ACTIVE DISTRIBUTION

WHO WE ARE

Arlive Distribution is a full-*rvice ntrehour ottration which sptlializt: in the storage dnci distribution oi sptti.rltv ancl commtxlitl prtxlucts. r\ w,ide rarietv of rtlue-.rclclrtl *rvicc, unitlue in the industrv, is oftl'red kr both m.rnufatlurers anri retailers.

OUR LOCATION

With its hc.rdqudrters in the F)rt citv of Skxktttn, C.rliforni.t, Active [)is tributiorr c.rn quicklv acctss major grpulation centers of the Wtst.rs rcadilr' .rs it hancils intern.rtion.rl imn)rts.tnd exta)rts.

Facility

r\ l0,()(X) sq. ft. warehou* anri l-l .rcrts of *cured skrr.rge .rllow the f-lcxibilitv n{surv for hanclling m.rnv tvlu of prtducls, including lumllr ancl plvmxxl. Mrxlt'rn rvarehousing svstems,.rnd n state-()f-the-art c()mprrtcr netw ork tr.rck r\c1ive I)istributit)n's olxrati()n.

Service Oftions

California Classics Debut

California Millworks, Pacoima, Ca., entertained 350 at an open house to introduce its new California Classics line of solid oak entry doors, garden windows and swinging patio doors.

An entire bay of the factory was reorganized to accommodate displays and representatives of Truth Hardware, Reflectolite Rollers and Locks, Schiegel Weatherstripping, Amglas, Neiman-Reid Wholesale Lumber Supply, West Coast Lumber, Weber Plywood and CF Imports, all suppliers to the firm.

Hourly tours of the 74,000 sq. ft. facility were conducted by some of the company's 250 employees. Special emphasis was placed on the new customer service van which is telephone-equipped to handle emergency problems.

"The main objective of this open house was to formally introduce our three new products. however, we also see it as an opportunity to get closer to all the people and companies who are critical to our success," Joe De Mieri, California Millworks president, said.

California Millworks has an entry door division, also in Pacoima, a stain shop in Van Nuys and a glass facility in Chatsworth.

0PE1{ H0USE at California Millworks Coro.. Pacoima, Ca., for vendors. (ll oresident Joseph L. DeMieri, senior v.p. Art 0lsen. l2l exec. v.p.s Gary Farris and Steve Miller, advertising v.p. Bob Barritt. 13l sales v.p. Ray Kosanke, ad rep. Jill Franke. l4l mill supervisor Ken Kirby, plant mgr. Jelf Brothers. l5l Shawn Tuflila, Debbie Shaw, Dave Gerken, Carin Miller, Gene Guilbault, Laura Nasdoni. Mitch Naraiio.

First Gypsonite Off Line

The first gypsum fiberboard to be produced in the United States is being made by Highland American Corp. in East Providence, R.1., for marketing and distribution by Furman Lumber Inc.

The product, Gypsonite, is said to have benefits over conventional wallboard. Due to the solid mixture of gypsum and cellulose fibers recycled from newspapers, it is high in strength, moisture and fire resistance and has high sound deadening properties. The outstanding difference between it and conventional wallboard is that it is solid rather than a paper-gypsum-paper layering. Its nail and screw holding capabilities reportedly eliminate the need for special wall anchors.

A gypsum-based product very similar to Gypsonite has been available in Germany since 1982, and now holds one-quarter of the German market.

The installation of Gypsonite is also new to the market. With an innovative two-step joint system, tape is not required. The Gypsonite Step

I Base and Step 2 Finish Compounds become as strong as the board, so the end result is a solid, smooth wall much like plaster.

Highland American and Furman Lumber will be working with customers, end-users and approval agencies this summer while planning for an in-store availability this fall. The product initially will only be available in the Northeast.

Pressures, Priority, Potential

The pressure of adequate timber supply will be the number one priority for producers for the next several years even though they will not be called upon to manufacture at the levels seen for the past few years.

In addition, H. M. "Pete" Niebling, president of Woodnet, a marketing group fior eight building product distributors, forecasts that wholesale distribution yards will be required to increase their sales margins to meet the needs of their customers in delivery of product, education and sales assistance.

The retail dealer is finding out that his costs of inventory and customer services have escalated and will continue to increase. To remain profitable, he will need to look to his supplier for better services and more help in the movement of product.

All levels of our industry will have to find new opportunities and deal with new people and new markets at a reduced level of sales volume. Niebling concludes.

EtECTl0l{ night turnout at Los Angeles Hardwood Club included lll Wally Atkinson, Tom Powell. l2l Ken Tinckler, John Buchanan, Gary Penberthy. t3l Jay RuPP, Jack Buchanan, Mike Young. [4] Steve 0berholser,

Dennis Johnston, George Beckman, Jim Summerlin. 15l Gale Daugherty, Dennis Snow, Larry Knox, Mike Rhoades. New officers elected were: Tom Powell, pres.; Mike Rhoades, v.p.; Alan Bohnhoff, sec.-treas.; Bill

Fitzoerald, social chairman; Dick Lambert, meribershio: Ken Tinckler, scribe; Dan Jones and Fred Jones, sgt. at arms. Directors at laroe: Dave Walther and Rob Kincaid. Meetino-was held June 14 in Tustin, Ca.