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Manager Nabs Purse Snatcher

The manager of a Santa Barbara, Ca., lumber yard is now a local hero after apprehending a purse snatcher.

IJohn Schutz. Santa Barbara Mill & Lumber Co., and his family had returned to their car after dinner at a local mall, when they noticed two 21year-olds confront an elderly woman. One grabbed her purse, the other struck her, sending her flying.

IIMaking sure his family was safely buckled in, Schutz gave pursuit in his Ford Taurus. Peeling out into the parking structure, he chased the men for two blocks, running a red light and weaving in and out of traffic.

IHe finally spun his car in front of them, blocking their path and sending the snatcher tumbling over his hood. Schutz got out of his car and chased the snatcher another half-block, tackling him and holding him down for about five minutes until police arrived. His cohort escaped.

Schutz's wife and children returned to comfort the victim, who suffered a bruised arm and torn clothing.

Police began taking statements and news reporters arrived. In the meantime, an officer had tagged a $60 parking ticket on Schutz's car for being parked against traffic in a red zone.

Kincaid Rejoins Former Boss

Kyle Kincaid, longtime cfo at Knoll Lumber & Hardware, has joined Parker Lumber Co., Bremerton, Wa., as cfo and treasurer.

Founded more than 60 years ago by A.H. Parker, Parker Lumber wils purchased in 1994 by Richard Barnes, former pres. of Knoll Lumber. Barnes and Kincaid worked together at Knoll for 12 years, in which it grew from one to six stores in the Seattle market.

Prior to Knoll, Kincaid spent l0 vears as a CPA to Northwest dealers.

Steady Growth For Gypsum

North American demand for gypsum products is forecast to rise 3.3Vo annually through the year 2OOO, according to a new Freedonia Group study.

Increased construction activity, particularly nonresidential, will drive the growth based on gypsum's use in building products such as wallboard, plaster and Portland cement. Demand will further benefit from changing architectural trends boosting material utilization on a per structure basis.

More Accurate Pallet Stats

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association and the U.S. Forest Service are developing a new, more accurate methodology for estimating annual U.S. pallet production, said to move the compilation of these statistics "from the stubby pencil era into the computer age."

The Forest Service will help generate statistics for the small businesses that characterize the pallet industry, which typically do not have their own research & development departments.

The new methodology eliminates the confusing concept of an "expend- able" pallet, referring to pallets that are used once and then discarded. Even "limited-use" pallets are designed for up to nine trips before they first need repair.

Pallet Users Choose Wood

An overwhelming majority of all pallet users choose wood pallets, according to a study by Cahner's.

The report concluded that 98Vo of all locations examined use wood pallets because of their strength, cost and availability. Other benefits noted included recyclability, disposability, durability and price.

Surprisingly, pallet users attributed only 5.4Vo of shipping damage to pallet use, while assigning 45Vo to poor materials handling practices.

Construction Regaining Pace

New construction contracts will advance 4Vo in 1996 to $31 1.1 billion, forecasts McGraw-Hill Cos.

Slightly stronger growth in construction contracting is expected for 1996, in keeping with a maturing cyclical expansion. The rate of increase should pick up to 4Vo from the