.

A few years ago, a regional banking client lost their ENTIRE accounting/finance department (think CFO through accounting clerks) to a state agency that opened an accounting office in the area. It’s doubtful the bank thought of a state agency as a competitor, and that certainly was a tough lesson learned.

Susan Palé, CCP Vice President of Compensation, Affinity HR Group contact@affinityhrgroup.com

A. First, make any deductions required by law such as taxes, unemployment, and Social Security. This would also include garnishments required by a legal authority such as the courts or IRS. Any other deductions would need to be categorized as those for the employee’s benefit and those that are not.

Those for the employee’s benefit include insurance premium payments and repayment of a wage advance or loan.

Anything that does not meet this criteria would have to meet other standards before being legally deducted.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, any deductions that aren’t legally required or for the employee’s benefit must leave the non-exempt employee at least minimum wage for all hours worked and any earned overtime can’t be touched.

In addition, laws in several states restrict the reasons an employer can make a deduction. For example, some allow deductions for uniforms and tools while others prohibit this practice. Some allow and others prohibit deducting for medical exams, pay advances, damages, theft, etc. You must verify the laws in the state where the employee works (not where you operate, if different) to determine what can and cannot be deducted. In states where you can’t make these deductions, you may be allowed other legal recourse but that may prove cost-prohibitive.

To prevent any confusion leading to wage-and-hour complaints, we recommend using a comprehensive Uniform/ Equipment Issue/Return Form. Have the employee sign and date the form as well as initial each item and then use the form to prove they received each item and know the possible deductions.

Building-Products.com

September 2021 n Building Products Digest n

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SELLING WITH Kahle

By Dave Kahle

Dealing with a difficult customer

difficult customer—someone who is angry or upset—can be one of the most challenging and rewarding encounters for most companies. If your people handle the situation well, you will often gain a long-term customer. Mishandle it, and you’ll watch the situation dissolve into lost business and upset people.

What guidelines can you provide your employees to help them cope with angry or difficult customers?

Here are two:

What is the source of your power?

Unlike the customer, you are not angry, you are in control, and your only problem at the moment is helping him with his problem. If you step out of this positioning, and start reacting to the customer in an emotional way, you’ll lose control, you’ll lose your power, and the situation will be likely to escalate into a lose-lose for everyone. So, begin with a mindset that says, “No matter what, I will respect the customer.”

1. RESPECT. It can be difficult to respect a person who may be yelling, swearing or behaving like a 2-yearold. I’m not suggesting you respect the behavior, only that you respect the person. Keep in mind that 99 times out of 100 you are not the object of the customer’s anger. You are like a small tree in the path of a swirling tornado. But unlike the small tree, you have the power to withstand the wind.

2 . LISTEN. You don’t try and cut him off, you don’t urge him to calm down. Not just yet. You listen and you listen carefully. And as you listen, you begin to piece together his story.

If someone is angry or upset, it is because that person feels injured in some way. Your job is to let the customer vent and to listen attentively in order to understand the source of that frustration. When you do that, you

A

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send a powerful unspoken message.

You let the customer know by your listening and attentiveness that you care about him and his situation.

Often, as the customer comes to realize that you really do care and that you are going to attempt to help him resolve the problem, the customer will calm down on his own, and begin to interact with you in a positive way.

While these aren’t the only ways to deal with a difficult customer, these two strategies of respecting and listening to the customer will go a long way toward enabling your employees to deal effectively with one of the most challenging situations they’ll face.

– Dave Kahle is a high-content consultant, instructor and author of 12 books, including the best-selling How to Sell Anything to Anyone Anytime and his latest, The Good Book on Business. He has presented in 47 states and 11 countries, and has helped enrich tens of thousands of salespeople and transform hundreds of sales organizations. Reach him at dave@ davekahle.com.

NEXT STEPS What to do after you listen...

1. IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. 2. AVOID BLAME. 3. RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. Building-Products.com

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LUMBER 411

By Jeff Easterling

A Special Series from Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association

Let’s learn more about: Tamarack e’ve covered many tree species in this column over the last two years, to include the super-popular eastern white pine, SPFs, and even the newest belle of the ball, Norway spruce. This month let’s take a deeper look at a small, hardy, versatile species with which you may not be familiar: tamarack.

This little species that could has more names than you would expect. Tamarack. In Latin, it’s currently accepted scientific name is larix laricina. Then there are the larch family of names: regular larch, Eastern larch, red larch, black larch, and American larch. This unique species is steeped in Native American history, and they gave the tree the name of hackmatack.

The tamarack tree is unique in that it is a deciduous AND coniferous species, meaning it drops its needles in the winter. It grows into a medium- to large-size tree; when fall rolls around, the needles turn a lovely golden yellow hue and drop from the tree, to return in the spring. The cones are tiny and cute! During the year they begin their conical life a sweet pink color which eventually changes to a deep red, then a dark brown in the fall.

Average lifespan of a tamarack tree is 200-300 years.

Slow growers, the tamarack tree is incredibly resilient. It grows well in an open area and needs dry soil

W

… but also wet soil. It thrives in wetlands—also known as the good kind of swamps, or forested wetlands—and does well in both low-rainfall and high-rainfall areas.

Tamarack grows well in full light and can withstand cold temps down to negative 85 degrees. If you have a bog or peaty section of land near you and you live in Minnesota, chances are you have some tamarack trees out there.

Want more tamarack trees? It propagates best via cuttings. Wet ground allows for amazing biodiversity of the area surrounding the tamarack: plants, birds, and other animals like red squirrels, snowshoe hares, porcupines, songbirds, even the great gray owl—all can be found in the tamarack neighborhood.

A warning: along with the cute forest animals, tamarack growths also bring the poisons: ivy, sumac, and hemlock, plus nasty stinging nettles, are often found near tamarack.

Where does it grow?

The tamarack tree has a huge growth footprint in North America, but not significant commercial volumes: it’s main area of growth is Canada and the northeastern United States and across the Great Lakes region. It has even been sighted all the way over to Alaska!

How is it used?

Tamarack Fun Facts • Native Americans located within its growing range used tamarack for numerous medicinal applications, with the outer bark and roots used to treat aches and pains, while the inner bark was frequently applied to hemorrhoids, frostbite, and small cuts for relief. Its tender spring shoots were even used as food.

• To aid in hunting, the Cree tribe created unique lifelike goose decoys from tamarack twigs. Handed down from generation to generation, these primitive handicrafts have become a coveted contemporary art form.

• Tamarack trees have a huge, long history in Minnesota: we’re pretty sure woolly mammoths rubbed their backs on the trees to scratch an itch on their way to eat a saber-toothed tiger.

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The wood is rather coarse-grained, hard, heavy, and relatively strong, with durable heartwood. It is used for planking, timbers, ties, poles, signposts, pilings and pulp.

Historically, tamarack knees (the buttresses formed by large roots) were used in shipbuilding. Tamarack was also used for mud sills in home construction.

For construction uses, tamarack is graded under the National Grading Rule.

How much is used?

Annually, less than 10 million bd. ft. of tamarack lumber is manufactured by lumber mills located within the growing region.

– For more information on tamarack or other New England/ Great Lakes wood species, please visit www.nelma.org.

Building-Products.com

Nation’s Best Buys Into Arkansas, Northwest Florida

Nation’s Best, Dallas, Tx., has purchased two independent dealers— Hipp Modern Builders Supply in Mountain View, Ar., and Panhandle Lumber & Supply in Bonifay, Fl. “With these newest stores, we’re quickly becoming the nationwide family of home improvement businesses we envisioned,” said Chris Miller, president and CEO of Nation’s Best.

“In just under two years, we’ve grown our reach to now include 22 locations across seven states. We’re proud of our role in strengthening independent retail at the local level and we’re very happy to have Hipp Modern Builders Supply and Panhandle Lumber & Supply as a big part of that growth.”

“For three generations, our family has proudly served our community,” said Terry Hipp, owner of Hipp Modern Builders Supply. “I couldn’t be happier knowing that Nation’s Best will build on our traditions while growing the business.”

“We’ve been providing quality, competitively priced building materials and home improvement products to our customers in Bonifay since 1994,” said Jack Locke, Panhandle Lumber & Supply owner. “Nation’s Best represents the future for our business, ensuring that our team and our customers will benefit for years to come.”

Both businesses will retain their existing names with their management teams overseeing operations alongside Nation’s Best, which will provide strategic and financial support to achieve optimal growth and profitability.

Culpeper Purchases Maryland Treating Plant

Culpeper Wood Preservers, Culpeper, Va., has acquired Eden Wood Preserving and Coastal Wood Industries in Fruitland, Md. The location— Culpeper’s twelfth treating plant—will be renamed Culpeper of Fruitland.

“Culpeper of Fruitland will primarily treat wood for our marine division, allowing us to add to our portfolio of products and customers,” said president Jonathan Jenkins. “As our company grows our focus still remains on the partnerships we have forged with both our vendors and customers.”

Port Lumber, which is owned by the Latham family, will remain in business.

“Although our family has sold our operations in Maryland, Port Lumber will continue offering our customers the same service and quality they have come to expect from us. We look forward to sourcing our products from Culpeper of Fruitland and building that relationship moving forward,” said Jim Latham, owner of Port Lumber.

Russin Acquires Factory Finishing Equipment

Russin Lumber, Montgomery, N.Y., has purchased the production assets of Golla Enterprises, a factory finisher formerly located in Toms River, N.J. Russin has been offering factory finishing since 1997 and is currently constructing a new state-of-the-art facility, expected to open in December.

Located across the street from its headquarters in Montgomery, it will provide improved efficiency, workflow and easier access to Russin’s materials.

DEALER Briefs Tibbetts Lumber Co., St. Petersburg, Fl., agreed to purchase all assets of 67-year-old roof/floor truss manufacturer Florida Forest Products, Largo, Fl. Tuckerton Lumber Co., Ocean County, N.J., was acquired by Tom Dwier and Keli Lynch on July 28, ending 90 years of family ownership.

Spahn & Rose Lumber Co., Dubuque, Ia., has completed its purchase of Metro Building Products, Marietta, Ga. Yoder’s Building Supply

forecasts a January start-up of its new 22,500-sq. ft. Top Edge Components floor/roof truss plant in Townville, S.C.

Wellsboro Building Supply, Wellsboro, Pa., lost one building in a July 31 fire of undetermined origin. Its main store was spared.

L&W Supply opened a branch in Beltsville, Md., on Aug. 2 (Brian Aeschlimann, branch mgr.).

