Dricon' FRIW

problems often encountered with other fire retardants. Even in sustained 95 % humidity. So truss plates and other metal parts in contact with Dricon fire retardant treated wood show less than2% ofthe corrosion allowed by applicable federal standards. And that means you can safely use standard truss plates stamped from hot-dipped galvanized steel.

What's more, it's the only interior fi re-retardant chemical that's resistered with the EPA as a preservative 6r wood treating. In fact, the Dricon formulation is so special that it's patented.

With Dricon products, building to meet "non-combustible" code requirements doesn't have to snuff out your design freedom or burn up your budget. Since it ls wood, Dricon fire retardant treated wood can be easily fabricated to almost any configuration you can imagine-and field alterations, if necessary can be made much more easily. And Dricon wood trusses install fast, so their in-place costs can be lower than for steel.

Put Our Reputation Behind Your Reputation.

Best of all, the Dricon process was developed by Koppers Company, Inc., the same people who bring you worldfamous Wolmanized@ preisure-treated lumber. So you're always assured of quality products backed by experienced technical and service personnel.

Remember, you don't have to lose sales to steel in manv "non-combustible" code situations any more. Just use Dricon FRTW products where codes permit. They can help you build more eonomically, creatively, and safely. For more information and the name oivour nearest Dricon dealer or distributor contact: Denver, CO 303/295-2823

Ontario, CA 7l4t39l-t5il

Sacramento, C A 9 16/ 37 2-6920

Theleader across the board.

Y(IU'LL PROFIT FRIIIUI (lUR TATTST CAPITAL EXPANSI(|I{

tart with a prime access seventeen acre site in Healdsburg, Cdifomia. Construct the most modern and efficient facilitv for the distribution and remanufacture of redwoo4 cedar, and clear fir finish. Add state-of-the-art machinery and equipment throughout. Staff with some of the most experienced lumber-wise specialists in the business. Now vou have a measure of the dimensions- of our latest Capital Lumber expansion in Healdsburg.

You'll profit from the expanded service capability afforded by this strategically situated new link in our distribution network which already includes operations in Arizon4 Southern Califomia New Mexico, and West Texas.

You'll profit from our expanded ability to respond to your specialized lumber needs. The new Healdsburg facility has the latest equipment forkiln drying. And" when fully operational late this spring it will include computerized state-of-theart capabilities for surfacing and profiling to customer specifications. At the same time, our effective market reach has expanded to embrace the west, southwest, and mid-America regions.

So why not Capital-ize on the profitable dividends available to vou in our latest expansion. We look iorward to serving you on your requirements for redwood, cedar, and {ir finish. Soon.

# I^'._

SeNing 13 tYeste/'n States

Editor-Publisher David Cutler

Senior Editor Juanita Lovret

Assistant Editor David Koenie

Contributing Editors Dwight turran, Gage McKinney, Ken Thirn-

Art Director Martha Emerv

Staff Artist Carole Shinn -

Circulation Louanna Muell

The Merchant Magazine (USPS 79656000) is published mbnrhlv at 45ffi Campus Dr., Suite 480. Newpbn Beach, Ca. 92660, phone lWl SSZ-lgm, by The Merchant Magazine, Inc. Second-class postage rates paid at Newport Beach, Ca., and additional offices, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

Advertising Offices

Advertising rates upon request. From all states east of the Rocky Mountains: Contact Jean Waggoner, national sales manager. From Arizona, Nevada and California: Co.lt_a9! P_qvid qutter. Borh may be reached at (714) 852-1990 or by wriring 4500 Campus Dr.. Suite 480. Newport Beacn, Ca. 92660. From .Washington Srate, Oregon, Idaho, wyoming. Montana, Utah, Colorado and Canada: Contacr Carol Holm at (206) 3400680 or l0l8 Lloyd Buitding. Seatrte, Wa. 98101.

Subscripiions

Change of Address-Send subscription orders and address chanses to Circulation

Dept., The Merchanr Ma-gazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660. Include address ldbel from recent issue ifpossible, new address and zip code.

Subscription Rates-U.S.: $9-one year; $15-two years; $20-three years. Foreign: one year payable in advance in U.S. fundsCanada or Nhxico: air-$35; surface-g30; South America: air-$55; surface-$3O; Asia: air-$68; surface-$30; Europe: air-998; surface-$3O. Single copies-$2i back copies-$3 when available plus shipping & handling.

The Merchant Magazine is an independently owned publication for the retail, wholesale and distribution levels ofthe lumber and home center markets in 13 western states.

DAVID CUTLER editor-publisher

Making money is Job No. 1

G EVERAL years ago in a discussion of the 9 emerging phenomenon of the warehouse retailer, one puzzled observer asked, "l just don't see how they can all make money?" It was a good question. The answer, of course, was that they couldn't.

In those heady days there was lots of brave talk of store wars, market dominance, hammering the competition and similar macho chest beating. Market share was deemed a top priority and boasting rights to the lowest prices in town were essential. The unglamorous basics of business were left to the drudges. It was a little bit of Alice in Wonderland in our very own industry.

Considering how seldom profit figured into this ego-driven nonsense, it's little wonder many went belly up. More companies than will admit it remain profitless to this day.

We don't intend to tar the entire warehouse segment with the same brush. Far from it. Some of these operators are among the best in the business and have made a ton of money in the process. But some of the others it really makes you wonder.

The swift never forgot why they were in business. Now we shouldn't have to say it, but given the history above, it probably won't hurt to observe again that the number one object of business is to consistently make money.

No condescension is meant here. We're not being flip. It's just that in the day to day struggle of business, we all need a little voice in the back of our head asking the eternal question: "will this make a profit?"

The good news in all this is that the troubles of the retail warehouses were not lost on those who operated more traditional stores. With the importance of profitability reinforced, business zeroed in on Job No. I - making money.

Sunshine. And a cool breeze off the Pacific. Those are two of the tools Georgia-Pacific uses to S-dry Common and Rustic gades of redwood at our Ft. Bragg mill in northem Califomia.

But sometimes Mother Nature needs a little help. So we also use pre-dryers, dry kilns and other modem facilities to assure consistent quality in our certified, kiln-dried Bee, Clear and Clear all-heart gades.

Plus.we're members of the Califomia Redwood Association and the Redwood Inspection Seruice. So ourgade samp is your assurance of quality from the people who know redwood best.

Our Ft. Bragg facility is a full-service Douglas Fir mill, too. And that means one call can get you two of the best products Georgia-Pacific-and Mother Nailrehave to offer.

Call today: 7071964-0281. For redwood quality you can build on.