ffido Lumber Co., Inc.

The Merchant Magazine

Publisher Erneritus A.D. Bell, Jr.

Editor-Publisher David Cutler

Associate Editor

Juanita Lovret

Contributing Editon

Dwight Curran

Gage McKinney

William Lobdell

Al Kerper

Art Director Martha Emery

Staff Artist Nicola O'Fallon

Circulation Kelly Kendziorski

The Merchant Magazine (USPS 796-56000) is published monthly at 4500 Crmpus Dr., Suite 4E0, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660, phone (714) 549-t393, by The Merchant magazine, Inc. Second-class postage rates paid at Newport Beach, Ca., and additional offices. Advertising rates upon request. ADVERTISING OFFICES FROM WASHINGTON STATE, IDAHO,NORTHER.N CALIFORNIA & OREGON: contact Drvid Cutler, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach.Ca. 92660. Phone (7 I 4) 549- 8393. FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: contact Carl Vann, 205 Oceano Dr., Los Ans,eles. Ca. 90049. Phone (213) 4723l13 or (714) 549-8393.

FROM THE MIDWEST: contact Wryne Westland, I109 Willow Lane, Mt. Prospect, Il. 60056. Call (3 12) 437 -7 37'7 FROM ARKANSAS & OKLAHOMA: contact Timothy J. Nelson, Marketing Communications, Inc., 5l15 S. Vandalia, suite E, Tulsa, Ok. 74135. Call (9t81 496-8777.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Change of Address-Send subscription orders and address changes to Circulation Dept., The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660. Include address label from recent issue if possible, plus new address and zip code.

Subscription RatesU.S. and Canada: $6-one year; $9-two years; $12-three years. Foreign: $14 -one year; $20 -two years. Single copies $1.50. Back copies $2.50 when available.

THE MERCHANT MAGAZINE is an independently-oxtned publicalion .lor the retail, tvholesale and distribution levels ol the lumber. building malerials and home improvemenl business in the l3 Western stales.

Regardless of how large or small the project you are supplying, chances are you will find exactly the lumber you need to meet the specifications in our 2 million foot inventory of Western Red Cedar. lt includes commons through clears, in many different sizes, rough or saw textured and virtually any detail desired, including popular Totem siding.

Produced by the famous Tahsis mill, renowned for its quality,

Fountain adds its own years of experience in handling this excellent product. Lumber is precision stacked and protected to minimize warping and cupping during air or kiln drying. Re-manufacturing is performed by skilled workers utilizing advanced equipment. Grade is carefully maintained throughout each lift to minimize waste. Because we are specialists in Western Red Cedar and volume suppliers, you'll find our prices competitive for a few pieces or a car load. Call Fountain first: (213) 583-1381

& T GA,r". I3* r lt* rgFf\ r ral rT x I;r# I H n III !F I h rlr I h< -

DAVID CUTLER editor- Publ i sher EDITORIAL

When it's metric time uP north

lN THE early 1970s there was a great deal of Italk about the need for the United States to convert from our present standard of measure to the metric system. Despite the flurry of activity and the serious efforts of a number of organizations, nothing much ever came of it. It has now been several years since the last committee met.

Yet, proponents feel the need to convert to metric is still there and cite Canada's announced intention to make the change as an additional reason for the United States to opt for meters over miles. Given the extensive trade between Canada and the U.S.A., it follows that their conversion will be a strong stimulus for this country to seriously address the question again. If we do not make the conversion to metric, the theory goes, this country stands to lose enormous chunks of business.

While Canada's major move to metric is set for 1984, their building material suppliers and distributors plan to begin soon with what is called a "soft conversion." This is where the actual size of an item stays the same but its dimen- sions are expressed in both the English and metric measurement. A "hard conversion" where the product is actually changed to a metric size-a 1,200 x 2,400 mm. panel product, for example-is presently seen as a long time off.

As our largest and closest trading partner converts, can this country be too far behind? Historically, Canada has supplied between one quarter and one third of the U.S.'s lumber requirements. This kind of volume is just one more continuing pressure on us to make the change.

Whether we actually desire to make the conversion to metric, which promises to be costly, confusing and probably unpopular, is not the question. We may not have any choice. Economic factors may well force the change, like it or not.

The days when we could blithely ignore the fact that 95 9o of the rest of the world is metric are inexorably coming to a close. Last time metric just sort of "went away." We doubt it will happen again. Like it or not, you better start thinking about it.

You may not be building a 530'dome, but if you need laminated beams, wele got what you want to do the job right.

Our beams are all V4 Douglas Fir and meet the highest allowable stresses your engineer can design for - at no added cost.

Specification:

W.C. Douglas Fir 2400 Fo Comb. V4

Per AITC I l7-82 Design

Exterior Type Adhesive

AITC Architectural Finish

One Coat Clear Sealer

Individually Wrapped Cambered on 2000 Ft. Radius

We are now stocking laminated beams in a broad range of sizes and lengths up to 60'. All are available for fast delivery.

Sizes available now:

Widths Depths 3t/s' let/2,, through l6t/2,, 5tA' l0%" through24"

6%" 12", 15", l6t/2", 18" and 24"