Compton Ace Hardware will open its ninth store in November—a 10,395-sq. ft. branch in Montevallo, Al. Parkside True Value Hardware, Kenosha, Wi., is being

remodeled and converted into an Ace Hardware store, following its purchased by JC Licht, Addison, Il.

Park Ace Hardware is liquidating its 23-year-old Orland Hills, Il., branch after being unable to renew its lease.

YKK AP America opened a showroom for residential doors, windows and commercial facade systems in Atlanta, Ga. A Few Cool Hardware Stores, with 13 locations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., is being sold to the staff through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Builders FirstSource, Dallas, Tx., has authorized repurchase of up to $1 billion of its common stock.

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Building-Products.com

Martco Bringing a Second OSB Facility to Texas

Martco LLC’s Texas subsidiary, Corrigan OSB, will build a second oriented strand board manufacturing facility near its current, state-of-the-art OSB plant in Corrigan, Tx. Construction is scheduled to begin this year, with start-up anticipated in 2023. The new facility is expected to significantly increase production capacity at Corrigan, while focusing on existing and new value-added OSB products. The project will bring construction jobs to east Texas later this year and create additional, permanent jobs once completed.

As the country and the world make their way out of the pandemic, home starts are on the rise, and a growing number of millennials and their families are entering the housing market. “With this new OSB plant, we will be well positioned to meet the backlog of demand for quality building products, produced from renewable, sustainable resources abundant in our region,” stated RoyOMartin president and COO E. Scott Poole.

Since its start-up in 2018, Corrigan OSB, L.L.C.’s existing OSB facility has been a successful investment in the people, natural resources, and markets in Corrigan, as well as the entire East Texas region. “Our growth in East Texas has given us an influx of talent with a tremendous work ethic, a longterm, sustainable, raw-material base, and access to a growing and vibrant residential market,” explained Poole. “I could not be prouder to further expand our footprint in the great state of Texas,” Poole said. “We remain steadfast in investing in our people, our forestland, quality manufacturing, and our growing customer base.”

Chain Adds Two Friends

Arlington Coal & Lumber Co. of Massachusetts has agreed to purchase the assets and real estate of two-unit Friend Lumber Co., Hudson, N.H. Founded in 1945, Friend Lumber is a third-generation dealer with yards in Hudson and Burlington, Ma. Established in 1923, Arlington Coal & Lumber Co., a fourth-generation lumber and building materials dealer owned by the McNamara family, has five locations in Massachusetts.

Mark Jaffe, the current owner and president of Friend Lumber, will retire after the sale is finalized, ending 47 years with the family business. The deal was set to close by early September.

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“After three generations of our family operating Friend Lumber Co., now is the perfect time to find a new steward to bring the company into the future.” Jaffe said. “Our employees should experience a seamless transition, and our customers will receive the same quality service they have known since our humble beginnings.”

Hunt, Tolko Team for 2nd Mill

Hunt Forest Products, Ruston, La., and Tolko Industries, Vernon, B.C., have formed a joint venture to build a $270-million state-of-the-art sawmill near Taylor, La. The 225-acre site encompasses the former site of a Weyerhaeuser iLevel plant.

“This sawmill will provide a local outlet for the massive inventory of southern yellow pine that exists in this state,” said James D. Hunt, co-owner of Hunt Forest Products, which controls 75,000 acres of Louisiana timberland.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2022, with operations to start up in early 2023. The mill will produce an estimated 320 million bd. ft. annually.

Tolko will own a 50% share in the mill; Hunt will own the other 50% and manage and operate the mill on a dayto-day basis.

Hunt and Tolko similarly partnered on LaSalle Lumber Co., a $115-million SYP mill in Urania, La., that opened in 2018. “Our first venture into the United States was in partnership with Hunt Forest Products, a family-owned company like ours, and that has been very successful,” said Tolko CEO Brad Thorlakson. “So, we are looking forward to working with the Hunt family again to bring another state-of-the-art sawmill, and jobs, to Louisiana.”

HDI Acquires Novo

Hardwoods Distribution Inc., Langley, B.C., acquired millwork specialist Novo Building Products, Zeeland, Mi., from Blue Wolf Capital Partners.

Novo Building Products is a leading manufacturer and distributor of stair parts, mouldings, doors and specialty millwork, along with a variety of board products. It operates Ornamental Decorative Millwork, L.J. Smith Stair Systems, Empire Moulding & Millwork, Southwest Moulding & Millwork, and Novo Direct.

HDI is one of North America’s largest wholesale distributors of architectural building products to the residential and commercial construction sectors, operating a network of 70 distribution facilities.

n Building Products Digest n September 2021

SUPPLIER Briefs Cameron Ashley Building Products opened a new distribution

center Aug. 2 in Springdale, Ar.

Eagle Forest Products, Eagle, Id., opened a new distribution facility in Montgomery, Tx., handling both industrial and commodity lumber, and fencing products.

Interfor will invest up to $8 million to revive the idled Georgia-Pacific sawmill near DeQuincy, La. With an annual capacity of 200 million bd. ft., the operation is targeted to restart in the first half of 2022.

Interfor will also invest $30 million expanding the capacity and product mix at its Summerville, S.C., mill.

P.J. Clark Lumber, Coppell, Tx., is on track for to begin producing kilndried softwood and hardwood lumber this fall at the former Little River Dry Kiln facility in Cadiz, Ky. The operation will include 11 dry kilns, planer/grading facility, and warehouse.

B&N Sawmill submitted plans to operate a small hardwood mill in Harrodsburg, Ky. BlueLinx is now distributing Regal ideas’ premium aluminum

railings in Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska from its distribution centers in Omaha, Ne.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Minneapolis, Mn.

Charles Grey, Winston-Salem, N.C., is now distributing Vista Railing Systems railings to dealers in the Carolinas and southern Virginia.

A t l a s R o o f i n g C o r p . ’s

production on a new state-of-the-art shingle laminating line at its Ardmore, Ok., facility is on track for completion in the fourth quarter of 2021.

RoyOMartin, Alexandria, La., on Aug. 2 reached 14 years without an OSHA-recordable injury for its land and timber operations.

Britton Lumber Co ., Fairlee, Vt., is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

In addition to its eastern white pine sawmill, the company also operates a wholesale division from locations in Fairlee and Gray, Me. Building-Products.com

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MOVERS & Shakers Rick Sanders, VP of sales, Langdale Industries, Valdosta, Ga., has retired after 44 years with the company.

Paul McRae, ex-Interfor, has joined the sales group at Langdale Forest Products as sales mgr.

Clay Webb has been promoted to store mgr. of McCoy’s Building Supply, Brownwood, Tx. Rob Mortell is new to Alexander Lumber, Aurora, Il., as marketing mgr.

Matthew Jakab, ex-Lowe’s, is now store mgr. at Ace Hardware, Pendleton, S.C. Colleen Penhall has been appointed vice president of global corporate communications for Jeld-Wen, Charlotte, N.C.

Travis Barr has been named store m g r. o f L a C r o s s e L u m b e r, Louisiana, Mo. He succeeds Joe Schuckenbrock, who has retired after 46 years with the company.

Trent Rosamond has been elevated to general mgr. of Builders FirstSource, Seneca, S.C. Matt Lufkin, ex-Haynes Brothers Lumber, has moved to BFS, Dallas, Tx., as senior buyer.

Chris Gerhard, ex-Trex, has been named executive VP of Specialty Building Products Group, parent of U.S. Lumber, Alexandria Moulding, and Midwest Lumber.

Jeff Koehn, ex-RP Lumber, is now site mgr. at Teague Lumber Co., Bonner Springs, Ks.

Kelly Hendrix has been promoted to executive VP of ECMD, North Wilkesboro, N.C. Kelvin Hafner, ex-Moehl Millwork, is now with Lake Lumber Co., Panora, Ia. Brian Schweizer has been promoted to branch mgr. at Modern Builders Supply, Mansfield, Oh. Tomohisa Kato has been appointed chief sustainability officer for YKK AP America, Austell, Ga. Jeff Sacks, ex-Capital Lumber, has moved to BlueLinx, Bellingham, Ma., in inside sales. Jud DeHart, ex-PGT Custom Windows & Doors, has rejoined BlueLinx, as export territory mgr. in Jacksonville, Fl. Drew Sundholm has been promoted to VP, supply chain for Fortress Building Products, Garland, Tx. Jim Plank, ex-Uponor, has joined Fortress as director, channel sales (specifications).

Kirk Loomis, ex-S.J. Neathawk Lumber, has joined the outside sales team at 84 Lumber Co., Christianburg, Va. Kyle Collins is now co-mgr. for 84 in Cambridge, Oh., and Braden Illig is co-mgr. in Macedonia, Oh. Steven Riggs has been promoted to president of Townsend Building Supply, Dothan, Al. He succeeds Michael Townsend, who remains a co-owner.

Robbie Temple, ex-BlueLinx, is new to sales at Lasalle Lumber Co., Ruston, La.

NFL MASCOT Pat Patriot, the New England Patriot cheerleaders, and Walpole Outdoors executives Laurie Gleason, Jack Irwin, and Jay Rowe (l-r) cut the ribbon to officially open Walpole’s new national headquarters and retail showroom at Patriot Place.

Walpole Touches Down at New Patriot Place HQ Walpole Outdoors unveiled its new national headquarters and retail showroom at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Ma. The completely renovated 9,300sq. ft. space will house Walpole’s corporate offices, as well as a state-of-the-art retail showroom— allowing for an environment of shared thinking and integration across all company departments.

“The design brief was to create office space to improve collaboration and inspire creativity for the next decade,” said CEO Peter O’Connell.

“The result was to combine corporate

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offices, training facility, and retail showroom here at Patriot Place to accomplish original goals and more by adding a highly-desirable, amenity-packed venue into the mix.

Employees love it.”

This new home will not only provide Walpole Outdoors with greater visibility in the New England market, but it will also provide customers with a unique opportunity to interact with Walpole’s extensive range of high-quality outdoor structures as they walk through the showroom’s three-dimensional “neighborhood.”

n Building Products Digest n September 2021

Stephanie Siler, ex-Lowe’s, has joined the sales team at Taylor Brothers Building Supply, Lynchburg, Va. Alex Carey has been appointed general mgr. of Revival Sash’s new logistics facility and window/door showroom in Southampton, N.Y. Matt Girouard, ex-Ganahl Lumber, is new to trade sales with Pella, based in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. Landon Brazinski is new to PrimeSource Building Products, as territory mgr. for Atlanta, Ga. Rose Lee becomes president/CEO of Cornerstone Building Brands, Cary, N.C., upon the Sept. 6 retirement of current CEO James Metcalf.

