A Tradition of Quality StimPrd" Fingerioin Studs and Dimension Lumber

Sfirnson fingerjointed StimProrM studs provide top performance and have an excellent reputation with contractors, remodelers and do-ityourselfers.

StimProrM fingerjointed framing lumber and studs meet or exceed industry specifications. Downfall is also minimized with Stimson fingerjoint studs. Fingerjointed dimension lumber and studs carry the same design values as their solid lumber counterparts, rnaking them 100% interchangeable.

Product Description

r StimProrM fingerjoints run across the face of the stud, better aligning the edges and minimizing offset.

o Fingerjoint adhesive is 100% exterior glue.

o Precision end triming is available up to 14 ft.

o Double end trimming is available up to 40 ft".

o All edges are 1/4-inch eased.

o StimProTM fingerjointed lumber has certfied exterior joints, stamped "CERT EXT JNTS".

Species r Fir Larch o Spruce, Pine, Fir (SPF-s) o Whitewood

All kiln dried 19% or less.

Sizes o Lengths up to 40 ft.

Grades o Stud o No. 2 and Better o lndustrial Crades

Code Acceptances

Fingerjointed studs are accepted by the International Building Code as well as the Model Building Codes (UBC, BOCA, Southern Standard) which are in effect in some jurisdictions.

Quality Control

Stimson fingerjoints are continually tested to insure the bond is sound and meet eKerior standards. lndividual pieces are then systematically selected for load testing to assure bending and tension forces meet or exceed those for the same grade in conventional framing. Each piece is \IVWPA grade marked as "Certified Exterior Joints" for both vertical and horizontal applications, while improving stability.

Lowe's Entering Canada

Lowe's plans to open its first stores in Canada by 2001.

"Canada is a unique market, and we believe the Lowe's shopping experience will be attractive for Canadian homeowners and commercial customers," said president and c.e.o. Robert A. Niblock.

The chain's initial plan is to open six to l0 stores and hire about 1,700 employees in the Toronto area. Longrange plans include opening as many as 100 Lowe's stores in Canada. as opportunities for expansion arise.

Doug Robinson has been named president of Canadian operations. Later this year, the company will open an office in Toronto where Robinson and his team will be headquartered.

Ace Expanding On The Coast

Seattle, Wa., San Diego, and Orange County, Ca., are among the eight top markets Ace Hardware Corp. is looking at to increase its presence.

Up until recently, Ace had focused on growth by convincing stores to switch over from competing co-ops. According to John Venhuizen, direc- tor of new business development: "In the last six years, we converted 765 of our competitors, and that strategy was so successful that we were running out of options."

The strategy is now to open new locations. Ace opened 133 new stores in 20O4 and anticipates 180 openings this year. In January, the co-op created a 16-member team to look for new sites and new investors.

"When we look at where we want to place a store," Venhuizen explained, "we want to go where the big boxes already are. We always like to intercept locations between homes and the big boxes."

Other markets Ace is eyeing include Indianapolis, In.; Cincinnati, Oh.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Baltimore, Md., and Houston, Tx.

Ace currently has over 5,100 stores in more than 62 countries.

Harvest Up In Oregon

The timber harvest in Oregon rose by almost a half billion bd. ft. in 2004, according to the annual timber harvest report compiled by the Oregon Department of Foresty.

A strong housing market and favorable interest rates helped push the 2004 harvest to 4.45 billion bd. ft., compared to 4 billion in 2003. Additional logging by private forestland owners fueled much of the increase. Lane and Douglas counties ranked first and second in timber production.

Logging by the U.S. Forest Service increased by 66Vo, from 203 million bd. ft. in 2003 to 337 million bd. ft. in 2004. Harvesting in Oregon's national forests focuses on improving forest health and reducing wildfire damage.

Knives Stolen In Forks

Knives and l6 handguns were stolen during an early morning burgulary on June 14 at Forks True Value Lumber and Hardware, Fork, Wa. Seattle, Wa.-based agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are working with local police on the investigation. So far, no suspects have been named, but a "person of interest" has been named and is being sought for questioning.

The guns ranged from .22-caliber pistols to 9mm handguns and were valued at $3,000, said store owner Bob Stark. No information was siven for the knives.