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E.J. JOHNSON executive vice president

IJHE EDUCATIoN committee in

I cooperation with the American Plywood Association conducted a series of three seminars this month entitled "Marketing Today's Structural Panels'"

Designed to acquaint key retail personnel with updated sales techniques and recent changes in plywood data, the halfday sessions were held in Tucson on May 9, Phoenix, May l0 and Flagstaff, MaY ll.

The seminars covered plywood, composites, waferboard, oriented strand board and structural particleboard. The objective of each was to provide the retail and wholesale dealer with the information necessary to successfully merchandise plywood and other structural panel products to industrial users, contractors and consumers. Emphasis was given to information necessary to establish a resident product expert within the company. A complete reference binder was provided to each registrant.

The program covered a discussion of the various structural panel products including pressure treated plryood, the handling and storage of each. The finishing of plywood siding also was discussed. Discussion on the identification and proper handling of complaints was held. Recommendations and uses for structural panel products including the APA glued

The Merchant Magazine floor systems, the All-Weather Wood Foundations, the engineered V1" franing system, nonresidential construction systems and industrial applications also were outlined.

Locations for the meetings were O'Malley's Distribution Facility in Tucson, the O'Malley's Building, Phoenix, and Babbitt's Home Center, Flagstaff' Preparations are being completed for our 63rd annual convention on MaY 20-22 at the Registry Resort, Scottsdale. "Never Look Back" will theme the program, underscoring the need for the lumber industry to seize the many challenges and opportunities that confront it today as it continues to experience good economic growth.

Speakerq will include Senator Dan Quayle (R-In), Art Jacobs, productivity specialist; David Cutler, editor-publisher, The Merchant MagaT,ine, discussing advertising; Frank Stewart, district manager, Western Wood Products Association; William Morrow, President, NLBMDA; Dr. Gary Driggs, president and ceo, Western Savings, Phoenix.

Skylight Market Bright

The homeowner's fondness for skylights has blossomed into a genuine love affair.

"The residential skylight market this year," says C.M. Dye, president of APC Corp., a leading skylight manufacturer, "is expected to witness continued growth despite a market that in 1983 saw skylight sales top 755,000, up 3090 from 1982 sales of 600,000."

"This may be the first year in history," says Dye, "that skylight sales reach the one million mark." Current forecasts predict skylight sales in 1984 of just over one million, up more than 3090 from 1983. In single-family detached homes, expectations call for an average of two skylights in l69o of the new homes to be built this year.

Though the rate of expansion is considerably less than in 1983, it comes at a time when the rate of inflation in the nation's economy has plummeted to about 590.

The current health of the skylight market can be attributed to several factors. The percentage of homes incorporating skylights both in new construction and remodeling is expanding at the same time that the housing industry is enjoying a broad recovery. Housing starts in 1984, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, are expected to surpass l.8-million, up slightly from 1983's I.7-million. At the same time, says Dye, more and more homeowners are installing skylights whenever they undertake remodeling projects.

The major reason for incorporating skylights during modernization is their esthetic appeal and the ability of skylights to open homes to daylight and views. Others, however, appreciate the energy savings.

Skylights reduce the need for artificial light by letting in lots of natural daylight. In cold weather, for instance, the energy savings that result from a south-facing skylight often exceed any heat loss through the skylight, especially if the glazing is double-dome acrylic. In warm weather, shading devices protect the skylight against heat gain.