WESlIERN ASS0ClAll[0N NEWS

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association's 1990-91 Supplier Directory and Product Guide is available for retail dealer and associate members.

Staff associate Geri Bagby said the 140 page guide lists 158 suppliers. In the first section, wholesalers, manufacturers and other suppliers are listed alphabetically. This section includes addresses, telephone and FAX numbers. The second section lists in alphabetical order key products and services used by retail lumber dealers.

Members will receive a free guide by mail. Additional copies are available for $25 to members and $45 to nonmembers.

The association's l00th anniversary will be kicked off in conjunction with the 74th National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association convention at the Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, Co., Nov. 1-4. ll a store uses radio as an "on-hold" device for the phone system, it could end up costing a lot of moneyunless it has a license to do so. Using a radio station in this manner without a license is an infringement on copyright laws. And there are disadvantages to using a local radio station. For instance, a customer may have to listen to a competitor's commercial while holding for lurther assistance from a store. There are documented cases of this happening.

The centennial observance will include the grand opening celebration on Nov. I and breakfast with keynote speaker Michael LeBoeuf on Nov. 4. Approximately 550 people are expected to attend the celebration which will follow a western jamboree theme and honor 100 years of volunteerism in the retail lumber industry.

Western Building Material Association is reminding its dealers of several rulings which have a direct effect on their business.

Alternatives include using pre-recorded music or recording the store's own message. With a personal message, a store can tell customers about its services, new products or special sales promotions. Callers stay on the line l7%r longer with a "message on-hold," according to research.

As a result ofthe repeal ofSection 89, company-paid physical examinations are once again a tax free benefit. Medical plans revert to the discrimination test effective before Section 89 was enacted. The benefit is now tax free even if provided only to highly paid employees. ln another developmenl, Congress is considering a bill that would increase the 1990 FUTA base ol $7,000 by $1,000 each year to a maximum taxable wage base of $10,000 in 1993. Also under consideration is a measure to eliminate the .2(h surtax.

Lumber Merchants Association of Northern California has issued a bulletin covering the new Workers' Compen- sation Administration (WCA) surcharge effective Aug. l.

One of the features of the Workers' Compensation Reform Act of 1989 is the creation of the Workers' Compensation Administration Revolving Fund. The Reform Act of 1989 made several provisions which purport to speed up the resolution of claims, including the reorganization and increased functioning of the Division of Workers' Compensation.

The WCA surcharge requires all insurers to collect an assessment from their insured to help defray the adminis-

Research Arm U@tes Mission

The DIY Research Institute has changed its name to The Home Improvement Research Institute and revised its mission statement and structure.

The organization will continue to profile the growth of the do-it-yourself industry, encompassing the buyit-yourself and remodeling markets. In addition they will become more research oriented, tracking product purchases, estimating the home improvement market, conducting focus tration costs ol implementing some of these provisions. The WCA surcharge will contribute to the costs of bringing your members and their employees a less complicated administrative system which, in the long run, will result in decreased members' costs. groups and analyzing the remodeling market.

For current participants in the Lumber Merchants Association group program, the surcharge will be .0011480/rr ol the estimated annual premium and will take effect on January I , I 99 I The surcharge amount is expected to change each year.

Newly elected officers are pres. Paul Koenig, Trayco, a division of Masco Corp.; vice president Thomas W. Smith, director, marketing research, Lowe's Cos.; secretary Lonnie Fogel, director, public relations, The Home Depot; treasurer Alan Thielemann, director, marketing services, Georgia-Pacific Corp. The board of directors consists of an appointed representative from each member group.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Although every materials handling manager knows productivity could be improved by working smarter, in the face of daily deadlines and countless problems, most are forced to substitute working harder.

lmproving materials handling productivity shouldn't be hard work. "Working smarter is really nothing more than anticipating problems and planning in advance," explains Paul Laroia, general manager, parts & service operations, Hyster Co. "lt's relatively easy to reduce downtime, lower repair costs and increase efficiency if you know what to do."

He suggests:

(l) Anticipate downtime and schedule periodic maintenance.

(2) Plan ahead to save time locating parts, establish a relationship with a reliable source.

(3) Help operators work smarter by providing training.

(4) Maximize equipment productivity with special attachments and options such as sideshift carriages, heavy duty alternators, high temperature shutoffs.

(5) Seek advice from experts.