Stock Acquires New Mexico's Baldridge

Stock Building Supply, the nation's largest pro dealer, has made its first entry into New Mexico with the acquisition of J.C. Baldridge Lumber, Albuquerque.

In New Mexico, single-family housing starts have increased from 4,576 in 2000 to over 8,000 in 2004. Albuquerque ranks #12 on the "40 Hottest Real Estate Markets in the u.s."

"Baldridge is an attractive target in the high-growth Albuquerque market," said Fenton Hord, Stock president and c.e.o. "Mirroring Stock's business values, it represents the oldest and most respected supplier in the market with a reputation of fair and excellent service."

J.C. Baldridge Lumber, with annual sales of more than $33 million, brings 75 associates to Stock. Founded in 1881 by J.C. Baldridge, and run by his two great grandsons, the contractor yard is located on 9.4 acres, and consists of approximately 54,000 sq. ft. of buildings.

All key management personnel are expected to remain with Stock. George Harley, with the company for

32 years, has been responsible fbr day-to-day contractor operations for the past 18 years and will continue his management position.

Raleigh, N.C.-based Stock now operates 256 locations in 30 states, with fiscal 2004 sales of $3.6 billion.

Swanson Buying Glide Mill

Swanson Group, Inc., Glendale, Or., has agreed to acquire Glide Lumber Products Co., Glide, Or., from TreeSource Industries Inc.

Glide Lumber is a stud mill that produces both green and dry studs in 8- and 9-ft. lengths. Swanson anticipates taking over in early October and operating the mill as Glide Lumber Products. LLC.

"The acquisition of Glide Lumber fits our long-term strategic plan to grow our core business in Southwest Oregon," said president and c.e.o. Steve Swanson. "The mill will complement our existing operations in the area and give us more flexibility and synergy in the utilization of raw materials. We look forward to building a strong relationship with the current employees as well as the community

TreeSource Industries will continue to operate its Tumwater Lumber Co. dimension mill in Tumwater. Wa.

Kenyon Noble Getting Bigger

It's time to move. Kenyon Noble Lumber has so badly outgrown its current quarters in Bozeman, Mt., that customers sometimes must park on the sidewalk.

The company is building a 53,000sq. ft. replacement store, with a target opening of October 1. In addition to being significantly larger, the yard is no longer downtown, removing trucks from the narrow city streets and making access easier for customers.

The workforce will more than double to more than 50.

Although Lowe's recently applied to build a megastore in town, Kenyon Noble co-owner Rick Ogle doesn't see the big boxes as direct competitors and has been planning the expansion for five years. "We're just answering demand," Ogle said.

The old store- I l6-year-old Kenyon Noble's main location since 1958-will be demolished to make way for an arts center project.

Eel River Shutters Sawmill

Less than two weeks after Pnlco shut down its Fortuna, Ca., sawmill, Eel River Lumber Products closed its mill in Fortuna.

For months, Eel River's Mill A had been running at reduced capacity, due to a shortage of available logs.

The planer was expected to continue operating as long as rough lumber remained to surface.

President Buck Olsen's Nevadabased Eel River Acquisition Corp. acquired the facility in 2003 from Eel River Sawmills.

Mill A laid off about 100 employees. Pa,lco's closure affected 100 workers, although some transferred to operations in Scotia, Ca.

Mill Proposed For Kootenai

Negotiations are underway to open a mill that would process small-diameter trees from the Kootenai National Forest in Montana.

Building costs for the mill would be about $2.5 million. said Paul Rumelhart, executive director of the Kootenai River Development Council. He said another $15 million would build planing and drying facilities at the proposed mill. Logs between 7"-9" would be used to produce 2"x4"s and 2"x6"s with little waste.

For the mill to be profitable, said Rumelhart, 50 million bd. ft. annually would be needed. Salvage sales in the Kootenai National Forest. he said. could supply that amount indefinitely. "It's very real," he said, "but it's all forest-plan dependent."

Management plans for Kootenai are being revised, although Forest Service spokesperson Greg Kujawa said it's likely that this year's harvest level of 50 million bd. ft. will be increased for 2006.

Rumelhart believes the harvest level should be doubled, and that stewardship contracting is the key to providing more timber for the proposed mill. "I'd like to see a l0-year, 50-million-bd.-ft. stewardship project," he said.

Besides providing jobs in a state that has seen 22 mills or manufacturing plants close since 1990-the latest being the closure of Owens & Hurst Lumber Co. this summer-boosting the annual harvest in Kootenai could reduce the risk of forsest fire. "It creates a more healthy forest," said Rumelhart.

Bluelinx Purchases LSV

Intent on beefing up its industrial and manufactured housing offerings as well as its presence on the West Coast, Bluelinx Corp. has acquired hardwood lumber distributor Lane Stanton Vance, City of Industry, Ca., from Hampton Distribution Cos.

Including LSV's six locations, Bluelinx now operates 1l facilities in northern and southern California.

Operating for more than 100 years, Lane Stanton Vance sells domestic and imported hardwoods, panel products, flooring and moulding and offers custom milling services through its Custom Mills division. It had $62 million in sales last year.

"Acquiring LSV illustrates our strategy to enhance market share growth by adding local distribution businesses in market segments that represent high-return growth opportunities," said Bluelinx c.e.o. Chuck McElrea. "In completing this transaction, we held to our policy of pursuing selective acquisitions of small and medium-sized distributors at appropriate pricing."

Financial terms were not disclosed. Portland, Or.-based Hampton acquired LSV in 2000.

That's the reaction we're looking for at Riley Creek. We know it takes quality people to produce qLrality lumber. That's where Billie cornes in-she knows quality. Maybe it's her 16 years of experience in the lumber business that ensures we only send out the highest quality lumber to our customers.

(2oB) 263- 155 1

Maybe it's the fact that, like the rest of the Riley Creek production team, Billie has the highest quality ratrngs in the business and refuses to give less than 1 10%. Whatever the reason, with people like Billie leading the way you can expect only the best quality lumber from Riley Creek.