-A\ n nt#!/b,Ro/cI(Y":ul i /&''t'oUl'TA'N .+ '1 , BLUWOOD.

The new company will treat customer-supplied wood with BluWood, as protection against wood-destroying insects, fungus and mold. "It doesn't matter what market we're in," Bischel said, "mold is a real concern."

The new 6000-sq. ft. facility sits on five acres, with a rail siding that can handle three to four cars at a time. Currently, there is one full-time salesperson and two production employees. "Before the season ends, we hope to have multiple shifts," said Bischel.

Cuts At Britt Lumber

Britt Lumber, Arcata, Ca., laid off nearly one-fourth of its workforce in early March due to a lack of logs to mill.

"As we've done in the past when we've run out of logs, we've reduced the workforce," said spokesperson Andrea Arnot, who characterized the move as "streamlining."

Britt is a subsidiary of Pacific Lumber Co.. which has shifted milling operations from Arcata to Scotia. Ca.. because there aren't enough logs to supply both facilities and the Scotia mill is more efficient. The fence production and planing facilities at Britt will continue, with lumber provided from the Scotia mill.

Arnot said the layoffs are unrelated to the recent bankruptcy protection case filed by Palco and its subsidiaries, and do not require court approval since they are in the company's ordinary course of business.

Sound Reducer Makes Noise

Quiet Solution, Sunnyvale, Ca., has filed suit against Supress Products LLC, San Rafael, Ca., alleging patent infringement of its acoustical soundproofing panels.

The complaint, filed with the Federal District Court, Northern California, asked for damages as well as an injunction to halt the manufac- ture and sales ofinfringing products.

Supress was founded by Bruce Donaldson, formerly of Quiet Solution, and reportedly has hired other former Quiet Solution employees.

"Over the past five years, we have invested an enormous amount in our intellectual property, and we are compelled to use every legal means to protect it," said Kevin Surace, president and c.e.o. of Quiet Solution. "We pioneered the field with breakthrough technology. It is indeed troublesome when former employees potentially infringe on our patents."

Depot Helps Nab Arsonist

A l5-year-old accused of setting six grass fires behind a Home Depot near Sacramento, Ca., was caught on camera and arrested.

"Fortunately, we didn't have high heat, high winds, or low moisture, so the fires didn't really get going," said Christian Pebbles, spokesperson for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.

Soon after the March 4 fires were set, Depot employees viewed a surveillance tape and spotted the boy in the area. Officials cited him on suspicion of arson and then released him.