Wholesaler having good suc@ss with trcated wood

I IKE the retailers thar they serve. ts western wholesalers are finding success in supplying pressure treated wood products for outdoor projects to their customers.

At each oftheir three offices along the Pacific Coast, OrePac Building Products, Inc. supports the products that they sell with an active promotion program. Experience has shown that at every step of the distribution chain, promotion coupled with quality products means better business for all concerned.

"Hem-fir seems to be the most popular species being used now for outdoor projects," says Bob Vandewall, general manager at the Thcoma, Wa., location. "It treats as well as any species and is structurally sound." The faster selling sizes are 2x4 and 2x6 select structural grade for outdoor decks. The firm's other offices are located in Sacramento, Ca., and Lake Oswego, Or.

The company started handling pres- sure treated wood about five years ago because the market was asking for an outdoor wood with consistent good quality. "Cedar and redwood have long been considered the best wood for outdoor uses but customers found they could not always count on a good quality grade when purchasing these species," says Vandewall.

Special promotions are used at least twice a year to help market products.

Story at a Glance

West Coast .wholesaler has pressurc treated wood special promotions at least twice a year . more product standardization seen . . . spring/fall special sales have increased 25%.

They give promotional items to use for in-store sales to dealers who sell a certain amount of pressure treated wood. They also provide free consumer literature. Their spring and fall promotions have increased sales about 20-25Vo per year.

"Standardization is occurring in the sizes, grades and species used for pressure treated wood which is making this product even more attractive," explains Vandewall. "Not only can customers count on a consistent grade, they can also count on low prices as well."

Tieated 4x6 and 6x6 used for post and beam construction in pole barns is inventoried along with 2x6 and 2x8 framing for decking and 4x4's eight foot long for fence posts, all treated for ground contact.

Vandewall sees the increased success of pressure treated wood sales as a result of supplying a qualiry product and consumer information.