And The D-l-Y Survey Says...

(Continued from previous page) ment. Credit the booming economy for their confidence to improve their surroundings.

Not surprisingly, the younger sect doesn't mind rolling up its sleeves and performing home improvements themselves. Of those surveyed, at least 36Vo of Baby Boomers, Gen-Xers, and Gen-Yers said they're d-i-y proud, compared to l87o of Seniors willing to do the work themselves.

Home improvement spending continues at healthy levels, according to the study, which said that half of all consumers surveyed spent over $500 on home improvement in the last six months. E-commerce purchases are still lagging, however, judging from only one in l0 online shoppers sur- veyed reported making an Internet-based home improvement purchase within that same time period.

The economy gets another pat on the back for allowing consumers to think about buying a new home in the next year, with Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers leading the way (lOVo each), followed by Boomers (97o) and Empty Nesters (77o).

Ad inserts were the overwhelming method of influencing consumer's shopping decisions. Filly 827o claim to read the inserts, while 44Vo say they make home improvement purchases from them. What's more, 50% of those asked said they plan home improvement shopping trips around items they've seen in ad inserts.

2 More B2B Exchanges Coming

Joining a fast-crowding field, two more companies are launching electronic marketplaces for building materials.

YardConnect.com, Seattle, Wa., is targeting producers and buyers of structural lumber and panel products, while OpenShelf.com, San Francisco, Ca., is bringing together hardware and home improvement retailers, distributors and manufacturers.

Similar to an exchange for stocks or commodities, YardConnect.com's exchange will facilitate online transactions based on real-time pricing information and with no membership fee. Unlike a catalog or auction platform, the business-to-business exchange will allow participants to set and adjust wholesale lumber bids on current market prices, demand, and other factors.

"We chose to focus on structural lumber and panels because it offers the most potential for enhancing existing trading relationships," says Steve Brown, ceo and cofounder. "A high percentage of a lumberyard's inventory is solid wood, so the better informed buyers and sellers are about the market, the more it affects their profitability."

With the exchange set for full-scale launch this summer, the company has in the meantime unveiled its Web site to inform potential participants, including sawmills, wholesalers, dealers, reman plants, and brokers.

YardConnect's advisory board includes Jack Creighton, Jr., former Weyerhaeuser ceo; Tom Stephens, exMacMillan Bloedel, and R. Keith Barton, ex-James Hardie.

OpenShelf, which recently received $6.5 million in firstround financing, hopes to increase the speed and efficiency of retail purchasing by providing up-to-the minute product and pricing information from manufacturers.

Advisors include Kenneth Cort, former ceo and president of Hechinger's, as well as executives from AOL and Andersen Consulting.

Ceda Pine

Hampton Acquires LSV

Hampton Lumber Sales, Portland, Or., has agreed to acquire Lane Stanton Vance Lumber Co., City of Industry, Ca., including plants in Oakland, El Cajon and San Marcos, Ca., and its affiliate Custom Mills, Inc.

Lynn Monthaven, sales manager, will serve as general manager of LSV operations, according to Ron Parker, Hampton president and ceo, and will report to Greg Lampros, who oversees distribution.

While no purchase price was disclosed, the transaction was expected to close in early July.

SPL Converting Timberlands

Sierra Pacific Industries, Redding, Ca, plans to convert much of its land into tree plantations during the next century.

The firm owns 1.52 million acres of Northern California timberland that stretches over 350 miles from Mount Shasta to Yosemite National Park.

In a plantation system, modern methods can substantially increase per-acre timber production, according to company officials. These methods include using healthier, genetically selected trees, applying herbicides to thin competition that might stunt growth and culling trees to precise spacing.

While the plan has been criticized, company officials said decades of selective cutting has emptied the forests of good timber, necessitating the change.

"I've been accused of cut-and-run, but really we're cutting less than we're growing so we can build our inventory to sustain ourselves," said Tim Feller, a Sierra Pacific district manager.

. Fovoroble cost, especiolly long-term. No uneven weor, or splitting between growth rings. Conioins no tonnins thot couse unsightly block stoins. . Noturolly resistont to decoy ond insects.

. Strong. [on use thinner mohogony thon softwoods, further teducing costs.

Holds noils or screvtn very well.

. Sourced fiom countries thot ore leoders in ecologicol, sustoined forestry proctices.

In-Store Loan Arrangers Ride

Hi'yo, Silver-and plenty of green, too! By autumn, Home Depot locations nationwide will be offering instore loans to d-i-yers, enabling patrons to immediately commence their home-improvement shopping.

Credit lines of $3,000-$30,000 will be extended to qualifying customers. who can spend the money only at Home Depot stores and Expo Design Centers.

