The moulding crunch

By Rick Kellso Sales manager - lumber Medford Corp. Medford. Or.

I f YOU'RE a dealer stocking I solid pine lineal mouldings, you've probably recognized some significant price increases in the past months and are finding it difficult to buy more mouldings at anY Price.

Instead of cussing out Your suPplier for doing this to you, you should bat him on the back if he even has stock to offer you.

The problem was not created bY the moulding manufacturers but rather it has been the lumber manufacturers' inability to produce the volume of moulding and better grade lumber necessary to satisfy the needs of the market place. Why? Several factors have contributed to the Problem.

Last fall. the Western Wood Products Association revised the moulding grade rule for lumber to accommodate the end users needs better. The rule change was basically a tightening of the grade and a reduction in volume has resulted.

However, the biggest contributor to short supply is that the sawmills of Southern Oiedon and Northern California have been sawing a heavier mix of small diameter logs which Yield less moulding grade lumber. These smaller logs are from the salvage timber stands in the forest fire areas of the past summer. The logs were available at very good prices and the sawmills have realized good returns despite a heavy common grade recovery.

Although most moulding manufacturers expected a tight lumber supply in the first quarter, the severity of the situation was not anticipated and no substantial inventory build-ups occurred in the fall which could have buffered the situation.

Certainly one cannot overlook the demand for finished mouldings. Building activity remains high, although the weather in many areas has temporarily halted job site activity. But once the weather breaks the pace will pick up again.

At this time, suPPlY will not im-

The Merchant Magazine prove until the loggers.can return to the woods and bring out logs that yield more moulding and better grades of lumber. Until then, look for supply problems to exist and prices to remain high. Don't be on your moulding supplier's back, he is doing the best he can to get you your moulding products.

New Selma OwnershiP

Selma Pressure Treating Co. has been purchased by Mary Ann PeterY. Secretary-treasurer since 1961, Ms. Petery replaces Gerald Petery as president and general manager.

In business for over 40 Years, Selma is one of the most complete pressure treating services in the West. Starting with stakes for trees and plants, their capabilities extend now to treating lumber for an almost unlimited variety ofuses.

Future plans include an uPgraded image with exploration into different fields of application, particularly those which will make full use of their custom pre-fabrication facilities.

The first new Product to be introduced under the new ownershiP is "Wolmanized" Pre-Stained wood-