Happy Holidays from Weyerhaeuser

Thank you for relying upon \fleyerhaeuser in 1989 for providing a complete line of quality building materials and services with all the trimmings,

Al of us at \feyerhaeuser eagerly look forward to providing you with the quality products and the satisfaction you have come to expect from us in the New Year.

Best wishes to you and your families for a healthy and prosperous 1990!

Vestern Curto*., Service C.nt.rt

Seruing markets in

December I 989

the lumber and home center 13 Western StatesSince 1922

VOLUME 68, No. 6

Business Forecast Special Issue

MERLO: Lots Of Changes Ahead In New Decade

BINGHAM: Problems To Solve & Conquer ln 'gO

HART: Pressure To Continue On Timber Supply

PETERSON: Industry Has To Commit To euality

LONNING: lncreasing Market For Treated Wood

ROBISON: Bright Future For Structural panels

STEBBINS: Enivronmentalists Are Big Threat

DORAN: 1.45 Million Housing Starts For 1g9O

ROBERTS: Western Lumber Use To KeepGrowing

Editor-Publisher David Cutler

Senior Editor Juanita Lovret

Associate f,ditor David Koenig

Contributing Editors Dwight Curran, Gage McKinney, Ken Thim

Art Director Martha Emery

Staff Artist Ginger Johnson

Circulation Lynnette A. Perkins

The Merchant Magazine (USPS 79656000) is published monthly at 4500 Campus Dr.. Suite 480. Newport Beach, Ca, 92660. phone (714) 852-1990. by The Merchant Magazine, Inc. Second-class postage rates paid at Newport Beach, Ca., and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr, Suite 480, Newport Beach. Ca. 92660.

Advertising Offices

Advertising rates upon request.

From all slates east of the Rocky Mountains: Contact Jean Waggoner Cogerty, national sales manager. [:rom Arizona, Nevada and California: Contact David Cutler. Both mav be reached at (714) 852-1990 or by writing 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

F'rom Washington State, Oregon, ldaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Northern California and Canada: Contact Carole Holm at (206) 774-3713 or 21819 77th Place West, Edmonds, Wa. 98020.

Change of Address-Send subscription orders and address changes to Circulation Dept., The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660. Include address label from recent issue if possible, new address and zip code.

Subscription Rates-U.S.: $l l-one year; $17-two years: $22-three years. Foreign: one year payable in advance in U.S. funds-Canada or Mexico: air-$35; surface-$3O; South America: air-$551 surface$30; Asia: air-$68; surface-$30; Europe: air-$98; surface-$30. Single copies-$31 back copies-$4.50 when available plus shipping & handling.

The Merchant Magazine is an independently owned publication for the retail, wholesale and distribution levels ofthe lumber and home center markets in 13 western states.

DAVID CUTLER editor-publisher EDITORIAT

It's Liters and Meters Time Again

I S WE enter the final decade of this millenium, forecasts abound on expected changes in supply, products, merchandising and marketing. Wethink they're overlooking a development likely to have a major impact on how you conduct your business: measurement.

Metric measurement is far closer to widespread use in the United States than many believe. By the turn of the century we think it will be more often the standard, than the exception, as it is now. It could be commonplace far sooner.

Why all of a sudden is a movement to metric upon us? Generally, it's government responding to changing markets. In an effort to make America more competitive overseas, Congress last year passed a Fair Trade bill requiring metric measurement for all products leaving the country. The U.S. Department of Defense will require metric measurement from all its suppliers as of January 1 , I 990. It is the same date that the ln 1992 Europe will begin removing virtually all trade barriers between its members, a move expected to produce a business revolution and a boom of sizable proportions. Whether 1992 proves to be all currently claimed for it or not, it will inevitably pressure the United States into greater conformance to metrics.

European Community has established requiring all products sold in the 12 countries that comprise the EC to be in metric measurement.

As the astounding political changes in Eastern Europe and Russia evolve, increased world trade seems a likely by-product. Coupled with the Pacific Rim growth, these factors inevitably mean that further isolation of U.S. business will be shortlived.

Every business of every size in America will feel the impact of these changes. Whether we like it or notand most don'twe'll have to adapt. There is no other viable option.