Mor6[eine

by WESTERN TURNINGS

Majestic Columns for a Llfetime of Grace and Beauty

Genuine Marble Particles. Polymers and Fiberglass Form an fuchitecturallytue Entasis Taper.

Marbleine Means a Virtually maintenance-free, Matte White, Paintable Surface in 6 '. 8'. 10 ' and12 'Widths, and lengths to 18'.

haven't heard anyone complain of such a lack in some time, as a matter of fact. Most of you who have "found your niche," the currently popular method of competing against price cutters, chains, etc., have done it by experimenting with several new concepts, lines, methods of operation, advertising ideas or whatever.

In most cases it hasn't been a giant leap into a whole new arena, but several tentative steps or refinements of the existing business. More simply put, one of LMA's successful members, when asked what he sells in his business, responds, "Anything I can make a profit on." This same dealer has in the past sold Rolex watch "look alikes" and sunglasses at the cashier's station. The inexpensive glasses meet the criteria; the watches didn't. The point is, you'll never know unless you try it.

Flexibility and innovation are part of the edge the independent has on the competition. It's not necessary to bet the farm on a whole new direction for your business when a few dabs offine tuning will do it. Periodic adjustments are needed in any business, and you can get away with even a failed experiment in yours as long as you don't put all ofyour eggs in one basket. or decide to run for President! The Southland

(Continuatl Jrortt page 33)

American Lumber Standards were developed by a committee of people representing the producers, the wholesalers, the retailers, users and specifiers. It's a voluntary consensus system for the industry that gives it strength.

The committee is appointed by the

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Secretary of Commerce, which is a valuable protective measure. The standard is promulgated under National Bureau of Standards Procedures, which makes the standard very legitimate, yet the committee enforces the standard on its own. The committee operates under an anti-trust decree. It lays down a code of ethics and enforces it.

Many standards of earlier years have been abandoned as unworking. Of the more than 400 that existed at one time, the standard for softwood lumber is one of the few remaining. Remaining because it works. Work within the standard by asking for and selling only ALSC certified agency stamps. It's your best guarantee of quality.

Mountain States

(Continued from page 24)

Center, Salt Lake City, Ut., as a counterpart to the Denver show.

The Supplier Directory and Product Guide listing all associate members of the MSLBMDA is being updated for 1988 and will be sent to more than 700 retail dealers in the five state region.

A three-day Bill Darling Residential Framing Lumber Estimating course for intermediate level estimators will be held Jan. l1-13 at the Holiday Inn, downtown Denver. Instructor will be Bill Darling, Ontario, Canada, a management consultant.

December 1987

InAUEtlt{G around the Mountain States, lll (center photo) Ed Sandlin (right), immediate past president of MSLBMDA, visited with Jim Ridd, Standard Builders Supply, Salt Lake City, Ut. and (clockwise from top left) (21 Jim Brunk, Sunrise Home Center, Jackson, Wy. l3l Bill Bohrer, B-Mart Home Center, Pocatello, ld., l4l Mark Swager, Anderson Lumber Co., ldaho Falls, ld. (51 Fred Hale, Colonial Building Supply, Bountiful, Ut. (61 Ted Johnson, Max Ker & Son Lumber, ldaho Falls. {71 Dan Burton, Burton Lumber, Salt Lake City, {81 Merlyn Jolley, Jolley Building Supply, Shelley, ld., l9l Jerry Reeve, Tyhee Home Center, Pocatello. ll0l Dick Paras, Chris & Dicks, Salt Lake City.

Optimism in Mountain States

Optimism and innovation amidst poor economic conditions formed the major theme encountered on a recent tour of Northwest WYoming, Southeastern Idaho and Northern Utah by Mountain States Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association immediate past president Ed Sandlin, Trinidad Builders SupPlY, Trinidad, Co.

Sandlin visited 24 operations on a four day tour that began in Jackson, Wy., and ended in Salt Lake CitY, Ut. Other communities visited included Idaho Falls, Shelley and Pocatello, Id.; Ogden and Bountiful, ut.

Among the conditions Sandlin found were: o Construction in Idaho Northern Utah has been down some time. Unemployment is high in many areas. o The Salt Lake City area is very active compared to the surrounding region. o Most dealers are optimistic. Sandlin said he was most impressed by the variety of ideas dealers have for developing their individual niche in the market. and for still Shippers of QUALTTY FOREST PRODUCTS Truck & Trailer or Rail Shipments '/ Douglas Fir t/ Hem Fir t/ Redwood t/ Pine Specializingin 2 X 4 1750F CnII (619) 244-9933 Ron Pugh or Sherry Carter

Sandlin announced that a new trade show called the Intermountain Building Materials Buying Show will be held Thursday, April 14, 1988, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.