NN@NTANA NtrWS

By PETERSEN execulive secretary

Y EDUCATED appraisal, the thome improvement market in 1976 approached $30 billion. onlv approached $30 billion, only slightly under total expenditures for new residential construction.

No estimate is at hand for the percentage of that $30 billion accounted for by do-it-yourself purchase and use of improvement materials. Nor is there a figure relating to the portion of the d-i-y market controlled by women. But it is impressive. In d-i-y business, the lady's decisions and choices are dominant to a gleater degree than in new construction.

The small dealer would do well to follow the lead of top-notch merchandisers and direct his promotions toward the woman of the house. This is particularly true for the home center operator, since remodeling and redecorating are generally inseparable components of the total package. Furnishings, to the woman, probably have greater significance than the basic materials contributing the physical changes. Smart merchandisers recognize "the power of the woman" and direct their promotions correspondingly. A highly successful sales philosophy.

Recent happenings within the industry include enrollment of these new members: on the board of the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association are as follows: Keith Ker, Max Ker & Son Lumber Co., Idaho Falls, Id.; and yours truly. Alternate National Director is Joe Harley, J. C. Baldridge Lumber Co., Albuquerque, N.M.

Mark your calendar now. We are going to have an Armstrong Retail Management Seminar in Denver Feb. 22-24,19'.t7.

This is a full-fledged, high-powered two day and two night school put on by top experts. Armstrong Cork Co. is a leader in education in modern management and sales procedures.

Welcome these new associate members:

Ideal Ceramic & Marble

Gaylord Kirksey (3O3) 778-1962

1001 W. Bayaud

Denver, Co.80223

Edward Hines Lumber Co. of Colorado

H. Barth Palmer (303) 665-9451

P.O. Box 129

Lafayette, Co. 80026

Statewide Trucking Co.

Blaine Bellah (303) 761-0815

1801 W. Oxford P.O. Box I I 16 Englewood, Co. 801 l0

Joe Quinn (303) 455-4400

2881 N. Speer

Denver, Co. 8021 I

Knox Lumber Co., Billings

Dennis Dennie, manager

Peavey-Thunderbird, Billings

Bill Wolfe, manager

Peavey-Thunderbird, Kalispell

Lee Boyer, manager. We are pleased to welcome them to the MBMDA group.

Bill Woon is in the process of building from scratch the Shelby Building Center, Shelby. He anticipates a November opening.

New manager for Georgia-Pacific at their Great Falls branch is Miles Johnson.

Condolences are extended to the family and friends of C. M. McClain, 74, Great Falls, longtime member of MBMDA and employee of Grogan-Robinson Lumber Co.