Remodeling's potential for profit still fabulous

aURRENT industry figures show U that there are now nearly 67 million housing units in the United States. Of this inventory, 40 million are at least 20 years old and thus represent an enormous potential remodeling market, according to Albert H. Fay, newly elected president of the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC).

Fay, who is a vp. for the building products div. of National Gypsum Co., notes that remodeling in all its varied forms has become truly big business with a market value approximating $17 billion. "And, with the steadily rising costs of new housing construction, there is a growing incentive to improve our vast existing inventorypossibly by seven to I0 percent," he explained.

Referring to current statistics indicating that home improvement ranks first in most U.S. consumers' preference for spending discretion- ary income, Fay noted maturation trends already underway in the industry. One important indicator, he

Sfory d] d Glqnce

As consumers pick remodeling as their first choice for spending, a giant industry is forming to supply their needs.

said, is that many corporations, some national in scope, now are becoming interested in the vital remodeling market and are beginning to establish fully equipped and professionally staffed centers in strate.ic locations.

Fay pointed out that this movement is a distinct reversal of traditional grassroots level marketing methods which frequently saw the contractor attempting to reach the consumer via door-to-door salesmen and telephone solicitation. Centrali. zation and professional upgrading o{ the selling function will firmly place the marketing of these services on a plane with other advanced retail operations. This will help measurably to provide control and assurance of quality performance, Fay explained.

Another significant trend, Fuy noted, is the growing sophistication o{ advertising and sales promotion methods which are designed to educate as well as sell consumers on remodeling services and materials. In line with these developments, NHIC is planning to substantially upgrade the industry.

High on the list of Fay's objectives for NHIC is the establishment o{ comprehensive training programs to ensure that the home remodeling industry will be well supplied with qualified craftsmen.

Choin Opens 30th Store

Others attending will be Mahlon Kilgore, Arrowsmith Co., L.A.; Frank Morrison, All American Fence, Colorado Springs; Herb Koller, Sfillamette Valley Mfg. Co.; John Van Denburgh, American Fence Co., Phoenix; and Lou Redman, Anchor Post Products.

Any Questions on New Sizes?

Changeover and acceptance of new lumber sizes and grades came quickly in the first three months of l97l to meet the April I deadline, reports Western Wood Products Association.

Approval by the Federal Housing Administration in November was followed by acceptance by the {our U.S. model building code groups, and by local groups where necessary,

Osgood Nomed Hordwood Rep

Robert S. Osgood, Inc. of [,os Angeles, has been named the exclusive sales representative in California for Robinson Lumber of New Orleans.

For ?B years, Robinson has been importing top quality tropical American hardwoods, handling such critical assignments as the Honduras mahogany planking in o'Gretel," the Australian challenger for the Americas'Cup, and special logs for requirements in the U.S. space program.

Let's Heor lt For The lrish

fusisting on Shasta-Cascade HooHoo club's annual "Irish-Corn Beef & Cabbage" night were Earl Brande. berry, Harvey Witherspoon, Joe Lawson and Joe Ainsworth.

Presiding was George Sisterhemn, with club dignitaries Roy Dunbar and Ed O'Kelley.

Fence Assn's. Cotorodo Meet

'Ihe International Fence Industry Association will hold its board of directors meeting in Vail, Colorado, this month.

Attending are S/esterners Robert OoDonnel, president of the IFIA, Master Fence Fittings, La Habra, Calif.; "Abe" Willis, Charley's Fence, Los Angeles, vp.; and sec.treasurer George Lyman, Albrite Fence Co.. San Bernardino.

In the 11 Western states, at last count, the new grades program had been presented by WWPA to 10,278 persons at 312 meetings, including 120 sessions attended by 3,470 distributors; 104 meetings fior 2,972 regulatory personnel, and 88 programs for 3,836 specifiers.

The five WWPA field men stationed in these ll states are available for presentation of the audio-visual program to groups, or for individual calls on dealers and other interested persons.

Their addresses and phone numbers are:

Chet Cowan, 1500 Yeon Bldg., Portland, Ore.97204, (503) 224-3930; Vic Riolo, Jr., 5533 Del Oro Court, San Jose, Calif. 95124, (408) 356-6658; Kay Kahus, 6632 E. Belleview, Scottsdale, Ariz. 85257, (602) 946B3B3; Larry B. Look, 6480 E. Mississippi Ave., Denver, Colo,80222, (303) 758-3874; Don P. Comstock, 4258 N. Bresee, Baldwin Park, Calif. 91706, (213) 337-3522.