Barr Selling Out To Ganahl, Management

Barr Lumber Co., Inc., Los Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa Alamitos, Ca., has agreed to sell the locationi Mav ll. assets of its four orange county, ca., According to president Murl Fast, yards to Ganahl Lumber co., Barr Lumbei has remained profitable, Anaheim, Ca. but required strengthening to continue

Barr's City of Industry yard will be comp"iing againit wareiouse home closed, while an existing management centers unl di-.""t shippers in a shrinkgroup led by John Shirley would con- ing market. tinue o_perating yards in Rosemead, Last year, union pacific discontinApple valley, Yucca valley and 29 ued rail iervice to Barr's Los Alamitos Palms and Yucca valley truss plant yard, and capacity is limited at its city under the 95-year-old Barr name. of Industry yardiail spur, convincing

Four-unit Ganahl Lumber is set to the company not to renew the yard'i acquire the inventory, fixtures and five-yeai, $j.5 mittion lease when it equipment and take over the leases at expires next month. Employees will Barr's Los Alamitos, Lake Forest, be relocated to other locations.

Warehouse Giant Lowe's ls Headed West

Lowe's Cos., North Wilkesboro, N.C., plans to spend $1.5 billion over the next three to four years building more than 100 new stores in the Wesi primarily in Southern California.

The nation's second largest home center chain with 1997 sales of $10.1 billion, Lowe's will begin opening 150,000-sq. ft. units late next year in markets such as L.A., San Diego, Las Vegas, Tucson and Phoenix, Az.

Lowe's plans to immediately set up an office in Southern California to initially support real estate and development activities, and already has real estate executive Mike Skiles workins from his home in San Diego.

Later this year, an office will be opened to accommodate buYers, human resources personnel, training and other store support functions' Regional DCs, tyPicallY about 800,000-sq. ft., also will be built to service the western locations'

The chain cunentlY oPerates more than 449 stores in 26 Southern, Eastern and Midwestern states, but extends West only as far as Lubbock, Tx.

Depot's l st Pro Store May Be lts Only

Home Depot insists that its first contractors-only store, just opened in Colma, Ca., will be its only.

According to spokesPerson AmY Friend, Home DePot would rather have opened a traditional home center in San Francisco, but in two Years hasn't located a suitable site. "If you have one store where both contractors and home do-it-yourselfers feel they are getting good service, you're going to have a more efficient business" than by operating separate stores, she said.

The situation in Colma, though, was unique. The home center is one of the chain's busiest, resulting in traffic problems so severe that the city demanded a solution.

In addition, contractors account for 5-l0Vo of the average DePot's customers and 25-30Vo of sales, but Colma's percentages are much higher.

Also, the chain was alreadY leasing the 89,000-sq. ft. pro store building, vacant since 1995 when DePot relocated the home center to a 100,000-sq. ft. building at the opposite end of the shopping center.

Opened April 30 as Home DePot Pro, the new store rents tools, offers large quantity package sales and onsite delivery, but is without lawn and garden and home decor dePartments, said store mgr. Lorenzo Ormond.

Still, Depot continues looking for a home center site in San Francisco and another south, possibly in Brisbane'

Wholesaler Confidence High

Wholesaler-distributor confidence in current business conditions increased in both the short- and longterm, according to Arthur Andersen.

Confidence for lst quarter 1998 rose from 118.4 to 119.8, while faith in 1999 jumped from 107.4 to 111.2'

Show Me The MoneY

Despite a tumultous Year for its building products distribution division, Georgia-Pacific awarded chairman, president and ceo A.D. "Pete" Correll a TOVo pay hike in 1997 to $2.138 million in salary plus bonus, according to Business Week.

Retired Weyerhaeuser President Jack W. Creighton Jr.'s salarY and bonus fell 2lVo to $989,000, while his successor Steven R. Rogel's lO-month pay as ex-president and ceo of Willamette Industries slipped ZVo to $769,000, though he gained 52.452 million in long-term compensation'

Others on the executive compensation scoreboard included: R.K. Davidson, Union Pacific, down 52Vo to $901,000; R.D. Krebs, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, flat at $559'000; J.E. Dempsey, PPG Industries, down 34Vo to $1.365 million, but also got $1.176 million in long-term compensation: J.G. Breen, Sherwin-Williams, upTVo to $1.646 million; N.D' Archibald, Black & Decker, down 45Vo to $2.857 million, not counting $1.9 million long-term, and J'M. Trani, Stanley Works, at $1.7 million in salary and bonus plus $1.64 million long-term.

