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Q4l) 436-1991 . (800) 533-832s

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MANUS

Retail Sales Fuel Treated Plywood Explosion

Sales of treated plywood at lumberyards and home centers have more than quadrupled in the last twelve years, reports APA-The Engineered Wood Association.

Total demand for treated plywood reached a record 680 million sq. ft. 3/8" in 1996, a l4.5Vo increase from 1995. Annual growth over the last three years has been 157o.

Much of the increase is attributed to the wide-spread availability of treated plywood at most outlets throughout the U.S. Retail sales of treated plywood now account for over 70Vo of total demand. Boats, permanent wood foundations and fire retardant treated plywood make up the remaining3OVo.

"The home center and lumberyard segment of the treated plywood market is by far the largest," says Craig Adair, APA mgr. of market research. "Most home center chains now carry treated plywood in stock and some are reporting annual growth rates at lOVo to2OVo."

The do-it-yourselfer is the single largest customer of treated plywood fl owing through distribution channels, accounting for 55Vo-60Vo of sales. Another 25Vo-3070 is sold to builders, remodeling contractors and other professionals. Common uses include outdoor sheds, decks, patios, planters, furniture, gazebos, porch roofs, docks, truck bed liners and subfloors in wet areas (laundry rooms and bathrooms).

Most individual home center and lumbervard outlets stock two SKUs of treated plywood, generally one grade in two thicknesses. Some offer a second grade, but rarely have more than two common thicknesses. Primary thicknesses are 314" and 1/2". While treated plywood grades vary slightly among individual lumberyards, most stock CDX, BC or CC.

APA predicts the growth to continue over the next few years, with total volume of treated plywood at l.l billion sq. ft. in the year 2001.

Depot Buys Delivery Firm

Home Depot has purchased Load n' Go, which provides do-it-yourself rental trucks exclusively for the chain's customers.

The deal includes Atlanta, Ga.based Load n' Go's assets, intellectual property and long-term leases on 336 modified GMC trucks. On Feb. 1, most of its 47 workers became Depot employees, although c.e.o. Dave Lindenbaum and pres. Lester Pokorne left the company.

Pokorne developed the idea three years ago when a friend complained that he wished he had access to a pickup truck to haul purchases home after a visit to Home Depot. It took about six months for Pokorne to convince Depot to test the concept, which it tried out in mid-1995 at four Nashville stores. The program was rolled out to Atlanta stores. and now is offered at 265 stores.

"We're going to roll it out, as needed, nationally," said Home Depot spokesman Don Harrison. "Where there's a proliferation of pickup trucks, you probably don't need it."

Each week, about 4,000 customers rent the trucks, at $19 for the first 75 minutes and $5 for each additional 15 minutes.