The changing hardwood business

THE hardwood business has I. changed rapidly in recent years and those companies that have survived and prospered have changed and modernized along with it.

The 1990s has been a tough market in Southern California, but four-yearold Strata Forest Products has made the investment in new machines to gain the productivity essential to compete today.

They recently installed two hightech Weinig milling machines at their Profile Planing Mill, which is housed in Strata's Santa Ana, Ca., facility. The Unimat 23 is for short runs, such as 1,000 feet, and operates at 80 feet per minute. With its 20-minute set-up time, it recently allowed them to do five set-ups in one day, turning out 20,000 feet, triple their previous production.

For long runs, they use their new Hydromat 22N- that runs at 200 feet per minute and has a set-up time of 45 minutes. Weinig representative David Miller assisted with installation, which was completed in six days from arrival to production, including adding a blow pipe and training operators, according to mill manager Jim Gaither. The two new machines complement their existing range of modern machinery.

The mill runs 20 hours per day in two shifts, employs 40 and runs 40Vo oak, 4OVo redwood and the rest in miscellaneous hardwood species. Profile Planing Mill does Strata's work as well as custom milling for outside customers.

John Hormuth runs Strata and Profile along with his brothers, Rick and Steve. The three also operate Orange County Lumber Co., Rialto, and Orange Coast Hardware & Lumber Co.. Santa Ana. a firm founded in 1955 by their father, Bill Hormuth.

Strata, which has a branch yard in Rialto, wholesales domestic and imported hardwood lumber and plywood, Melamine, marine items and mouldings.

Hardwood milling firm adds latest equipment to stay competitive.

Avoiding Violence At The Workplace

As corporate downsizing and family break ups take a toll on the mental stability of some workers, violence in the workplace is becoming increasingly common. About 16%o of all violent crimes occur at the workplace, resulting in nearly a million incidents.

The biggest safeguard is trying to quickly identify potentially dangerous employees. The Western Building Material Association says certain behaviors can tip off employers, who should be alert to a worker who:

' has a history of violent behavior or control difficulties

'has an obsessive interest in guns, warfare or violent incidents

' carries concealed weapons

' makes direct or indirect verbal threats; intimidates or instills fear in co-workers or supervisors

' has an obsessive involvement with the job as a sole sense of identity

' is a loner with low self esteem, often with a romantic interest in a coworker who may feel threatened by the unwanted attention

' is paranoid; feels the whole world is against him

' does not take criticism well, holds a grudge or verbalizes a hope that something will happen to an offending party

' comes from an unstable family or expresses desperation over recent family, financial or personal problems

' exhibits a tendency to push the limits of normal behavior

' feels helpless and desperate about conditions at work

' has few outlets for anger, or

' has bounced from job to job

Workplace violence is typically preceded by a string of unheeded warning signs, so take a strong stance at the outset that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Bathe With Hardwoods

"Hardwood Applications for the Bathroom" is free from the Hardwood Council, Box 525, Oakmont, Pa. 15139; (4r2) 281-4980.

Material Handling Hand-Out

A material handling brochure is free from Spyder, Box 266106, Housron, Tx. 77207; (800) 231-5916.

Treated Wood Guide

A planning, building and buying guide for pressure treated decking is free from Walker Williams Lumber. 930 2nd Ave.. Columbus, Ga. 3 l90l ; (706) 323-M91.

ColorfulTaggers

A neon color labeler brochure is free from Monarch Marking Systems, Box 608, Dayton, Oh. 45401; (800) 543-6650.

Space Saving Displays

A display and presentation aid catalog is free from Multiplex Display Fixture Co., 1555 Larkin Williams Rd., Fenton, Mo. 63026; (800) 325-3350.

Rescue System Literature

A 6-p. fall protection equipment brochure is free from Fallstop, Box 68, Westwood, Ma. 02090; (800\ 7 42-6603.

You Light Up My Life

A 52-p. low voltage lighting booklet is $1.75 from Intermatic, Intermatic Plaza, Spring Grove, Il. 60081 ; (312) 372-7W0.

GET YOUR COPY of any New Literature items by contacting each company directly. Please mention you saw it in

EIASSMreDADS

CalI (714) 852-I9mfor rates. To reply to Box Ads, wite The Merclwnt, 4500 Campus Dr., ste.480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

CONTRACTOR SALES: Reliable Lumber will be hiring an experienced Southern California contractor salesperson. Customer following is a necessity. Reliable has specialized in quality and service since 1929. We have the ability to service your customers located throughout all of Northern and Southem California. Nevada and Arizona. Excellent benefits including profit sharing. Send resume to P.O. Box 3ll, Huntington Beach, Ca. 92648, Attn: Contractor Sales Position, or FAX to 7lz1-848-9622.

HARDWOOD LUMBER & PLYWOOD sales: Experienced salesperson for an established territory with numerous accounts. Combine your experience and following with our opportunity and expand these into a very lucrative career. Reply to Box 660, c/o The Merchant Magazine.

I\DUSTRIAL, MDF & PARTICLEBOARD salesperson(s) wanted: Landmark Forest Products is looking for experienced industrial, MDF and particleboard salesperson(s). Be a part of our growing company. Excellent compensation & benefits plan. Six warehouse locations in 3 states - All rail lines. Lance Duke, (909) 888-6747; FAX 909-885-5778.

