Staining treated wood increases sales and margins .

Eco Chemical manufactures 'i{Er;r i waterborne stains for some of the largest wood preserving companies in the U.5. and Canada. Eco PTL waterborne stain was designed to meet the harsh challenges of the 0El'l wood preserver, while at the same time providing a product more attractive t0 the customer.

Why use Eco PTL Stain?

. Compatible with CCA treatments manufactured by such companies as 0smose, CSl, Hickson and Timber Specialties

. fasy to apply-pre or post CCA treatment-in high+peed production line applications

. Support for designing your staining line

. Colors customized t0 your requirements

. Responsive technical support

. Excellent color retention

. Dries fast

. Great adhesion

. Concentrated to reduce shipping costs

. Stickering not required

Why use Eco waterborne coatings?

. l{on-flammable

. Low odor, virtually no fumes

. Cleans up with water

Environmentally friendly

. Safer for workers

VOC compliant

. Easy to use

-7930

Dealers, ask your treater for this product!

ldaho Mill Gets To The Root

Oftentimes, a sawmill's very survival depends upon the ability of its personnel to think ahead. Take Brad Corkill, for instance.

A couple of years back, Corkill, owner of 7l-year-old Whiteman Lumber Co., Cataldo, Id., began producing and selling Bitterroot Flooring, made from Douglas fir/western larch.

In the past, the wood most likely would have sold as 2x4s, however, Corkill, who admired its beauty, started developing Bitterroot floors as a niche product.

"The wood was so pleasant to look at that I wondered (Please turn to page 4I)

We don't make a lot of noise about NASCOR* engineered floor joists. Let's just say they're stronge; straighter; lighter and dimensionally truer than any conventional 2x1 0 joist you've ever seen. They're also alot ouieter. Which makes NASCOR* the strongest, quietest floor joists you've ever heard.

If you're Looking for something soLjd, weLL, you've found it. NearLy atL of the SmartSystemr"Treated Engineered Wood Siding & Exterjor Products have a fuLLy transferable 25-year Limited warranty with a 5-year 100% repair/replacement feature. 0f course, if you're comparing siding warranties, you shou[d understand how transferabi[ity reat[y affects the Ljfe of the warranty. And while you're at jt, be sure the warranty covers [abor and accessory materials. StiLL, none of this warranty stuff matters if there aren't sturdy good Looks to go aLong for the ride. So SmartSystem products are engineered to stay beautifuL no matter what nature decides to djsh out. SmartSystem products: designed to protect homes, famiLies and reputations. For technjcal jnformation and customer service, calt 800-648-6893. For product sampLes and [iterature, calt 800-299-0028, ext. 238. 0r, visit our Web site at www,lpcorp.com.

Gonsolidation Creates Mega-Firms

The rapid number of worldwide consolidations has quickly changed the ranking of global lumber companies, according to Wood Markets.

Consequently, U.S. companies are being displaced as the world's largest and most dominant lumber producers.

Weyerhaeuser improved its domination as the world's largest softwood lumber producer in 1999 by acquiring MacMillan Bloedel, increasing capacity to more than 5.5 billion bd. ft.

After Big W, come five tightly grouped firms with capacity ratings between 2.55 and 2.7 billion bd. ft.

The proposed UPM-Kymmene/Champion International merger finished second with 2.7 billion M. ft., followed by StoraEnso of Finland whose acquisition of Austria-based Schwieghofer enabled the firm to produce roughly 2.7 billion M. ft.

Georgia-Pacific Corp. came in fourth with 2.65 billion bd. ft., and Canfor Corp. surged into fifth place with 2.55 billion bd. ft., thanks to its late-1999 purchase of British Columbia's Northwood.

International Paper rounded out the top six, with 2.55 billion bd. ft.

American D-l-Yers Not $hy

American home improvement budgets average $2,888, a 5Vo gain over 1999, according to the American Express Retail Index.

Of I,000 surveyed homeowners, T9To said they plan to pay for their projects with cash, up from 69Vo last year;