Oregon Mill Replaces Machines With People

A common story in today's megamerger, high technology business world is the one in which people are laid off and replaced by seemingly more efficient, computerized equip ment. So it is unusual when a company purchases such eguipment and the result is hiring instead of firing.

That's the case with C&D Lumber, Riddle, Or., which just purchased a new optimizer edger. "In fact," laughs manufacturing mgr. Brad Hatley, "we fire the machines and hire new people."

Hatley explains that the new optimizer replaces two older pieces of equipment and creates two new jobs, due to the higher yield the new edger provides.

"For us it is a perfect situation," he says, noting that the l08-year-old firm is committed to staying small and per-

Quality Western

sonal while providing customers with the advantages of new technology.

The new edger was specially designed and built by LandEast Machinery, Ogden, Ut. "We had to have it custom made because most of these units are for much larger mills," Hatley explains. "Our emphasis has always been on quality and this machine lets us still have people doing hands-on inspection of the lumber. We want a real person to make the decision of whether the piece is good enough for our customers."

In addition to the optimizer, C&D is also upgrading all the in-feed and outfeed transfers. The optimizer will increase sawing accuracy and lumber recovery and give a better saw finish. Hatley said it would also provide the company a cost savings over the old equipment.

Forest Road Building Banned

The Clinton Administration has imposed an l8-month moratorium on road building in 33 million acres of national forests, excluding large tracts in the Northwest and Alaska.

The temporary halt is a precursor to a larger road management plan to be developed next year covering all 191 million acres of national forests.

American Forest and Paper Association president W. Henson Moore termed the ban "a disaster" that will result in "forests filled with dead or dying trees, killed either by insects, disease or catastrophic wildfire."

"Forests must be managed for them to survive," he explained, "and roads are the key to managing for health, wildlife protection, recreation, fi ghting fires and disease, and providing the wood products people demand."

Stair Firm Doing One Step

L. J. Smith Co., Inc., a leading stair parts manufacturer, has purchased one of its distributors, Specialty Stairs & Millwork, Santa Ana, Ca.

Future plans include changing Specialty's name to that of the parent company, a move to larger facilities by mid-year and adoption of one-step distribution.

The move marks the first time Smith has bought a distributor with plans for one-step distribution. The Bowerstown, Oh., firm was founded in 1885.

Search For Century's Best

The American Wood Preservers Institute is searching for the Deck of the Century along with a host of other exceptional treated wood structures from landscaping and docks to treehouses.

Called the AWPI "Century's Best"

Award, the competition recognizes good design, workmanship and innovation in structures built with preserved wood during the 2fth Century.

Winners in each category will receive a specially designed wood sculpture and be eligible for the Grand Prize, an all-expense paid trip to welcome in the new millennium at the Sundance Resort in Sundance, Ut., as the Best Treated Wood Structure of the Century.

Details for entry are available from AWPr, (800) 356-AWPL

Hechlnger Shutters 34 More

Hechinger Co. is further shortening its reach to the West, closing 34 more stores, including two Builders Square units in Portland, Or., and one in Las Vegas, Nv.

Three Hechinger's and 28 other Builders Square stores will be closed: all 16 in the Chicago area, all nine in the Cleveland area, three in Pennsylvania, and single stores in Texas, Maryland and Michigan.

After the closures, the chain will operate 206 stores.

Quota Eyes Notched Studs

U.S. Customs has proposed reclassifying notched 2x4 and 2x6 studs to count against Canadian mills' quotas under the U.S.-Canada softwood lumber treaty.

Currently exempt as "carpentry and joinery," the studs are notched to accommodate electrical wiring, as are pre-drilled studs, which lost their exemption in December.

American Bayridge, the firm that first filed for pre-drilled studs'exemption, has appealed the decision. The appeal could take one to two years.

NAWLA Reformats Meeting

The North American Wholesale Lumber Association has developed a new format for its upcoming annual meeting to enhance networking opportunities.

Held May l-4 in Tucson, Az., educational programming will appeal to business owners of all types, while the business sessions target members.

Speakers include Dr. Albert Bates, Profit Planning Group, and keynoter Captain Gerald Coffee, recounting his seven years as a POW in North Vietnam.

This vear's Contact Session. the