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The new values represent a 25Vo to 3O7o reduction in load-carrying capacity.

--

The last major change for visually graded dimension lumber occurred in 1991, when design values for southern pine and other North American species were published based on in-grade testing of full-size samples of commercially produced lumber. Since 1994, SPIB has conducted an annual resource monitoring program developed in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory.

SPIB is the first rules-writing agency to publish new design values reflecting these changes. Rules-writing agencies responsible for other species are in different stages for evaluating design values.

Dealers have options

Lumber dealers need to understand that, in spite of the lower design values now in effect, options exist for using southern pine materials. One option is to specify that a customer use a larger size and/or higher grade of visually graded southern pine lumber. Another option is to use machine stress rated lumber and mechanically evaluated lumber.

Those in the building supply chain also need to understand that design values for mechanically graded lumber, timbers and specialty items did not change. For all products, sources of supply can be found within SFPA's online Product Locator at www.southernpine.com.

What about codes?

New design values are incorporated into the building codes by reference through the National Design Specification (NDS). The American Wood Council (AWC) has issued an addendum to its Design Values for Wood Construction. a supplement to the NDS, referencing the new southem pine values.

AWC is submitting new span and application tables to the Intemational Codes Council. as well as proposing other code and standard changes needed to incorporate new design values into the building codes.

State and local code jurisdictions determine adoption and enforcement timelines. Rules-writing agencies are responsible for making new design values publicly available upon approval by the ALSC Board of Review. SFPA and AWC are actively assisting these efforts by providing the new information to the design. specification, user and enforcement communities. It is then the responsibility of building code jurisdictions to determine how and when to besin enforcement.

Lmportant Next Steps

Throughout the transition period and moving forward, SFPA has continued to provide more information as it becomes available. Check southernpine.com frequently for updates. Dealers will find many of their questions answered by reviewing a comprehensive set of Q&A on the site; visit the page tagged New Design Values.

"Since last fall, SFPA has worked closely with organizations representing lumber dealers to keep them informed of the market implications these changes might have," says Cathy Kaake, SFPA's senior director of engineered and framing markets. "The intent of the six-month transition period was to allow the marketplace time to begin to use the new design values or switch to other southern pine grades or sizes meeting strength and stiffness requirements."

SFPA does not test lumber or establish design values. Its primary function is to market lumber products and to help users understand southern pine grading rules and design values.

Moving forward, the southern pine industry will fill our the full in-grade testing matrix, sampling Select

Structural 2x4s. No. 2 and Select

Structural 2x8s. and No. 2 and Select

Structural 2x10s. SPIB and Timber Products will conduct destructive lests in bending, tension and compression,

Building-hoducts.com plus gather stiffness and property data. Following this in-grade reassessment, southern pine will continue to be annually monitored with destructive tests.

Southern pine's strength remains comparable to other softwood species used in residential and commercial construction. "The strength and superior treatability of southern pine lumber against decay and termitcs continues to provide a great value for manufacturers, designers, builders and consumers." Kaake notes. "The extensive testing protocols used assure that everyone involved in the specification, sale and use of our products has the most current information about how southern pine lumber can be used confidently and economically.

"Component manufacturers, treaters and design-build professionals have many southern pine product options available to them. These customers cern achieve the required product performance by identifying a particular design value, choosing fiom a number of visual grade selections. or specifying their choice of mechanically graded lumber."

Old World Crafumanship In Today's Designs

Ffand Hewn Distressed Timbers

Geo. M. Huff Lumber Company is now offering Hand Hewn Distressed Timbers in a variety of sizes, shapes and lengths.

All our distressed beams are WCLIB grade stamped and will meet structural and architectural applications. All are hand tooled and can be ordered with custom stains and Old World finishes.

'We can supply timbers to any specification, whether it is Dense, Free of Heart Center, #l/Btr, Select

Structural, Green or RFV Kiln Dried.

When a plan calls for exposed posts and timbers, count on us to provide you with a product that will last a lifetime.

Combine our selection of Douglas fir timbers along with our skilled milling staff and you've got one of the best resources in Southern California.

FOUR MARINES-Ryan Rodriguez, Anthony Hodge, Adam Jennings, and Jordan Stoumbaugh-played in the 5th annual Don Gregson Memorial Golf Tournament hosted Mav 18 bv the Southern California Hoo-Hoo Club at San Dimas Golf Club,'San D'imas, Ca., which benefits the Wounded Warrior Project and the City of Hope. For more event pholos, see pages 38-39.