The Atlanta, Ga.-based firm is contemplating offering loans on its revamped Web site, expected to debut in Las Vegas, Nv., in late June or early July. Additional cities are planned to be added this year.

The site reportedly will offer over 40,000 products.

Depot Allies With Allstate

As part of a new alliance, Home Depot will supply building materials to Allstate Corp. customers in need of home repairs.

The insurance firm anticipates saving between $30 to $50 million in claim expenditures this year by having their adjusters work with Home Depot's 977 U.S. stores.

For now the agreement, which began in January, pertains only to flooring replacement.

Depot Eyes Parking Garage

Home Depot has submitted plans to build a 109,300-sq. ft. store and 14,700-sq. ft. garden center in Beaverton, Or., complete with a twostory garage.

Due to a local development code, the chain will have to build the store on J.2-acres, a somewhat smaller site than normal. Thus, the need for the parking garage.

A public hearing will be held before the Beaverton planning commission JtuJy 12, followed by a ldy 21 design board meeting to review the plans.

Ace Debuts New Magazine

Ace Hardware has launched a new. free magazine for its preferred customers.

Ace homeplace features articles on d-i-y projects, plus tips and ideas. NFL announcer and Ace spokesman John Madden also will regularly pen a column.

Ace retailers who do not offer the Helpful Hardware Club may sell individual issues or offer complimentary copies at checkout areas.

Lumberman Turns To Hemp

Despite facing criminal charges from past hemp-infested concerts, William Conde, the embattled owner of Conde's Redwood Lumber Co., Harrisburg, Or., plans to hold another World Hemp Festival July 14-16.

"I've got no choice. My lumber business is really roughed up," Conde said. "I'm in major debt from last year and it's the only cash cow I've got."

Conde claims that business has decreased dramatically since his firm was searched by police in September 1 998.

"It's started a downward spiral that's really hard to check," he said. "Sales last year were off 407o-507o."

Currently under indictment from allegations that he participated in the delivery of a controlled substance and hindered prosecution (see Feb., p. 31), Conde said he is in the midst of holding an inventory clearance sale and has put his 15.42-acre property up for sale.

"To close down a business that took me 30 years to build is really heart-wrenching," he said. "It's up for sale. I'm asking a price for it and if it sells, it sells. But I won't waver on the price." The property includes the lumberyard, Conde's home and the music festival grounds.

It's A Frame-Up

A l6-p., full-color brochure on the E-Z Frame System is free from Willamette Engineered Wood Products, Drawer I100, Ruston, La. 7 127 3: (87'7 ) 303-7 263.

That's AllThe Roof You Need

The 2000 Business Resources catalog for shingle roofing and remodeling contractors is free from CertainTeed Box 860, Valley Forge, Pa. 19482; (800) 404-9880.

I Pine For Southern Pine

The Southern Forest Products Association catalog is free from the Southern Pine Council, Box 641700, Kenner, La.70064; (504) 443-4464.

Chi-Town Hardware Fest

A full-color guide to the Aug. 13-16 National Hardware Show & Building Products Exposition, which includes a registration application, is free from the National Hardware Show. Box 591. Brookfield, If. 605 I 3; (888) 425-9377

Wall In The Family

A brochure on SelecTimber interlocking polythylene retaining wall components is free from SelecTech, Inc., 15 4th St., Taunton, Ma. 02780; (508) 828-4200.

Just A Grind

A horizontal and vertical air grinder brochure is free from ATP. (800) 245I 148.

The Roof Of The Matter

A 40-p., full-color catalog of roofing products is free from Globe Building Materials, lnc., 2230 Indianapolis Blvd., Whiting, ln. 46394; (800) 456-5649.

Royal Flush

A brochure on the Nexen toilet tank fill valve and repair kit is free from Dearbom Brass, (800) 527-8443.

Stick To lt Like Glulam

A 60-p. guide to installing Classic Glulams is free from Willamette Industries, Inc., 1300 SW 5th. Ave., Portland, Or. 97 2Ol ; (888) 650-6332.

Live & Let Lift

A pair of 8-p., full-color G5 Series pneumatic tire lift truck brochures are free from Daewoo Heavy Industries America Corp., 4350 Renaissance Pkwy., Warrensville Heights, Oh. 44128; (800) 323-9662.

Window Seat

A 4-p. brochure on Series 2000 vinyl windows is free from Fiberlux, Inc.; (800) 688-77 l l.

The lceman Cometh

A 34-p. guide to the WinterGard Wet roof and gutter de-icing system is free from Raychem HTS, 300 Constitution Dr., Menlo Park, Ca. 94025; (800) 542-8936.

Lift Of Center

An l8-p., full-color brochure on the new FGl5K-35K and FD20K-35K pneumatic tire forklifts is free from Mitsubishi, 2011 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N., Houston, Tx. 77 043:' (888) 648-5438.