gIx BAND FIILLS

Over 50,000,000 feet annually

GARY L. SMITH executive vice president

T HE PROGRAM ran from product inI formation to stress management at the LMA Management Seminar conducted in January. Held annually at Asilomar State Park in Pacific Grove, Ca., this year's conference drew 86 participants.

Our first speakeq Bryon Oberg from the American Plywood Association, brought us up to date on the emerging technology in the structural panel industry. Because of the success of APAs performance rating program and the favorable acceptance ofthe new nonveneer panels (waferboard, O.S.B., structural particleboard) these "new" products will make up l4Vo of production by the end of the'80s.

Energy compliance and the adverse effect of California energy regulations on the lumber dealer was the theme of a program by Mike Hodgson of Consol, an energy compliance firm in Stockton, Ca. Mike warned of the potential loss of markets to the wood pnrducts industry when slab floor construction is mistakenly awarded an advantage because of the "mass effect," as it was in Califomia. He also reviewed how the national wood products associations have succeeded in removing the bias. Mike concluded by highlighting products, some familiar and some new that will become or will remain popular because of the need to conserve energy. Among these were water flow devices, rigid insulation board and a new hot water saver that returns hot water from the pipe to the water heater after each use.

The keynote speaker on the first day was George J. Handgis, co-founder of Home-

Club Inc. After opening with some general information on the history of HomeClub, George responded openly and candidly to the volumes of questions and concerns of those present. If one repsonse can highlight a session that everyone really got into, and enjoyed, it was George's answer to the question "what should the independent lumber dealer do to remain competitive with a HomeClub or other warehouse operation?" After making the point that the independent offers services that they cannot and will not, George made the following suggestion: "If you are presently operating successfully and making a profit, don't change anything." When is the last time we had to be reminded-"If it ain't broke. don't fix it?"

Our conference concluded on Sunday with synopses of dealer round tables held.earlier and a dynamic presentation by Michael Gerber of the Michael Thomas Corporation. MTC is a business development firm and Michael concluded his "Key Frustrations Workshop" by urging participants to operate their businesses from the beginning as if it were already what they visualize for it in the end.

Conference facilities at the Asilomar have already been booked for 1987. Judging from the enthusiasm and success of 1986. it is certain to be "sold out" again.

California and the Lumber Association of Southern California.

WAYN E GARDNER executive vice president

Gr OME years ago it was decided among 9 the associations participating in the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association that regional meetings could be beneficial.

The concept premise was that ideas could be bener enhanced between orsanizations that had similarities due to regional closeness than between organizations that were on the opposite sides of the nation.

Thus the Cowboys was formed. It consists of the Western Building Material Association, the Montana Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association, the Mountain States Lumber and Building Material Dealers, the Lumber Association of Texas, the Arizona Lumber and Builders Supply Association, the Lumber Merchants of Northern

This group met Feb. 2, 3 and 4 in Park City, Ut. What a beautiful place for a meeting in February. The ski slopes were close by and covered with snow making it a very picturesque location, well chosen by Fred Caruso of the Mountain States Association.

Attending this year were Chuck Link and the Western president Bob Perrin; Fred Caruso and the Mountain States president Dave Stringham; Joe Butler of the Gxas Association and president Ruel Alexander; Arizona executive E. J. Johnson and the president Jim Killen; Northern California executive Gary Smith and president Ron Silvera; Southern California executive Wayne Gard-

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