Deolers Show Widespreod Inleresr in Mechonicol Hondling

' Widespread interest on the part of retail lumber dealers in mechanical handling, unit loading, and the development of freight cars that will accommodate unit loads of building products was shown by replies to a questionnaire distributed by the National Retail Lumber Dealers Association through its federated associations. Replies received from 2481 yards in all sections of the country showed that nearly two-fifths of the dealers who answered the questionnaire now are operating either fork lift or straddle trucks or both.

fn addition, 16o/o of these dealers plan to purchase one or more lift trucks within the next year, and 34o/s expressed interest in obtaining consultation service on mechanical handling and yard layout problems. The questionnaire also revealed that 28/. of the dealers , replying now are operating yards planned to handle unit loads, and that 62/o of the others can adapt their present yard facilities to unit loads.

Of the dealers operating fork lift trucks, B4/o operate one or two units and 57/o of the equipment reported in operation has a capacity of 6,000 pounds or less. Steel strapping is now used by 39/o of. the reporting dealers.

Other interesting facts developed by the questionnaire are the following:

27/o of those using outside storage use wrapped or protected lumber.

58/o have a private rail siding.

48/o can unload from both sides of a freight car.

30/o have a ramp or can bed high platform rvith which to get into a freight car.

Perlaarrlp

Chet King of The Robert Dollar Co. wholesale division in San Francisco spent a'week in southern California on business last month.

Don Bufkin of the Hobbs \rArall Lumber Co. SoCal outpost, and Chuck Lember of D. C. E,ssley & Son, both prorninent Club 2 HooHoo, attended the big Willits Redrvood Products Co. Christmas party at Willits Dec. 14. They were joined in San Francisco by a group of NoCal lumbermen and converged on the Brook Trails Guest Ranch at Willits to celebrate the annual event sponsored by Hobbs Wall. Carl Gavotto of San Diego was among the many others seen at the gala party.

Pruden Frames, used with your present stock lumber, roofing, and building hardware, will give you a new 40 foot wide building, and a new market!

Each dollar in huden Frame sales will sell two additional dollars worth of other materials. The Pruden Frame makes an ideal enclosure for a shelter where clear span, economical consbuction is needed.

The franchise in your city may be open.

Write today!

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nikkel (he runs the R. F. Nikkel Lumber Co. in Sacramento) attended the 1956 Olympiad in Australia on their vacation cruise through the Far East.

Bill Tobin, Long Beach rvholesaler, spent the pre-Holiday rveek in Oregon and northern California arranging early 1957 shipments from the mills he represents.

Elmer Frutchey and his son Jim, both of Los-Cal Lumber Co., Los Angeles, spent a recent week in northern California visiting two Tarter, Webster & Johnson mill installations"

Forrest W. Wilson, southern California supplier, attended the 40th annual meeting of the Red Cedar Shingle Bureau in Seattle last month and conferred with associates in the Pacific Northrvest.

Among the southern California dealers at the big NRLDA Exposition in Chicago last month were Tom Fox (an NRLDA director) of the John W. Fisher Lumber Co., Santa Monica, Frode Kilstofte of the Rossman Mill & Lumber Co., Wilmington, and Dean Votruba of the Chandler Lumber Co., Van Nuys. Of course, Orrie W. Hamilton, executive v.p. of the SCRLA, was there for the Exposition and sessions. too.