wITHoUT THE WOOD ORTHE IVIAINTENAI{CE.

Introducing the "NO WOOD" advantage. While other composites have 50% wood fiber, Xtendex has 0%. This exciting new formula uses high mineral content rice hulls, which reduces water absorption and the related problems common to wood and wood-based composites without compromising strenglh or beauty.

a EASY AS l-2-3 assembly system and instructions make professional results easy.

GREATER STRENGTH and something you'll like even better-longer life.

LESS FADING thanks to UV inhibiton that help protect yourdeck against tlre sun's harmftl rays.

NATURALLY SAFE. Xtendex resists mold and mildew naturally. It's the best surface you can own.

Lanoga Purchase Finalized

Newly created Pro-Build Holdings, which includes the Strober Organization, has become the nation's largest pro dealer with the completion of its acquisition of Lanoga Corp., Redmond. Wa.. from Laird Norton Co.. LLC.

Fidelity Capital, the business development arm of Fidelity Investments, formed Pro-Build to make the purchase. The lirm's resources comprise over 420 locations in 38 states with more than 14,000 employees and projected 2006 revenues in excess of $5 billion.

Divisions include Strober Building Supply, Contractor Yards, U.S. Components, as well as former Lanoga operations United Building Centers, Spenard Builders Supply, Lumbermens, Home Lumber Co., Dixieline Lumber Co., Parker Lumber Co., F. E. Wheaton & Co., and Shafer Building Supply.

"Lanoga's divisions are an excellent strategic fit with our current Strober divisions," said Frederick M. Marino, c.e.o. and vice chairman of Pro-Build. "Although the companies will continue to operate separately, this new relationship creates the opportunity for Pro-Build to provide nationwide coverage. Moving forward. Pro-Build will be able to service production builders throughout the U.S. market much more effectively. Likewise, Strober and Lanoga regional customers of all sizes will benefit from expanded product lines and expanded distribution points."

Co-ops Ink Wolmanized Deals

Ace Hardware Corp. and True Value Co. have signed brand promotion agreements with Arch Treatment Technologies, making Wolmanized Residential Outdoor Wood the co-ops' preferred brand of preserved wood.

As part of the deals, Arch's licensed treaters now hold exclusive preferred vendor status for pressuretreated wood in both Ace's and True Value's bill-through programs. Arch will also conduct joint advertising, promotion, and incentive programs with the co-ops.

"For our members. this is an excellent tie-in with a respected national brand," said Debra Randall, global product merchant at True Value. "Our stores will be able to take advantage of treated wood that has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. And, we have an influential ally in the revival of our LBM division."

The partnership will further enhance Ace's Contractor Loyalty Club program by extending additional incentives on Wolmanized products to Ace retailers involved in the club, said Ace's LBM manager, Amy Pellerito.

Ace members operate 4,700 locations. True Value has 6.100 locations: about 2,400 of them sell LBM.

DAP Buys Pre-Mix Products

DAP Inc., Baltimore, Md., has acquired the ready-to-use Patch & Repair product line from Custom Building Products, Seal Beach, Ca.

The deal adds to DAP's pre-mix repair portfolio several well known spackling, patching and wall repair products, including Patch-N-Paint Lightweight Spackling, Patch-N-Paint Wall Repair Patch Kit, All Purpose Spackling Paste, Flexall Flexible All Purpose Filler, Custom Patch Smooth Elastomeric Patching Compound, Custom Patch Textured Elastomeric Patching Compound, Pre-mix Stucco Patch, Pre-mix Concrete Patch, Squeeze-N-Fill Concrete Crack Filler, and Wallboard Joint Compound.