U.S. Leans Against Extending Softwood Pact

Lumber retailers and home builders are applauding U.S. Special Trade Ambassador Peter Scher for recently announcing that the U.S. does not intend to seek a reinstatement of the Soliwood Lumber Agreement when it expires in 2001.

In a letter to Canada's Minister for International Trade. Scher noted, "It is our sense that both the U.S. lumber industry and lumber consumers have becomc increasingly disenchanted with the SLA in many resPects. We believe both the governments of the United States and Canada should get out of the business of regulating lumber trade and, therefbre, we are not inclined to support an extension of the SLA.''

In response, National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association president Gary W. Donnelly stated, "This is a huge vindication for lumber dealers who know they can make a dif'ference and who persevered and fought our government and the large and wellfinarnced U.S. timber industry coalition over principles we believe in."

Donnelly, though, did admit that "while thc Scher lctter acknowledges the effectiveness of our opposition, we will continue to maintain our vigilance. We presume that (Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports) is already preparing to launch a countervailing duty action against Canadian producers the day after the SLA expires."

Local Hardwood Promotions

Lumber processors and loggers who previously have only worked with softwoods are beginning to learn that Califbrnia hardwoods off'er more value as manufactured products than as firewood or chips, thanks to promotional efforts by the California Hardwood Manufacturers Network.

Participation by the grouP at such events as the Sierra Cascade Logging Show and the Redwood Region Logging Conference is helping to educate the public and raise awareness of California hardwoods.

The shows provided an opPortunitY lbr networking among members of the hardwood business and those interested in entering the hardwood industry. Prospective manufacturers viewed hardwood flooring, furniture and other items and had access to technical assistance.

Celotex Goes Instructional

Celotex Corp. has added a new instructional division called CelotexTech to show customers various methods of installing their products.

The division is part of a new brand identity program that includes changing the company's logo design and colors to black and yellow and its theme to "Build on Our Knowledge."

"Our re-branding will focus on positioning Celotex products as the intelligent choice in building materials," said John Borrreca, president and ceo.

High Hopes For E-Commerce

American consumers will sPend $18.6 billion on electronic commerce this year, more than twice the $8 billion spent last year and up 6l5Vo from 1997's $2.6 billion, according to a recent eRetail report.

The steady growth is exPected through 2002, when total U.S. consumer e-commerce revenues could hit $65.6 billion.

The number of online buyers should increase about 20Vo a year, from 38.8 million this year to 67.2 million in 2002. Average annual expenditures online of $479 per buyer in 1999 are fbrecast to rise to $976 in 20O2.

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Mitch Loper, controller, has been promoted to operations mgr. to head Pan Pacific Forest Products, Bend, Or., replacing president Ron Hanson, who has left the company he co-founded l2 years ago.

Chris Fife is new to marketing at Idaho Timber Corp., Boise, Id. Tom Griffrth has been promoted to lumber purchasing. Michael Garcia, exHope Lumber, has joined the sales and marketing team at subsidiarY Sagebrush Sales, Albuquerque, N.M..

Leon Bruch is now plant mgr. of Hoff Forest Products, Meridian, Id.

Dennis Phillips, ex-Washington Pacific, is now operating office wholesaler Industrial Wood Supply, Vancouver. Wa.

John Neubauer has left Ace LBM, Phoenix, Az., to join GeorgiaPacific. Atlanta, Ga., as a national accounts mgr.

Mark Swancutt has relocated from Trimco Millwork's Grand Junction,

Co., office to become the sales mgr. in Salt Lake City, Ut. Roy Corbett relocated to Grand Junction to become resident sales representative for Western Colorado.

Jon Hunter, ex-Pan Pacific, is now with Eugene Pacific Lumber, Eugene, Or.

Harriett Clothier, director, International Trade Division, Parr Lumber, Portland. Or.. has retired af.tet 20 years. She will remain on the board and will continue to serve on the nine-member international trade task force for Gov. John Kitzhaber's office and the state of Oregon. Mike Darby has been named mgr. of Parr Lumber's yard in Redmond, Or., recently acquired from CoPeland Lumber. He replaces Pete Davis, now head of contractor sales.

Denny Legaspi is now with Bacon Lumber Sales, Kenmore, Wa.

Jared G. Carter has been aPPointed v.p. and general counsel of Pacific Lumber Co., Scotia, Ca.