A noise control "first"

At their annual meeting in San Diego during August, members of Western Wood Moulding and Millwork Producers witnessed an association "first," laid multiple plans for the future and elected new officers and directors.

The o'first" was presentation of the "Noise Control' Guide fo, Moulding and Millwork Plants," a 300 p. document which was the culmination of a full yiar's study on methods of engineered noise reduction. It is the first of its kind by a trade association. Conceived as a group effort to provide a more healthful environment for the industry's employees, it was conducted with Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials in Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, Denver, and Dallas, Tex.

It has chapters on basic acoustic principles and definitions, noise regulations, sound measuring equipment, measurement procedures and techniques and the actual noise control recommendations including engineeros drawings and implemen- tation instructions written in layman's terms.

Crystal Balling

"Focus on the Future" was the title given to a panel session moderated by E. C. Israelson, Dorris Lumber and Moulding Co., Sacramento. Ca.. who later was elected WWMMP's new president. Panel members included M.R. 'oMorrie" Robinson, Cahner's Publications; H.A. "Bob" Roberts, exec. v.p., Western Wood Products Assn.; M.L. "Murph" Murphy, president, National Saglr and Door Jobbers Assn.; Walter K. Jaenicke, National Forest Products Assn., and WWMMP's exec. v.p. Warren Jimerson. Their respective topics were the housing market, lumber supply trends, jobber and wholesaler trends, the legislative picture and competing products. Robinson, predicting that 1974 will be a tough year for businessmen and the economy, forecast 1974 housing starts at 1,960,000 units with single family residences, including townhouses and condominiums, showing a percentage gain over multi-family. According to Robinson, "Generally, there will be an overall housing downturn, but it won't be of long duration."

More Shop

Roberts, in answer to a question on the availability of shop lumber said, "Under the one billion board foot increase in allowable cut, there is a potential added production of 60 million feet of Ponderosa pine shop and better."

Murphy talked about the effects of wood substitute materials in wholesaling and jobbing and cautioned "find out everything you can about your markets and your competitor to help maintain a strong position in the marketplace."

Murphy's comments were timely in that a prime portion of WWMMP's 1974 marketing plans are devoted to an in-depth market research study to help the association and individual members in future marketing and promotion planning. A strong publicity effort also is planned for the coming year, including a campaign to promote sales of moulding shorts.

New Officers

Elected president was E. C. "Chase'o Israelson, Dorris Lumber and Moulding Co., Sacramento, Ca. New v.p. is T.S. o'Stu'o Turner, Clear Pine Mouldings (Contact Lumber Co.), Prineville, Ore., and treasurer is J. Wayne Nikkel, D.G. Shelter Products, Nikkel div., Sacramento.

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