Wood promotion program dead

The Wood Information Bureau of Southern California, the lumber industry's biggest promotional efiort in the second largest wood market in the nation, is closing up shop after recent contracts failed to renew the union clause that funded it. (See editorial, this issue, p. 4).

The agreement, in efiect from 1963 until June 30, 1969, provided that Il from the worker and lp from the employer per hour be spent for the promotion of wood and wood products, The contract was between the Lumber Employers Council and the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union Local No. 2288.

While in effect, WIB had done an amazingly efiective job in reaching the public on what was, for the market, a relatively small budget. WIB, in addition to trade magazine advertisements, billboards, bumper stickers and radio spots with the L. A. Dodgers baseball games, was able to get extensive publicity for wood in highly influential local newspapers.

Failure to renew the contract was generally blamed on the failure of all the negotiating units in the greater Los Angeles area to sign similar agreements. Union local 2288, covering only part of the workers involved, found itself alone among un- ion bargaining units in carrying the clause in their contracts. Union leaders who favored ig felt pressure from the membership which preferred tlle sick leave benefits enjoyed by other groups which did not have the wood promotion clause in their contracts.

Efforrs are now underway by management to establish a similar progr€un on a voluntary basis. It is envisioned that if established, the new organization would cencentrate on promoting member firms, something not done under the earlier agreement.

Dont & Russell Exponds H. Q.

Dant & Russell, Inc., Portland headquartered forest products marketing organization, has added the balance of the second floor in the President Bldg. to its office space, according to J. S. Heigel, president.

The Dant & Russell office expansion and modernization were originally scheduled for last November, Heigel noted. It was delayed, however, for nine months due to the inability of other tenants being able to find adequate space in other buildings.

Expansion and modernization of the D & R quarters were completed in early July.

Total space has been increased by almost fifty percent.

The expanded D & R office complex allows for more efficient department arrangement and operation, particularly in the import and export departments. Extra space is also provided for the rail and water sales departments. Heigel said the firm anticipates continuing growth in sales activities of all major departments.

Huge Africon Hondwood Operotion

Plans for an extensive wood products manufacturing and marketing operation in the Republic of Liberia, West Afrioa, have been announced by Vancouver Plywood Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Skelly oil.

The major part of the holdings is being acquired from Summit Lumber Co., Los Angeles. Majority ownership in Vanply of Liberia will be held by Vancouver Plywood with Liberian citizens and Summit Lumber sharing the remainder. There will be a sawmill, veneer and plywood mill at Greenville, Liberia, the largest facility of its kind in Africa with over 30 billion feet of prime hardwood timber available.

Slrmmit Lumber Co., with its expanded facilities in No. Long Beach, Calif., will handle sales for the entire United States and European markets.

Los Angeles: Bob Heberle 2131733-6858

San Francisco: Bob Macfie 415/871-9678

Roger Schuyler (Redwood Only)

SecretaryManager

D)EPRESENTATIVES from the various It lumb"r and wood pioducts organizations in the Phenix Area, met recently to form a Wood Promotion Coordinating Committee. The retailer's association was represented by yours truly. The other associations participating were: The Phenix Hoo-Hoo Club, the Phenix Hoo-HooEttes, The Southwest Pine Association, plus the area representatives for The 'Western Wood Products Association, American Plywood Association and the American Wood Council.

The purpose of this group is to develop promotional programs for the various industry organizations and to coordinate these programs for the mutual benefit of the entire lumber community.

Officers elected were: Ken Thompson, Southwest Pine Association, chairman; Gregory Moats, American Plywood Association, co-chairman and Gene Jarvis of the Hoo-Hoo-Ettes, secretary.

A second meeting was scheduled for July 28, a brain-storming session to de' velop tie-in programs and activities for the American Wood Council's promotion in Phenix this Fall.

The Arizona association intends to work closely with this group as they have long recognized the importance of local wood promotion. While a number of individuals in the Phoenix area have been long time leaders in industry promotion, this is the first time a group has been formed to weld the various groups together and direct them toward a specific goal.

The Arizona dssociation's marketing committee is working closely with the group and was briefed on the program by Charles Gehring, marketing manager of the American Wood Council, at a meeting July 23.

New members of the association are: Dor-Ways, Tucson; Cluers Valley Millwork and Thrift; Builders Supply East of Phenix.

Hoo-Hoo Grove Dedicotion Due

Dedication of the Hoo-Hoo Redwood Memorial Park and a bronze plaque honoring C.D. LeMaster will be held Sept. 13, at Prairie Creek State Park, near Orick, Calif., according to Hoo-Hoo district officer Larry Owen.

Snark of the Universe Ed Roche will represent Hoo-Hoo International along with vp. Wade Corey, secretary Ben Spriner, treasurer Clyde Haas and other members of the Supreme Nine. Hoo-Hoo is the oldest industrial fraternity in the U.S. and is composed almost exclusively of lumbermen.

The late C.D. LeMaster, driving force behind Hoo-Hoo for decades and long an active proponent of a Hoo-Hoo redwood grove, had been widely known as an example of all that's good in the lumber industry.

New Millwork Mqnuql

A newly revised manual of millwork, with broader coverage and improved definition of standards has been released by the Woodwork Institute of California.

In loose leaf binder form for easy updating, it is the first new edition in seven years, according to WIC exec. sec. Bernard B. o'Bud" Barber, Jr. The previous edition has had wide acceptance in the trade.

WIC recommends discontinuance of lumber terms when specifying the quality of architectural woodwork. They suggest the terms economy, custom or premium grade.

Old Yqrd Chonges, Keeps New

Doing a partial remodeling job to help cope with the need for several hundred more display feet, Blanchard Lumber Co. recently walled-up their old entry, put in a glass, double swinging door, complete with red carpet, and a canopy and are now using the new wall as a display area. The brothers Blanchard said the two week job was done with a minimum of inconvenience to custorners.