The Simple Solution to In-Ground Post Decay

POSTSAVER@ is a unique, revolutionary concept for preserving insround wood.

POSTSAVERo is a non-toxic. environmental ly-f riendly barrier for both treated and untreated lumber for belowground posl fl;i

POSTSAVERo's advanced technology lumber posts with superior protection. The vulnerable area of the post is shrink-wrapped with a heavy-duty polyethylene boot coated on the inside with bitum€n. The heatshrinking process liquiftes the bitumen and drives it into the wood. This provides a secondary moisture-resistant layer. The polyethylene outer layer provides the tough physical banier, www.postsaverusa.com

POSTSAVERo's durability is designed to withstand post.driven applications.

POSTSAVER@ is impervious lo wooddestroying organisms found in the soil.

P: 610-681-6451

Your competitive advantage is what every business should be printing on its' foreheads. When you start to lose it, you need to reinvent again and again. Early in my career, I was taught to believe that when you do the right things in business the results come. That winning was key, and everything else did not matter. Now some would take exception to that. But I have worked for a number of companies since, and I have seen the good and the bad. and I know where I would rather be.

While c.e.o.s may argue that more than ever they are held accountable by the investment community, it may be time to have the guts to stand up and tell them that they cannot cut their way any more to sustainable profit growth. They need to make investments in product differentiation and seize business opportunities in new markets, while better valuing their employees who help them succeed.

Lastly, I would like to thank my colleagues here at BPD and The Merchant MagaTine for helping to make this April issue our largest ever. I would especially like to thank our advertisers for their support and loyalty, and to our subscribers and readers we thank you for your continued readership, comments and suggestions. You make it a joy to come to work each and everv dav.

(Sistq puffication Buiwng Prcducts Digest seves he East)

PUBLISHER Alan Oakes (ajoakes@aol.mm)

PUBLISHER EMERITUS David Cutler

EDITOF David Koenio (dkoenig@b.-uilding-products.com)

ASSOCIATE EDIToR Karen Debats (kdebats@building-products.com)

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Dwight Cunan, Carla Waldemar

AD SALES MANAGER Chuck Casev (ccasey@building-productd.com)

CIRCULATION Heather Kellv (hkelly@building-pioducts.com)

ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR/SECRETARY Marie Oakes (mfpoakes@aol.com)

How to Advertise

Conhcl our adveriising otlices for rates:

WEST, MIDWEST, SOUTHEAST: Chuck Casey, Newporl Beach, Ca.; {949) 852-1990; Fax 949852-0231 ; Email ccasey@building-products.com

NORTHEAST: Paul Mummolo, Brick, N.J.; (732) 899-8102: Fax 732-899-2758: Email omummolo @aol.com

How to Subscribe

Conlact Heather al (949) 852-1990

U.S.: 1 year (12 issues), $15; 2 years, $24; 3 years, $30

FOREIGN (Per year paid in advance in US funds): $39 for Canada and Mexico, $50 for all other counlries; Ak rates also available.

SINGLE COPIES: $3 + shipping; Back issues (when available), $4.S0+shipping www.building-products.com

Meet Cap Strano, a sales reprc.sentative specializing in nranufactured housing building materials and clealer relations. He is onc of 860 employeeowners of North Pacific and is one of the many reasons our customcrs and suppliers choose to l<eep working with r-rs.

For many years, Landmark Building Products has been an intcgral part of North Pacific's business. Servinc Southern California and Arizona rvith building materials and inclustrial lvood products, they have built a solid reputation for meeting vour necds.

Norv, Lanclm:rrk and our other companies, Iike Schultz, Snyder & Steele, S:rxonville, Allen Timbcr anrl Delta Forest Proclucts, are changing thcir namcs to North Pacific. You'll still work with the same great people offering the samc wicle range of products anci serviccs. Thcy will continue to respond cluickly and makc decisions locally b your benefit. The only change you'll noticer is the nanre.

North Pacific. Taking care of you and your business.

*Jcat)s6arg, CA

Timbers

/ rGm Dried Western Red Cedar Timbers y' rAf" Dried Douglas Fir Timbers t-

V Stocking Distributor for Rosboro's Manufaetured Timbers - RMTrM

Nu Forest Products is a full-line distribution yard that, unlike many, has a wide range of milling equipment that enables us to handle all your specialized needs. We take particular pride in the fact that our higftly skilled millmen can grind the knives and run any pattern that your customers might require.

Custom Sanding . Custom Hming

Douglas Fir Timbers # I & Btr1o0o/o FOHC

Sel Struct DF KD S4S

C & Btr DF KD RGH & S4S

Redwood KI)

Redwood Grn o Western RedCedar

. Pine

. Douglas Fir Dimension Grn o Treated Timbers, Dimension & Plywood

. IIem-Fir - Scl Str S4S & Fascia

DURCHASING treated lumber products that are not cerI tified bv American Lumber Standards Committee third-party inspection puts building material dealers, builders, contractors and consumers at risk of receiving treated wood that is not covered by warranties, is not building code compliant, and is at risk of premature product failure due to substandard treatment quality.

Based on the standards written and maintained by the American Wood Preservers' Association and regulated by the ALSC enforcement regulations ("Treated Wood Enforcement Regulations"), third-party inspection provides certification of quality that benefits everyone in the sales chain. According to the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, lumber sales represent 42Vo of the total sales for the average building material dealer. So, it is especially critical for retailers-from top executives to store managers-to be knowledgeable and vigilant about third-party inspection.

nrhd-Pa$y tnspeedon-

The Gold Standefil for ?reated Wood

Third-paty inspection is a common basis for uniform, industry-wide inspection and quality marking of treated wood. "Third-party inspection programs ensure that the preservative retention and penetration in the wood is in compliance with AWPA standards and/or building code specifications," explains David Fowlie, vice president of Chemical Specialties Inc., a leading supplier of wood protection technologies.

The AWPA standards and regulations for treated wood are relevant for most types of structural and building lumber, excluding some lumber categories, such as landscape timbers and proprietary products, which are exempt from these standards.

Only 80olo to 85%, or 6 billion

bd, ft. per year, 0f alltreated wood carrie$ third-party inspection certilication.

ALSC, the non-profit organization comprised of manufacturers. distributors and users that administers accreditation programs for the quality marking of treated lumber, has accredited eight independent inspection agencies that provide certification for all of the treated lumber in the U.S. The rigorous inspection process encompasses an indepth examination of the quality of the preservative treatment to industry standards as well as inspection of treater's equipment, manufacturing records, preservatives, treatment processes, and quality control systems.

This process is significant because building codes nationwide demand that structural building products meet

(Continued. on next page)

( C ontinued {rom pr ev io us p age ) acceptable quality standards. Third-party inspection is the only objective, certifiable proof that treated lumber products meet the requirements for quality under AWPA and building code standards. Yet, according to Tom Searles, president of the ALSC, only SOVo to 85Vo, or 6 billion bd. ft. per year, of all treated wood carries third-party inspection certification.

Third-party inspection also solves a huge logistics challenge, according to Searles, because without a standardized inspection process, each of the 230 wood treatment plants in the U.S. would have to work with the thousands of local code officials throughout the country to make sure their products meet the standards.

Third-party inspection also ensures that the preservatives being applied to the wood are registered with the EPA for the intended end use of the treated wood, according to CSI's Fowlie. "Without the certification of thirdparty inspection," he said, "there is no way to know if the wood products have been treated in compliance with federal law."

Levellng tle Industry P1a$ng Heftl

"Third-party inspection provides assurance to the whole industry that everyone is meeting the same standards in the