James Smith is now with C&S Building Supply, Lafayette, La., in inside sales.

Building-Products.com

Steven May has joined Do it Best Corp., Fort Wayne, In., as a building materials product sales mgr. Taylor Botts is a new sales operations analyst; Scott Brown, pricing analyst; Jennifer Lehrman, marketing programs mgr.; Kirsten Ogg, inbound logistics coordinator; Brock Pace, process improvement specialist; and Audrey Lord and Paula Click, order support specialists. Recently promoted were Alex Fregoso, now associate building materials trader; Michelle Hutker, LBM sales support coordinator; and Christanne Bauer-Deitering, new member conversion mgr.

Bill Spaulding, president of RustOleum Corp., has been promoted to president of RPM Consumer Group, Medina, Oh. He succeeds Terry Horan, who has retired.

Gina Bouthilette, ex-Polyglass USA, has been named Southeast territory sales mgr.-distribution for Gulf Coast Supply, overseeing Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and the Carolinas.

Joseph Gallo IV is a new mgr. trainee at American Builders Supply, Winter Haven, Fl.

Carolina Albano has been appointed v i c e p r e s i d e n t o f S t o Ve n t e c Rainscreen at Sto Corp., Atlanta, Ga. Tyson Kindstrom is now VP of the newly formed Industrialized Construction division.

M i l t o n , D e . ; G r a n t Tr u e x , Charlotte, N.C.; Shane Redfield, Austin, Tx.; Brian Gross, Medford, Ma.; Mitch Clark, Naples, Fl.; Thomas VanBerkum, Maitland, Fl.; Robert Wilson, Edmond, Ok.; Ryan McPherson, Pensacola, Fl.; Adam Hamby, West Palm Beach, Fl.; Mark Spurling, Framingham, Ma.; Steve Searcy, Marietta, Ga.; Mike Fronczak, Burleson, Tx.; Brenton Binns, Haines City, Fl.; Sean Devillier, Lake Charles, La.; Chris Howard, North Charleston, S.C.; Ryan Musgrave, Twinsburg, Oh.; Matt Petersen, Mobile, Al.; Daniel Bell, Norman, Ok.; Rachael Thompson, Panama City, Fl.; Sean Severson, Jarvisburg, N.C.; Jim Camp, Elyria, Oh.; Logan Nonnemacker, Gloucester, Va.; and Chris Tate, Jacksonville, Fl.

Michael J. Zugay, chief financial o f f i c e r, K o p p e r s H o l d i n g s , Pittsburgh, Pa., is retiring Dec. 31, to be succeeded by Jimmi Sue Smith.

Chad Bolt, ABC Supply, Greenville, N.C., was one of 48 branch mgrs. promoted to managing partners, along with Chad Nolan, Baton Rouge, La.; Mike Ayers, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Myles Davis, Allentown, Pa.; Quade Feeser, Dunnellon, Fl.; James Jurkas, Fort Myers, Fl.; Angela Ragona, Toms River, N.J.; Kris Abernathy, Bloomington, In.; Michael Campbell, Lake Worth, Fl.; George Opferman, Carnegie, Pa.; Miles McMillan, Fayetteville, N.C.; Jay Stone, Austin, Tx.; James Kober, Youngsville, N.C.; Stephen Snow, Greensboro, N.C.; Zach Willard, Springfield, Mo.; Chris Arnett, Roanoke, Va.; Jeff Garman, Lafayette, In.; Kevin O’Connor, Westfield, In.; D’Mitri Copeland,

Gina Hoagland, a member of Huttig Building Products’ board of directors, was recognized as a 2021 Director to Watch by Directors & Boards.

Felix Austed is now working around the clock at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

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in December, the expansion will add 40,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space and include four new extruders, coextruders and cooling tanks, as well as additional fabrication and packaging equipment.

FSG Buys Fencing Wholesaler

ADDING Malcolm Lumber’s two yards helped R.P. Lumber triple its store count in Iowa and grow to 74 total locations.

R.P. Expands Deeper into Iowa

R.P. Lumber Co., Edwardsville, Il., is continuing its recent expansion into Iowa by purchasing 39-year-old Malcom Lumber’s yards in Grinnell and Oskaloosa, Ia. The deal closed July 26, and both Malcolm locations began operating under the R.P. banner the following day.

Earlier this year, R.P. added its first location in Iowa— and 72nd overall—when it acquired Dick-N-Sons Lumber, Blue Grass, Ia. “We understood that ownership at Malcom Lumber was wanting to transition, and we were excited to step up and work with them to put this transaction together,” said Jason Plummer, VP of R.P. Lumber.

US LBM Adds 5 More Yards

US LBM has acquired three more businesses, North Georgia Building Supply and two-unit Junior’s Building Materials in Georgia and two-unit Massey Builders Supply in Virginia.

From its location in Buford, Ga., North Georgia Building Supply supplies customers in the communities northeast of Atlanta with lumber, windows, doors, roofing, decking and drywall.

Junior’s serves customers in Chattanooga, Tn., and northern Georgia from locations in Rossville and Ringgold, Ga. In addition to lumber and engineered wood products, Junior’s product mix includes windows, doors, roofing, siding and millwork.

Massey Builders Supply operates two locations in central Virginia in Richmond and Saluda. Founded in 1921, Massey supplies lumber and a wide range of specialty building products, including roofing, siding, doors, windows, decking, rail and millwork to professional builders and remodelers in the greater Richmond region.

“North Georgia, Junior’s and Massey all have exemplary reputations in their home markets, and we’re pleased to welcome their teams to US LBM,” said US LBM president and CEO L.T. Gibson. “All three of our new acquisitions have strong customer relationships and are market leading, full-line suppliers offering a robust mix of specialty building products, and their addition to our portfolio expands and strengthens our reach in multiple rapidly growing housing markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.”

Barrette Expands Railing Plant

Barrette Outdoor Living is expanding its 500,000-sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Bulls Gap, Tn. The factory produces the majority of Barrette’s vinyl fencing and railing products. Expected to be completed

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

Fencing Supply Group, Houston, Tx., has acquired Sharon Fence Distributors, a full-service fencing supply and manufacturer based in Sharon, Pa., with additional locations in Buffalo, N.Y., and Columbus, Oh. “Sharon Fence is a fantastic addition whose three locations increase the FSG footprint and extend our service area in Ohio, Pennsylvania and western New York. Customers will have greater choices and expanded product offerings for their fencing and outdoor living projects from a first-class distributor,” said Jeff Cook, FSG executive VP. “Joining FSG is the absolute right next step for our company and our people. We found the perfect partner to increase our capacity to serve our customers, to expand our product lines, and to offer our people more opportunities where they can thrive,” noted David Smith, president of Sharon Fence Distributors.

Founded in 2021, Fencing Supply Group is a portfolio company of The Sterling Group. It reportedly is the largest wholesale distributor of fencing supplies in the U.S., with 53 branches in 29 states under the names Binford Supply, Cedar Supply, Fence Supply, Merchants Metals, and Pro Access Systems.

Woodgrain Invests Big in Virginia

Woodgrain Inc. will invest nearly $9 million to expand its operations in Smyth County, Va., and invest more than $8 million to purchase and expand the former Independence Lumber sawmill in Grayson County, Va. The projects will lead to the creation of 100 new jobs in the region and will save 80 jobs at Independence Lumber, which is the county’s largest private employer. When the sawmill upgrades in Grayson County are complete, it will become the primary supplier for the Smyth County operation.

The dimensional sawmill in Grayson County will be the company’s first on the East Coast. It plans to retain the mill’s existing employees and create 20 new jobs at the facility.

In Smyth County, Woodgrain will improve its existing manufacturing facility and expand into another building, creating 80 new jobs and increasing that facility’s purchases of Virginia-grown forest products by nearly 20 percent.

The moves, according to Eastern Region millwork manager Robb Hitch, will “allow us to further leverage our vertical integration by supplying lumber to our millwork location in Smyth County and throughout the Southwest.”

LMC Hosts Online Hardware Express

LMC hosted 60 exhibitors with nearly 300 attendees Aug. 9-11 at the second consecutive virtual edition of the LMC Hardware Express.

Matching the attendance of last year’s virtual event, dealers were able to maximize buying opportunities with access to exclusive show specials from exhibitors.

The Express also hosted sponsor presentations and gave the dealers the flexibility to meet with suppliers and the LMC team over the course of three days.

The 2021 virtual edition hopes to be the last of its kind for LMC for the foreseeable future. The 2021 LMC EXPO, planned for November, is to be in person at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Building-Products.com

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE THE GRADE?

Introducing The Grader Academy by NELMA, a FREE interactive on-line grader training program. Built by the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association as a grader training tool for Eastern White Pine and Spruce-Pine-Fir species, The Grader Academy is now available to the entire industry. *Learn about lumber grading standards *Test your grade rule knowledge *Play Above-Board, the real-time Grader Game *Compete with your friends and colleagues

Visit www.graderacademy.org to test your knowledge and skills at the lumber grading profession.

© 2017 NELMA

NELMA launches comprehensive new website ONCE UPON A TIME, in a land far, far away, the accepted business model was to maintain multiple websites with vanity URLs in order to broaden online informational reach. But times have changed—in so many ways.

Following years of maintaining strong websites for the overall association, as well as separate sites for Eastern White Pine, SPFs, and the Sustainable Versatility Award (the industry’s first-ever student design competition), the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA) has launched a brand-new, completely redone website clearly and concisely encapsulating all interests for all NELMA audiences. The new NELMA.org launched in late summer 2021.

“The new NELMA.org zeroes in on each of our audiences – retailers, architects, builders, contractors, students, and consumers—with a one-stop shop approach,” commented Jeff Easterling, president of Maine-based NELMA. “This is what our audiences have been asking for, and this is what our members need.”

“We’re bucking the old trend of vanity websites for separate products and programs,” continued Easterling. “Our audiences don’t have time for that anymore. Retailers need to know how to sell more wood easily and clearly. Consumers want instant inspiration. Builders and contractors need help from one source.

Architects don’t want to search and hop around the internet— their time is valuable. Now it’s all in one place in a better, clearer, cleaner format.”

Why One Site?

As the association brand and awareness has grown over the last few decades, the overall strategic marketing plan for the association has morphed and changed to meet the changing needs of audiences. Based on consumer research conducted by NELMA earlier in 2021, the decision was made to combine all existing pages into one superwebsite with extraordinary navigational capacity to properly administer the correct piece of information or inspiration to the needed group.

