Build local, think global

ding community of green building leaders and that there's more than one way to build a green home. So rather than attempt to impose their rating system, they launched the LEED for Homes Affiliate Program with the pragmatic aim of forging working relationships with many green building organizations and local green building leaders, thereby promoting the broader movement in the context of local needs.

"We're market oriented and are looking to support and promote what's working in each community," Nate Kredich, USGBC's v.p. for residential market development, told me recently. For example, they've been working with North Dallas Green Built and NAHB, to develop educational materials for production builders, dealers and distributors. They're even helping to produce a "mini GreenBuild" in the area. (By the way, USGBC's GreenBuild conference is Nov. l7-19.)

tTnt cREEN BUILDING movement is rooted in big thinking, I but the U.S. Green Building Council is beginning to think small and local. Their mission is to transform the built environment-that's thinking big with over 125 million buildings in the U.S., most of which are energy and water hogs. Considering that buildings account for a third of the U.S. carbon footprint, success is of global importance.

After over a decade of leading the commercial building revolution, USGBC has become a transformative force with a valuable brand. But there still remain 120 million lessthan-efficient residential buildings, which is where action must now be focused. This is why the USBGC is putting considerable effort into boosting residential green building, in concert with local leaders, which is good news for LBM dealers.

In residential building, there was already a green building movement well under way by the time USGBC's LEED for Homes arrived on the scene two years ago. Local and regional residential programs have existed for years in progressive cities like Austin, Tx., whose Austin Energy Green Building program was the first in the nation. LEED for Homes shares many similarities with these programs, even though each reflects its own local conditions, both in terms of content and approach.

In addition, there are alternatives to LEED, including EnergyStar, NAHB's Green Building program, the PassivHaus approach (new to the U.S.), the International Living Building Institute, the NauHaus Institute, and a host of natural building organizations.

Given these realities, I really like USGBC's collaborative approach. They recognize that they're part of a bud-

In Minnesota, they've joined a coalition with Minnesota GreenStar, with its new-build and remodeling rating systems, and Minnesota Green Communities, which advocates for healthy, affordable housing. They've also launched the Green Home Guide (www.greenhomeguide.com), a website to help connect homeowners, builders, and dealers with trusted information and with each other.

In terms of economic clout, green residential building is only just finding its feet and, in any case, current economic conditions have strangled most building of any kind. But when homes start to be built again, it's likely that many will be guided by a national or regional green program.

"We recognize that for green home building to scale rapidly, it's important that everyone in the value chain understand the rating systems and are well-connected with their local green builders," said Kredich, emphasizing the value of education.

They're reaching out to support interested independent dealers, as well as the big chains. With many more new green residential products and materials coming to market in 20 I l, it should be easier for proactive dealers and distributors to rise with the green home building market. If that's true, then the USGBC's big thinking could very soon be taking root in a communitv near vou.

JaY TomPt Managing Partner William Verde & Associates (415) 321-0848 info@williamverde.com

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ProBuild Holdings, Denver, Co., has purchased the propertv its El Cajon, Ca., Dixieline Lurirber store sits on for $2.61 million from former Dixieline owner William S. Cowling ll.

ProBuild also continues to hold longterm leases on two other Dixieline sites-La Mesa and Escondido, Ca.that Cowling sold for $9.7 mittion to LN Real Estate, a division of Laird Norton, founder of Lanoga.

Ace Hardwar€, Milton-Freewater, Or., is moving to new building down the street. At 18,450 sq, ft., it's twice the size of its current home of 30 years, allowing the store to increase staff and add new products, including lumber.

Farr's True Value Hardware. Coos Bay, 0r., held a grand reopening last month to mark a top-to-bottom renovation of the 22,000-sq. ft. store.

Among the thousands of new products added are hundreds of plumbing and electrical SKUs, in hopes of picking up customers from recently shuttered Perry's Electric, North B-end, Or.

Minton's Down after 99 Years Everything at 99-year-old

Minton's Lumber & Supply, the oldest business in Mountain View. Ca.. was to be auctioned off Nov. 9.

"It's difficult for the small independent business to compete against big boxes," said president Debby Schulz. "It just was not working out. My parents, the owners, were putting in their own money to keep things operating."

Early next year, the buildings will be demolished and construction will begin on a 200-unit apartment project. The developer, Prometheus Real Estate Group, has agreed to rent the land from Schulz and her family for 75 years.

"We want to hang on to the property as long as possible," said Schulz, whose family bought the company in 1911. "The hardest part is having to lay off people because we are closing." She said that many of the employees had worked there 25 years.