Worker Grushed To Death

An assistant manager at Home Depot, Hollywood, Ca., was crushed to death while trying to retrieve a set of keys a customer had dropped down an elevator shaft, according to the coroner's office.

Peter Joseph Fuentes, 30, was crushed at 8:30 p.m. March 2l by weights that act as a counterbalance in the shaft, said fire dept. officials.

Depot Shareholder Resolution

Attempting to minimize the potential for future liabilities, a group of major shareholders are petitioning Home Depot to adhere to a highei level of accountability regarding worKorce diversity.

Motivated by the company's recent $104 million settlement of a class action sex discrimination suit, a group of more than a dozen institutional investors collectively holding $35 mil- lion in Home Depot stock is sponsoring a shareholder resolution.

Their proposal requests that Depot disclose the previous five years' worth of demographic data submitted to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and prepare a report for investors on its programs for increasing diversity at all levels.

Manville Buys Back Stock

Johns Manville Corp., Denver, Co., has purchased 3.6 million shares of its common stock from the Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust.

The Trust, created in 1988 as an independent organization to compensate asbestos victims, now owns about 79Vo of Johns Manville's 158 million outstanding shares.

The company receives a tax deduction when the Trust distributes proceeds from its ownership of company stock to a settlement fund.

Parr Opens Commercial Div.

Retailer Parr Lumber, Hillsboro, Or., has formed Parr Commercial Group, a new division serving the commercial building industry.

While Parr has served the commercial market for years, "there comes a time to focus the requisite skills and talent into one team," says c.e.o. David Hamill.

Based out of Parr Lumber's Cedar Hills, Or., location, PCG's staff consists of mgr. Michael Lyons, asst. mgr. Ray Thompson, and salespeople Tami Baker, Michael Desimone, Scott Ericson and Fredpaul Wandke. Ir will supply construction of small retail malls, large-scale multi-family complexes and "notable structures in the Pacific Northwest," according to Lyons.

Parr Lumber operates l3 retail stores in Oregon and two in Washington.

Prime Windows Stay Strong

Total sales of new prime windows last year approached 48 million units, including 23.3 million units for new construction and 25.6 million for remodeling and replacement, according to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association.

While wood (including vinyl- and metal-clad wood units) traditionally is used more than other materials, vinyl is expected to dominate the market bv this year. Aluminum's share continues to decline and new materials. including composites, are entering the market.

The use of sealing insulating glass has increased in residential construction from 77Vo in 1986 to 89Vo in 1995, with 907o estimated for 1997. In non-residential construction, insulating glass has achieved 84Vo usage.

Customs May Expand Quota

The U.S. Customs Service has Proposed to remove pre-drilled studs' exemption from quotas under the U.S.-Canada Lumber Agreement.

Customs has until mid-MaY to finalize its decision, but rarely reverses such proposals. Nevertheless, the reversal likely won't take effect until late Mav or into the summer.

Rumors of the proposal started lumber prices rising, with further hikes expected since reclassifying the studs as lumber could keep up to 1 billion more bd. ft. of lumber a year from flowing into the U.S.

Record Grant To Foundation

The 1O-year-old Tropical Forest Foundation has been awarded a multi- year, nearly $1 million grant bY the International Tropical Timber Organization.

The grant-the largest TFF has ever received-will allow the group "to significantly broaden the demonstration project TFF pioneered in the Brazilian Amazon and apply it to a much larger, regional audience," says TFF's Geoffrey Blate.

Redwood Event A Success

More than 2,500 school children visited the recent 60th annual Redwood Region Logging Conference, which raised $106,000 for industry educational programs.

The conference has already earmarked $35,000 for two teachei tours this summer and awarded nearlv $12,000 in scholarships and Higir School Forestry competition prizes.

Don Anderson, founder of Anderson Logging, Fort Bragg, Ca., received the 1998 Redwood Region Logging Conference Achievement Award.

Next year's conference moves to Eureka, Ca., March l8-2O at the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, led by incoming pres. Mary Bullwinkel, Pacific Lumber Co., Scotia, Ca. V.p. is Chris Baldo, Willits Redwood, Willits, Ca., who is expected to preside over the event in 2000, when it returns to Ukiah, Ca.