“In speaking with consumers and representatives of our other audiences, we realized that each target NELMA audience wanted to know what the other was doing,” said Easterling. “Consumers wanted to know what builders and architects were asking, as did retailers. This novel approach allows everyone interested in east-

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

ern white pine and SPFs to peek through the curtain and consumer information at all levels. The outcome for us? Continued and increased growth of the NELMA reputation and brand as a source of wood knowledge and information. No more siloed messaging; it’s all out there in one place!”

For You, the Retailer Everything you’re used to finding and using on NELMA4Retailers.org has made the journey over to the new NELMA.org. And it’s just as easy to research and find what you need to help sell more lumber! The NELMA Retailer section focuses on sales tools and tips specifically for selling eastern white pine and SPFs; everything from tech info, span details, the much-beloved grade swatch—it’s all in one place.

If you haven’t registered to be part of the NELMA Retailer Directory, now is the time! One easy and free registration later and you’re out there for builders, contractors and consumers to find you. Inspiration leads to purchase, and we want all eastern white pine and SPFs purchases to be from YOU!

Consumer Interface Recent NELMA-funded consumer research painted a clear path of how to best get wood inspiration and information in front of homeowners, DIYers, and more. Using this information, the consumer interface of the new NELMA.org represents newly directed and informed content and delivery method.

Number one on the list: inspiration. How best to use eastern white pine and SPFs? Show, don’t tell. Beautiful images of timely, trendy possibilities for the home, and even commercial environments. Shareable links to show family and friends their dream, and how easily it can become a reality. Accurate, up-to-date information about the sustainability of the greenest building product on the market: real wood. Tutorials on how to handle and use lumber to achieve the desired effect. Research material, in the form of the new “Profiles in Pine” book, which provides a new way of getting beautiful case study information directly into the hands of consumers.

When it’s time to purchase, consumers can click over to the NELMA Retailer Directory to find the closest eastern white pine (Continued on page 38) Building-Products.com

Thank You for Supporting Us Then and Now

A Proud Heritage Since 1881 Searsmont, Maine | www.rlco.com

and SPFs dealer near them.

All consumer outreach will be echoed with purpose-driven social media marketing in the months and years to come.

Calling All Architects NELMA has long been a source of technical information and learning opportunities for architects nationwide, and that won’t change with the new NELMA.org.

Architects will continue to receive the same level of solid technical information on eastern white pine and SPFs they always have. From load details to span tables, proper usage, and even a little design inspiration, it’s all on the new site.

Architects love reading and learning more about how wood has been used in the past from the White Pine Monographs; don’t worry, they’re still around! These unique case studies, highlighting multiple wood uses from Revolutionary-era homes and projects to current day, are a staple of architect-facing education.

Speaking of education, you can find easy access to NELMA’s AEC Daily class, “Eastern White Pine: Sustainable Versatility,” at the click of a button on the new NELMA.org.

Architects wanting to know more about the sustainability of real wood won’t be disappointed: throughout the website,

NELMA has included consistent, accurate, updated information on both the forestry industry in the U.S. and how well-managed and healthy our modern forests are. Thomas Jefferson would be proud.

NELMA Members Only With the combination of all NELMA information sources into one location, a giant library of marketing materials is at the disposal of all NELMA members. Access to sales tools and technical information for direct meetings with architects? Check.

Clearinghouse listings of industry news, trends, and events?

Check. Member directory so they can follow up with the guy they met at the NELMA Annual Meeting? Check.

If you’ve become a fan of the last two years of “Lumber 411” columns printed in this fine publication, we’ve gathered them into one place for you at the new NELMA.org. Check them out, and let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover!

Two years ago, NELMA members asked their association for help in recruiting talent for jobs in the lumber industry.

The NELMA Jobs program was born, and it’s still going strong.

Members list job openings within their mill and, with support from their association, these listings are shared far and wide to hopefully bring new and much-needed employees into member mills.

Architecture Students, This Contest Is for You! Back in 2012 NELMA launched the industry’s first-ever student design competition with the Sustainable Versatility Design Award.

Over the years, the association has awarded both cash and publicity to budding architects who have accepted the annual challenge of specifying a unique project centered around eastern white pine or SPFs. While the contest wasn’t held in 2020, it will come roaring back in the spring of 2022 with all-new challenges leading to allnew inspiration. And all contest information will be located on the new NELMA.org.

NELMA.Org in a Nutshell

NELMA’S COMPLETELY redesigned website, NELMLA.org.

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

The new website is easy-to-use, with a beautiful, easily navigated interface. It represents a visual branding evolution from the previous pages, with all open encouragement to all visitors to explore and learn from other audiences represented on the website.

The first look at NELMA.org exposes the visitor to inspiring, beautiful pictures of current projects from around the country. A sort of visual “this is what’s possible with eastern white pine and SPFs” statement. Following this immediate hit of inspiration, users are invited to find their home within the website.

More project photos, more information, easily cross-referenced data and knowledge—it’s all there, topped off with a touch of the simplicity needed when attacking complex challenges like bringing multiple audiences with multiple needs together under one virtual roof.

“The industry as a whole is a holistic ecosystem of education with tools that can translate from one audience to another,” concluded Easterling. “With the new NELMA.org, we’ve created that necessary central portal for all things Northeastern and Great Lakes softwood products.”

Building-Products.com

BFFs: The Maine Cabin Masters and eastern white pine

MAINE CABIN MASTERS, the most-watched show on DIY Network, use eastern white pine in every camp they renovate across the great state of Maine.

EASTERN WHITE PINE, locally grown, strong, durable and beautiful, is the perfect building product to enhance camps on Maine Cabin Masters.”

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

WHILE IT HAS MANY NAMES—white pine, northern white pine, Weymouth pine, New England pine, and its pretty Latin name of Pinus strobus—it’s a wellknown fact that eastern white pine is the granddaddy, the king, the big cheese of Northeastern lumber species. Which is why you can see it used in Maine camps every week on DIY Network’s hit show Maine Cabin Masters.

When Chase Morrill was a boy, his first recollection of being around eastern white pine was when his grandparents built their own family camp in Clearwater, Me. They chose v-match for everything: the walls were sheathed with rough-cut pine, and they installed it on the diagonal to lock it all together.

“I very clearly remember a photo of all the grandkids, including me, in front of the camp, surrounded by the eastern white pine,” commented Morrill.

He remembers clearly the first time he used eastern white pine. Working on a converted chicken barn with his father, the owner wanted the floor replaced.

Morrill and his dad went to the lumberyard and reviewed all the options, eventually settling on 12” eastern white pine shiplap flooring, because that was the original product used. The barn owner’s reaction – he was very impressed with how the flooring looked and performed—stuck with him. He realized there was a difference in building products, how they performed, and how people reacted to them.

Morrill went on to build a camp for his mother-in-law and chose to sheathe the entire structure in pine instead of the expected plywood. “People would drive by and stop to comment on how good it looked,” shared Morrill. “Using pine in this way is the traditional method, how it used to be done… I thought, we need to do more of this!”

Building-Products.com

Fast-forward several years and Maine Cabin Masters began filming. When the show started and the team began working on camps, Morrill’s influence brought eastern white pine front and center: other team members were sold on the use of plywood and sheetrock, but Morrill stuck to what he knew was right: eastern white pine.

“I wanted to use as little Sheetrock and plywood as possible as we renovated these camps,” added Morrill. “It’s about authenticity and choosing the right product. People are super-conscious these days about choosing green materials, healthy and sustainable materials… it’s common to use wood on the inside of camps, but why not take it further? We want all of our camp owners to know their place was built with good, quality materials that are also good for the environment, and eastern white pine fits the bill perfectly.”

Watch Maine Cabin Masters on DIY Network! New season begins October 2021 Morrill goes on to point out the adaptability of the wood: “The versatility, ease of use, and accessibility of eastern white pine are so important; it’s all around us, and people are more about buying local and using local than ever before.”

Speaking of versatility: turn on Maine Cabin Masters and on any given episode, you’ll see eastern white pine used in a multitude of applications.

Some of our favorites: trim, siding, roof decking, railings, finish trim, walls, floors, countertops, accent walls, furniture, bookshelves, custom-made cabinets, shelving, bed frames, window frames, doors, ladders, stair treads, beams (structural and exposed), and so much more.

And when the Cabin Masters are done with a project, waste is never an issue: scraps are used for craft projects or custom needs (often milled on-site).

“Chase and his team really get it,” said Jeff Easterling, president of NELMA. “Their deep knowledge of eastern white pine and how it can be used is like nothing we’ve ever seen on a TV show. They’re making a difference and driving more people to choose natural, sustainable, strong wood over the alternatives.”

– For more information on eastern white pine, please visit www.NELMA.org.

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NELMA recently launched A Video Guide to the 4 Grades of Spruce Pine Fir – South, an easily accessed video representation of what to expect when purchasing SPFs.

SPFs grades make their video debut NEED TO SELL some SPFs lumber and your customer wants to see it with their own eyes? You could walk out into the yard and pull a few pieces; you might also pull out a brochure or show a few photos from your phone. But do these options truly represent the depth and breadth visually of SPFs lumber? No, they do not.

Now there’s a brand-new way of looking at SPFs lumber, brought to you by the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA): A Video Guide to Four Grades of SPFs. It’s lumber as you’ve never seen it before!

“The SPFs video, developed as a companion piece to the existing eastern

white pine grades video, means that NELMA now offers a full visual catalog of a majority of lumber manufactured by our members,” said Jeff Easterling, president of NELMA. “This completes the informational package. We’ve visually represented most of the grades and species of lumber produced by our members in an easyto-understand and easy-to-consume format—and it’s the perfect tool for selling domestically and internationally.”

The nine-minute video offers a video representation of SPFs 2x4 lumber, with full explanations of what customers can expect within each grade. Rather than one or two examples of what the lumber

should look like, the video offers real-life representations within the major grades of SPFs. Presented from a birds-eye lumber grader’s view, the video shows real pieces of finished lumber coming down a conveyor belt. As each board slowly passes by on screen, digital call-outs indicate what they’re seeing with each board. All defining characteristics within SPFs grading are represented visually to share the entire story. Characteristics within each grade are explained and visually shown so the informational connection can be made. The video can be stopped and replayed at will, bringing the interaction to life at the speed and level of each viewer.

Why Do We Need to See SFPs on Video?

WITH THE VIDEO, each grade of SPFs lumber is explained in clear visual detail.