"Through the '70s, '80s, and the early part of the '90s, we were able to run a profitable business," she said. "But price is just a big factor right now. There is an enormous amount of inventory these stores carry and they can price it a lot lower. Young homeowners are looking for the best possible price. Our clientele, I noticed, got older and older."

New Owner Revives Northwest Mill, Retail Firm

The old Springdale Lumber Mill in Springdale, Wa., reopened this summer as Springdale Lumber & Bioenergy, a division of Borgford Bioenergy LLC.

New owner Dale Borgford said the mill cuts specialty timbers for custom jobs and also sells standard dimensional lumber, plywood, drywall, roofing materials, and hardware items such as nails, screws and brackets.

The business currently employs more than 30, but expansion will come quickly. Future plans include a new retail building and a generating system.

"Preparations to install a whole log chipping system are in progress. which will help the fire fuel load reduction process in our forests," he said. "A three-megawatt generation system is being prepared and will be installed soon."

The generation system, designed and built by Borgford Design &

Manufacturing, will use mill waste and forest slash for fuel. "Each success within the mill itself generates further successes in providing opportunities for local loggers and truckers," said Borgford.

California Dealer Expanding

Homewood Building Supply will spend $3.6 million to build a new 36,000-sq. ft. facility on 8.8 acres in Loomis, Ca., just two miles from its current, rented location.

"The economics of the whole thing are helped by the fact that we are presently paying rent," said president Hamid Noorani. "We could be making payments on a loan that will be not too different from what we currently pay in rent."

He said that the larger location will give the company greater visibility, and room to expand its product lines and services. "We also think sooner or later this recession is going to run its course," said Noorani.

A little more than 5 acres of the S.8-acre site are usable. The rest will be maintained and owned by the town of Loomis as a preserve. In exchange for the value of the land, the town will provide some road improvements.

Homewood also purchased 1.2 acres of credits from Wildlands Inc.a conservation banking company in Rocklin, Ca.-to mitigate for wetIands on the property.

Reprieve: Swanson Mill Keeps Running-For Now

Thanks to a big order from China, Swanson Group's lumber mill in Glendale. Or.. which had been scheduled to shut down Oct.2l, will keep running into next year (see Sept., p. 22).

The 2O-million bd. ft. order will preserve 57 jobs at the mill. The other half of the facility's workforce are being integrating into its plywood and veneer operation in Glendale.

According to Chuck Wert, executive v.p. and chief operating officer, there's enough supply to keep the sawmill running for about three months. He said, "Over the next three months, we're hopeful that they're will be other conditions that change that will give us the ability to keep it running."

To extend operations further, Wert said that the company is looking for signs of stronger demand, improved prices, or better availability of logs.

Pacific Ace Hardware, Vacaville and Winters, Ca., opened its 3rd location Oct.26 in Esparto, Ca,

Lowe's opened the first chain big box home center in San Francisco, Ca., Oct. 29, at the location Goodman's Lumber left nine years ago (Gina Meacham, mgr.). Home Depot had fought for and won permission to build on the site, but backed out last year.

Lowe's will begin construction early next year on a 159,000-sq. ft. store in Salinas, Ca.

Meanwhile, the developer of a proposed Lowe's in Santa Rosa, Ca., may sue the city over project delays.

Home Depot has begun hiring the more than 250 workers needed to staff a new 467,000-sq. ft. dishibution center in Salem, Or., slated for a January opening. The $30,5-million warehouse will serve stores in Oregon, Washington, ldaho and Montana,

Habitat for Humanity relocated its ReStore in Wailuku (Maui), Hi., Oct. 16 (Karen Motooka, mgr.).

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Dave Duncan, Lazy S Lumber, Beavercreek. Or.. retires Dec. 3l after 40 years in the industry.

Kevin Murray, ex-Hoover Treated Wood Products, has joined the sales team at Mary's River Lumber Co.. Corvallis. Or.

Eddie Smalling and Ryan Williams, ex-Forest Grove Lumber, are new to the sales staff of OregonCanadian Forest Products, North Plains, Or.

Tom Reynolds has joined the industrial division of Bridgewell Resources, Tigard, Or. Other new traders are Matt McCoun, Andrea Cowell, Jim Decker, and Brian Bippes, hardwoods; Hubert Mommers and Nils Dickmann, exports, and Gary Wing and Robert Leal, imports.

Renee Cirrone is store mgr. of the new Do It Yourself Center in South Lake Tahoe, Ca.