Romantic Lumberman Woos on TV

Tony Picpcr. a lunrber tradcr at Grccnrvclod Prodr-rcts, North Plains. Or.. surrii'cd thc f-irst rouncl of elirninations its a contcstant on thc latcst scasotr ol'Tlrc lJuLltelorettc.

Accurdir.rg to thc show's rvebsite. Picpcr considcrs hinrsclf a nrnrantic. "Vcry much so," hc is quotcd as slyirrg, "bccausc u,hcn I anr rvith sornconc who I think is vcry special. I'm always thinking about ronrantic things I can do lirr thern."

IIis romantic anoloach stood hinr r.i'ell riith thc sho.,v's bachelorcttc. Enrilv Maynard. who was irlplessed ri'hen hc arrivecl carrying a pillorv bcaring a clcar. high-heclecl shoe. "Thc narle's f'l.ranring. Princc Charnring." hc said. When the shoe flt. he aclclecl, "l think ['r,'e lbuncl n.ry princess."

Pieper. 31. has bccn witli Grccnr,iood since 200,1.

Family Business: It's My Turn

1Crtrttittrrcd.f rorrt ptrgc 20) strcss. Succession isn't lrcccssarv thc lcsult o1'a "crisis" ri'ithin thc I'anrill' busincss.

Another complication can occur whcn tl.rc furnill' busincss leadcr nraintlins financial control of thc conrpant' u'hilc turning the clay-to-clay operatit)n ovcl to anotlrcr' mcmber o1'the lamily. Powcr is cliviclecl, ancl thc ncxt -gcn- eration ticr isn't lully ablc to indcpcnclcntlv chun-ue or' expancl . The now-lbnncr c.e.o. rnay bc also obligatecl to pay cnrployccs and othcr ovcrhcacl expcnscs cvcn if tl'rc company experiences a clolvnturn as thc rcsult ol'thc lransi tion. Thc time-lvorn issr.rcs involvecl with parcnt chilrl bonds of clependence arc also a fnctor. u,ith the child trying to establish new roles of inclepenclence.

As with the relay race.lrlannin-g ahcacl is thc kcy to sLlcccss. Know ),our runncrs and tl.reir indiviciual strcngths. Who is the lastest at thc start'l Who has n sustained start'.) Who has a stronq finish'l In a farnily busincss. skills ncecln't be droppcd.just bccausc one lanrily nrcnrbcr is in trlnsition to a position of lcss involvcment.

The tirning of any business transition is critical. Pmcrastination can beconre a hcalthy attributc w'hcn you'rc trying to have the business sutllr as littlc chaos as possiblc fiom anv transition of power. In other circumstanccs. such as when a senior family executive's declining powers result in poor decision-making, speed can be essential. In any event, it is necessary for the entrepreneur to work hard to plan a succession.

It's important to realize that there is a window of opportunity for a smooth hand off of power and control. The children need time to develop the skill set necessary to carry the business forward. They need the concentrated mentoring of the outgoing c.e.o. or president. Similarly, the patriarch must realize that the children may want to make changes in day-to-day operations. Change is natural, even when someone else initiates it, even by a son or daughter.

The next generation needs to be allowed to take risks similar to what the senior entrepreneur took to gain his or her own competence and skill set. But watching the next generation take risks with your business takes a certain amount of lip biting.

And don't forget the post-transition problems. Now that the entrepreneur has less responsibility to the family business, and more leisure time, what will he do with the energy and time once devoted to the business? Planning retirement and leisure time may actually be necessary.

A succession plan that involves both the new relay runners at the helm of the business as well as the entrepreneur's diminishing participation can help the business transition go smoothly. Here are essential elements of a succession plan:

Make continued business leadership a key goal. This can be accomplished through a series of planned meetings with family-member owners to discuss their goal, wishes and concerns.

Gather, analyze and share financial information on the company and on current owners, including ownership percentages, tax records and tax commitments, value of the business, and organizational structure.

Remember that taxes may be a key factor in any transition of business. A comprehensive estate plan for any outgoing shareholder should be considered.

Strive for a balance of equity. Answer these questions definitively: How many business assets will remain with the senior entrepreneur? How much will be passed onto heirs, both inside and outside the company?

Work hard to clear up the major muddy area of how much parental authority will be exercised over the children. How much should the senior entrepreneur pass on to the children? How much should these children be required to earn and do for themselves?