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For multiple reasons. First, customer product knowledge. The video mimics what can be found in layers from a unit of lumber. As it rolls by, the viewer gets a solid look at what each unit would look like when sold. After viewing the SPFs grade video, both you AND your customer will have seen and learned about all the various characteristics that make up certain grades.

Secondly, this level of knowledge just might reduce callbacks. Ever had someone purchase lumber from you, only to have them attempt to return it because it Building-Products.com

“doesn’t look right” or it’s “not what they were expecting?” Teach them, show them what to expect with this video; as their understanding and knowledge rises, your callbacks will hopefully decrease.

And lastly, since this video will be translated into multiple languages (French, Chinese and Spanish, to start), you now have the perfect international selling tool.

For example, let’s say a customer orders a unit of SPFs lumber. Not understanding lumber grading terms and variations, they order #2. When it arrives, they see knots they weren’t expecting, so they call the mill or retailer and complain about the product received. Being able to accurately represent SPFs lumber in video format provides both the answer you need and the education they need. Information that was once shared on static printed sheets is now a dynamic and educational video solution. The gap between education and marketing is bridged, resulting in happier retailers and more educated customers.

“The multiple translations allow the end-user to increase their wood knowledge and better understand what products are produced by NELMA members,” continued Easterling. “This video has multiple audiences across the industry: retailers

ELEMENTS within each grade of lumber—wane, knots, etc.—are clearly identified with call-outs to enhance viewer education.

can refer to it to educate their customers, and our members can direct customers from around the world to watch it and get a complete understanding of what SPFs grades are and what they look like.”

“Members have been asking for this for years, and here it is,” concluded Easterling.

“They love using the eastern white pine video as an educational tool, and this SPFs grade video will complete the knowledge

cycle and ensure that customers know what to expect when their lumber delivery arrives.”

The free SPFs grade video may be found on the NELMAtv YouTube channel, right alongside the eastern white pine video.

– For more information about selling SPFs or eastern white pine, please visit www.NELMA.org.

Call on Warren Trask for the most comprehensive Eastern Pine inventory and widest selection of Pattern Stock!

Since 1924, Warren Trask has been committed to being the number one source for Eastern White Pine.

Call on Warren Trask for all your Eastern White Pine needs.

1-800-752-0121 ■ 63B Bedford Street, Lakeville, MA 02347 ■ www.wtrask.com Building-Products.com

September 2021 n Building Products Digest n

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THE ROBUST state of forestry is in reality the opposite of what many would have you believe.

Wood Myths Busted LET’S TALK ABOUT MYTHS. The earth is flat. Lightning never strikes the same place twice. Bulls get angry when they see the color red. Bigfoot. Forestland is the U.S. is in danger of disappearing.

Oops—that last one is completely wrong.

(And we’re Bigfoot believers, too.)

As a lumber retailer, it’s important for you to understand and know pertinent information not just about the sticks you’re selling, but about the lumber and forest industry as a whole. Knowledge is power, and if a customer believes an untruth about the wood industry, who better than their lumber retailer to set them straight?

Here’s a quick primer on three

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commonly believed pieces of wood industry information that are indeed myths.

Myth: Cutting down trees is bad because trees live forever!

Fact: Every living thing has a natural life cycle.

The complete lifecycle of a tree is something we as humans aren’t likely to witness from beginning to end: the eastern white pine typically grows to be around 200 years old, while spruce/white spruce lives for about 250 years. One of the longest-living trees in the U.S. ever recorded—a bristlecone pine in the White Mountains of California—is estimated to be around 4,850 years old.

n Building Products Digest n September 2021

But. The fact is that older trees slow down their carbon sequestration rate as they age. We look to the younger forests to do a better job of sequestering carbon and being our lungs, as it were.

A recent article in the Pacific Standard said it well: “Younger plants are able to extract carbon from the air and incorporate it into their biomass more quickly than mature trees.”

This information is repeated in a 2019 CBC article entitled, “Canada’s Forests Actually Emit More Carbon Than They Absorb….” This article takes an in-depth look at how trees don’t just absorb carbon when they grow—they EMIT it as they mature, die and decompose, or even burn.

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The older trees get, the less they do their jobs. Young trees are better for the environment, and this translates into the need for well managed forests and forest land. As the new trees are planted, our breathing environment is refreshed and renewed. Which leads to the next myth.

Myth: The forestry industry is in danger because we’re cutting down so many trees!

Fact: This is quite literally the opposite of the truth.

Straight from the U.S. Forest Service: • More than 1 billion trees are planted each year in the U.S.; • The U.S. forest products industry accounts for approximately 4% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, which translates to manufacturing nearly $300 billion in products annually; and • The U.S. forest products industry employs approximately 950,000 men and women.

On the whole, across the U.S. forest industry, three to five trees are planted for every one harvested.

AppalachianWood.org has that number even higher, with an estimate of 2.3 billion trees planted in the last year. That equals out to seven new trees for every man, woman, and child in this country. Of this staggering amount planted, 55% is planted by the forest industry.

Myth: We have less forestland now than we did a century ago!

Fact: Also not true. Keep reading.

For background: Right now, one-third of the U.S. is forested, totaling nearly 766

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million acres.

From the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program of the U.S. Forest Service: “Since 1900, forest area in the U.S. has remained statistically within 745 acres (+/- 5%) despite significant urban growth since the lowest point in 1920 of 735 million acres.”

And from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): “Forest growth nationally has exceeded harvest since the 1940s.”

Let’s zoom in on Maine, the mostforested state in the U.S. With 17.6 million acres of forest land, it’s worth noting that this total overall acreage hasn’t grown or shrunk much at all since 2011.

The most-forested states in the U.S., from the USDA Forest Service (3 of top 5 are in New England!): • Maine ranks #1 in the U.S. in percentage of forest cover, with 89.5% of the state covered in trees (17.7 million acres).

• New Hampshire is #2 • Vermont is #4 What’s very interesting here? Between 2012-2016, lumber mills in Maine produced a whopping total of 3.41 billion board feet of lumber. Bottom line: the overall percentage of forested land hasn’t changed, and the forest and lumber industries are growing. (The not-so-secret answer here is because we plant more

than we harvest, every day, every year.)

Halfway across the country in Minnesota, the state’s 17.7 million acres of forest land (covering approximately 35% of the state) increased by 1.7% — that’s 755,000 acres—from 2012 to 2017. The forest in Minnesota is growing, while during the same time lumber mills across the state cranked out 702 million board feet of lumber.

Heading down south deep into the nation’s wood basket, Georgia—the third largest softwood lumber producing state in the U.S.—has seen its forest land remain relatively constant (as of 2016 USDA data).

Georgia’s forest area totaled 24.6 million acres, with areas of large-diameter forest stands increasing. During the 2015–2016time frame, mills in Georgia produced 5.01 billion board feet total.

What’s the takeaway? Forested land in the U.S. is increasing or maintaining, while the lumber industry is still going strong.

What’s the secret? Strong replanting programs and well-managed forests.

Up in Maine, the state’s Healthy Forest Program works to find ways to increase active forest management in partnership with family forest owners. Georgia’s Conservation Reserve Program (combined with other efforts) is responsible for the growth of large diameter stands, which now make up 41.2% of the forestry land in the state. And following a decline, Minnesota’s healthy forest land has been increasing steadily since the 1970s.

– For more information on forestry and wood products in general, please visit www.NELMA.org.

September 2021 n Building Products Digest n

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Orgill Cuts Ribbon at New Rome DC

THE HISTORIC Quinby Building, which last housed a Newell Brand Rubbermaid store, will become the new headquarters and experimental store for E&H Ace Hardware.

E&H Ace HQ on the Move

E&H Ace Hardware announced plans to take over the recently shuttered Everything Rubbermaid location in Wooster, Oh., turning the iconic Quinby Building into a new retail concept space with its headquarters on the fourth floor.

The chain separately has purchased Tignor’s Hometown Hardware of Wooster.

E&H will adopt a similar floor plan to what Everything Rubbermaid boasted. Three floors that offer something different. Nearly 15,000 sq. ft. will be devoted to sales. With each floor comes a different theme and type of product.

“It will be a bit of a testing ground for our company’s growth and a training location for our managers,” said VP Rich Fishburn. “We don’t want it to be a conventional Ace Hardware store. We want it to be a top-of-the-line store.”

Christopher Buehler, vice president of marketing and strategy, hopes to use the store as a testing site for future products. “We plan on using the store to test new concepts, evaluate layout designs, and try out new products,” he said.

Buehler and Fishburn hope to establish the headquarters by early 2022 and open the retail store by March.

The company’s headquarters would move from the Buehler’s Towne Market Store in downtown Wooster, which lacks the necessary space to house all of its employees. Once completed, they hope to hire 20-25 workers, and will relocate some of the 35 employees now at the Buehler’s headquarters.

The purchase of the Tignor’s store also included its plumbing and handyman services.

Yard Worker Crushed to Death

A forklift operator was killed in the lumberyard of Menards, Golden Valley, Mn., when a stack of lumber tumbled onto his vehicle.

James Stanback, 19, was declared dead of medical asphyxia July 22.

Huber Buys Consulting Firm

Huber Resources Corp., Charlotte, N.C., has purchased certain assets of Sewall Forestry & Natural Resource Consulting LL, which will expand its capabilities globally in key service areas including timberland appraisals, forest inventory management, and forest modeling.

The SFNR business was formerly owned by James W. Sewall Co., a 140-year-old Maine-based consulting firm providing renewable energy site design, environmental permitting, transportation engineering, geospatial data analysis, and natural resource economic analysis across industry sectors which include clean energy, utility and property development clients.

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

Orgill welcomed hundreds of customers, vendors and local dignitaries to Rome, N.Y., in early August to celebrate, tour and take part in the official ribbon cutting ceremony marking the grand opening of its newest distribution center.

“We enjoyed the opportunity to have so many of our customers and vendor partners on hand so they could get a first-hand look at the Rome DC, see the investments we are making in our distribution network and have the opportunity to meet our team,” said Boyden Moore, president and CEO. “This milestone in our growth is only possible because of our customers’ continued growth and our vendor partners’ continued support.”

During the two-day event, Orgill offered guests tours of the new 780,000-sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility, hosted a vendor meeting, and invited guests to a reception and dinner to thank them for their support.

“It was very impressive,” said Jacob Buckingham of Bucks & Bolts Hardware in Blossvale, N.Y., after getting a sneak peek at the new location. “You could see a lot of the thought that was put into everything and the way it was designed and put together to create efficiencies. Just looking at features like the way they used the narrow aisles between the racking to get even more product in the space shows how they thought through every detail.”

