SPEGIALISTS

WBMA Convention Near

The Western Building Material Association's annual convention will kick off with a rallying cry, "Whither the Wesu A Call to Action," Nov. 14l7, at the Tacoma Sheraton Hotel, Tacoma, Wa.

Keynoter William Perry PendleY, president and chief officer of the Mountain States Legal Foundation, will respond to judicial activism and the lack of representation in the courts regarding property rights, the public interest in a strong economy and how it relates to the timber and building material industry.

Themed "Signs of the Times," the 89th annual will begin Saturday, Nov. 14, with a Roger Hermann workshoP on retaining good employees, followed by exhibitor quick pitch selling talks, moderated by Dick Corkum, Boise Cascade, Tigard, Or., and a western all industry reception.

Sunday is devoted to the all day building products showcase at the adjacent Tacoma Convention Center, while Monday features a full slate of speakers, plus awards luncheon, dealer round tables and President's Banquet.

Young Westerners Club members Natasha Edscorn, Curtis Jack, Bruce Abel, Tim Yan Zant" Eric Fritch and Bruce Fisher will participate in the panel program "KeYS to Maximizing Profits in an Evolving Market." Sallie Watson will tackle recovering delinquent accounts in "Don't Get MadGet Paid!" Alex Czopek, Servi-Star Corp., will address "Successful Marketing Against Power ftgtnils1s"'

The convention concludes TuesdaY, Nov. 17, with brunch, featuring business development sPecialist Sue Pistone, on how to develop a clearlY focused strategic plan aimed at bottom line results through increased productivity and profitability, followed by a brainsionning, sharing session.

A. D. Bell Study Grants

Alfred D. Bell, Jr., travel grants for 1993 are available through the Forest History Society to those who wish to study at its library. UP to $750 maY be received for travel and lodging expenses.

Five grants were awarded during 1992. For information, write: Bell Travel Grants, Forest History Society' 701 Vickers Ave., Durham, N.C. 27701, or call (919) 682-9319.

Bell is the former Publisher of The Merchant Magazine.

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Hawaiians Stranded By Hurricane

Weeks after Hurricane Iniki devastated the Hawaiian island of Kauai, residents and businesses are struggling to rebuild, without electricity, phone service and other necessities.

Unlike in Florida, where Hurricane Andrew struck two weeks before, people couldn'tjust evacuate and then drive out of town for repair supplies. "Hawaii is the most isolated place on earth," said Jim Pappas, Honsador, Inc., Honolulu. "[t's 2,400 miles from a major land mass. Any supplies have to be flown or barged in."

The small island has insufficient dock space, storage space and distribution systems in place to accommodate the tons of materials needed. Phone service is erratic for the minority lucky enough to have it.

The 150 mph winds Sept. tl inflicted $1.5 billion in losses including consequential damage on about two-thirds of all homes on the island.

All three retailers on Kauai were hit hard. Asian American Lumber, Kapaa, lost its roof covering. Chadie Brown Lumber was significantly damaged. Aloha Lumber's Kilauea store was desfoyed. The main office in Kapaa totally lost its third floor, with severe injury to the lower levels.

Yet Aloha, which closed on Friday, the day of the storm, wils open again on Monday, operating out of trailers. "We have to service our customers," said Helen Torres. "A lot of people lost their roofs. Some need whole new houses. In times like this, your ingenuity goes to work."

But homeowners have to pick up the materials themselves. Debris in the roads prevents deliveries.

Even West Feels Andrew

Hurricane Andrew may have struck thousands of miles away, but its effects are being felt nationwide.

Plywood supplies and prices were thrown into a frenzy by the sudden surge in demand by homeowners anticipating and then trying to recover from the 160 mph winds which tore through southern Florida and Louisiana Aug.23,24 and 26, causing about $20 billion in damages.

"The market (for plywood) just went bonkers," said Clayton Barns,

Willamene Industries. Prices on various panel products jumped 40Vo in a single week, hitting record highs. Panic buying extended nationwide, with prices rising so fast that many sheathing and particleboard producers began quoting 'P-T-S" (Price Time of Shipment) to cover later increases.

Enraged by record hikes in the face of an emergency, the Florida attorney general subpoenaed Weyerhaeuser, Georgia-Pacific, Louisiana-Pacific and other fiflns to supply documentation justifying the increases.

Producers blamed low inventories kept by many retailers; limited supply due to environmental restraints: already slowly rising prices due to seasonal cycles, and the need to transport products over a great distrnce.

To add stability, G-P froze southern pine sheathing grade plywood prices nationwide through September.

Additionally, Weyerhaeuser, G-p, L-P, Boise Cascade, Champion International, Willamette and o&er manufacturers made sizable cash and material donations !o reliefefforts. A convoy of trucks carrying $100,000 in supplies donated by Pacific Northwest timber companies and grassroots groups also headed south.