Here's why IUIIUI!/ mokes the profitoble difference

Spelllumber M-A-t-L-C-O ond pockef the profit

tVlAttCO hos lumber: dimension, limbers, lominoted beoms, podicle boord, plywood ond sidings.

MALTCO hos building moleriols: doors, moldings, ceiling tile, spindles, insulofion, wood conneclors.

MALLCO hos builders'hordwore: tools, elecfricol, plumbing, poinf ond poinl sundries.

Add to this sporting goods ond Mollco hos over 35,0@ items priced for you fo moke o higher profit ond wifh good reoson.

Buying power lowers your cosls - ups profits

As o member of the Sentry hordwore group, os well os being lhe lorgest wholesoler of lumber. building moteriols ond sporfing goods in the Southwesf, Mollco gefs fhe benefits of volume purchosing which lowers prices lo you- increosing your profitsl

Mollco men ore there when you need them

Twenty-four Mollco solesmen cover Arizono, New Mexico, El Poso, Colorodo Springs ond Los Vegos. Your orders ore expedifed quickly, occurolely to give you the fostesf service possible wifh speedy delivery. Give your Mollco mon o coll.

Better Yolues for your cuslomers ond higher profiis for you !

Hardwood Furniture Trends

The winter furniture markets documented the changing style and scale pattern for the decade of the 80s and proved the virility of the industry with agressive selling and retail planning.

There is more evidence of a transition from the bold open pore woods and massive and embellished units. Not all bulky country styles are out, but they are diminished.

Small scaled traditional and transitional units are beginning to dominate. The predicted smaller size rooms are not yet a major market factor as most furniture is being purchased by the 30-45 year olds who have older homes. or are in already built condominiums.

Part of the design trend to smaller scale and fewer embellishments is an effort to give maximum utility value. Less weight means less material and less freight, both of which have increased retailcosts. Manufacturers and retailers intend to be ready for the smaller rooms rather than wait as the motor industry did and let outsiders skim off the compact business.

As designers get away from the bold open-pore woods, eye appeal is heightened by more sheen and richer brown tones, plus mixing contrasting wood species in the same unit. according to Dave McCullam, v.p. of Northwest Hardwoods, Inc.

OAK'S DROP

Oak, whose popularity crested a year ago, has had the largest drop in numerical presentation, and now represents 19.70h of the occasional table display. Pine popularity also dropped, making the combined bold and open grain category drop from 38.70h a year ago to 30.506

In contrast, walnut, western alder and mahogany increased substantially from January, 1979. These close and medium pore woods now comprise, respectively, 7.30h, 3.5o/o and 4.00ft of the table groups.

With early American styles, maple and birch tables decreased, burls have retained their popularity, dominating 5.50h of table groups. Burls and intricate grain patterns also are used in other tables as accents. Another growth pattern is noted in the more extensive use of painted or enameled tables. While this percentage does not yet match the popularity of painted case goods in the East and South, it is a decided trend. A share of this volume is due to oriental motifs, but the full range from off white to rich brown and black is found in several style categories.

The story of style for the 80s confirms a trend noted last fall with more contempory-modern and oriental. For the first rime the tabulation shows French exceedine English at 8.4olt, compared to 8.301i Both groups include generous introductions in the modified country styles as well as elegant classic interpretations. There are Chinese Chippendale as well as Hepplewhite.

While Early American on the West Coast has never showed as strong as in the East, there was noticeable drop from 8.8%r a year ago to 7 .2ol' this January. The rustic and ranch styles which rode into popularity with the casual life style are less conspicuous, dropping from 5.401, lo 2.50h.

The increasing importance of tables is shown by many upholstery firms adding tables to their lines. Some have nratched the exposed woods popular with sofas and action recliners, but others have programmed styles to serve those families who wanted to purchase complete living room or great roonl conversation areas. In addition to tables, room dividers and modular wall units are offered. All of these center attention on the style trends reflected in the table lines.

Consumers will often experiment with a new style or design treatment in a table group, when they would not invest in an innovative case goods grouping. As such, a trend may be noted that will not be reflected until two or three years later in bedroom and dinine room suites.

A Diamond for Plywood

In 1980, the plywood industry celebrates the diamond jubilee of construction and industrial plywood. It all began 75 years ago at the Portland Manufacturing Co. in St. Johns, Or.

Early in 1905, Portland was getting ready for a World's Fair as part of the centennial observance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Portland Manufacturing Co., makers of baskets for the berry and fruit trade, was invited to come up with something new and unusual.