SPECIALTY BROKER: Expanding Southern Oregon lumber wholesale company has immediate opening for an independent specialty wood products commission broker with strong clientele base. Superior iinancial split; professional office support; private office provided. Renowned fi shing/skiing/hunting/golf area. Neeley-Nelson Lumber Co. Phone (503) 7737368 or (800) 547-5988.

OUTSIDE SALES: Southem California established lumber and hardware store is seeking an experienced salesperson. Must be familiar with lumber/plywood, sash & door, as well as trusses. Excellent compensation and benefits. Send resume Attention Michelle Spence, P.O. Box 545, Rosemead, C-a. 9 177 0.

LUMBER TRADERS: We are a new wellfinanced wholesale wood products company located in the Portland, Oregon, area. We offer excellent opportunities for established tmders to expand their customer and mill accounts. Our commission and benefit schedules arc one of the best in the industry. Your inquiries will be held in confidence. Call Dave Miller at Northwest Forest Products, (503) 692-6483.

LIIMBER SALES: l,eading Southem California softwood lumber distributor is looking for one highly motivated, creative salesperson to cover the San Fernando Valley and Santa Barbara territories. Proven sales and customer following helpfrrl: Background in Redwood, Cedar, Douglas Fir and Pine preferred. Excellent compensation and benefits package. Please send resume to Box 658. c/o The Merchant Magazine.

DDCELINE LIjMBER COMPAIYY, in busi. ness since 1913, has opening for an experienced commission salesperson at our new contractor sales office in Corona, Ca. Excellent compensation and benefits package. Contact: Clark Taylor at (619) 263-6161or FAX rcsume to 619477-6591.

PAN PACIIilC is seeking experienced wholesalers for our Bend and Eugene, Or., locations. We are looking at panel specialsts, GDF California specialists & Midwest SPF specialists, to name a few. Please contact John Eshleman at (503) 684-8375 to find out how yg11 can be compensated at a higher rate than what you are now receiving. Have fun & make more money!

ACCOUNTANT: Bakersfield, Ca.-based company in the lumber industry seeks hands-on controller to direct financial operations of company. The successful candidate will be a proven team leader having strong accounting, manageriaVadministrative and strategicy'operational business planning skills. Computer awareness and the ability to be flexible in meeting the challenges of a rapidly growing company is a must. No rcsume considercd without salary requirement. Send in confidence to: James H. Bock - CFO, 300 New Stine Rd. #101, Bakersfield, Ca. 93309.

Effi#^ sbEmenrof tune€hip, M*4**frggl,..j::llJ,

Redwood Empire, a softwood lumber manufacturer and distributor, has career opportunities for experienced, careeroriented individuals.

Openings are available for the following positions: Lumber/plywood buyers and sales representatives.

Relocation necessary. Positions are available in Northern California.

Benefits are included with a competitive salary and incentive program. Submit your resume, with lumber experience and salary history, in confidence to!

Human Resources

Redwood Empire

P.O. Box 1300

Morgan HilI, CA 95038

LOCAL LIIMBER hauling Southem California roller bed truck and trailers and bobtails radio dispatched. Rail car unloading at our spur in Long Beach, Ca. 3-C Trucking, (310) 4220426.

Galifomia Lumber L I Inspection Service

I Sl Certified Agency

Sacramento (o16) 722-2500

Portland, Or. (503) 223-6105

P.O. Box 6989, San Josc, Ca. 95150

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A Division of California Redwood Association

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'o7i'J;lio2, 'l'.H::T:l' l\DJ, KHil['i-8f''

The Redwood Rules Writing Authority

Authorized by American Lumber Standard Committee Board oI Review

BUSINESS FOR SALE: Long established, highly profitable Philadelphia and South Jersey complete building materials retailer - five locations - mill shop/cabinet shop - owners retiring. Immediate access CSX railroad, New Iersey Turnpike and I-95. Call Steve Teitelmatr, (610) 827-0971.

CEDARMAN'S LUMBER. $I74,OOO

Mineral, Wa-, (3ffi) 492-3941

VINTAGE DOUGLAS FIR DECKING. 3"x4" 3'to 20' T&G DFfloor deck. Grade is equivalent to D Clear. Stock is over 100 years old and is in excellent condition. Manufactued to lay up as 4" thick floor. Price is $375/m F.O.B. Bend, Or. Deschutes Pine Sales, Inc., (800) 547-5660.

COMPUTER SYSTEM: S4M0 CPU V660 SCSI HD & l2MG RAM, 32 Ports, l50MG TD. Asking $8,000.00. For more information, call Kathy Anderson, Mar Vista Lumber Co., (310) 398-2716; FAX 310-397-5147.

HYSTER forklift 22,000 lb. ' Stenner 36" VHM 20 hp resaw Diehl 75 straight line ripsaw. Paulson 4-head moulder Mattison 12" 226 moulder l0 hp Bag House dust collector Mobile office 8x20 two doors. Call Craftsman Millworks, (310) 865-5266; FAX 3t0-92+5496.

WEATIIERED,

- SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES AREA