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A CRY FOR HELP! AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL WESTERN LUMBER & BUILDING MATERIAL DEALERS.

Lumber

HARRY MENDENHATT executive vice presidenl Lumber Merchonls Associotion of Northern Coliforniq

States are a different breed of businessmen than their compatriots in other parts of the U.S.

Western dealers still have the personal feeling of frontierism. They operate in this area because they want to get away from the regimented life styles ol the heavily congested Eastern region. They do not like to be a part of a large group. They would rather enjoy their own independent life style.

Maybe you are different than the group as a whole but evidence shows that we are different. As an example, the Western region dealers are always short in attendance at the National annual meeting and the Annual Conference with Congress. Granted, it is a long way to travel but, then so is a seminar in Europe or Spain.

Most of you realize the increasing control being exercised by government on the businessman. You must because you complain about it constantly. Our problem is that our actions only go as far as complaints to each other. If we expended that same amount of time and energy in corresponding with our Congressmen it would have more impact on the industries'needs.

Our next Naticnal Conference with Congress will be Aprll 27-28, 1977. \4e need to visit our Congressmen in their offices in Washington. We need to let them know we are willing to travel to Washington in defense of our industry.

They become more concerned for our needs knowing that we have spent time and money to meet with them. It is an important move for our industry to have approximately 600 dealers from across the nation meet in the Nation's Capitol on one given day. They know we are there !

Our associations continue to fight the masses of legislation that are cranked out of the legislative machine on a daily basis but it takes the additional impact of concerned businessmen to cause defeat of legislation that will hurt our industry. Only you, through your individual concern for your industry can create that impact.

Legislation will be closely monitored during the coming year. At times you will be requested to write or call your Congressman regarding legislation that will add another crippling wound to our battered industry. When that call for HELP comes react.

PONDEROSA PINE

SUGAR PINE

INCENSE CEDAR

DOUGLAS FIR

WHITE FIR

SUN AND SHAD0W - Abundant use of wood, combined with numerous skylights, creates relaxed, informal atmosphere in interior of $20 million air terminal, Hilo. Hawaii. More than 4000 beams, totaling approximately l million board feet, were supplied by Koppers Co. All structural wood was safeguarded against decay and termite attack by pressure treatment with a Koppers preservative.

Distributors' Sales Up

A year-end survey of 1976 by the National Building Material Distributors Association shows a healthy increase in business for its independent wholesale distributor members. Over 90% of the members reported a sales increase over the previous year, three-fourths had improved profits.

Eighty percent expect a sales increase over the first half of 1976 and two-thirds anticipate higher profits.

Members expect more activity in single family construction than in multifamily/apartment building. Home improvement is expected to remain strong. Little change is anticipated in material availability and members were almost unanimous in the opinion that both labor costs and operating costs will rise 7% in the first half of 1977.

Dealers Big in Plywood

The increasing importance of retail dealers in supplying basic plywood markets is explored in a new market research report from the American Plywood Association.

"Plywood Distribution Trends 1962-1975," is a detailed analysis of plywood distribution channels that concludes:

. The retail dealer furnished 88% of the residential construction market's plywood in 191 5, up significantly from72%in 1962.

. Industrial users bought 39% of their plywood from retaif dealers in l97l as well as 1975, but only 22% rn 1962.

. The retail dealer's share of the nonresidential construction market increased from 69% in 1962 to 81% in 1975.

. 94% of d-i-y and contractor remodeling is supplied by retailers.

Apparently, the share of plywood shipmentshandled by the various types of wholesalers has stabilized since 1971. The mill-owned share dropped slightly, the stocking independents increased slightly and the office wholesalers and agents remained constant. Direct sales from the mill declined slightly when exports are not included.

The report, R 37, is available at no charge to APA members, $7.50 per copy to nonmembers.