Company gambles on econoffiV, beats the odds

llOT ALL companies are born at Iltne "right" time. Martin Forest Industries, redwood wholesale brokers and distributors. was formed in 1979 at the end of the last big building boom. Economic conditions then were not favorable, due to dwindling housing starts, soaring interest rates and runaway inflation.

Gary Malfatti, half owner and working partner, puts it this way: "A lot of people didn't expect MFI to make it. But we've beaten the odds and come out on top. I've been in the industry for over 15 years and have seen a lot of people and companies come and go, but MFI took a gamble and survived."

Gordy Martin, president, and Malfatti, vice-president, have had a long association. They always dreamed of someday combining forces to form their own company.

Their dream became a reality in 1979. MFI was formed and began operating out of a one room office in St. Helena, Ca. It was a meager beginning, depending upon a shoestring budget and a small, but loyal following to get them through.

Four years later, MFI had expanded its customer base and outgrown its facilities. The company had a brand new facility constructed in Healdsburg, Ca., with over three acres of distribution yard, a beautiful 2,000 sq. ft. office, a three-car spur, and milling facilities. A grand opening of these facilities was held on October 7 of this year. Many of their customers and suppliers turned out to help in the celebration.

MFI handles 9090 redwood items including all unseasoned and kiln dried uppers as well as redwood timbers to 30 feet. The balance of their product mix is a select group of pine and cedar products. Because they handle redwood products almost ex-

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Story at a Glance

Despite 1979 start up condilions, wholesaler grows with sound business techniques, lots of hard work. expanding market area. .new head. quarters facility, larger staff.

ollicers: (1) Gordon King and Pete Niebling along with Bud Baker, Ed Fountain, Jr. (2) Tim Gaffney, Paul Haacke, Elaine Smith, Jack Price, Bill Jones, Bill Sullivan. (3) Arnold Nutter, Gene Burnett. (4) Ted Pollard, Daryl Bond, Kent Bond. (5) Jim Golding, Steve Baugh, Mark Herms, Bob McCuen.

(6) Jim Frodsham, Mike Nicholson, Ron Tipton, Ed Feduniw. (7) Doug Willis, Bob Bonniksen, Rich Bilby, Nelson Sembach. (8) Fred Kruse, Andy Ersek, Miles Butterfield, (9) Don Swartzendruber, Helen & Bob Wells. (10) Sterling Wolfe, Jr. (11) Bill Gunnell. (12) Doug Ketchum, Frank Stewart. (13) Len

Albrecht, Wayne Gardner, John Hodge. (14) Pete Speek, Ron Boag, Larry Crabtree. (15) Jon Wolfe, Bob Brown, John Newquist. (16) Pete Skibba, Jerry McGuire. (17) Bruce Burns, Ted Gilbert, Dale Bacon. (18) Art 0lsen, Mike Covey,

Wholesaler regionals

;HE regional meeting pictured I here, held in Los Angeles, Ca., by the North American Wholesale Lumber Association, was one of a series of more than 20 such gatherings held this fall at various locations around the country.

The controversial topic of federal timber purchases was addressd by former Oregon Congressman Charles Porter, whose anti-industry views provoked the sharpest debate seen at a Southland regional in years. Porter's opinions were heatedly attacked by Gordon King, a NAWLA first v.p. and president of Hampton Lumber Sales, Portland, Or.

A report on the condition of NAWLA ("excellent") was given by association v.p. H.M. "Pete" Niebling, who attended this meeting as well as a number of others in the other parts of the country.

The gathering, held October 19, drew more than 80 people.