Staff Cuts Mark Last Step Of TruServ Restructuring

TruServ Corp. has begun another round of restructuring and streamlining of its corporate staff said to effectively complete a 20-month strategic plan to merge True Value, ServiStar and Coast to Coast organizations.

New initiatives include closing satellite support offices in Chicago and Schiller Park, Il.; reorganizing the corporate staff, and reducing staffby l5Vo through attrition, elimination of duplicate or overlapping functions, and voluntary early retirement.

As part of the restructuring, Daniel T. Burns, formerly senior v.p., general counsel and corporate secretary, was promoted to exec. v.p.-administration.

Two others received expanded positions. Brian Schnabel, exec. v.p.-business development, is now responsible for merchandising, advertising, marketing, sales, e-commerce, international, inventory management and paint manufacturing. Exec. v.p.-logistics Timothy Troy is directing all distribution and transportation activities.

During the preceding 18 months, TruServ shuttered one of two paint manufacturing facilities, closed six of 25 distribution centers, reconfigured two distribution centers, expanded three others and opened a regional distribution center in Hagerstown, Md.

Hardboard Siding Renamed

Collins Products, LLC, is changing the name of its hardboard siding and trim products from Weyerhaeuser Hardboard Siding to TruWood.

Since acquiring Weyerhaeuser Co.'s Klamath Falls, Or., hardboard plant in 1996. Collins continued to market the products under the Weyerhaeuser name.

Weyerhaeuser will continue to distribute the full line of TruWood products through its Building Materials Distribution customer service centers in the West.

Strawboard Maker Expands

Isobord Enterprises, Inc. plans to build two more strawboard manufacturing facilities in North America, the second of a multi-phase expansion program that could include up to six plants.

The company expects to complete site selection later this year and construct the second plant next year and the third in 2001.

"We find that local lumberyards aren't up to speed with technology the way their customers are. Contractors we work with often use the Internet at night to check their invoices. Even if the store is closed, they can send us e-mail."

- Jim Hopwood, v.p. offinance, Wickes Inc.

The first plant, which started up last August in Elie, Manitoba, Canada, annually produces 144 million bd. ft. of 314" Isobord panels. The new plants will push the firm's total capacity over 480 million bd. ft.

Isobord also revealed plans to move into the value-added business. In addition to manufacturing commodity panels, the company will explore immediate options for laminating and milling its product in Canada.