\[b've thesoods onthe State!

With sheathing and studs to go.

If you're a wholesaler or distributor in the Los Angeles basin, l7illamette's ready to fill your orders for top quality sheathing at Berth 177 in Wilmington. Located in the Bay Area? You'll also find us at 2800 Alvarado Street in San Leandro, where we have the finest sheathing as well as studs. \07e do all the warehousing so you won't have to. From a few units, to a truckload, iust call us for a quote, then give us the specs. \Ue;ll have the goods on our dock, ready for your prompt pick-up. r0fhat a way to save time and save some green in the Golden State!

Phone us today at 503.926-7771.

ft\ Wittamette Industries, Inc.

\Z Lumber and Plvwood

Albany, Oregon 97321 503-926-7771

Louisiana-Pacific's strike drags on

Despite a long strike by two lumber workers unions at 18 of its Western operations, LouisianaPacific Corp. is running most of those facilities at near normal levels. The strike, which began June Z, has directly affected l7 manufacturing plants and a logging operation. A distribution yard and a trucking center have also been struck and production at two of the company's pulp mills has been intermittently affected by lumber union picketers. A settlement of the strike is not expected soon, observers say.

But, by using a combination of union members who have elected to cross the picket lines, newly hired workers and salaried employees, L-P is currently operating 12 of the plants, the logging operation, the distribution yard and the pulp mills. A thirteenth plant will begin operation within two weeks.

"More than 373 of the 1,700 union workers involved in the strike have returned to work," according to Lee C. Simpson, L-P's vice president, operations. "These workers have been augmented by more than

560newly hired permanent replacements and about 100 salaried employees," Simpson said.

He noted that because of recent declines in the market for wood products, L-P is operating at levels consistent with current demand.

The strike by members of the Lumber Production and Industrial Workers Union and the International Woodworkers of America resulted from failure to reach agreement on a new contract.

In addition to the 18 plants involved in the strike, L-P operates another 28 Western mills. Many of those 28 mills have increased production above normal levels during the strike.

Why L-P took the strike

Louisiana-Pacific's decision not to follow the labor contract agreement reached by seven other large forest products firms is an attempt to head off the difficulties faced by America's steel, rubber and automotive industries, according to Harry A. Merlo, L-P chairman and president.

"The commodity industries in this country got into trouble by ignoring their competition and failing to control steeply rising production costs," Merlo said. "Our Westem mills are faced with the same situation as they try to compete with Southern mills."

The company says its proposed contract was aimed at establishing more competitive labor costs in its Western mills, without reducing wages and benefits for current employees.

"We've offered a one-year contract which would keep current employees at their present wage rates and a benefits package at least as good as they now enjoy,' Merlo said. "Only workers hired after July I, 1983 would be paid lower wages and would be subject to waiting periods before qualifying for full benefits,"he said.

The competition represented by the Southern forest products industry is comparable in many ways to Japanese competition in the steel and automotive industries in L-P's view. In typical Southern sawmills, including those that are unionized, wages are about half of those paid in the West. In the West, wages range from about $9.50 to $13.50 an hour, easily the highest labor rates among U.S. sawmill workers. Nonwage benefits, including medical in- surance, pensions and vacations, cost about 30s/o-40V0 more in the West than in the Southern states.

Merlo said he was disappointed that there isn't more recognition among union membership that wages and benefits that are noncompetitive can work against the worker as well as the company.

"The union leadership certainly recognizes the danger," he notes. "James Bledsoe, executive secretary of the Lumber Production and Industrial Workers, was quoted in the Union Register as admitting that 8,000 L.P.I.W. members have lost their jobs as a result of union insistence in previous years on a 'pattern' settlement throughout the industry."

Because of uncertainty about the

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Competitive Pricing

Weyerhaeuser prices are always competitive. You can count on it, You can also count on consistent quality of products at the best value in the industry. Day in and day out.

Reliable Delivery

When Weyerhaeuser people give you their word, you can rely on it. Allorders will be shipped when promisedon time. No excuses. lf a problem does occul we will go the extra mile to satisfy our customer.

Consistent Quality

Weye rhaeuser-prod uced products are measured against rigid quality control standards.

