NAWLA predicts big building boom

A prediction that the country is on the threshhold of the largest building boom in history, a resolution supportinf multiple use land policies, and a proposal to establish a national recognition system {or sales achievement in wholesale lumber distribu. tion were among highlights of the recent 76th annual meeting of the NationalAmerican Wholesale Lumber Association at The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia. Elected president was David A. Mittell, Boston, X{ass. New first vice-president is

Robert E. Canton, Minneapolis, NIinn. Second vice-president is Robert S. Wells. Tarter, Webster and Johnson, Los Ange. les. and treasurel is W. Barly Everett, Floral Park, N.Y. J. J. Mulrooney was reappointed executive vice-president, and H. M. Niebling, Portland, Ore. was r.eappointed westeln manager.

Mittell predicted that the problems o{ rebuilding American cities and providing better housing for deprived members of society will cause an unprecedented de- mand for lumber in the years ahead. The new NAWLA president also pointed out the rapidly changing role o{ the lumber wholesaler caused by swings from a buyers' market to a sellers' market, and vice versa. In early 1966, Mittell said, the market moved rapidly from one o{ great demand to one of great supply, and has now moved back again to a tight supply situa. tion.

Russell Ells, Ifillits, Calif., president of the National Forest Products Association, asked the wholesalers to adopt a strong policy on the necessity for efiective lumber standards, and that a committee be appointed to maintain liaison between NFPA and NAWLA members so that wholesalers might make their influence felt at the local level on issues of industry con-

The NAWLA resolutions committee re. sponded the same day by declaring support o{ the multiple land use policies ad. vocated by the National Forest Products Association.

Wholesale Lumber Association officers (from left) Robert E. Canton. first vic*oresident; W. Barry Everett, treasurer; David A. Mittell, president; Robert S. Wells, Tarter, Webster and Johnson, Los Angeles, second vice-president; and J. J. Mulrooney, exec. vp.

Retiring president C. E. Klumb, C. E. Klumb Lumber Company, Gulfport, Miss., urged wholesalers to establish a national system o{ salesmen recruiting, training and recognition to become more efiective and competitive.

Principals oI the management consultant firm of A. T. Kearney & Co., Richard E. Petersen and Richard S. Lopata, led delegates in a series of workshop sessions on the subjects of management of accounts receivable, inventory, and finances.

The flrban Projection program de. signed to show how local private enterprise can initiate community rebuilding programs, sponsored by the Forest Products Promotion Council, was presented to \ational-American members by \[rilliam C. Taylor, W'ashington, D.C., representing the Southern Pine Association, Other activities included presentation of \AWLA's revised color slide presentation designed to show lumber dealers how to use available promotion aids for €treater sales, golf tournaments for both men and women. tennis tournaments. and ladies activities.