We'ue been more than the eompany you thought for longer than you think.

At Boise (we used to be known as Boise Cascade), our business is about more than merely supplying paper, wood, or office products' lt's about helping people do what they do more efficiently. By developing working relationships that help us understand and anticipate needs, we free our clients to work smarter, build better, and create great things.

U.S. Slaps 29"/o Tariff On Canadian lmports

Unable to agree upon a deal after months at the bargaining table, the U.S. Department of Commerce Plans to impose a combined 29.017o dutY on imported Canadian softwood lumber to offset what it said were unfair trade practices.

The March 22 ruling set the duty at 19.34Vo to countervail subsidies, and at 9.67%o to compensate for dumping lumber in the U.S. market.

"While we feel the final duty rates do not fully offset the amount of injury to the U.S. lumber industry, the decision substantiates the U.S lumber mills claims," said Rusty Wood, Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports.

Wood added that now was the time for Canada to move toward a market driven system free of subsidies.

Deborah Burns, Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, echoed Wood's sentiments: "From the beginning, all we have asked is that Canada sell its timber in an open and competitive fashion."

Some in the industry, however, worry that the duty will drive up the cost ofresidential lumber, and depress housing starts which have been at high levels since the first of the year.

On behalf of retailers, Gary Donnelly, National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, argued that the ruling will deprive the U.S. market of an important source of softwood. "The duties remain an insult to the millions of U.S. consumers of softwood, who are so reliant on a stable, affordable supply of S-P-F from Canada in order to keep up with the U.S. demand for housing," Donnelly said.

He added, "Domestic U.S. forest

Personals

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Dan Madsen, a customer at Ace Hardware, Ronan, Mt., received a Weber gas grill as a first Place winner in Ace Hardware CorP.'s "You Can Be One in Two Million, Too" national contest.

James Beardall, Anderson Lumber Co., Ogden, Ut., was named to Wells Fargo & Co.'s 2002 Northern Utah community board.

Eugene Morrow is the new v.p.-busi- policies implemented over the past decades have decreased the U.S.'s ability to supply most of its own demand for S-P-F." ness develoPment at Distribution America.

Canada will appeal the tariffs to the World Trade Organization. In addition, the duties can't be imposed until the U.S. International Trade Commission determines if the American lumber industry was unfairly harmed by Canadian trade Practices. ITC's decision is expected in May.

In the meantime, both the U.S. and Canada likely will continue pushing for a nesotiated deal.

Geoffrey Ehrman is now director of strategic alliances for Benjamin Obdyke Inc.

Kurt Heikkila was elected chairman of the Window & Door Manufacturers Association, succeeding Rick Liddell.

Ava Chapman, Portland, Or., is now in charge of sales for the Northwest region at ScooPsoft CorP. Alain Dubois is now v.P.-business development.