The Rome site is Orgill’s eighth distribution center, joining existing facilities in Tifton, Ga.; Inwood, W.V.; Sikeston, Mo.; Kilgore, Tx.; Post Falls, Id.; Hurricane, Ut.; and London, Ontario.

The new facility effectively doubles Orgill’s distribution capacity within the region and will serve customers throughout New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and northeastern Pennsylvania.

Of the employees working out of the Rome facility, there will be at least one “first” for Orgill, with the distributor creating a new role for tech support at the facility, according to Randy Williams, Orgill’s executive VP of distribution.

“This role is new to our company but so important in our overall operations,” Williams said. “They will ensure that the facility finds ways to use technology to enhance the overall operations and interactions with customers. The creation of this position is an important step for us as we continue to look for ways we can harness technology through all aspects of our operation to create efficiencies, improve customer service and better fulfill our mission.”

Other innovations in distribution technology and design that Orgill showcased during the grand opening ceremony included the latest in voice picking systems, a spacemaximizing very-narrow-aisle (VNA) layout and a new, multi-tiered conveyor system.

All of these features are designed to create efficiencies for the distribution team and ultimately reduce friction in receiving, picking and fulfilling customer orders, according to Williams.

“Technology, innovation and capacity are all factors that drive our distribution efficiencies at a facility like Rome, but ultimately, all of these investments are designed to help us better serve our customers and help them make their businesses more successful,” Williams said.

The opening of the Rome distribution center is just the latest step in Orgill’s commitment to expand and enhance its distribution capabilities to stay ahead of customer demand.

Already in the works is nearly doubling the size of its distribution center in Utah.

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THE FIRST STAIN

WORTHY OF THE YELLA TAG. Introducing YellaWood Protector® Semi-Transparent Stain and Clear Water Repellent.

It takes a whole lot to earn the right to wear the Yella tag. Backed by fifty years of proven knowledge and quality, YellaWood Protector® products are specifically formulated by the makers of YellaWood® pressure treated pine. YellaWood Protector® products provide long-lasting, rich color and the superior protection homeowners demand. All with a limited warranty against chipping, peeling, water damage, mold, mildew and color fade. Since there are no long drying times or even in-store mixing or tinting required, your customers will love how easy it is to use. Call your sales rep today or visit yellawood.com/protector and finish like a pro.

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YellaWood® brand pressure treated products are treated with preservatives (the “Preservatives”) and preservative methods, and technologies of unrelated third parties. For details regarding the Preservatives, methods, and technologies used by Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated, see www.yellawood.com/preservative or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. Ask dealer for warranty details. For warranty or for important handling and other information concerning our products including the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS), please visit us at www.yellawood.com/ warranties or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. YellaWood and the yellow tag are federally registered trademarks of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are used with their permission.

Substrate Matters (Continued from page 14)

to as Zoomers, or Generation Z, the oldest of whom are now in their mid to later 20’s. “They’re the generation who are following millennials into the market,” added Kirkbride, “but what makes them different is they’re the first, true ‘digital natives’; they’ve grown up not knowing a world before the internet, and they have very strong attitudes on subjects like sustainability and corporate citizenship that align with the values of Real Cedar. When we talk about why substrate matters, this is definitely one of the groups we’re talking to.”

The substrate matters messaging the WRCLA employs includes information on natural wood products’ role in carbon capture and climate change mitigation, and highlights the fact the Real Cedar brand means it comes only from responsibly managed sources, among other points. This is of noted interest for Generation Z, as two 2020 studies by Fresco Capital and Bloomberg showed climate change was the leading concern for this group, and that they were willing to pay more for sustainable products.

“Composite products are growing in popularity, but there’s a big misconception that they’re maintenance free and environmentally friendly because they use recycled materials,” added Kirkbride. “The opposite is true when you look at what’s emitted to manufacture them, and that they’ll end up in a landfill.”

While promoting wood’s green aspects are important, the association is quick to point out that the most popular reason for choosing WRC is its looks. “You can’t beat the beauty of a natural product like WRC,” continued Kirkbride, “And WRC’s even more appealing when homeowners discover the wealth of options they have to customize the look they want.

There are lots of profiles and grades, but the range of finishes from shou sugi ban (charred WRC) to bleaching stains and everything in between creates almost limitless possibilities.”

To complement the versatility message, the WRCLA is also promoting an emerging product that’s seeing growth in the market: engineered WRC siding. WRCLA members produce, distribute and sell three main product categories of engineered WRC: engineered clear solid western red cedar, engineered T&G WRC with a clear veneer overlay, and engineered knotty western red cedar, all of which are creating new opportunities for architects, builders and designers.

Film Promotes Hardwood Industry

Banks Hardwoods, White Pigeon, Mi., has released a new educational short film for training, outreach, and promotion.

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

ALSO POPULAR: Engineered knotty shiplap western red cedar siding.

Kirkbride pointed out that “the importance of a product like engineered WRC can’t be understated. Man-made siding products don’t have to deal with the harvest and supply restrictions that natural wood products do. Engineered WRC uses surplus fiber and is readily available in longer lengths like 16’ and 20’. They fill a need in the market, and we’re getting the word out on the quality and how good looking these products really are. They definitely underscore the sustainable and versatile message and are demonstrating to consumers why substrate does matter.”

– Established in 1954, the WRCLA is the voice of the cedar industry and has members in 132 locations throughout North America (www.realcedar.com).

The nine-minute documentary recounts how hardwood lumber is manufactured in a modern sawmill. Initially produced for its internal Banks School, which educates new employees and Banks’ visiting customers, the film was recently released on YouTube to help educate the public and promote the industry.

Footage for the film was shot at three different sawmills throughout Michigan and Indiana, including Maple Rapids Sawmill, Devereaux Sawmill, and Loggers, Inc. The film production studio, Ruef Design, also visited several working forests to capture footage of the selection and harvesting process.

“This film was made to help the industry,” said Jim Clarke, president of Banks Hardwoods. “We wanted to provide a better understanding and appreciation for what goes into manufacturing high quality hardwood lumber and that the sawmill industry can provide a fun, safe and rewarding career.”

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NEW Products

Redesigned Furring Strips New-Age Jobsite Radio Bosch Power Tools has unveiled two new iterations of its jobsite radio, the GPB18v-5C, an 18v Jobsite Radio with Bluetooth 5.0 and Power Station, and the smaller GPB18V-2C, an 18V Compact Jobsite Radio with Bluetooth 5.0.

Both designed with durability, flexibility and portability in mind, they are built for the roughest jobsite environments. With USB charging capability, mobile devices will stay charged and ready at all times. n BOSCHTOOLS.COM (877) 267-2499

Benjamin Obdyke has completely redesigned its Batten UV furring strips with improved compression resistance well-suited to open-joint cladding systems.

The new Batten UV strips are designed to maintain a 3/8” space even with the screw-fastening required for composite decking, which is often used to create trendy open-joint cladding systems. The compression resistance mimics that of a wood furring strip, but with the added benefits of air flow and moisture resistance.

The new Batten UV features a notched design that provides multi-directional airflow to help keep the wall cavity dry and allow drainage in rainscreen applications. n BENJAMINOBDYKE.COM (800) 523-5261

Get a Grip KNIPEX Tools’ new TwinGrip Pliers are the industry’s only slip joint pliers with a five-adjustment push-button.

The tool features both front and side gripping areas. The unique front gripping area is ideal for gripping stripped screws and bolts. The jaws of the side gripping area feature opposing teeth that allow the pliers to grip round, square and hex materials with maximum force. With five adjustment positions, the tool offers a gripping capacity for diameters and widths across the flats from 5/32” to 7/8” with just the push of a button. The TwinGrip easily grabs flat objects with its three-point contact system. n KNIPEX-TOOLS.COM (847) 398-8520

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

New Standard in Insulation

Owens Corning’s new PINK Next Gen Fiberglas insulation enables up to 23% faster installation compared to its existing products.

Advanced fiber technology creates a tightly woven network of soft, fine fibers to form a super-resilient blanket of insulating micro-pockets. The insulation offers 99%-safer fire performance and no chemical fire retardants added to fiberglass (99% less smoke generation potential under controlled fire test conditions vs. a competitive combustible insulation). n OWENSCORNING.COM/PINKNEXTGEN (800) 438-7465 Building-Products.com

Baluster Replacement L.J. Smith’s new Concealed Iron Baluster Installation Kit makes it simpler for homeowners to tackle the DIY project of installing half-inch hollow square iron balusters.

The kit can be used for both open treads and level runs on a stairway. There are no adhesives or shoes involved. After removing the old baluster, simply slide the plastic insert into the bottom of the hollow-trimmed iron baluster. Then, install the dowel screw into the tread, and screw the plastic insert and baluster onto the tread surface.

Comfy on the Knees

Concentrated Color

Klein Tools’ new Hinged Gel Knee Pads provide all-day protection for the toughest jobs.

A top strap positioned above the knee reduces shifting and to keep the knee pad centered.

Lightweight, multi-layer pressure-absorbing gel padding system provide knee support.

Durable, slip-resistant, rounded-out synthetic rubber kneecaps grip work surfaces for stability.

Breathable mesh and neoprene lining keeps wearers cool.

U-C Coatings has introduced an innovative wood fence stain from its Eco Chemical division.

Fence Guard is a concentrated water-based alkyd stain designed specifically for wood fences. It comes in 1.5- and 5-gallon sizes in four semi-transparent colors (Natural Cedar, Expresso, Cocoa Brown, and Western Redwood) that will satisfy the majority of market color preferences.

The concentrate is mixed with two parts water to make a readyto-use stain. It can be used on any residential or commercial softwood fence installation, old or new, including cedar, SPF and treated wood.

n KLEINTOOLS.COM (800) 553-4676

n UCCOATINGS.COM (888) 363-2628

n LJSMITH.COM (740) 269-2221

Easy Extensions Reliable in a Scrape ToughBuilt’s new Five-Blade Utility Knife with On-Tool Blade Storage and Snap-Off Blade can be used in a multitude of settings, from construction to DIY. The tool can cut paper, cardboard, leather, drywall, plastic sheeting, and other materials. It can switch between two modes: scraper mode—to remove paint, putty or adhesive from surfaces—and utility knife mode. n TOUGHBUILT.COM (949) 528-3100

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Lift-assist technology provides up to 50% assistance in raising and speed control in lowering Werner’s new easy-operating extension ladder.

