FRED C. HOLMES

ly briefed and trained to avoid problems with this feature. Because forklifts do not have suspension systems comparable to those in automobiles, they should carry only one personthe driver. No one should ever be allowed to ride on a forklift.

Driver training, maintaining the vehicle in proper condition, establishing traffic patterns and keeping forklift paths free of congestion are other key elements in maintaining forklift safety.

Proper training of forklift operators can avoid the possiblity of serious employee injuries. Most forklift dealers have a training department to provide those who operate forklifts with the proper training necessary to satisfy current OSHA requirements for forklift drivers as well as maintain safety.

Wickes Acqu ires Homecrafters

Homecrafters Warehouse, Inc., Birmingham, Al., has been acquired by Wickes-Homecrafters, Inc., a newly formed subsidiary of Wickes Cos., Santa Monica. Ca.

The Wickes Lumber division under the direction of general manager Les Hagen will oversee the operations of WickesHomecrafters. The operation consists of 28 lumber and building materials retailers operating in six southeastern states.

Repair Spending Climbs

Fred Holmes 347O lowa City Rd., Marysville, Ca. 959Ot (916) 743-3269

P.O. Box 8OO, Fort Bragg, Ca.95437 (7O7) 964-6377

American homeowners spent a record $80.3 billion on repair and remodeling last yeaq up 15% from 1984's $69.8 billion and up more than15% from 1982's $45.3 billion, according to the U.S. Commerce Dept.

Multifamily remodeling ju mped Z7 % last year, while single family home improvement rose9%.

Summit House: Just The Start

The opening ofthe Tokyo wood demo building Summit House mark the start of a three year promotion program of U.S. wood products in Japan.

The $1.95 million program approved by the U.S. Agriculture Department is intended to counter unfair trade practices such as high tariffs for processed wood products and restrictive product standards.

Summit House, a three story showcase of modern materials and techniques completed in 83 days, was viewed by 250 guests including Japanese cabinet ministers and senior U.S. government officials at its May l0 opening.

William T. Robison, president of the American Plywood Association, which is coordinating the drive on behalfofthe industry, said, "The Summit House in Tokyo will be the focal point ofthe new promotion. We look forward to working with the Western Wood Products Association and others in a three year concentrated program aimed at basic Japanese construction markets."

The expanded assistance program permits the APA to retain U.S.-trained architect Richard R. Skorick, project director of Summit House, to represent the U.S. industry in Japan during the three year period.

The building itself will serve as a site for seminars, workhops and training on U.S. wood systems and materials over the next three years, after which it will be donated to the people ofJapan for use as a cultural and children's recreation center.

The updated, complete list of U.S donors to Summit House includes Big Valley Lumber Co.; Boise Cascade Corp.; Bruce Hardwood Floors; Chickasaw Williamsburg Strip; DAW Forest Products Co.; Diamond Cabinets; Eljer Plumbing Ware; Evans Products Co.; Georgia-Pacific Corp.; Giles & Kendall Inc.; Hanel Lumber Co., Inc.; Howard Manufacturing Co.; Idaho Forest Industries; Louisiana-Pacific Corp. ; Marvin Windows; Maywood Inc.; McFarland Cascade; Michigan-California Lumber Co.; Ostermann & Scheiwe, USA, Inc.; Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.; Pope & Talbot, Inc.; Fotlatch Corp.; Preway, Inc.; Simpson Door Co.; Sunland Homebuilt Pool Systems; Trus Joist Corp.; Vaagen Brothers Lumber, Inc. ; Weyerhaeuser Co.; Whirlpool Corp., and Willamette Industries, Inc., in addition to many Japanese contributors.

Alder Production Still Growing

"By 1990 annual production ofalder will reach 1.5 billion feet, including lumber, pallet and chips," Dave Sweitzer, secretary/manager of the Western Hardwood Association, predicts. "The littleknown alder hardwood industry is about to startle the world by reaching gigantic heights."

Current alder production is about l. I billion feet annually. This represents a growth of about 900 million feet in annual production since 1960, he told the Forest Products Research Society members meeting in Spokane, Wa.

Alder, which grows only in a narrow strip from Northern California to British Columbia, is the most workable hardwood available, according to several studies. But harvesting restrictions have put tight ceilings on the amount of alder available for production, according to Sweitzer.

"The supply restrictions we've faced for the last 100 years, however, are finally starting to weaken," he stated. ''Governments, private land owners, and the large softwood producers are finally beginning to see the value in alder."