Old Growth Douglas Fir

Young Westerners Ok Agenda

The Young Westerners Club, a part of the Western Building Material Association, Olympia, Wa., aPproved a busy schedule for the remainder of the year at their annual summer board meeting.

A booth and Quick Pitch talks at the annual WBMA convention, Nov. 12-15 in Tacoma, are being planned by Terry Willey, Knoll Lumber, Woodinville; Mark Arneson, Logan Lumber, Seattle, and Kyle Kincaid, Knoll Lumber. Steve Henna, Volco, Twin Falls, Id., is arranging a hospitality room on Sunday night. Grassroots political involvement will be the topic of the traditional YWC panel.Betsi Powers, president, has asked Ken Marson, Marson & Marson, Leavenworth, Mack Hogans, Weyerhaeuser, Tacoma. Wa.. and Mark Gallant, NLBMDA, Washington, D.C., to share their experiences and tactics to stress the importance of political involvement at all levels and its effect on businesses, communities and personal lives.

Montana members will be urged to attend the annual YWC conference, Jan. 26-29 at the Tacoma Sheraton. Bert Fisher, MacMillanBloedel. Tacoma, chairman, is arranging a tour of the American Plywood Association, roundtable sessions, seminars and social events.

National Young Executives Society (YES) activities were reported by Powers who encouraged all members to attend the national lumber dealers convention in Palm Springs, Ca., in October.

Next meeting of the board will be Nov. l3 during the WBMA convention. The 1990 YWC conference is scheduled for the Red Lion InnRiverside, Boise, Id., Jan. 18-21.

The Merchant Magazlne

Particleboard, MDF Records

U.S. producers of particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) established a new industry record by shipping a combined total of 4,605 million square feet (MMSF - 3/4" basis) in 1987 according to the National Particleboard Association. This surpasses the previous record of 4,384 MMSF established one year ago, making it the first time since 1978 that back-to-back records were set.

Charting Furniture Trends

Oak strongly retains its lead as primary wood of choice for furniture, although overall buying has dipped in line with the usual summer doldrums.

According to table surveys at two markets by the Northwest Hardwoods Division of Weyerhaeuser, oak accounted for 37.5% of the showroom spaces; pine, 9.20lo; cherry, 8.5%; mahogany, 7.40lo; birch and maple, 3.50/o; northwest alder, 3.20lo; walnut, 3.20/o; pecan and hickory, 1.90/0, and ash and elm, 1.4%.

Over 40% of the tables displayed were contemporary in style, followed in popularity by American traditional, French traditional and English traditional. Oriental, Italian Classic and Spanish style and painted tables increased in exposure, while printed-plastic and rustic ranch groups fell off.

September 1988

Blue Lake Modernization

Blue Lake Forest Products, Arcata, Ca., has celebrated its second anniversary and the completion of a modernization program.

Now completely computerized, the mill has a seven-foot breakdown mill with a six-foot pony, an eightinch combination edger, a five-foot resaw and a timber tote. It is capable of planing and sorting. A packaging operation provides edge protection, end-sealing and stenciling. Paper wrapping also is available. A totally enclosed and environmentally sound O-discharge treating facility has been

Home Genter Show Deadline

The deadline for entering next year's National Home Center Show's Innovator Awards competition is Oct. 28, 1988.

At the March I 2- I 5, I 989 show in Chicago, Il., nine prizes will be awarded in three categories: new or improved product, new in-store product presentation, and combined category.

lil0DERtl equipment installed as part of a two year pr0gram handles logs from yard to finished Droduct at Blue Lake Forest Products. Arcata, Ca.

completed as part of the updating project.

Operated for many years as McNamara-Peepe, the mill was purchased in August, 1986, by Bruce M. Taylor, former president of Alpine Veneers, Portland, Or., and founder of TreeSource, Inc. James Speers, a 40 year sawmill veteran. is supervisor. Richard Anderson heads the shipping department and serves as sales coordinator. Marketing is managed by Paul Trueb through Blue Lake Lumber Sales, Inc.

Monthly production is in excess of 6 million board feet. Old growth cuttings, clears, v.g. shop and framing lumber are mill specialties.

Shipments of products are made by truck, barging through Eureka and the rail reload on the Eureka Southern in Arcata. Exports are handled through both Eureka and Coos Bay.

Full Charge Ahead

A battery charger for tools that cuts charging time from 3-112 to I hour is new from Wire Wrap.