Sales Dip For Doors, Windows

U.S. sales of doors and windows are expected to dip slightly this year before rebounding to new heights by the year 2000, according to the National Wood Window & Door Association.

Last year, approximately 48.9 million prime windows were sold in the

U.S. A 3.5Vo decrease to 47.2 million units is predicted for 1998 due to a cooling in the housing market, but sales should top 50 million by 2000.

Door manufacturers shipped 12.3 million residential entry units in 1997, but expect to ship 11.8 million in 1998 before recovering to 13.2 million by 2000.

Residential passage doors, with sales of 30.4 million units last vear. will follow a similar pattern.

New Window Certification

Two new certification programs covering energy efficiency and proper installation of windows, doors and skylights have been launched.

Energy Star is a voluntary partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy, the EPA, manufacturers, re= tailers and utilities to help consumers easily identify the most energy efficient products on the market.

To receive an Energy Star label, products must be rated, certified and labeled for both U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient by the National Fenestration Rating Council.

Manufacturers also want to ensure performance of their products after they're out of their hands, so the American Architectural Manufacturers Association will certify the installation of doors and windows.

Larry Livermore has joined AAMA as installation program manager. He will create a program for training installers, developing standards for residential and commercial facilities, testing, certification and monitoring.

Check Fraud Less Likely

Building material retailers are among the businesses least susceptible to check fraud, except for certain items such as tools and small machinery which can easily be resold by thieves, according to TeleCheck.

Overall, incidents of check fraud rose more than ll%o last year. Check losses cost retailers more than $12 billion annually, with about half directly attributed to fraud.

Based on a national average of 100, building supply stores rated 52 and wholesale and commercial businessgs scored 22, far below the gaming industry (322),liquor stores (235), and jewelry stores (230).

John F. Ferguson, ex-WisconsinCalifornia Forest Products, Inc., is now with McKenzie River Trading Co., Portland, Or.

John Ifelela is new to sales at Redwood Empire, Cloverdale, Ca.

Ger4r Soud has joined Louisiana-Pacific Corp., Portland, Or., as corporate mgr. of internal & extemal communications, replacing Barry Lacter, who has left the company.

Steve Calverley, ex-Georgia Pacific, Denver, Co., is the new director of sales & mktg. at Harwood Products, Branscomb, Ca.

George II. Weyerhaeuser, Jr., ex-pres. and c.e.o., Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd., is the new senior v.p., technology at Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way, Wa., succeeding Norm Johnson, who has retired after 32 years with the firm.

Denise Strohmayr has been promoted to credit services mgr. at HomeBase, Irvine, Ca.

Dave Bosworth has retired from EuroPacific Intemational Corp., Portland, Or.

Duane C. McDougall was elected pres. and c.e.o. of Willamette Industries, Portland, Or. Edward McMillan is now executive v.p, of the Building Materials Group; Marvin D. Cooper, executive v.p., in charge of the company's pulp and paper mills; Cam A. Henderson, v.p.-chief information officer; James C. Myers, v.p., pulp and paper mill division, and Fred R. Kting, v.p., Corrugated Container Division.

Steve Killgore, Willamette Industries, Albany, Or., has been promoted to general sales mgr. for the western region, succeeding Gene Walters, who will retire in July after 24 years with the company. Jim Enright, exmarketing mgr. for engineered wood products in the western region, will succeed Killgore as general sales mgr. for engineered wood products.

Bruce Grass, ex-Intermountain Orient, and Brad Guthrie, ex-Copeland Lumber, are new to Universal Forest Products' Woodburn, Or., western company purchasing department.

Butch Fitzgerald has been hired as an outside sales representative by the A.C. Houston Lumber Co., Las Vegas, Nv. Charles Pratt is a sales representative; James Steele, project supervisor; Ron Barrette and John Davis, outside sales representatives; James Chriestenson, Date Stephens and Mark Gray, truss designers; Alan Wells, estimator, and Sherry Falasco, corporate credit mgr. Outside sales rep Keith Self transferred to the Minden, Nv., location, where Greg Meyers is the new truss mgr. Lorri Eskeets, Farmington, N.M., branch was selected Employee of the Month. John Nix, Jr., joined the Indio, Ca., branch as an outside sales rep.

Michael C. O'IIagan was named v.p. of human resources for Home Depot's West Coast division, Fullerton, Ca.

