NBMDA Meeting ToPs 600

Industry spokesmen, outside experts on finance, sales management, econo' mics, informal rap sessions and in-depth round table discussions were much in evidence at the recent 25th annual spring sonvsntion of the National

Building Material Distributors Association held in Palm Springs, Ca. "The meeting attracted 25% more members than last spring's meeting in Florida", stated S. M. Van Kirk, exec. v.P. Industry consultant Richard W' Douglass, addressed his remarks to "Programmed Wholesalers: Can The Independent Distributor Compete?"

He concluded that through dealer service and an awareness of the retailer's problems, "the independent distributor is competing very well."

Economist Dr.Ezra Solomon, in his speech, was optimistic about the short' range and long-range prospects of the building material industry and the economy as a whole.

Hardware

A rich looking, dark colored Plush velvet behind decorator faucets can give a quality look appropriate to the price of the items you are selling. Fine hardwood paneling (but never cheapie vinyl imitations) can also produce the quality atmosphere that can be so helpful in moving higher priced items.

Curbing Employee Theft

(Continued from page 17 ) to more checking, and by the time "Y" returned from vacation there was literally a mountain of evidence against her.

"Y"'s method of operation was rather simple. On her cash sales report she understated the cash register tape category totals. For example, if the hardware total on the tape was $369.45 she listed it on the report as $339.45 and had $30.00 for herself. Her first theft occurred the first weekend in January, 1914, and that day her take was an even $100.00. By May and June 1975 her averase take was $40.00 per day.

In addition to cash, "Y" did very well by herself on materials for building a patio, remodeling a bathroom, and other projects to the tune of $1,800 simply by marking the charge ticket "Posted".

The total loss to "Y"'s employer was more than $16,000 of which the firm will recover S10,000 from its bonding company.

Case History f3

Employee "2" was the manager of a small three man yard. The owner had run a successful contracting business for years, and had begun the yard in order to buy direct. Over the years the yard had also become moderately profitable. Illness had caused him to give up active operation of the yard. Two sons, both of whom had businesses of their own, checked in occasionally to see what the sales volume was and to get a verbal report on progress from"Z".

During the next two years "2", with practically a free hand, (the owner had now become senile, but still signed checks) managed to make hay. He owned a four-wheel-drive recreational vehicle which he dressed up with chrome wheels, 2-way radio and every gadget invented-all at yard expense.

The yard installed an underground gas tank and pump, and as a part of that order, a second tank and pump was installed at "2"'s residence, and an oil company began making regular dumps, billing the yard, of course.

To show his ingenuity, he devised a "triple charge" system. If he went to the city on a buying trip, he took money from the cash register for estimated expenses, charged the actual expenses on a yard credit card, and finally turned in an expense account at the end of the month with the same amounts.

Oh yes, "2" also managed to build a vacation home with materials from the yard. The total loss in this case is unknown, but a listing of the known items pushed $25,000.

Firing a dishonest employee may not solve the problem of internal theft. Often this is only one of the signals pointing out another problem, that of ineffective management. Specifically, it may mean little or no middle-management effort.

A good internal security progrilm starts out with a set of rules which are fairly established, well publicized, impartially enforced and rigidly adhered to. This means all levels of management must get into the act.

The single most important deterrent to a dishonest employee is the knowledge that, if caught, discharge and criminal prosecution will follow as certainly as night follows day.

Regardless of the size of your business, if you have one employee or 100, you must have adequate internal security measures.

Ond Selecfed Soles Sids

Stalnless Steel Slnks

Lifetime Products has added five popular models of stainless steel sinks to its line of faucets and piping. The line offers durable, top quality, 20 gauge steel in three styles of sinks; single bowl, double bowl and bar-type.

Sinks are available in a choice of the exclusive "see yourself' diamond finish mirror finish and the exclusive "super-satin" finish. The bar type is available in the "super-satin" finish only.

They are packaged to allow consumers a broad choice of options on sinks, faucets and fittings.

The guarantee provides for replacement for any manufacturing defect, much the same as they handle replacement of other Lifetime Products.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca.92660.

Stlngy Air Heater

The Weather Rite div., Acrometal Products, has a new line of make-uP air heaters that produce heated makeup air with as little as l/5th the fuel normally required by conventional units. Called the Therm-O-Cell, it is the first time a modularly designed and completely self-contained makeup air unit has incorporated proven heat recovery cells as the PrimarY energy source.

Using cells made from folded aluminum energy transfer surfaces, the primary heat source modules of a Therm-O-Cell channel rtp to 80% of the heat energy from room temPerature exhausts directly into the incoming make-up airstream. At the same time, these interface surfaces prohibit cross contamination.

Any supplemental heat required to bring final make-up air temperatures to desired levels is then supplied by either gas, oil, steam, hot water or electric sources in the unit's final discharge module.

The lightweight transfer cells in the primary heat supply modules are removable and clean just like permanent air filters. A simple automatic control provides continuous freeze-up protection. An entire package has no more moving parts than many conventional make-up air heaters and overall system maintenance is minimal.

Since the units are delivered prepiped and pre-wired, actual field installation involves only a utilities "plue-in" and two duct connections, and the units are available in eight basic models.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach. Ca. 92660.

It's A Burn, Man!

A new line of gas water heaters with an innovative burner design by Jackson Water Heater is called "Flamemaster."

The new line features a burner whose pi.lot is an integral part of the main burner.

According to the firm, it provides not only greater efficiency, but also quick ignition and good carryover.

Constructed of high-temperature steel suited for continuous service, it is engineered with optimal port loading to give both maximum bttrner efficiency and heat transfer.

It has a high tensile steel tank that is fully glass-lined for maximum corrosion resistance. Water does not touch any unglassed surface.

