NEWS BRIEFS

Despite mixed signals of good & bad news from the economy in general and home building in particular, a no. of industry observers have tentativ,ely begun to make some optimistic noises. . while spotty across the West, many have found conditions not as bad. so .l'ar. as anticipated. . .

The usually pessinristic Nt'1. Assn. of Home Builders hikecl its forecast for'80 housing starts fronr 1.1 nrillion to 1.35. others including American Plywood Assn. spokesmen are saying 1.5 million: the Nt'l Savings & Loan League guesses 1.6 nrillion. builders are described as "guardedl): optimistic". . .

Surprising strength in hor-rsing starts surfaced in Dec. : 1,527,000 on a seasonally-ad- justed annual basis, up 0.301,. with single family units rising 8.7()l,. multis droppinB l5(}l,... bldg. permits, however, were a1 their slon't'st rete in 3t/: \)ears: that's 3406 behind the vear earlier pace.

Georgia - Paci/ic's proposed acquisition of Kinzua Corp., Hepner, Or., is off, at least lbr now. the Federal Trade Commission has lnlted its cemcnt pricing probe. after deciding state actions were sufficient. . . National Gypsum has agreed in principle to sell its cement div. to General Dynamics for about $100 million...

Union Pac'ific plans to nrerge the Missouri Pacific RR into its lines in a $950 nrillion cleal: it also intends to acquire the Westarn Poci/ic for approx. S25 million. both transacti<;ns are expected to cause a long bitter battle before the Interstate Commerce Commission... UP also plans a record capital investnrent program in'80, including $368 nrillion for additions and expenditures. l,,lorth Ba.v Forest Products is a new Ilealdsburg, Ca., wholesale firnr begun by Ron Lewnran, Dave Damon and f)ave Le Beck. Gary Stewart has gone into business for himself with the opening o|Steu,art Hardu'ood Lumber Co.. Fremont. Ca.,. .

Burlington Northcrn, /ric. plans to buy the Milwaukee Road's lines in Mt.. Id. & Wa.. for approx. 52l million. the bankruptcy overseer Ior The Rot'k Island Line proposes a severe clltback to a profitable nridwest "core".

Valle.v Wood Preserlln.q, tho it has quit treating and is site seeking for a new plant, is still "very nruch in business," selling fiont their big existing inventory at their Turlock, Ca., plant... Sunrise Forest Products has opened a distribution yarci in Modesto, Ca. (see story, p. 4s). .

Belco-Eugene is Bellingham Lumber's new Eugene, Or.. branch office. . James M. Thompson Corp. has moved to 5661 Kalvin Ave.. Woodland Hills. Ca.. . Cqrter Forest Products is a new wholesale firn-r dealing in redwood. fir and agricr,rltural wood products started by Bill Carter, who is celebrating 25 years in the business. .

Pacilic Lumber Co., San Francisco. has elevated Robert B. Hoover to chairman (he corr- tinues as c.e.o.) and Gene G. Elanr to pres.: fornrer chairnran Edward M. Carlrenter rcnrains on the board. the American Pl.t'tt'ood -lssrt. hegan its lrc\\ nationwide serics of nreetings with wholesalers and clistribr,rtors, explaining APA progranrs, with an Oaklancl. Ca., kickoff nreeting. lndian Itill Hardn'ood ll4illins is a new Santa Ana, Ca.. detail nrilling firnr begun by "Pete" Peternran and "Manny.. Flores. Samons has openecl its 5th unit in Salt Lake City. the chain has 13 in all. . Huch M. Woods, Denver. has closed its Odds & Ends Lumber outlet.

Delan0 Building Materials, Delano, Ca., has been sold to Lionel Beyer, Patrick Shalfer and Thonras Hocking... Johnson Lumber Co. is a new Morgan Hill, Ca., retailer begun by Keith Johnson... Mike and Lincla Massa arethe new owners ol Ace I'lome (-enter. Hirmilton, Mt..: new nunte is Massa Home Center.

Chandler Corp., Boise. Id.. has relocated its Sacramento. Ca. sales and truss nrfg. to a 57.000 sq. ft. plant in ncarbl,' Rocklin. . Diamond Home CenIer is the new nanle fbr the Payless I{ome Center. Riverton, Wy., recenlly acquired by Diamond International, which also plans a new unit for Everett, Wa...

Ha.qle Lumber, Thousand Oaks, Ca., has cor-ttpleted a tripling of its Sonris. Ca., facility. . .Mulholland Funding Group, Los Angeles, headed by Mike I-lynes, Jess Ruf and Tinr Knox (all ex-Coopers) has purchased Sunset Industries'last 2 Ca.. stores. one in L.A. and one in San Diego.

Ole's Home Centers has purchased Corb's Home Cenrcr, Las Vegas, ancl has opened a new store in Covina, Ca.. with plans to open other units in Stockton.

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