Bar code update

Fr

AR CODING for

lumber and ED tto*" center dealers appears ro be a sure thing as the associations ready guidelines and chains begin to experiment with point of sale scanning devices.

National Forest Products Association's bar coding committee headed by Dave Brewster of Georgia Pacific, Atlanta, Ga., has targeted the first week in October for issuing recommendations to the industry. Little is being said about their findings, except Brewster confirms that ink jet UPC stamps will not be used. Adhesive tags for plywood and studs and plastic tags stapled to pressure treated products have been deemed recommendable.

The American Hardware Manufacturers Association issued guidelines at the National Hardware Show with an emphasis on bar coding cartons with UPC stickers.

Large chains such as Home Depot and Builders Square have launched

First Bar Coded Lumber Meets lndustry Challenge

After listening to gripes by home centers that wood producers keep up with the times by bar coding lumber, Boise Cascade is now waiting for retailers to play catch up.

The Boise. ld.. manufacturer recently became the first to offer UPC-labeled lumber, on 2x4 and 2x6 studs. but so far onlythe Fullerton, Ca.based HomeClub chain is carrying the products.

"There had been a tremendous amount of pressure on producers to begin to label lumber," explains Boise Cascade's Bob Edwards. "We took the challenge and came up with a way to do it. The irony is that very few chains have the equipment to scan."

HomeClub expected to stock bar coded lumber in all its stores by the end of August. And Home Depot is on its heels. Says Mike Modansky, Home Depot wood products merchandiser: "We are right now fitting our stores across the country with UPC scanning guns. lt will be complete in a couple of months."

Still, Boise Cascade is thoroughly happy with its introduction. "Most important, it's working," says Edwards. "When we were first starting, we were hopeful of a 900/o success rate; meaning if 10% of the labels were knocked off, peeled off or otherwise came off, we would be pleased. Frankly, it's actually been about 980/0. Of the l6 units we counted this morning at the Boise HomeClub, 338 pieces to a unit, there were only I I studs without labels." A 99.80/o success rate.

Other manufacturers may also be scrambling to follow

Boise Cascade's lead. "l was talking with the lumber department manager (of the Boise HomeClub) and he's so excited about it. He says there's incredible interest in it from other wood producers: virtually everyone and his brother has been in the store. " pilot programs using point of sale scanning of bar codes. They report efficiency has increased and that both customers and cashiers like the system.

Initially, Boise Cascade is bar coding five premium and contractor grade studs at its Elgin, Or., mill. Strong demand could lead to other UPCtagged products.

Plum Creek Timber Co., Seattle, Wa., has started manually applying labels to premium studs and should have equipment by year's end.

"We're really groping our way along, " says John Elwell, director of national sales and marketing. "We're being very cautious because when we do it, we want to do it right."

Story at a Glance

Associations issue bar code recommendations. lumber manufacturers experiment with labels. dealers cautious about cost.

Quality Control Starts at a Very Early Stage at Pacific Southeast Forcst Prcducts

However, few independent stores have adopted point ofsale scanning. Although they admit that it can improve accuracy and efficiency, most are reluctant to spend the dollars necessary. Some also express fears that the cost of bar coding will be passed on to them by the manufacturers, especially for lumber since only a small percentage of the lumber oroduced is sold at retail.