ltrA [D@\nrs & vflews

Harry Mendenhatt

Cxccutive Vicc Prcridcnl

Lumber Merchsntr Associolion of Northern Colifornio l5f6 El Conho l-1, Sull.0 tor Affor, Calll.94!l27 (4rrl 9rr.t617

In a recent joint board of directors and executive committee meeting the association five-year growth program presented by the planning committee was reviewed and the basic concepts were approved.

The leaders of LMA recognize that in their own business a growth factor must be included each year if the company is to progress and remain in operation. They also feel the same logic applies to their association. ***

If the association is to stay in business it must progress with the dealers and in fact must stay at least a year ahead in many areas such as legislation, anticipated educational requirements, business forecasts, €tc.

With this in mind, the planning committee chairman, Homer Hayward of Hayward Lumber and Home Supplies, Salinas, proposed a year-by-year, five-year growth program for the association. Bv 1978 the association must be able to provide the members-hip with training and services of the highest quality available on the market. Training, as an example, will include the top management, middle management and sales training by highly qualified instructors who can provide the best possible training. By 1978 dealers will eagerly await the presentation of these courses as thev know thev will be conduited with the greatest expertise avlilable. ***

Not only will the training course improve and more be added to assist the dealer in training his staff, but the many and varied services will be improved. New insurance programs to coverall possible needs of the dealers and employees ivitt Ue initiated.'Professional consultants of the highest caliber will be on tap and available for marketing/merchandising, store and yard layout, product mix, area studies, accounting etc.

New programs of dealer research and a library of industry literature anil training materials will be developed and available to the membership. A dealer task force for legislative assistance will be formld. * *

Gordon Knott, president of LMA and owner of Yosemite Lumber Co., Fresno, appointed special studies committees to study the feasibility ofestablishing a separate corporation to operbte the many and varied programs and also to research the practicality of the association building a home for itself, purchasing a small office building or to continue leasing larger facilities.

President Knott stated that these two subjects are of vital interest to the association members and the next five years can mean the development of a highly professional association that is comparable to the best found anywhere in the industry. * * * for lumber is So why not use our line\One call to Hobbs Wall can save ybu time and money. lt's a faster ilay to land the right grades at the right prices with delivery right on schedUle, whether you order a unit \ or a carload' -';*;;J:;

The association must be ready to fill every need demanded by the membership. Growth within the association will expand the training and service programs available and will add to the profits of each member.