These are difficult questions that require objectivity and, therefore, generally require an outside consultant who has no emotional investment. These objective decisions must be made in the best interest of the business.

Once upon a time, it was simpler. But today, with all that is at stake and all the complications of the day, it's a wise leader who knows how to pass business responsibility to his children. When asked who should run Ford Motor Co., Henry Ford said that "asking who will run the family business is a little like asking who will sing tenor in the choir-the tenor of course."

- James OLan Hutcheson is managing partner and founder of ReGeneration Partners, a Dallas-based family business consulting firm. Reached him at (800) 406-1112 or www.regenerationpartners.com.

Reprinted with pemission oJ ReGeneration Partners. No porlion o.f this article muy be renr,duced fithout its oermissit,n.

ssSpend money once."

Cary Hamilton, Hamilton Construction

How does Cary Hamilton weather the challenges of building high-end homes in Steamboat Springs, Colorado? For one, he uses pointSlX Durastrand Flooring with its innovativetapered edge. Learn why, along with other insights into creating success long-term, by watching "Three Things |tve learned: Tips from Seasoned Protr" one in a series of short high-value videos from pointSlX and Ainsworth Engineered.

Armor for the Attic

Attic Armor insulation from Fi-Foil Co. uses gasfilled panels to reduce heating and cooling costs.

Baffled polymer chambers are enveloped by a sealed barrier and filled with air or a variety of inert gases. Packaged flat, it expands to l 5" thick at thejob site.

The product is fiber-free and does not off-gas, plus is resistant to mold and moisture.

I FI-FOIL.COM

(800) 448-3401

i.lailing Goncrete

Simpson Strong-Tie's GCN-MEP gas-actuated nailer is designed for attaching mechanical, electrical and plumbing fixtures to concrete, concrete block, and metal deck.

Cordless and portable, the tool can shoot common gas drywall track pins.

T STRONGTIE.COM/ANCHORSYSTEMS

(800) 999-5099

Foam lnsulation

Foam-Control Plus+ from ACH Foam Technologies can insulate perimeters, under slabs, cavity walls, sheathing, pre-cast concrete, and green roofs.

The EPS architectural-grade insulation is moisture resistant and available in a variety of thicknesses.

T ACHFOAM.COM

(800) 525-8697

Transcendent Decking

Advanced Building Products has re-introduced Mortar Maze.

Designed for masonry cavity-wall applications, the product breaks up mortar droppings and allows water to drain from the wall assembly.

It's available in 5-ft. panels in l" and 2" thicknesses and widths of I 1" and 16".

I ADVANCEDBUILDINGPRODUCTS.COM

(8OO) 2s2-2306

PVG Golumn Wrap

New PVC column wraps from WOLF Building Products fit 4"x4" and 6"x6" structural supports.

A patented snap design makes one-person installation quick and easy.

The wraps can be combined with other WOLF PVC mouldings, including crowns and bases.

I WOLFLEADER.COM

(800) 388-9653

Colorful Vinyl Siding

PlyGem's American Splendor vinyl siding has color-enhanced resins for increased color retention and consistency, plus fade and weather resistance.

The proprietary RigiTuck rolled nail hem ensures a tight fit, while the Xact-Fit lock and curl design delivers six-layer attachment points per panel.

Three profiles and 24 colors are available in 12'6" leneths.

T PLYGEM.COM

(888) 97s-9436

Lights for Decks

AZEK Building Products has added illuminated post caps and lighting strips for decks.

The new post caps use multiple LEDs to provide ambient lighting. The Villa model is available in white and black, with frosted lenses on all sides. Island comes in white, black, brownstone, and kona.

The LED lighting strips come in 6' and 8' lengths that can be cut to fit under top rails, to provide continuous downlighting without visually distracting hot spots.

I AZEK.COM

(817) 275-2935

A, O"., Lurnber Service, we supply domestic and foreign hardwoods. Our products and services include:

. flardwood Lumber & Pine

Flardwood Plywood &Veneers

. Melarnine Plywood

. Hardwood Moulding (alder, cherry, mahogany, MDF, maple, red oak, paint grade, pecan hickory, white oak, walnut, beech)

Milling (rnoulding profiles, S2S, SLRIE, SLR2E, & resawn lumber)

Voodworking Accessories (appliques, omaments, butcher blocks, corbels, etc.)

.'W'oodworking Supplies (deft finishes, color putty, adhesives, etc.)