Product pricing and paneling

RODUCT pricing and a new line

^ oI paneling were the focal points at a recent dinner in Los Anqeles for area building materials retailers cosponsored by Abitibi and Globe International, an Abitibi distributor.

Commenting on the rising cost oI Iauan plywood and its inevitable effect of higher retail selling prices,

John Bates of Westmark & Assoc., part of the team presenting the new Abitibi line, commented that despite the increase, "paneling still remains a tremendous value for the consumer. No other product can enhance and add to the value of a home as paneling can. The cost per sq. ft. is still comparatively low to other wall cov- crings, and the installation is more easily understood by most d-i-yers."

Most talked about of the dramatic and well received Abitibi line was the New England o'Barnboard series." Two new embossed patterns and a complete line of 14" wood-grain de, signs on hardboard also drew enthusiastic dealer comment.

Another "Answer Man "

sil'riRA PACilrtc tNDt sTRtES. v a leadirrg Western produ,.er of lurrber and lruilding nraterials, has opcned their third "Answcr N'Ian" home improvcnlent centcr. t'his one in Sparks. Nev., just east o[ Reno.

Tom i\{aglietta, fornrcrly a manager with the "8:1." Lr-rnrber Co. chain in Pittsburgh, Pa., was named store Ir)anager by John W. Rickey, general lnanager o{ Sicrra Pacific's buildirrg nraterials ccnters.

The 26,000 sq. {t. store is located on a thrce-acre site witlr parking lor 100 cars. Attached to the storc is a :1"000 sq. ft. nursery and grecnhousc with a complete selcction of nursery and garden items.

The rrcrv Answcr Xllarn centcr Irrovides "une stop" ,.lrepping with a -stock of more than '10.000 homc im-

Story qt d Glonce

Sierro Pocific Induslries, the big forest producis firm, is diversifying into home improvement centers, this third new one being in Sporks (Reno) Nevodo selling both controctors ond public, the 26,000 sq. ft. store is open 7 doys o week.

provr:rnent protlucts for do-it-1 ourst'lit.rs and prolessional contractor-s. 'l'lre store is opcn seven days a week.

Sierra Pacific entcreil rctailing last ]'('ar a-q one step toward diversiff ing its lorest products base. 'fhe company olx'rates slorcs in Sacramento. Ca., arrd Pror.o. tltah and cxpccts in the future to ol)cn netv locations as wcll exi-.ting high quality

Sierra l)acific, located in Valnut Creek" Ca." recentll reported rer:ord earnirrgs oi $5.600"000 on salos of $81, rnillion up from a volume of $58 nrilliorr in l97]

Thc newly opencd store is locatcd at 1671 Glendalc Ave. in Sparks.