NN O NTANA trws

By R.V. PETERSEN executive secret€lry

pUNCE'S Eureka Home Cenrer

L\ is a new establishment at Eureka, and a new MBMDA member. followine purchase of the former Lindsey Lumbei and Building Supplies by Bob Runge. Jack O'Eriari 'has purchased -the Blaine Lumber Co., Chinook. from Clarence Boe and will continue the operation under that trade style.

- Chuck Lien is new owner-manaqer of Three Forks Lumber Co., Three Forks. as a result of a recent transaction. Former manager, Wes Weston will stay in^ an advisory capacity for the balance ol the year.

Dick Roberts has purchased the former Affiliated Buildine Materials yard at Whitehall and will olerate under the name of Whitehall Buildine Materials, Inc., with Homer Miller con-tinuing in the capacity of manager.

Affiliated Home Centers have acquired Montana Mercantile Co., Missoula, and will operate the facility in conjunction with Montana Hardware Co.. Butte. The Great Falls branch of Montana Hardware has been closed.

E. R. Young Co., Billings distributor, has opened a new branch at Missoula under the management of Daryl Haider. New manager for Affiliated Building Materials, Deer Lodge, is Pat Meagher. Amsterdam Lumber Co.. Amsterdam. is now managed by Steve Heersink. a change permitting Hank Dyksterhouse to concentrate on prefabbing operations. the tag line on a tune that's currently among the favorites in countrv and westein music.

Affiliated Buildine Materials has announced the appointment of Chuck Suder as director ofpurchasing and Don Herman as manager of advertising and sales Dromotion: both are in the Missoula headquarters office.

Superior sales performance has brought Tavy Parker, U.S. Gypsum representative, President Club membership.

New lace in the Missoula area for Kaiser Cement & Gypsum is that of Graydon Eckert. His predecessor. Jack McCallister, has been transferred to merchandising responsibilities at Oakland. Ca.

The balladier talks about situations that people find themselves in which appear to be rather serious. On questioning, they can always see a brighter side, so - as he says - "l guess the-y are making the besi of a" bad situation."

That same tas line could be aoolied to the retail and- wholesale lumb'er distributors over the Dast few months or perhaps even a year. In some instances it could go further back than just a year.

Let'i look ar the availability of lumber. Not too long ago it was hard to get and the price was high. The iholesaler and ietailer kept wo-rking on finding enough supply for his customers.

The wholesaler endeavored to buy at the most favorable price: the retailer sold at a normal mark--up althoueh he could have held the coniractor ui. The mills didn't truly appreciate the i:ffort of the wholesaler and for sure the contractor didn't appreciate the retailer even though the retailer had done his level best to keep material flowing to the job at reasonable prices. In spite of this the wholesaler and the retailer kept on . . "making the best of a bad situation."

Strikes occur in the industry - either affecting lumber distribution or its availability. Perhaps neither the retailer or wholesaler are involved. It's iust a disturbance in a link of the diitribution chain. And ultimately it brings about an increase in the pri6e of lu-rnber. The retailer and the wholesaler keep right on going, trying to keep abreast of the market and "iust makins the best of a bad situation."

Interest rates go increasingly higher and the cost of thi product go'ei up.itre increase in interest rates slows down construction and tends to decrease the retailers' dollar volume. As prices go up and interest rates increase. the retailer is faced with an ever increasins cost of operation in the face of a conceivably d.iminishing market. But by and largi the retailer lumbermeri and the wholesale lumbermen hane in there. "just making the best'of a bad situation."

Or maybe a mass merchandiser decides to set up shop down the street or a few blocks away. The retail lumber dealer usually has some fear and trepidation about his new competitor. But he will stay in business and rindoubtedly do better than before so it can be said that he is 'Just making the best of a bad situation."

If you analyze the retail and wholesale lumber distributor - it can be said that they are always for one reason or another 'Just making the best of a bad situation." And that's what makes them all such outstandine individuals. That's what makes them a'il great competitors. That's what makes thim all community minded and civic oriented. That's whai makes the lumber industry one of the very best and a pleasure to be part of. In that respect - lT CAN'T BE SAID - that we are "iust makine the best of the situation.n

Mqnufqcluren

Window ond Door Frqmes

Derqiled Millwork

Wqrdrcbes o Louvers

Distributors

Folding Doors

Mosoniie Heritoge Brick Ponelg lermite Gontrol ond Pe:ticides

Cox Hordwsre

Lite-Beoms

K-Lux ond Emco

Woddell qnd Foro Wood Mouldingr

Timely Sofety Decol:

Fomowood ond Epoxybond