We will not cut corners. You can rely on Weyerhaeuser products to meet your performance expectations. Products purchased for resale by Weyerhaeuser will meet

@ Copyright 1983

WEYERHAEUSER CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTERS:

ARIZONA

Phoenix: (602) 269-3541

CALIFORNIA

Anaheim: (7 1 4) 77 2- 5880

Fontana: (7 1 4) 87 7- 61 OO

Fresno: (2Og) 486-6221

Hayward: (415) 786-1700 the same demanding requirements. lf it comes fromWeyerhaeusel you can counton its quality.

Dependable Service

Weyerhaeuser Customer Service Centers are conveniently located to meet the supply needs of our customersquicklY and accurately. We work with our customers as partners, anticipating thei r needs and staying ahead with new products and new ideas. And ourTrading Centers are primed to give you prompt service on all direct mill needs.

People Who Care

You will always get a quick response, accurate information and insightful cooperation from the people of Weyerhaeuser. We are dedicated to solving customer problems, and working hard to be the preferred supplier. Your respect is Weyerhaeuser s top priority. We will never take it for granted.

Long Beach: (213) 436-8475

Los Angeles: (213) 748 - 5451

Sacramento: (916) 371 -1000

San Jose: (408) 297-9451

Sepulveda: (213) 894-4015

COLORADO

Denver: (303) 433-8571

OREGON

Eugene: (503) 461-0500

Portland: (503) 646-061 1

UTAH

Saft Lake City: (801) 972-5525

WASHINGTON

Seattle: (206).854-3550 V9eyerhasrrser

Show & Tell Sells Customers

Audio-visuals can increase product sales as much as2,7950/o according to recent tests conducted in hardware, housewares and automotive sections of home centers in Canada.

The six month test was conducted with filmstrip projectors on l3 products. Positioned with the merchandise on an endcap, the audio-visual unit advertised one product during each two-week promotion.

A sensor in the unit activated the projector when shoppers entered a 9 ft. sensing area. It was observed that this method attracted shoppers and avoided the annoyance of a message being broadcast without an audience. After a two week promotion, the product and audio-visual program were changed.

Sales of each product were monitored for the two weeks prior, during and after the promotion. Newspaper advertisements were run for two of the products two weeks prior to the audio-visual promotion. This advertising produced fewer sales than the audio-visual program for both products.

Stores participating in the pilot program were pleased with the results and plan to expand the use of the audio-visual promotions in the future.

1984 Show 90% Sotd Out

The 1984 National Home Center Show, scheduled for Chicago's McCormick Place, March I l-14, is already 9090 sold out, according to Vance Publishing Corp., the show's sponsor.

"Demand for exhibitor space has been extraordinary," reports John F. Berry, director of convention services.

"It appears that more than 1,300 exhibitors will occupy allof the 300,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space," he said.

Plywood Production Climbs

Record production of structural panels is anticipated by the American Plywood Association for the next two years.

Output this year will be 20.2 to

20.3 billion sq. ft., according to Peter Koehler, APA chairman and president. This figure is substantially higher than the 19.9 billion record set in 1979 and the 16.4 billion produced last year.

Production for 1984 is predicted to come in just tnder 22 billion sq. ft. The APA expects panel exports to hit 600 million feet this year. Over 6090 of the 1983 output will be used in non-housing markets.

U.S. West Outguns France

The 13 Western states (The Merchant Magazrne's circulation area) now have an economy larger than that of France. If our gross regional product is compared to their gross national product, it's the West $635 billion, France $539 billion. Fourth ranked West Germany's GNP is $657 billion.

Gross National Product of the world top three: United States: $3,027 trillion; Japan: $1,048 trillion; Russia: $699 billion, according to First Interstate Bank.

The ryrtcm is made up of highly trained market specialists with years of experience in the softwood lumber industry.

The rptem works fast and with complete follow-through.

The ryetem has coast-to-coast facilities so we truly know the entire U.S. market.

The slatem has an in-depth knowledge of the Canadian market as well, since wdre one of their largest lumber importers.

The rptem gives you straight, updated information on all softwood species.

The rystem has a first-rate approach to shipping. Wdll ship your order the most cost and time-efficient way.

The ryrtem is making markets in all softwood species:

Canadian Spruce - Green Douglas Fir - White Fir - Western Red

Cedar - Redwood - Western Hemlock - Ponderosa Pine - Sugar

Pine - Waferboard - Timbers

You can quote us on everything wdve said about the Furman System. Now...may we quote you?