The internal spring mechanism operates similar to a garage door system. As the internal lift cable is pulled, a spring releases tension and helps lift the fly section with less effort. When the fly section is lowered, it reloads tension on the spring, providing resistance to keep the fly section from slamming to the ground. n WERNERLADDER.COM (888) 523-3371

n Building Products Digest n September 2021

Duct Sealant Red Devil D-Seal is a smooth, water-based duct sealant for all types of commercial HVAC duct systems.

Formulated for permanent flexibility and adhesion, D-Seal offers excellent water resistance and sealing strength, fast dry time, low VOC, and UV, mold and mildew resistance. n REDDEVIL.COM (800) 423-3845 Building-Products.com

Building-Products.com

September 2021 n Building Products Digest n

53

NextGen Hole Saws Blind Spots ODL, Inc. has expanded its Blink Blinds + Glass line with a new, 7/8” version of its popular blindsbetween-glass. Featuring durable blinds sandwiched between two panes of glass, the new thickness provides a slim option for light and privacy control to patio doors up to 18 sq. ft. and windows up to 12 sq. ft. with a 7/8” IG pocket.

The new Blink 7/8 Custom blinds feature matching components in six colors, tempered or annealed glass, and options of clear glass, 8 Low-E or 4 NEAT. EasyGlide Operator raises, lowers and tilts blinds with just slight movement. n ODL.COM (866) 635-4968

Milwaukee Tool has introduced the next generation of Hole Dozer with Carbide Teeth Hole Saws, featuring a new 3 TPI design to deliver faster cuts with the durability of a bi-metal saw and life of a carbide hole saw.

The carbide teeth provide the ability to cut through stainless steel, cast iron, fastener embedded wood, cement board, fiberglass, plaster, asphalt shingle, and more with ease. Deep gullets clear material fast and all-access slots provide fastest plug removal, resulting in efficiency and productivity with less downtime between holes. A new slot design provides increased pilot visibility for accurate placement and faster chip ejection, keeping the cut cool.

With a cutting depth of 1.62”, saw sizes range from 3/4’’ to 6’’ and are sold individually and in nineand 12-piece kits. n MILWAUKEETOOL.COM (800) 729-3878

Benchtop Planer RYOBI continues to expand its benchtop category with the new addition of a 12-1/2” Corded Thickness Planer. Its 120v, 15-amp motor delivers maximum power for smoother cuts.

The 1/20” depth of cut control allows you to achieve your desired depth for precision planing.

Featuring extra-long infeed and outfeed tables, it provides over 31” of material support for your large jobs.

It also features a four-column frame, which reduces snipe and improves uniformity.

The planer includes two planer knives, a knife removal tool, hex key, and dust hood. n RYOBITOOLS.COM (800) 525-2579

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

Liquid Membrane Georgia-Pacific has launched DensDefy Liquid Barrier, a fluid-applied, air- and water-resistive barrier. Once applied, it produces a seamless, durable membrane on exterior gypsum sheathing, wood sheathing, CMU and concrete walls.

The single-component, monolithic, elastomeric, STP-based water-resistive barrier and air barrier was developed to help protect against water intrusion and mitigate the risk of unwanted air movement. It cures quickly and in wet conditions, is exceptionally durable, and is vapor permeable, meaning it allows damp surfaces to dry. n DENSDEFY.COM (800) 283-5547 Building-Products.com

ASSOCIATION Update Building Material Suppliers Association is hosting regional roundtables Oct. 3-5 in Blowing Rock, N.C.; Oct. 13-15 in Lexington, N.C.; and Oct. 2729 in Charleston, S.C. Additional roundtables will be held specifically for CFOs Oct. 13-15 in Athens, Ga.; for sales managers Oct. 20-22 in Asheville, N.C.; and for purchasing managers Nov. 7-9 in Savannah, Ga. Kentucky Building Materials Association is planning its annual convention, product expo and Education Foundation Jack Congleton Golf Event for Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, In.

FLORIDA Building Material Alliance will honor Tibbetts Lumber’s Arlen Tillis with its Hall of Fame Recognition Award during its upcoming show in Orlando.

Florida Building Material Alliance will present its 2021 Hall of Fame Recognition Award to Arlen Tillis, senior VP of Tibbetts Lumber Co., during its annual convention and tradeshow.

The event will be held Sept. 8-10 at at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort & Convention Center, Orlando.

Mid-America Lumbermens Association gets back into the swing of things Sept. 22 with its Kansas Sunflower Shootout golf tournament at Firekeeper Golf Club, Mayetta, Ks. Next month, MLA will sponsor an LBM Financials seminar, “Improving Your Profits,” Oct. 26 at Forest Products, Kansas City, Ks. Lumbermen’s Association of Texas will introduce its new slate of directors during its 135th annual convention & expo Sept. 13-15 in Frisco, Tx. During its recent summer meeting, LAT elected Harley “Bubba” Finnell, Oldham Lumber Co., Dallas, Tx., as president of the LAT board of directors.

Kate Woodson Borroni, Woodson Lumber Co., joined LAT’s executive com-

56

show Nov. 9 at Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. And, Western New York Dealers will stage their annual meeting Nov. 12 in Rochester, N.Y.

NOW HELPING to lead LAT are (left) new president Harley “Bubba” Finnell, co-owner/president of Oldham Lumber, and new 2nd VP Kate Woodson Borroni, director of HR, operations at Woodson Lumber Co.

mittee as second vice president.

“We are fortunate to have Bubba and Kate’s passion for independent dealers at such a consequential time for our industry,” said Mireya Zapata, executive VP at LAT. “Bubba’s steady leadership and business insight have been of great value to LAT in positioning the association as a recognized voice for the Texas construction industry at the Texas Legislature. As a director, Kate has pushed LAT to be a more inclusive organization and responsive to the needs of its membership. LAT has an aggressive agenda, and these leaders will help us make great progress over the coming year.”

The board also approved four new directors: Corby Biddle, Higginbotham Bros.; Jammy Pate, Pate’s Hardware; John Sewall, The Detering Co.; and Isaac Smith, Matt’s Building Materials.

Construction Suppliers Assn. will gather for a dealer roundtable Oct. 1719 at Short & Paulk Supply, Tifton, Ga. Its annual conference—planned for Sept. 27-Oct 3 in Gulf Shores, Al.— was canceled due to COVID. Northwestern Lumber Assoication presents Estimating 1-2-3 Sept.

21-23 at Simpson Strong-Tie, Inver Grove Heights, Mn. Northeastern Retail Lumber Association affiliates will return to in-person annual meetings in the fall. New Hampshire Retail Lumber Association and Retail Lumber Dealers Association of Maine will hold a joint annual meeting Sept. 10-12 at Sheraton Harborside Hotel, Portsmouth, N.H. Long Island Lumber Association’s annual meeting is set for Oct. 7 at Milleridge Cottage, Jericho, N.Y. Massachusetts Dealers’ event is Oct. 29-30 at Hotel 1620, Plymouth, Ma. Eastern New York Dealers will hold a combo annual meeting/trade-

n Building Products Digest n September 2021

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association is preparing for Lumbah’ Paloozah—its 88th annual meeting Sept. 15-17 at the scenic Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, N.H. The line-up includes the annual NELMA Golf Scramble, exhibits, association updates, consumer research results, the 2022 Lumber & Economic Forecast, and two extra-special events: a conversation with TV personalities the Maine Cabin Masters and the NAWLA Northeast region meeting’s Speed Dating event that will bring together lumber mills with lumber buyers in a very unique way.

National Hardwood Lumber Association has booked Chick-fil-A chief marketing officer Steve Robinson and Euler Hermes chief economist Dan North to keynote its annual convention Sept. 22-24 in West Palm Beach, Fl. Themed “Turning the Tide with Innovation,” the event will also offer presentations on new markets for hardwood by Virginia Tech’s Dr. Henry Quesada, NHLA rules changes by chief inspector Dana Spessert, exports by AHEC executive director Mike Snow, and avoiding becoming a cybersecurity victim by MindSprout’s Scott Raba.

North American Wholesale Lumber Association is moving forward with its regional meetings planned for Sept. 16 in Bretton Woods, N.H., and Oct. 4 in Fort Worth, Tx. Motivational speaker extraordinaire Mark Scharenbroich will keynote the NAWLA Traders Market Nov. 10-12 at the Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, Ky. Other speakers include Ryder Systems’ Kevin Askew, Doss Logistics’ Sheldon Doss, Timber Products’ Tom Gennarellie, J.B. Hunt Transport’s Steve Guthrie, Manufacturers Reserve Supply’s Tina Breen, Patrick Lumber Co.’s Chelsea Brown, and Capital Lumber’s Bethany Doss.

BC Wood will hold a pair of online Global Buyers Missions—Sept. 29-30 for North and Latin America market buyers and Sept. 14-15 for Asian market buyers.

Hoo-Hoo International has canceled its annual convention planned for September due to COVID. Building-Products.com

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DATE Book Listings are often submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with sponsor before making plans to attend.

Florida Building Material Alliance – Sept. 8-10, convention & trade show, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort & Convention Center, Orlando, Fl.; www.fbma.org.

New Hampshire Retail Lumber Assn./Retail Lumber Dealers Assn. of Maine — Sept. 10-12, joint annual meeting, Sheraton Harborside Hotel, Portsmouth, N.H.; www.nrla.org.

Lumbermen’s Association of Texas – Sept. 13-15, convention, expo & golf tournament, Omni Frisco at the Star, Frisco, Tx.; www.lat.org.

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North American Wholesale Lumber Assn. – Sept. 13-16, Fall Wood Basics course, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Or.; nawla.org.

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Wallace Hardware – Sept. 13-Oct. 11, online dealer market; www. wallacehardware.com.

National Wooden Pallet & Container Assn. – Sept. 15-17, annual leadership conference & expo, Orlando, Fl.; palletcentral.com.

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association – Sept. 15-17, 88th annual meeting, Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, N.H.; www.nelma.org.

North American Wholesale Lumber Association – Sept. 16, Northeast regional meeting, Bretton Woods, N.H.; www.nawla.org.

Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show – Sept. 17-19, Starkville, Ms.; www.midsouthforestry.org.

Northwestern Lumber Association – Sept. 21-23, Estimating 1-2-3, Simpson Strong-Tie, Inver Grove Heights, Mn.; www.nlassn.org.

Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association – Sept. 21-23, D.C. Summit, Washington, D.C.; www.slma.org.

Mid-America Lumbermens Association – Sept. 22, Sunflower Shootout golf tournament, Mayetta, Ks.; www.themla.com.

