Fred C. Holmes Lumber Co.

NAFTA Panel Rejects Softwood Duties

A panel formed under the North American Free Trade Agreement has ruled that the Commerce Department has failed to prove that Canadian softwood lumber have harmed U.S. sawmills.

Canada has argued that the U.S. cannot justify the 2l .2Ea countervailing and anti-dumping duties it instituted two years ago.

The five-member panel was considering the U.S.'s injury claims for the

ManufacturersandDistributorsof: third timel the two earlier arguments were returned to the Department for review. This third ruling, the panel insists, is final.

"Canada is calling on the United States to bring finality to this dispute once and for all," said Canadian Trade Minister Jim Peterson. "It wants to see panel decision respected."

The panel's decision can still be appealed under NAFTA's extraordinary challenge provisions. If the U.S. does appeal but loses, the tariffs could be removed by next year.

Call the experts: r Randy Jensen r Jim Duckworth

Forest Prod.rrets Sa,Ies 249W. Vine St., P.O. Box 57367, Murray, Utah 84107 (800) 666-2467 (801) 262-6428

Fax801-262-9822

The U.S. coalition, though, vows to exhaust every legal remedy before giving up. "Clearly they won, but it doesn't change anything," said Harry Clark, an attorney for Dewey Ballantine LLP, which represents the U.S. timber industry. "The U.S. industry is going to do what it takes to fight these subsidies."

Simpson Buying Quik Drive

Simpson Strong-Tie Co. parent Simpson Manufacturing Co., Dublin, Ca., has signed a letter of intent to acquire the assets of Quik Drive, U.S.A. and its related companies.

Gallatin, Tn.-based Quik Drive manufactures collated fasteners and fastener delivery systems.

The transaction, slated to close later this year, is estimated at $30 million in cash and $5 million in stock.

More Alder Mills Sue Weyco

After losing millions for illegal practices in the alder market, a new lawsuit is being drawn against Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way, Wa.,

Five small mills are alleging that Weyerhaeuser is using illegal practices in the maple log market. The mills filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Portland, Or.

The sawmills claim Weyerhaeuser has manipulated prices and increased their costs, resulting in two of the complaintant mills being forced out of business.

Weyerhaeuser denies the charges.

Teen Dies At ldaho Sawmill

An l8-year-old worker was killed Aug. 4 apparently while trying to repair a stacker at J.D. Lumber, Priest River, Id.

Nathan L. Collins sustained massive head trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene.

I.IORTH,{fiINICAN PLY\IO() f - VonPrtnnlfun

NICE CATCH: North American Plvwood Corp.. Santa Fe Springs. Ca.. recently enloyed its annual fishing trip to Sportsman Criv-e LoOge about 2-0 miles west of

Big Boxes Getting Bigger

Warehouse homc centers arc citDturing a larscr:hare ol'the rlicl-siic remodeling contractor ntarket, rvhilc rvholesale distributors have incrcascd their share among small and rnid-size remodeling firms. according to ncr,v study by the Home Improvement Research Institute.

The study found that specialty contractors buy most often at traditional distribution channels.

Ketchikan, Ak. A 45"-long, 44-lb. king salmon was among the haul reeled in by (l-r) Dave Figlo, Jim Belliore, Cliff Lowy, Carla Pratt, Christv Mills and Don Kuser.

Lumber and building rnatcrial dealers lost market share. althou-llt LBM dealers remained the primary source of materials for the largest rerncldcling finns.

Totals shorved t-erver smaller companics and a corresponding increase irr lurr:er I-ilnrs. su!.lgesting some degrec of consolidation.

E-Z Column Framing

Scoroion Fasteners' new Column Framing Collar frames support columns for finishing sheetrock and paneling.

E-Z round with less steel, they are also compatible with lumber treated with copperbased preservatives.

Tiser Claw has also introduced an entirJ line of deck related products, including deck heaters, recessed deck lighting, ceramic post caps, balusters, fire pits and decking books.

- Please contact (800) 928-4437 or v i s it www.de c kfas te ne r.c om

A Deck For The Ages

Composite decking that has the fade, stain and scratch resistance of vinyl and the workability of cedar is new from Edge Building Products.

DurationDeck is a fiber-reinforced cellular vinyl, reportedly making it lighter, stronger and easier to install. It does not require pre-drilling, con-

The collar frames out 3", 3-112" and 4" structural columns. Simply spread open the devise around the column, secure with supplied screws, and the column is ready to be finished. One piece construction makes installation easy, eliminating the need for tracks, studs and masonry anchors.

The collar accepts drywall screws and finishing nails, and comes with five collars per pack with screws.

