NEWS BRITFS

Housing start predictions

eontinue to be scaleddown in tlte face of increasingly expensive mortgage $$, a situation created by federal government actions to tighten the money supply as a way to control inflation. the banks' prime lending rate is now ll-1120/a, with some predicting a further climb to l2o/o, its highest level ever.

Forecasts now range from a low of 1.4 million housing starts in '79 to very nearly the 2-million expected to be produced this year...a slowdown in new home sales has been detected. including such "hot spots" as California. Seattle and some Rocky Mountain areas.

Virtually no one isforecasting a poor year (nor as strong as '78), it's just a question of how much of an easing from '78's strongas-a-horse pace of business. for example: if starts drop to 1.6 million, it will be a decline of approx. half-a-million ''',,:ifrom expected '78 totals.

A concensus among many experts holds that d-i-y business will continue its steady growth, that commercial and industrial will remain a strong segment; and that these market areas wdl o.ffiet much, if not all, of the losses expected in the new housing sectors. .'.'

Moderate price increases are expected in lumber, plywood, millwork, dry wall and roofing, with cement and concrete uP sharply.. RARE II can be counted upon to heat up as a political issue as industry and environmentalists make their plays for suppoft regarding final disposition of millions of acres of federal land.

Initial readouts from the Forest Service's computer show widespread public support .for multiple use of the U.S. forests folloiving the recent RARE II polling. . . further refining of the "raw data" proceeds...

For the 8th mo. in a row, housing starts came in above the 2-million mark, Oct. (latest figs.) hit 2,080,000 off a hair from Oct.' 77's 2,1 39,000; starts were up in the West. nationally, single family starts were off lolo to 1,447,000 on a seasonally adjusted annual basis.

Bldg. permits rose in the West, tho the national fig. was off 2.80/o to an annual rate of 1.681,000 units from Sept.'s revised 1,731,000. multifamily permits dropped 130/o to a 555,000 unit annual rate, dropping in some markets but rising in the West...

Parr Lumber has rnoved from Orange, Ca., to Chino to a new distribution yard and offices; final construction touches are now being added. . . Sierra Pacific Industries has purchased 69,000 acres of timber, including a sawmill, from Times Mirror Co., for about $36 million..

Merrill Lynch llood Marketi', Inc. is the new name for Portland-based Wood Markets, Inc., included in the change is Oregon Pacific Industries of Concord, Ca.,. Advance Lumber, Encino, Ca., is a new wholesale forest products co....

Bil{ingtonts Home Buildins Supplies ls the new name, for ilr Co, ir the new name for,r3 Alaska and one Tacoma, W&t firms, consolidated by parent co. United Building Center, Winona, Mn.; they are: SPenard Builders Supply, Anchorage; Alaska Builders Supply, Fairbanks; Arrow Lum.b,er, Anchorage; and Galco l&o,od Products. Tacoma. . Withers Lumber, Woodburno Or., recently celebrated its 50th year in business.

Ulm Hardware & Lurnber, Hoodsport, Wa., recently purchased by Home Buildins Supplies, Shelton, Wa., Pacrfic Crest Building Center, Olympia, formerly Woody's Lumber Center, has held an: open house to celebrate its new name..

Johns-Manville, Denver, is merging Olinkraft into J-M in an exchange/purchase of stock; final fig. on the $ involved should be known by year end. . . Brookings Plywood, Brookings, Or., has been sold for $5 million to a yet undisclosed buyer.

Orange Coast Hardware and Lumbei Co., Santa Ana, Ca'., is a new retail firm est. by the 3 sons of Bill Hormuth, who.,'will continue to operate Orange Coast Hardwood & Lumber for awhile: the new 6,000 sq. ft. facility opens in Jan.

Northwest Lumber & Building Supply, Eugene, has been sold to" lioise - Cascade for an undisclosed amount. 84 Lum.:Der has opened a new store in Martinez, Ca. Sand Door & Plywood Corp., L.A., has opened a branch facility at Escondido, Ca.,. Stoltze Conner Lumber, Darby, Mt., is the new name for Del Conner Lumber since it was bought by F. H. Stoltze Land & Lumber, Columbia Falls, Mt.,...