National Hardwood Lumber Association – Sept. 22-24, annual convention & show, West Palm Beach, Fl.; www.buildexpousa.com.

Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Expo – Sept. 2425, Loggers Expo, Cross Insurance Center, Bangor, Me.; www. northernlogger.com.

International Wood Products Assn. – Sept. 27-29, fall World of Wood/Washington Fly-In, Washington, D.C.; www.iwpawood.org.

Building Products Digest

American Wood Protection Association – Sept. 27-30, fall technical committee meetings, Santa Fe, N.M.; www.awpa.com.

The industry’s most read & trusted publication since a e sure all y ur ey sta re ei e t is leadin in r ati n res ur e

Do it Best – Sept. 27-30, fall market, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, In.; www.doitbest.com.

BC Wood – Sept. 29-30, online Global Buyers Mission; www. globalbuyersmission.com.

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Kentucky Building Materials Association – Sept. 30-Oct. 1, annual convention, product expo, & Congleton Cup golf event, Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, In.; www.kbma.net.

Building Material Suppliers Association — Oct. 3-5, dealer roundtable, Blowing Rock, N.C.; www.mybmsa.org.

North American Wholesale Lumber Association – Oct. 4, regional meeting, HopFusion Ale Works, Fort Worth, Tx.; www.nawla.org.

World Millwork Alliance – Oct. 4-7, 56th annual convention & tradeshow, Mobile, Al.; www.worldmillworkalliance.com.

Window & Door Manufacturers Assn. – Oct. 6-7, executive management conference, Marriott, Cambridge, Ma.; www.wdma.com.

NY Long Island Lumber Association – Oct. 7, annual meeting, Milleridge Cottage, Jericho, N.Y.; www.nrla.nlassn.org.

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

Northwestern Lumber Association – Oct. 16, Iowa Booze Cruise, The Rewind, West Des Moines, Ia.; Oct. 20, Nebraska clay shoot, Grand Island, Ne.; www.nlassn.org.

National Hardware Show – Oct. 21-23, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nv.; www.nationalhardwareshow.com.

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IN Memoriam Melvin Kennon Faircloth, 87, owner of City Lumber, Abilene, Tx., died July 29.

He started in the lumber business in Abilene in 1952, joining City Lumber in 1957. In 1969, he bought what was left of City Lumber not long after an arsonist had set fire to the yard.

Melvin was named Lumberman of the Year by the Lumbermens Association of Texas in 2010.

James Bradley “JB” Shepherd, 89, former president and part-owner of Builders Supply Co., Elizabethton and Mountain City, Tn., died July 27.

He graduated from Milligan College in 1954 with a degree in business administration, then spent two years in the U.S. Army, primarily based at the Army Attaché Office at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. After working for Monsanto Chemical Co. and Beaunit, he joined Builders Supply in 1978. He retired in 2008.

George A. Niemiec, 67, co-owner of Niemiec Builders Supply, Buffalo, N.Y., died July 26.

He operated the yard with his brother Robert.

James Elliot “Jim” Doescher, 79, former vice president and co-owner of Abbeville Forest Products, Panama City, Fl., died Aug. 3 in Panama City.

After graduating from Mississippi State University, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star with Cluster and a Purple Heart.

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Jim spent 18 years in the forest products industry working in a variety of progressing roles for St. Regis Paper Co., Southwest Forest Products, and Natural Resources Planning Services before launching Abbeville Forest Products. He also served as president of the Florida Forestry Association and retired as executive director of the Georgia Forestry Association.

Hershel Lee Short, 66, former president and owner of Chemical Valley Lumber, Charleston, W.V., passed away Aug. 8 following a lengthy illness.

He spent 30 years at Chemical Valley Lumber before purchasing the company and operating it another 10 years.

erhaeuser, before branching out on his own with Cox Lumber. Minor health issues forced him into an early retirement—at age 93.

Lee McLane Greene, 63, manager of Bladen Builders Supply, Elizabethtown, N.C., died of cancer July 21.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lee joined his father and brother at the business in 1979.

Thomas George “TG” Williams, 89, co-owner of Bel Air Lumber Co., Bel Air, Md., died Aug. 3 in Bel Air. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Robert Joseph “Bob” Schroedl, 92, longtime executive with Lampert Lumber Co., St. Paul, Mn., died Aug. 12 in Glenwood, Mn. Bob began his 40-year career with Lampert in 1948, rising to lumberyard manager, purchasing agent, and ultimately controller. He spent 20 months away from the company to serve during the Korean War, earning the Korean Service Medal, a Bronze Star, and the United Nations Service Medal. He retired in 1988.

Robert V. “Bob” Merklein Jr., 74, former manager of Sam SoRelle Lumber Co., Houston, Tx., died July 21 After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1971, he attended the University Houston, receiving an accounting degree in 1976. Until 1979 Bob served as a manufacturer’s rep for Diamond Tool, until rejoining the family lumber business as vice president and general manager until 1989. He then served as a territory manager for Hillman Group until retiring in 2008.

Luck Lee Cox, 96, owner of Cox Lumber Co., Hot Springs, Ar., passed away Aug. 9.

He served in the 13th Armored division of the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1948, he graduated from Baylor with a degree in accounting and promptly joined Forest Products, Kansas City, Ks. He moved on to Dierks, Ar., and then Hot Springs with Wey-

Charles Thurman “Charlie” Berrey Jr., the last surviving of the five original partners of Madison Wood Preservers, Madison, Va., passed away Aug. 15. He was 91.

A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, he was also owner and operator of C.T. Berrey & Son Trucking, Madison, and a partner in Farm and Home Service, Madison.

n Building Products Digest n September 2021

Building-Products.com

ADVERTISERS Index Page

13

American Wood Technology

Cover I, 35

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Assn.

www.americanwoodtechnology.com 58

Building-Products.com

www.nelma.org 25

ProWood

www.building-products.com 23

Crumpler Plastic Pipe

www.prowoodlumber.com/dealer 31, Cover IV

Redwood Empire

www.cpp-pipe.com Cover III

Culpeper Wood

www.buyredwood.com 31

RFP Lumber

www.culpeperwood.com 49

DMSi

www.rfplumber.com 37

Robbins

www.dmsi.com 29

Do it Best Corp.

www.rlco.com 15

RoyOMartin

www.doitbestlbm.com 39

Durgin & Crowell Lumber Co.

www.royomartin.com 45

Sandy Neck Traders

www.durginandcrowell.com 21

Everwood Treatment Co.

www.sntraders.com 44

Seaboard International Forest Products

www.everwoodtreatment.com 57

526 Events

www.fctg.com 3

Simpson Strong-Tie

www.526.events 47

Great Southern Wood Preserving

www.strongtie.com 53

Swanson Group Sales Co.

www.yellawood.com 41

Hancock Lumber

www.swansongroup.biz 51

Timber Products

www.hancocklumber.com/pineinspiration 27

Langboard

www.timberproducts.com 28

TIVA Building Products

www.langboard-osb.com Cover II

Lonza Wood Protection

www.tivabp.com 43

Warren Trask Co.

www.wolmanizedwood.com/ewp 7

Manufacturers Reserve Supply

www.wtrask.com 5

West Fraser

www.mrslumber.com 59

National Hardware Show

www.westfraser.com/osb 9

Weyerhaeuser

www.nationalhardwareshow.com 55

North American Wholesale Lumber Assn.

www.weyerhaeuser.com 47

Yellawood

www.nawla.org

www.yellawood.com

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September 2021 n Building Products Digest n

61

FLASHBack 83 Years Ago This Month

E

ighty-three years ago this month, in September of 1938, BPD’s sister publication, The California Lumber Merchant, reported on the lumber industry valiantly continuing to shake off the last of the effects of the Great Depression.

Undeterred by the ongoing economic hardships, Reel Lumber Service, then in its sixth year of business, constructed a new 7,500-sq. ft. hardwood lumber warehouse and offices at its Los Angeles, Ca., site—just months after completing another warehouse across the street.

The wholesaler relocated its main operation from Los Angeles to Anaheim in 1976, and is now led by the fourth generation.

In other news of September 1938: • Hill Lumber & Hardware Co. built itself a new office building at its yard in Albany, Ca., designed to look like a residence and comprised of the various products stocked by the company.

THE SEPTEMBER 1938 issue spotlighted newly patented window hardware from Los Angeles’ Frank Graves Company.

The representatives overwhelmingly voted to continue the club, but that it be reorganized, with more power held by local chapters. Among the changes to help revive dormant chapters was allowing former members to be reinstated without paying back dues. They just had to pay $2.99 for the current year’s dues. New members were charged $4.99 for the first year.

Hoo-Hoo’s main office would be relocated to Minneapolis for three years, after which the Supreme Nine would determine a long-term home.

HILL LUMBER’S new office in Albany, Ca., featured cabinets, cupboard doors, and other millwork manufactured at its on-site mill.

The wood-framed 40-ft.-by-40-ft. structure featured 1x8 Redwood Rustic siding, Pabco aluminum roofing shingles, maple floors, Celotex Ripple Plank wall paneling, Celotex Ivory Tile ceilings, Sherwin-Williams paint, and Schlage locks. A different kind of door was installed on each entry.

The entire operation has long since been replaced by a middle school.

• Over 1 million ft. of Weyerhaeuser 4-Square Endless Lumber was used for roof, subfloor and wall sheathing to build the Hollywood Turf Club and other buildings at the shiny new Hollywood Park racetrack in Inglewood, Ca. • National leaders of the Concatenated Order of HooHoo met for two days in Minneapolis, Mn., to vote on whether to continue the then 46-year-old lumber fraternity and, if so, in what form.

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n Building Products Digest n September 2021

• Armstrong Cork Co. of Lancaster, Pa., acquired the Standard Wall Covering Co. of Philadelphia, manufacturer of Monotile and Monowall brand wallcoverings.

Armstrong retained Standard’s production facility in Philadelphia, but consolidated sales and merchandising activities into the Temlok Department of its own Building Materials Division.

• A giant 1,000-ft.-long log raft carrying over 5 million ft. of logs was broken in half after encountering severe weather off the Northern California coast. The barge had traveled from the Columbia River on its way to Benson Lumber Co.’s sawmill in San Diego, Ca. The tug Sea Ranger kept the front half in tow, and the Coast Guard Swanee took the other half in tow until it was relieved by the tug Sea Scout, which arrived from San Francisco.

Both pieces of the raft were towed into a sandy beach at Mendocino City where arrangements were made for the Mendocino Lumber Co. to saw up the smaller half.

Benson Lumber attempted to tow the larger half to San Diego.

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