Tom Williamson has been elected president of PPA-Structural Wood Society (formerly APA's Plywood Pioneers Association), succeeding George Sisterhenm.

Tianna Cash has been promoted to sales rep at Jones Wholesale Lumber, Lynnwood, Ca.

Karrie Williams and John Edwards, ex-Bridgewell Resources, are back at Buckeye Pacific, Portland, Or.

Mike Branson has retired as senior v.p.-timberlands at Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way, Wa. Tom Gideon, previously executive v.p.forest products, assumes leadership of the company's timberland business. Larry Burrows is now senior v.p.-wood products. Peter Orser succeeds Burrows as president and c.e.o. of Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Co. Sara Kendall is now v.p.-corporate affairs, succeeding Ernesta Ballard, who is retiring.

Ren6 Ancinas has been named c.e.o. at Port Blakely Cos., Seattle, Wa., parent of Pacific Lumber & Shipping. He succeeds James Eddy Warjone, who headed the family business for 32 years.

Garth Williams, ex-Boise Cascade, is a new account mgr. at Idaho Forest Group, Coeur d'Alene, Id., concentrating on specialties.

Chris Mclver was promoted to v.p.lumber sales & corporate development for West Fraser Timber Co., Vancouver, B.C. Memphis, Tn.based Sean lVlclaren is now v.p.U.S. lumber operations, and Peter Rippon, v.p.-pulp & energy.

Stephen Frasher has resigned as president and c.e.o. of Western Forest Products, Vancouver, B.C. Chairman Dominic Gammiero has been reappointed c.e.o. Vice chairman Lee Doney also will play a more active role, focusing on strategic initiatives.

Kevin Surace, c.e.o., Serious Materials, Sunnyvale, Ca., was among the speakers at the recent GreenBeat renewable energy conference at Stanford University, Palo Alto, Ca.

Craig Menear, executive v.p. of merchandising, Home Depot, will receive City of Hope's Spirit of Life Award Jan. I I during the International Builders' Show in Orlando. Fl.

Mike Rowe Chip is the new director of technology for Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., report co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

Private equity firm Cerberus has dropped its proposed takeover of Bluelinx, after failing to acquire sufficient shares to make the deal work.

Jones Wholesale Lumber, Lynwood, Ca., now distributes Dreamdex FSC-certified, Class A exterior fire-rated decking in Southern California.

SDS Lumber Co. indefinitely cut production by 25o/o at its plywood division in Bingen, Wa.

Southwest Forest Products' shuttered mill site in Ash Fork, Az., is likely reverting to residential zoning. Phoenix, Az.-based Southwest closed the facility two years ago after filing bankruptcy in September 2009.

EcoBlu Products, Vista, ca., is expanding capacity at its main production facility in Colton, Ca., adding a second shift to double production.

Jeld-Wen, Klamath Falls, Or., is shutting down its Hartselle, AI., door plant by the end of the year, laying off 51.

CertainTeed won a 2010 CSX Environmental Award for reducing carbon emissions for shioments from four plants, including Cody, Wy.

OrePac Building Products, Wilsonville, Or., is now distributing DuPont Tyvek Fluid Applied WB System in Oregon and Washington.

0smose's MicroPro technology was awarded additional Green Building Points from the NAHB Research Center, under the National Green Building Standard program, reportedly making MicroProtreated products eligible for more green building points than any other treated wood.

Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods. Honolulu. Hi.. has translated its websiie into Mandarin to better serve Chinese clients.

Relaunched websites: Enduris, at www.enduris.com, and American Wood Council, at www.awc.org and woodaware.info.

Anniversaries: Southwall Technologies, Pato Alto, ca., 3oth.

New Degree: OSU Promotes Green Building Jobs

Oregon State Univcrsity, Corvallis. Or.. now offers a biichclor of science dcgree pro-qram in renewable matcrials. to meet a growing demand for profcssionals in the manufacture. nrarketing, ancl usc of sustainable. naturul rcsourccs-dcrivccl rnatcrials such as wood, bambocl , straw and other plunt-blrscd goods.

"ln many sustainable industrics today thcrc ilre more jobs than graduates to f i ll thcrn , cvcn during the rcccssion," said Thomas McLain.

renewable materials professor and department head at OSU, who leads the new program.

"Our new curriculum is designed to train the next generation of sustainability professionals," said Mclain. "Companies in green, natural materials-based busincsscs arc demanding a dif'l'erent type of pcrson fbr employmcnt today."

Students in the new program can ehoose l'rtrm two dil'ferent oplions. The first focuses on rnanagement and marketing skills, while the second lireu:cs on science and cnIineerinc..