20 YEARS

\I'/ITH the "Soaring Sixties" behind us

YV all eves in the buildinq material dealers industry are appropriately fixed on the 1970's. What's ahead is quite problem' atical, but what's happening right now is certain to have its effect for quite some time to come.

* f)uring the 1960's we participated in numerous changes brought about in the residential construction market. Homes got bigger. they used more open design, they took into consideration greater use of outdoor areasb new and improved materials and products were introduced. In total, a much improved product was ofiered the public and acceptancerras excellent. *

Those of us serving home building industry very far to see that we are beginning this decade with a most serious problem. Housing starts are dropping ofi most rapidly. Apartment construction has been holding well in recent months, but indications are this area is softenins.

Now, as we move into the decade of the '70's the public oncrr again waits to be served. The demand for housing grows daily while the market production continues to slide. Persons who wish to move up to a bigger or better home are being forced to remain where they are, perhaps remodeling to gain the necessary added livingarea.

Most new family formations as well as low-income families are finding it more difficult, i{ not virtually impossible, to become home owners. The cost of housing has incre.ased beyond their means and the money market has directed its dollars into areas of greater return rather than invest in home mortgages.

Certainly it's safe to say that no one truly enjoys inflation, yet on the other hand it's just as certain that we cannot tolerate a bankrupt housing industry. All available industry statistics shon' the demand for the housing product is increasing and will continue to increase.

How we will meet this demand in the I970's remains to be seen. However, it's a certainty that the building material dealer industry is on the threshold of a rapidly-changing market. We can reflect on what happened in the 60's and know that even more will hap' pen in the 70's. * * *

For example, the National Industrial Conference Board says:

. Real personal income is expected to increase more than 5016. Women will play an even greater role in making key home decisions.

. The number of college-trained persons will grow by 50/o.

. The population of young adults will grow twice as fast as the total population.

Suburbs will expand five times **** as the central cities.

It should be a most interesting l0 years for each of us!

By R0SS KINCAID executive vice president

COMPLETE report of our big 67th annual W'estern Exposition will appear next month, as this issue of The Merclwnt Magazine went io press before the event. Meanwhile, let's take a look at our most successful Managenrcnt Workshop, held late last Fall in Olympia, Washington. The evaluation forms produced a 99/o o'excellent" rating and a good percentage suggested this be a semi-annual program.

The key lies in the resource of prac. tical, tested experience of members. We have reason to be extremely proud of Western members . not only because of what they know but also because of their willingness to share their knowledge. WMBA and in particular those who attended all or part of the 3 days of 6 different panel discussions thank sincerely the following who participaled as resource panelists:

PRICING TECHNIQUES: Cameron A. Kyle, moderator, Portland Road Lumber Yard, Inc.o Salem; Ray C. Blackstock, Blackstock LumbelCo., Inc., Seattle; John Connell, Paul Bunyan Lumber Co., Mt. Vernon, Wash.; Harvey B. Hoff, Boise Cascade building material div., Bellevue; Jerry Williams, Valley Best-Way Building Sply., Inc., Spokane.

INVENTORY CONTROL: Cameron A. Kyle, moderator, Portland Road Lumber Yard, Inc., Salem; Bert F. Kinzig, Holbrook Lumber Co., Inc., Scappoose, Oregon; W. F. Scharpf, Scharpf's Twin Oaks Bldrs. Sply. Co. Albany, Oregon; Jerry Williams, Valley Best-Way Building Sply., Inc., Spokane.

PERSONNEL: Wayne S. Mattson, moderator, Logan Lumber Co., Inc., Seattle; Jim Bender and Bill Disney, Owens-Corni.g Fiberglas Corp., Seattle; Vern E. Greer, Greer & Thomas Lumber Co., Seattle; Charles E. Link, Boise Cascade, Boise, Idaho.

COMPANY POLICY: Wayne S. Mattson, moderator, L,ogan Lumber Co.o Inc., Seattle; Ansel E. Hyland, Eugene Planing Mill, Eugene, Oregon; Charles E. Link, Boise Cascade, Boise; George Share, Exchange Lbr. & Mfg. Co., Spokane; Robert M. Slettedahl, Lumbermen's of Shelton, Inc., Shelton, Wash.

HOW TO USE FINANCIAL FIGURES: Ross G. Kincaid, moderator, WBMA, Seattle; Harold Beckman, Blakely & Houg Inc., Chehalis; Felix W. Johnson, WBMA, Seattle; Robert M. Slettedahl, Lumbermen's of Shelton, Inc., Shelton; S. W. Vander Wegen, C. P. A., Shelton.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: James C. Hayes, retired from Boise Cascade, Boise; Ross G. Kincaid, WBMA, Seattle.

Seo,llle Soles Bonquet

Introduction of a new panel design and announcement of sales gains highlighted the States Veneer-Palmer G. Lewis Co. appreciation banquet held recently in Seattle.

The banqueto sponsored by States Veneer, was held to recognize Palmer G. Lewis Co. Bob Peterson, president of PGL, expressed his gratitude for States Veneer's part in boosting Palrner G. Lewis' sales by a7/o in 1969.