NtEW

Some very cautious optimism is appearlng as a new admlnlstration and chief executive take the reins in Washington D.C. this mo. a bolstering factor is the prime lending rate's move downward from record levels, tho no one knows whether the latest interest slippage is merely a temporary dip or a true decline to more normal levels.

Helped by a statistical fluke, housing construction showed only a tiny $.48/s) decline in most recent figs. starts in Nov., on a seasonally adjusted ann ual basis, were I , 5 5 5,000. . . but even so, the industry's strength surprised some observers.. . many forecasters predict Dec. start figs. will be off markedly.

Single family home starts were off 4.80/0, while multis moved up 8.40/o; permits .for future construction rose 2.8%from Oct.. .. sales of used homes fell 3o/0. mortgages nationally averaged 140/0. in Ca. one s&l was offering 180/o mortgage $$...

Inland Lumber Co. Colton, Ca., has agreed to sell its timber operation, for an undisclosed price, to the Terry Companies, Tarzana, Ca., which will operate it as Inland Timber Co., a sepa- rate and independent entity from their retail storesi .Inland Lumber Co. will continue as a wholesale distributor of lumber products at its present location.

The American Forest Products name is expected to be used again after the sale of Bendix

Forest Products to Kohlberg, Kravits. Roberts & Co. has been completed later this mo., the firm was originally known as Tarter, Webster & Johnson. .

Georgia-Pacific has moved its Reno, Nv. distribution center to 600 Spice Islands Dr. in Sparks, Nv... Wall Dry Kiln, Long Beach, Ca., is now selling lumber to qualified wholesalers, mostly dark red mahogany and some oak. South Bay Forest Products, Orange, Ca., has added a 2nd mill bldg. and new machinery, plus 2 new storage bldgs. to bring the total to 6 storage warehouses.

Del Valle, Kahman & Co. is settling into new corporate offices at 185 Berry St., San Francisco, Ca.. . Fronville Commercial Co.., Wilsonville, Or., is now conducting its importexport business as American Hardwoods, Inc.

Foreign Hardwood Ltd. is a new firm in Portland. Or.. with Sid Soto top man. . Franklin Brass Manufacturing Co. (bathroom fixtures) has leased a 14,550 sq. ft. bldg. at 3555 Hayden Ave., Culver City, Ca...

Potlatch Corp. reports that it's on schedule with plans for a $70 million wood waste-fueled boiler at Lewiston, Id.; completion date 1982. .. Other figures from the co: $115 million to be spent on energy programs, part of a current 5-yr. $600 million capital improvement program; financing a large share of the $134.8 million spent for the

Boise Cascade Corp. is merg- ing western Wa. timber and wood products mfg. operations with a central and a western Wa. region operating out of Yakima, and a northwest Or. region hq. at Monmouth.

Burlington Northern Inc., the result of merging Burlington Northern and the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Co., has offices at 681 Market St.. San Francisco, Ca. LouisianaPaci/ic is close to completing a $3.4 million expansion at its Rocklin, Ca., medium density fiberboard plant.

Edward A. More & Associates, Cincinnati, Oh., is a new consulting firm, specializing in the home center/lumber dealer market. Setzer Forest Products, Sacramento, C3., has added a sales dept.

U.S. Lumber exports to Japan are expected to increase with details worked out at a joint meeting in Japan early this year. Superior Buildings Co. mill at Columbia Falls, Mt., is being rebuilt after a $3 million fire. .

84 Lumber Co.'s proposal for a freeway offramp retail store in Phoenix, Az., was nixed by the City Council as inappropriate zoning after a citizen's protest petition. Terry Building Cen/ers is adding five buildings at their Tarzana, Ca., Hq yard. Burbank Lumber Co., has a new umbrella bldg.

Lumbermen's of Washington plans to open their newest retail store, their 4th, in Olympia, Wa., next montl'r... Top Brands, Inc., is opening its first Cash-N-Carry Distribution Center west of-Denver, Co., in Sacramento, Ca., this month.

Frank

No other industry event presents the complete diverse range of products for home improve- I ment, remodeling, maintenance, decorating, recreational/leisure and related needs. See them all at the biqqerthan-ever Sixth Annual National Hom6-Center Show at Chicago's spacious McCormick Place, March 22-25. 1981.

". Even more betr€licicl beccruse ol lhe n"-ber ol suppliers represotted."

9ephen W Undemood, VP Gen. Mqr., Chmdler Home C-nter. Van Nuvs CA

More than 1200 exhibitors will display thousands of products . . from Urirtalng materials to iools and hardware from plumbing and electrica.l to decorative products everything your customers need to tackle their do-it-yourself projects.

"We lound the

T.EANN BETTEN WAYS TO OPENATE AND SEtt TO MAXIMIZE PNOFITS

"I thoughr this yecn's seminqr progtcrn wcs pcrtic\ ulcrly good well preseated by top people".

Come and discover why the semlnar program at the l98O Show received "rave re\ views" by attendees. The seminar program is desigrned and presented by successful retail leaders in your industry who have {aced and overcome many of the challenges that you face today. "Oae ol the most productive weels in the industry".

Denne Bemet. Presideni, Benco Blda ProdfflXc; Seminar leaders will share thelr exDertise on such vital topics as: How io mike the most productive use of the space you have New and effective merchandising, promotion and advertising techniques that 4 ^ really move products oll the shell ,d Proven methods for recruitinq and retair Proven retainrng top personnel and similar subiects. Give <rnd tqle idecs at round table discussions followrng the seminars. Talk about your business problems and successes as you learn about operations of other retarlers as you meet wrth seminar leaders and padicipants.

7 Gcinideasloryourownqdprogncmsattheindustry's most compleie collection of Home Center retail advertising ai HOME CENTER Magazine's Ad Dsplay. on display at ihe Awards Exhibit. See how they did it how you can do it! Don't miss the Audio Visual Dis

See Hone C.onter of the Ye<n Awcrd Winner ideci

!-.9_. yol Displcry ol \ "How To" lilns and stop by at HOME CENTER Migazine' Ideq -nd McrLetlng Centers, {or personalized

7 loara aboul internotioncl retciling: Presentations by retailers from around the world at the full day International Home Center Marketinq Conference to be held on Saturdav, March 2l. research and marketing information. Coniact George L. Milne, Vice hesident & Publishrrq Drector, HOME CENTER Magazine, 300 W. Adams St., Chlcaso, IL 60606

1. Musl be received in the show oflice by F€b.20,1981. Confirmation of I preregistration and hotel reservation iorms will be mailed within

, lT,T#"iiii;''"1?i,:X'Jii'il:,"""T?i::.:'.'::H:t,3i;Jl3l,. ar

I I Ol rtr"" ,"-jt"-triion tee $5.00) CONGRESS &EXPOSITION I i s. REGISTRATIoN coMpUTERtzLD. ALL tNFoRMATtoN MUST BE FTLLED tN. MARCH 22'2s' 1981 /cHlcAGo . 4. NOONEUNDERI6YEARSOLDADMITTED. IIATION FILLED IN. "''J, I-OI' V'IIVA'V I

,",ONTMT: PLEASE LEAVE SPACE EETWEEN FIRST NAME OR INIT IALS AND LAST NAME

YOUR COMPANY'S PRIMABY EUSINESS ACTIVITY I