When the fair opened iri June 1905, the first softwood plywood panels of record were shown to more than half a million persons. A great new industry had been born.

As part of the commemoration of this notable anniversay in 1980, The American Plywood Association will be using a special symbol on its letters and other communications through the year.

Still appropriate are comments made by Portland Manufacturing Co. manager Gustav Carlson in December, 1905, analyzing the company's first year in the plywood business.

"ln regard to trade conditions past and future, we will say that in the past year, while it has not been as good as it might have been, nor as bad as it could have been, still we are not complaining especially, as the future in which we live the best part of our lives looks very promising."

Creative Managership

Managers must be aware that identifying r?elr opportunities and suggesting creative ways to take advantage of them are important parts of their jobs. Performing assignments and handling obvious problems is not sufficient for vital, positive leadership.

Saw's Drone Draws Crowd

Wood chips flying, noise, and action atftact onlookers and potential buyers when Homelite or other chain saw manufacturers stage chain saw cutting demonstrations at home center outlets.

Another example of innovative merchandising, the cutting demonstrations generate a significant boost in chain saw sales. In addition, store traffic usually increases measurablv.

As part of the demonstration, service representatives answer homeowner questions and fine tune and adjust any chain saw purchased. With demonstrations taking place, a special price is offered on select chain saw models.

Another plus to the demonstrations can be additional newspaper publicity.

WEEKEI|D SHOPPERS watch chain saw demonstration conducted by Homelite representative. Demonstration increased store tratflc and generated a big boost in chain saw sales. Service reps were on hand to answer questions.

Computer Must Pay its Way

It is easy to become infatuated with the idea of a computer, but they have a way of costing far more than expected and do not make up for a lack of management skill.

To make a wise decision, it is necessary to survey the organization and the costs the computer will displace.

First, define the objective of the information change considered. Is it competition, economics, more accuracy, better management information? Next, identify the areas that will use the computer. Then the information needs must be defined to determine what each department needs.

Consider future needs, five to eight years ahead. A computer needs almost a year to become operational and four- to seven years to earn its amortization. Consider alternatives. Review time sharing systems, service bureaus, facilities managers, and in-house facilities. Study the intangibles also.

Annual cost for depreciation, maintenance, supplies and installation is estimated at approximately 3OVo of purchase price. Cost of operating is about three times ihis cost, ^staffing, prograd amoriization, electricity, air conditioning, overhead, software maintenance, and similar items included.

Total annual cost is abant X)Vo of the purchase price. A computer should be able to displace annual costs approximately equal to the purchase cost in order to make it profitable.

Nicolai entrance doors Visador lites & plants

Perma-Door metal residential entry system Steelcraft commercial steel doors and frames Bel-Air Combination Doors

The Atrium Door Unit

Decorative Panels

Western Turnings and Coffman for stair parts

Stair-Pak wood spiral stairways

New Gorporate Headquarters for Palco

Ground has been broken for The Pacific Lumber Company's new corporate headquarters building in San Francisco's Jackson Square historical district. For over two years, the owners, their architects, city officials and Jackson Square residents have worked to design an eight-story structure appropriate for this unique building site. The building will be the first to use design guidelines imposed by the City in 1972 when Jackson Souare was declared a historical district.

Jackson Square dates back to the mid- 1850s when San Francisco's waterfront, subsequently moved eastward by landfill. came to the very intersection of Washington and Sansome Streets that now marks the site of the new buildine. The historical district, generally bordered by Washington and Sansome Streets and Columbus and Pacific Avenues, now includes the City's only remaining examples of commercial structures from the mid-l9th century. Any new development in the area must respect the area's historic architectural character and special scale. The corner site chosen by Palco, a 111-year-old lumber company, is located at 500 Washington St. on the edge of Jackson Square, bordering San Francisco's financial district and only one block from one of the City's highest buildings, the Transamerica Pyramid.

The design challenge for the building lay in developing a transitional shape and scale to meet Pacific Lumber's space requirements and at the same time preserve the site's historical identity.

A brick-surfaced diagonal tower with landscaped setbacks at heights that are compatible with adjacent rooflines, the building is designed to create a transition between the adjacent high rise financial district building and its lower Jackson Square neighbors.

Although it draws on surrounding architectural types for its design character. The Pacific Lumber Company building will not be an imitation of its distinguished neighbors. The building will house the corporate headquarters of The Pacific Lumber Co. as well as provide space for other tenants when it is completed in the fall of 1981.