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Congress Financial Corp.

The debtor-in-possession agreement between Payless Cashways, Congress Financial and Hilco Capital LP, okayed by the bankruptcy court, would provide an immediate credit line of $160 million. After 60 days, the financing falls to $140 million and then to $120 million after 120 days, where it remains for the remainder of the year.

Warning Labels Coming For CCA Treated Wood

The EPA has approved the pressure treating industry's proposal to place consumer warning labels on virtually all CCA treated wood, beginning this fall.

The labels are part of a program to better inform consumers about the chemical. Fifteen years ago, as the EPA moved to ban most inorganic arsenic pesticides, manufacturers voluntarily agreed to distribute Consumer Information Sheets listing use, handling and disposal precautions of CCA treated wood. The agency allowed continued use of CCA in wood as a "restricted use" pesticide, but in the years since, dissemination of the fact sheets has been spotty, at best.

In recent months a flurry of controversy, marked by critical newspaper articles (see The Merchant, April, p. 2Z;, lawsuits and proposed legislation, has brought heat on the industry and the EPA to improve the system.

The American Wood Preservers Institute proposed a five-pronged program, including newly renamed Consumer Safety Information Sheets, a toll-free information line and Web site, end-tags on every piece of CCA lumber 5/4 and larger, and various instore signage, such as hang cards and bin stickers, all approved by the EPA.

According to EPA's timetable, AWPI introduced the toll-free phone number and Web site in July; retailers are to begin displaying point-of-sale signage in August; treaters should begin shipping labeled wood in September, and the program should be in "significant implementation" by October 1.

Retailers can obtain the signage from their CCA wood suppliers. Treaters can obtain the signage as well as the end tags from their chemical providers or produce their own similar labels.

"There shouldn't be any real cost for dealers," says Huck DeVenzio, Arch Wood Protection. "They can get all the materials from their suppliers. And, I imagine some large retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's will demand that the treaters themselves come and install (the signage). But however it gets done, we just hope it gets done."

Although the program is voluntary, retailers and dealers are urged to participate. "Our biggest push now is to ask retailers, home centers and building material dealers to insist that their treaters and suppliers comply with this new program," says AWPI's Mel Pine. "EPA is going to monitor it closely."

More regulatory changes may lie ahead next year after the EPA releases a comprehensive review of CCA treated wood that includes an evaluation of how well the new consumer information programs are working.

Jobbers Roll Into Reno

The National Sash & Door Jobbers Association is scheduled to hold its 38th annual convention in Reno. Nv., Oct.21-31.

This year's convention is themed "The Challenge of Change" and will feature more than 500 exhibitors representing over 200 companies.

Major events this year include a special joint meeting of jobbers, manufacturers and manufacturer representatives as well as an awards luncheon speech by two-time Academy Award winner Charlton Heston.

Speakers include astronaut Neil Armstrong; Task Masters owner Julie Morgenstern; Tom Gardner, The Motley Fool; distribution expert Dr.

Don Rice, and customer service consultant Robert Tucker. Country music singer Clint Black will entertain.

All events will be held at the Reno Hilton and the Reno/Sparks Convention Center.

Traders Market Keeps Growing

The North American Wholesale Lumber Asiociation expects more than 2,000 wholesalers, manufacturers, wholesaler-processors, importers and service providers to attend its annual NAWLA Traders Market Oct. 10-13 in Dallas, Tx.

The show is highly regarded as cost-effective both to attend and exhibit. In addition to the trade show itself, there are educational sessions, professional development presentations, and free time for networking. This year's keynote speaker is Ken Schmidt, former director of corporate and financial communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Co.

Seminars include "Guaranteed Successful Selling through Listening" by Manny K. Steil; "Global Influences on the North American Wood Products Market" by Dr. Sam Sherrill, C.C. Crow Publications, and "U.S./Canadian Softwood Lumber Trade Update" by Jon Anderson, Random Lengths.

In addition, as part of the Cyber Connection exhibit area this year, a classroom will be set up to stage several 15 to 20 minute "quickie classes" on different technology-related topics.

For more details, see the special preview of the NAWLA Traders Market in next month's Merchant Magazine.

Changes To Strengthen J.H. Baxter

In addition to expanding its board of directors, J.H. Baxter & Co., San Mateo, Ca., is closing its Long Beach, Ca., wood treatment facility.

"We can easily supply our Long Beach customers from J.H. Baxter's three other treating facilities," explained newly named chairman Richard Baxter. "Material must be transported to Long Beach in any case, but now it will have been treated when it arrives. By consolidating, we can eliminate the throughput bottleneck at Long Beach and streamline treatment operations for greater efficiency."

Georgia Baxter has succeeded Richard Baxter as president and c.e.o., and John Sonksen was promoted to chief operating officer.

The enlarged board of directors, noted Richard Baxter, "will take a greater activist role, providing oversight and guidance to our managers and serving as a resource to help them improve the company's performance."

J.H. Baxter is a fourth-generation, family-owned woodtreatment, chemical-licensing and timberland-management firm with facilities in California, Oregon and Washington.