In the event of a pilot outage, the gas thermostat }:'as IOO% shut-off. The thermostat also has a built-in high limit, or energy cut-off.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

Red-l-Flt D-l-Y Doors

Red-I-Fit interior doors are a new line of reversible interior doors (always the correct swing) designed for the d-i-yer that is now being manufactured and supplied by DE Doors, Inc., South El Monte. Ca.

Available in Philippine mahogany, hardboard, ash, birch, shina and the pre-finished walnut or oak color legacy model.They are drilled forlocks so no special tools are required. Widths available include Il6, l18, lllO, 210, 212, 214, 216, 2l8,2lto, and 3/0;theY are l-318" thick and 6' 8" high.

They are compactly merchandised in convenient kits so that onlY a hammer is needed to drive the six nails provided; installation takes just minutes.

Red-I-Fit hinges are completelY installed on door and jambs, which are | | I 16 x 4-9 | 16 finger-jointed California pine with eased edges for easy finishing. Finger joint stops have been applied. They have 2-l 18" drilled hole for a lock with l " side hole and are dapped to receive l" x 2-l 14" latch. Jambs are also precision dapped for 2-l/4" strike pIate.

Doors meet or exceed NWMA CSl7l-58 specs. The honeycomb kraft interior hollow core doors have strength, stability and lightness. Complete kit weighs 29 lbs.; one year NWMA guarantee, made in the USA.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

Automatic Saw Gontrol

New remote control Hendrick Mfg. Corp. box enables operator to safely run panel saw from anY distance. Control box features fractional hp. constant torque; independently variable speed control for forward and reverse; and a unique safety "limit" switch that stops saw immediately in either traverse.

Self-contained. it is built to withstand rugged industrial environments. It's dustproof, oil tight, and isenclosed in l6-gauge steel.

Free Reader Service

For more information on Ngw Products and Nsw Literatur€, write fte Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660. Please mention issue date and page number so we can process your request fasterl Many thanks!

It is standard equipment on all Hendrick automatic panel saws or is available as a console to retrofit any panel saw.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach. Ca.92660.

Ya Takes Yer Cholce

Five Rubbermaid items in a suggested "Your Choice $ 1.99" promotion include a vanity wastebasket, neat 'n tidy bucket, dishpan, twin sink dish drainer and storage bin for orders postmarked through August 31. Normal suggested retail prices for these items range from $2.49 to 52.79.

Two floor pre-packs merchandise the neat 'n tidy bucket and the dish drainer. The end cap assortment comes with a header sign and plan-a-gram for quick display in 54" and 72" heights.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca.92660.

Blg Ding-A-Ling

Chimes that not only sound distinctive but look distinctive as well are the new introductions by Trine Manufacturing.

The new "Park Avenue Line" of decorator door chimes offers three wall decor models:

(l) Westminster Chime No. 67; 4 solid brass sounding tubes suspended from a battery-operated decorator clock with hand-rubbed walnut finish. Produces 8 or 4 repeating chime tones; rear or side door, I note.

(2) Oval mirror in gold baroque frame chain-suspended from rosette, houses chime unit No.65.

(3) Ivory decorator planter is suspended from a double chain with rosette fixture; ivy and flowers included in chime No. 66.

The last two chime designs feature a 2-note front and I note rear door tone. Attractive display units, good dealer markup.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach. Ca. 92650.

Very Sticky, Old Boy

Super Drop, a high strength, fast setting adhesive, is now available from Ornsteen Chemicals.

This new cyanoacrylate adhesive has been specially formulated to achieve the strongest possible bond between well-mated, non-porous surfaces such as rubber, metals, plastics, glass, etc.

It is colorless, transparent, and cures rapidly. It achieves a tensile strength of up to 5,000 lbs. and can take the place of nails, rivets, screws, bolts, and other fastening methods. A single drop is recommended for applications up to one square inch. The cost per drop is less than /z cent making Super Drop one of the most economical fastening methods available.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

Tollet Installation Klt

Plumb Shop is introducing a "do-ityourself" toilet installation kit package in rich woodgrain with all components securely film wrapped for protection and displayed on a brilliant blue background.

The compact, sturdy corrugated carton requires far less shelf space than comparable, single-part packages. The uniquely designed handle doubles for peg hanging, and as a carryout for customer convenience.

The reverse side of the carton has easy-to-follow, precise graphic illustrations for simple, efficient installation. Suggested retail price is $9.99 (Order #1040).

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca.92660.

Plastlc Foundation Vents

A unique slider-type foundation vent manufactured by N. H. Rudeen Co. utilizes injection molded plastic in place of metal.

The unit, part of the "Perma-Vent" series. is available in the 8" x 16" size. It has a lintel that improves and speeds installation and an integral sliding shutter that provides smooth openclose action without requiring added swing clearance. It also has an insect screen. The clean lines help blend the appearance to the building.

NEW "25 P0Uf{DEB" bulk bin display for retail fastener sales, recently introduced by Rockford International features a new patented self-service display unit which holds forty 25-lb. bulk bin cartons of the most popular fasteners, available in selection of 250 different-sized items and in plain or plated finishes. Each modular display covers 4 sq. ft. and may be used as single display or expanded as multiple display by setting up the units back-to-back or side-by-side. Available at cost with minimal order of 40 bulk bins.

Designed to take rough handling and withstand adverse weather. the Perma-Vent fv-81 6LS foundation vent is injection molded with integral concrete gray plastic; a tough, rigid, impact-resistant material that is not harmed by concrete, lime, salt, and other chemicals. It withstands a broad range of temperature variations (from -45oF up to l80oF) and can be painted if desired.

It proviiles a high quality, yet most economical answer to the important job of venting foundation areas.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach. Ca. 92660.