IIe\r-Itrtght Handwoods

Tariff Hits Value-Added

The U.S. Commerce Department has expanded its countervailing duty judgment on Canadian softwood lumber imports to cover value-added lumber products such as fencing, decking and siding.

The action marks a departure from earlier decisions that had given partial exemption to value-added manufacturers.

The decision is expected to imPact l07o of Canada's overall softwood imports.

John Rogosta of the U.S. Coalition for Fair Lumber ImPorts said, "It's all lumber and you're going to pay the l9.3Vo (duty) on all lumber."

Final rulings on the dutY are expected later this month from the Commerce Department and from the U.S. International Trade Commission in early December.

New Wood Floor Standards

The National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association has adopted new standards to define acceptable configuration and tongue and groove fit for solid wood floorins.

The standards establish maximum allowable tolerances for overwood as well as new tolerances for side matching, flooring width, and end match squareness.

The new standards establish a maximum tolerance for overwood of .020" for No. I common or better and .030" for No. 2 common flooring.

Overwood is the allowable thickness difference between boards at the time of manufacture.

The association also set standards for factory finished flooring: .012" for prime grade, .016" for standard grade, and .020" for tavern grade.

The tolerances are tighter for factory finished flooring because they are expected to result in an acceptable floor with no onsite sanding.

"The problem is, if there is a wide range of thicknesses in unfinished flooring delivered to the job site, the installation contractor will be forced to sand off more wood than he should have to in order to achieve a quality wood floor," said NOFMA technical services director Mickey Moore.

All standards must be met in order to retain NOFMA certification for flooring quality standards.

U.S. Blamed In Trade Dispute

A free trade group's new report on the softwood trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada alleges that the current crisis is a "made in the U.S.A." problem caused by a historic depletion of supply, leading to reoccurring log famines in the U.S.

In addition, the report found that provincial forest policies in Canada were not responsible for the reductions in American log volumes.

The report's author, Les Reed of the Free Trade Lumber Council, argued that "new lumber tariffs against Canada serve to simply penalize millions of American consumers with higher costs."

He added, "(The tariffs) are forcing consumers to go to offshore suppliers in order to meet the demand for increasing volumes of softwood products."

Other findings in the year-long study: American log famines have historically been accompanied by a long sequence of punitive tariffs on lumber imports; over the last two decades, the shortage of logs has been exacerbated by the preservation movement, and this movement has led to the protection of l0 billion bd. ft. of previously available softwood.

Reed concludes that both countries need to establish a joint timber supply outlook task force to foster free trade.

The full report, Two Centuries of Softwood Lumber War Between Canada and the United States-A Chronicle of Trade Barriers Viewed in the Context of Saw Timber Depletion, is available online at www. ftlc.org.

Lumber Products Buys D&J

Lumber Products, Tualatin, Or., has acquired D&J Wood Resources, Tempe, Az., from David Dudley.

This acquisition gives Lumber Products distribution and value-added capabilities in Tempe and Cottonwood, Az., and Albuquerque, N.M., for hardwood and softwood lumber milling/surfacing, panel processing, laminating and edge bending.

In addition to its manufacturing operations, Lumber Products will now have 12 distribution centers in the Western U.S.

Customer's Top Complaints

According to a recent customer survey, "It's not my department" is the most upsetting statement that a retail salesperson can make to a customer.

The study, conducted by MOHR Learning, surveyed 230 shoppers on both coasts.

A close second for customers was, "If it's not on the rack, we don't have it," which annoyed 24.9Vo of those surveyed.

Other statements that retail customers find annoying: "That's the policy," lO.27o; "Ask that person over there," 87o; "I'm new here," 6.2V0; "You'll have to wait your turn," 5.37o, and "The computer is down," 2.77o.

"The findings suggest shoppers resent having store employees stand in front of them and say they can't help-that customers are on their own." said MOHR Learning c.e.o Michael Patrick.

Because of the slowing economy, Patrick observed that more retailers are refocusing on customer service.

"What's needed is to get associates committed, to do their best even when nobody's looking," he said. "They need to listen to customers, learn to use their judgment, know the products and be able to resolve shopper problems."

The Merchant Magazine welcomes Letters to the Editor.

Please send to Editor, 4500 Camnus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660: Fax 949-852-0231, or by e-mail to dkoenig@ ioc.net.

American Pride

What being an American means to me.

Of course, freedom is the first. I think we all used to take it for granted. Now that this tragic event has occurred, I cherish every moment of the day.

On my way to work the morning of Sept. I I, it was an unbelievable sight. I witnessed flags flying on overpasses. Just about every car had the flag flying on it. Some had "God Bless America" written on their windshields.

People were on the street corners waving their flags, horns honking in togetherness. People, let me tell you, this sent chills down my spine. I think for the first time in my life, I have never been so proud to be an American.

As we grieve for the ones who lost their lives, and feel for their loved ones, we as Americans need to show the world we think as one. We need to show we are united as one. We can't afford to show weakness. I believe we are all doing the right rhings.