- Please contact (800) 233-0461 o r v isit www.sco rpi onfaste ner s.c om

Fastener Find

Tiger Claw's TC-4 hidden deck fastener offers superior hold-down power in hardwoods.

The fasteners were designed specifically for exotic hardwoods, including Brazilian redwood and ip6.

Since they are constmcted of stain- tains no harmful chemicals, and carries a Class I Flame Spread Rating. The deck's "DuraSkin" makes it highly resistant to stains. wear. scratches, mold, mildew and insects. Its lower density and moisture resistant fiber increases stability.

- Please contact (717) 567-231I o r visit www.durationdec k.com

Write On The Door

A door that combines engineered wood stiles and rails and panels made of a thick specialty material designed to look and act like a chalkboard has been introduced by Simpson Door Co.

The chalkboard panel doors are available in one door-length chalkboard panel, two vertically-stacked chalkboard panels separated by a rail, and two vertically-stacked chalkboard panels separated by a rail with one panel on top and a wood panel below.

Each door comes 1-3/8" thick and in heights of 6'8", '7' and 8', and in successive widths of 2' to 3'

The doors come in Douglas fir, western hemlock. American red oak, maple and cherry.

- Please contact (800) 952-4057 or v isit www.s imp sondoor.c' om

Electronic Deck Design

An easy-to-use design tool that helps create a custom outdoor deck has been introduced by TimberTech and DIYonline.com.

Users can navigate TimberTech Deck Designer to decide on the basic shape of the deck, color (cedar, gray or redwood), plank type, and the layout direction of the planks.

When finished designing, the program sends the user a designer specification kit that includes selected views of the deck. a list of materials and tools, layout, cut list, installation guideline.s, permit page, and tips for constructlon.

Railing options are also available.

- Please contact (800) 307-7780 or v isit www.timberte c h.com

Build A Bond

A new construction adhesive from OSI Sealants provides contractors with a strong, permanent bond for all interior or exterior heavy-duty construction.

PL 400 Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive is water and weatherproof, reduces nailing, floor squeaks and vibrations, and comes in 10.2- or 28-oz. cartridges.

- Please contact (888) 445-0208 or visit www.sticlcwithpl.com

Board Of Silence

Fiberboard designed to reduce sound is new from Knight-Celotex, LLC.

SoundStop is installed with drywall in walls and ceilings to reduce sound and to deaden the sound of footsteps above, providing privacy ble dimensions.

The Flex-C Trac comes in a variety of metal stud sizes.

- Please contact (909) 679-0677 or visit www.flexc.com

Beauty Below

A new collection of laminate flooring offers the beauty and craftsmanship of handscraped and oiled woods.

The plates used to create the high

Chiseled Out Of Stone

A cold chisel with an unbreakable polymer cap and oil-resistant cushion grip is now available from Hard Cap Technologies.

The seven-chisel line was desiened to reduce the detrimental effects isso- and silence.

The ll2"x4'x8' or 9' square edged fiberboard sheets are made uo of 977o organic materials.

- Please contact (847) 716-8030 or v is it www.akni g htcompany.com

Nice Curves Ahead

A system that reportedly makes it easy to build curved walls and round columns is now available from FlexAbility Concepts.

The Flex-C Plate system is ideal for building S curves, arches, bow windows, barrel vaults and variable radius curves.

It comes in 2x4 and 2x6 compati-

Pressure

laminates

in Alloc's

Handscraped collection are scraped by hand, giving the flooring an old world styling. It comes in antique oak, heritage cherry and American cherry.

The Oiled Wood collection has a Iow sheen, matte finish not unlike real oiled wood. It comes in oiled maple, a three-strip design, and oiled teak, a two-strip design.

The Oiled Teak Shipdcck is made of two planks 3-314" wide, featuring black debossing and no end jointing for a rustic appearance like a weathered and long plank on a ship deck.

All floors feature an aluminum mechanical locking system, high density fiberboard core with high pressure laminate surface and backing, and are fade, stain, wear and water resistant.

- Please contact (877) 362-5562 or visit www.alloc.com ciated with long-term use of hammerstruck tools.

The cap and grip reduce noise, vibration and spalling while improving safety performance by protecting users'hands.

The striking surface eliminates flying chips and mushrooming and is 2l/2 times larger than comparable tools.

- Please contact (800) 752-5533 or visit www.hardcap.com

Forget Sandpaper

Allway Tools' new heavy-duty hand sander features a soft-grip, ergonomic handle for comfortable sandins.

The- sander is made of structural foam and stainless steel clips, while the handle is made of Santoprene rubber, allowing long-term use without discomfort or blisters.

The tool is ideal for sanding drywall, wall and floor surfaces, cabinets, furniture, woodwork and boats.

- Please contact (800) 422-5592 or visit www.allwaytools.com