think group charts long range plans

The West's forest products industrylarge and small-timber owner to consumer? manufacturer to retailer, wholesaler to fabricator, association mem,ber or notmay soon be vitally afiected by policy di rections adopted in mid-January by the 1967 Economic Council of the Forest Products Industry. ir

Preliminary steps in the formation of a long-range program for reorganizing and strengthening the industry's trade association structure's marketing and raw material functions were taken at the final session of the council.

This, the industry's "think group," authorized setting up an independent Forest Products Industry Organizing Committee, representative of all industry segments, to study ways and means of implementing interim programs leading to ultimate longrange objectives developed by the council's study group. Both the long-range and interim programs were submitted by an independent 22 man study group appointed by the council at its 1966 meeting.

Some I0O representatives from all segments attended the conference, held at Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, chaired by

DeVere Dierks, executive vice president of Dierks Forests Inc.

Five subcouncils "brainstormed" the comprehensive report before submitting proposals for final action. Leaders were: Bill Haselton, v.p. St. Regis Paper Co.; L. L. "Stub" Stewart, president, Bohemia Lumber Co.; N. B. o'Nat" Guistina, president, Guistina Bros. Lumber & Plywood Co.; Russell Ells, president, Willits Redwood Products, Inc.; and M. C. o'Cal" Colvin, v.p., Holly Hill Lum,ber Co.

The report of the study group was highly praised by the Council membership. Veteran observers came away with the feeling a turning point in industry thinking had been reached, and that cooperation at all levels for the common good could be obtained by means of a coordinated appeal to reason and good sense.

New Rounds Redwood Source

Rounds Lumber Company, the sales division of Rockport Redwood Co., has become the exclusive distributor of the pro' duction of Rocky Valley Lumber Co., according to Harry A. Merlo, Rockport president. Rocky Valley, situated near Korbel, Calif., produces redwood exclu' sively, and is owned and operated by Bob Halverson.

Chuck Porro, California sales manager for Rounds, said that this additional pro' duction will help fill total retail requirements needed for the wholesale division.

The Rocky Valley mill specializes in short length redwood for poats, fencing and similar items.

WIC Morch Convention

A widely varied program will pace the Woodwork Institute of California's 16th annual convention, March 9-1I, at the Ah' wahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park.

Keynote speaker is Stary Gange, who has talked to 3,000 organizations in the U. S. Twice, Gange has been the key speaker at the annual meeting of the United States Chamber of Commerce.

Ed Hennessy will present "This Laughing, Singing America." He also has spoken before many groups.

R. Gene Conatser will speak on the availability of construction financing and the tight money situation. Conatser is a research economist in the economics department of the Bank of America.

Speakers and panel discussions include "W.I.C. and These Changing Times", Modular Cabinets Standards, 3-P Door Standard;, proposed revisions to the Manual of Millwork, Unique Shop Practices,.and others.

A repeat of the Badger Pass Ski Patrol sweepstakes which proved to be so popular will be repeated.