Is there a price for freedom? You betcha. Just think about all our service men and women who are protecting our great nation. Think about all the lives that have been given to protect what we have.

Do you really realize what our fellow citizens give up to protect what we have today? If not, take a moment and think about it. If you have never had the experience or been in the position to protect our country, you have missed out. It was a great feeling for me.

. I encourage all of you to reach out ln any way you can to help this great nation of ours remain intact. Take a moment to tell a stranger "hello." Honk your horn and give a thumbs up to someone who has that flag flying on their car or their house. Acknowledge them in their support. Have you given blood yet? Have you donated money to the Red Cross?

If you haven't, shame on you. Come on, people, let's not think this is behind us. It just got started. Let's keep this great force moving. We will prevail.

I had asked our wonderful emolovees if they would want to aonaie money to the Red Cross through a payroll deduction. Whatever was contributed to the company would be matched dollar for dollar.

The response was overwhelming. In one day, we raised $1,600. I challenge you to do the same.

As these tragic days lie ahead of us, let's not give up hope. Remember, we are proud Americans and cannot forget what we are fighting for-our freedom.

Rick Anfinson Anfinson Lumber Sales 13041 Union Ave. Fontana, Ca.92337

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George Wood is the new marketing mgr. at Chemco, Ferndale, Wa.

Robert Clarke, ex-Weyerhaeuser, has rejoined Capital Lumber Co., Chino, Ca., as industrial accounts mgr.

Rick Wollenberg has been named president and c.o.o. of Longview Fibre Co., Longview, Wa., succeeding his father, R.P. Wollen' berg, who continues as chairman and c.e.o.

Lee Kuhre has been named vice President of environmental affairs at Louisiana Pacific Corp., Portland, Or.

Steve Tennent has resigned as president of Buckeye Pacific CorP., Portland, Or. Jeff Dill, exSeaboard International, succeeds him.

Russ Leland, ex-Forest Grove Lumber, has opened a San Bernadino. Ca.. office for Elk

Creek Sales. St. Paul, Or.

Marc Hoffman has been Promoted to the newly-created position of v.p. of hardwood plywood at Columbia Forest Products, Portland, Or.

David Bartel has started a Eugene, Or., office for Cardinal Trading Ltd., Portland, Or., specializing in exports to Europe and Asia.

Mario R. Angel has joined The Beck Group, Portland, Or., as a consultant.

Robert W. Murdoch has been appointed to the board of directors at TimberWest Forest Products, Vancouver, B.C.

Raymond Clark, ex-Home DePot, has joined APA-The Engineered Wood Association as a Product support specialist. Zeno Martin, associate engineer in the Technical Services Division, Tacoma, Wa., received his civil engineering credentials from the state of California. Bill Baker, mgr. of market support services in the Technical Services Division, celebrated his 30th anniversarY with APA.

Don Cheshek, ex-InterPane Glass Co., has joined Wausau Window & Wall Systems as sales reP for Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Dick Bristol has been aPPointed director of the Paint division at Ace Hardware Corp.

Thomas J. Ferrari has been appointed president of retail sales at OKON. Denver. Co.

Len Sadosky has retired as president and c.o.o at Tasman Roofing Products, Corona, Ca., after 19 years with the company. Bo Hudson succeeds him.

James Crow has been appointed director of communications at the North American Insulation Manufacturers Associ ation.

Peter F. Secchia is retiring after 40 years with Universal Forest Products, but will continue as nonemployee chairman of the board.

David Rutherford has been appointed v.p. of litigation for Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga.

Mark Rey, ex-American Forest & Paper Association, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as President Bush's nominee as an undersecretary in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, overseeing national forest and land conservation-related programs.

Thomas A. Shallow has been appointed executive director of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.

John Lee Anthony, president and c.e.o, Anthony Forest Products, has stepped down as president of the American Institute of Timber and Construction. He has been battling cancer since last summer.

Eric P. Canton. former chairman of Canton Lumber, is now managing director for the personal growth consulting firm Oxygen for Thin Air Consulting Group LLC and c.e.o. of in-store merchandiser SuperServe Logistics.

Murray Gelleri, Discount Builders Supply, San Francisco, Ca., and his wife have returned from a European vacation.

Rick Perry has joined the Window & Door Manufacturers Association as director of industry standards.

Patience Reitz is now health program advisor to Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus, owners of Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv.

Ganahl Buys Radio Property

Ganahl Lumber Co.. Anaheim. Ca., bought and demolished a building that once served as a studio for Anaheim's I<EZY radio station.

The 3/4-acre property, which borders Ganahl's yard, had been coveted by the company for many years.

The radio station was evaluated for possible lumber uses, but according to Ganahl's John Ganahl, there were "none whatsoever." Plans instead include more lumber storage or enlarging the employee parking lot.

Peter Ganahl noted that their new facility in Los Alamitos, Ca., was made possible by the destruction of an old building, explaining that "progress is almost always preceded by what economists refer to as creative destruction."