Bob Rehwalt has joined the staff of Plateau Forest Products, Bend, Or., as a cedar and redwood trader,

Marcy Parrish has joined the plywood sales department at U.S. Forest Industries, Inc., Medford, Or., as a sales representative.

Marv Kvamme, ex-Georgia Pacific, is now with Hall Forest Products, Tacoma, Wa.

Arthur M. Pond, Evergreen Hardwoods, Seattle, Wa., has been elected pres. of the International Wood Products Association.

B. Dana Lindstrom is new to sales at Evergreen Lumber & Molding, Anaheim, Ca.

John D. Walker has been named v.p./general mgr. of Simpson Timber Co.'s Northwest Timber and Wood Business Unit, Shelton, Wa. John HYnes succeeds Walker as general mgr. of the Northwest Lumber Division.

Bob VYeiglein, Wood Moulding & Millwork Producers Association, Portland' Or., is recuperating at home following an April 3 heart attack.

Tom Simpkin has joined the Los Angeles' Ca., branch of Mill Direct Sales, Setauket, N.Y.

Maurice R. Ademe, ex-Do It Best, is now international sales mgr. for TruServ Corp.

Rob Taylor, Northwest Hardwoods, Federal Way, Wa., was elected to the board of directors at the Hardwood Manufacturers Association. He will also serve on the executive committee.

Ernest W. Drew has been elected to the board of directors at Johns Manville Corp., Denver, Co.

Steve Lovett will head the new fiber resources and products division at the American Forest & Paper Association. John lleissenbuttel was promoted to v.p. of forestry and wood Products.

Chris Petrucelli has been promoted to mgr.-residential brand marketing for Clopay Corp.

Kirk Nagy, Waldun Forest Products, Sumas, Wa., has been elected chairman of the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau, Bellevue, Wa., and Jack Davidson, sec./treas. Directors: Jerry Banner, Fair Shake Co., Inc., Forks' Wa.; Ace Johnston, Sunshine Wood Products, Forks; Scott Burke, Los Gatos Roofing, Los Gatos, Ca.; John Dziedzic, Teal Cedar hoducts, Blaine' Wa.; Clay Meeker, Anbrook Industries Ltd., Sumas, Wa.; Dan Lunde, Chemco, Inc., Femdale, Wa.; Anthony Romberg, Premium Shingle Co., Beaver, Wa.; John Brissette, Ring's End, Inc.; Rodger Lennox, B.C.F. Shake Mill: Paul Nesenson, ABC Supply Co., Inc.; Bill George, Furman Lumber Inc.; Ed Watkins, Premium Cedar Products, Sumas, and George Klassen, Pacific Coast Cedar Products.

Dean Wilton, Forest Products Wholesale, Inc., Gilroy, Ca., attended the change of command ceremony in Norfolk, Va., to watch his longtime friend Commander Randy Goodman, U.S.N.' take command of Seal Team 8.

Melissa Schroder, Raedale West' Highlands Ranch, Co., has been named Colorado and Utah reP for NoveltY Manufacturing.

Bitl Parks is a new account rep at the Astrup Co., Santa Fe SPrings, Ca. Robert Darnill is now Denver, Co., account rep.

Denny Curran, Evergreen Lumber and Molding, Anaheim, Ca., has been honored for his 45 years ofinvolvement in Little League with the naming of the northeast Santa Ana ballfield as Cunan Field.

El Louise Waldron, Waldron Forest Products, Fair Oaks, Ca., and her husband, John, are back from a trip to Fiji and Australia.

Anne Briehl, Huttig Distribution, Aubum, Wa., and her husband, Doug, are the parents of 8 lb., 2 oz. Alexander David, born Feb. l.

Charles Cottrell is now mgr.-standards & industry affairs at the North American Insulation Manufacturer's Association.

Jeff Shaheen, Shaheen Co., Carson City, Nv.; Dave Puente, Puente Construction, Rancho Cordova, Ca., and Alan Little, A. Little General Contractor, Arroyo Grande, Ca., are among the 25 members on Style-Mark's new Builder and Remodeler Advisory Council.

Trisha and Dinny Waters, Enterprise Computers, Tiburon, Ca., are the Parents of 7 lb., 5 oz. Robert Daniel, born Ian.24.

Dot Com has been appointed manager of computer operations at MungusFungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv" according to owners llugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus. She will oversee the company's new Web site at www.mungfunglumb.com.