The First Greqt Quqlity Solesmon An Editorial

The first great creator of, and booster for quality printing that history"has any record of was Erasmus.

He operated a great printing establishment about the year 1500 in Switzerland-where he had skipped to avoid religious persecution-and he inaugurated for the first time in history, quality printing. He printed mostly bibles.

Instead of small type, closely printed all over the page such as the world had become accustomed to, Erasmus decided upon the beautifully typed page, using fine type and fine printing paper, with proper widths of columns, of margins, etc. Many of the fundamental rules of book print- ing in use today were conceptions of Erasmus.

And he used as his slogan-,,Compete in euality, not in pliss"-3nd history credits him with being the author of that merchandising thought. And he derided and con_ demned cheap printing, while boosting quality products.

And the business world today uses his ideas in discus_ sing quality products of all kinds. For this ex-monk was a very progressive fellow indeed.

USP Sales $t Million per Dqy

United States Plywood Corporation reports record sales and substantially improved earnings for the quarter and the six-months period ended Oct. 31, 1958. Consolidated net earnings_ be_fore taxes for the six-months period amounted t-o -$12r624,5Cf. Net earnings after taxes amounted to $7,702,0w.

Sales established record highs for any six-months period and any quarter in the company's histoiy. Sales for tlie six_ month period ended-9St-ob.t 31, 1958 were $115,297,0@ as compared with $107,226,A00 f.or the same period oi last year. For the quarter,e_n.ded_O-ctober 31, sales were $61,930,0601, compared with $54,835.,000 for the same period last year.

The month of October showed the hiqhest sales of anv month in the company's history-$23,40:6,000. It was th"e hrst month in the company's history in which sales aver_ aged over $1,000,000 fofeach working day.

'Good Service' Still Keynote In Completed Erponsion of Smith-Robbins Lumber Co.

Bill Smith, general manager of Smith-Robbins Lumber Corp., Los Angeles wholesale concern, brought the long-planned expansion and building program of the progressive, young distributing yard to successful ccinclusion last month when the bright new offices located at 6800 Victoria Ave. were completed.

The office building was the last structure of a remodeling schedule that included three new storage warehouses constructed by Empire Steel Building Corp., new and expanded mill facilities, and five units of mobile operations equipment. Although Smith-Robbins is one of the oioneer wholesale lumber firms in southwest Los Angeles, it is just during recent years that Bill Smith has been at the helm of administration and operations.

The face-lifting schedule also included streamlining the sales and service, remanufacturing division and general ofifrce personnel. "We started out several months ago to build a close-knit, hard-hitting group of lumber people and we believe we now have just that kind of a staff," said young Smith.

To accomplish the end product it was, of course, necessary to furnish the employes with the tools and the inventory. These they have in abundance. The fine new warehouses will accommodate in excess of two million board feet of lumber in undercover dry storage. The mill is geared to handle, in a fast, efficient manner, any load pull developed by the sales staff. And the offices have been planned for both beauty and comfort.

The interior decor- is a permanent displiy of the products sold by Smith-Robbins. The general offices house the clerical staff and this section of the building is finished in Pacific Coast softwoods. Secretary-Treasurer David Robbins sports a beautiful new office in incense cedar. with a dark tone finish. The reception entrance companionway is also finished in cedar with a light, gay color. The sales staff have a soft, quiet tone in their office, which develops an atmosphere of harmony and efficient technique in the present-day, hard-hitting sales effort.

To enhance the modern features of the new building, all ceilings are finished in acoustical tile, which naturally develops greater efficiency in work accomplishment.

No 'Holes'in This Organization

In building the new plant, wHich is the last word in smooth operation and good housekeeping, Bill Smith also concentrated on building a young, progressive staff. Although his office is completed in beautiful wormy chestnut, there are no holes in the organization. His lieutenants are experienced in all phases of lumber procurement, remanufacture and sales.

Yard Superintendent Jack Eggars has been in lumber all of his life. He is thoroughly familiar with handling and operations at all levels. Under his management the operations force of 35 pulls as a unit in production and shipping. The yard is situated on a l?-car spur which facilitates incoming and outgoing shipments.

'ihe experienced sales stafi includes Dan Hilton, Dick "Ski" Voelzke and Al Weitz-all young men with sales vision and lumber experience. The order desk and statistics are in the capable hairds of a veteran lumberman, Earl Spargur. And last, but not least, Ruth Williams and Alice Holcomb are the capable "Girl Fridays" who keep the boys functioning efficiently.

Smith-Robbins Lumber Corporation appears to have all the tools, inventory and sources of supply. And, most of all, they have enthusiasm, youth, "know-how" and the will and energy to render good service-so necessary in this age of competition.

Saginaw Cedar Shingles

Hove prolected Colifornio homes for 40 or more yeors, ond still do so.

Saginaw Cedar Shingles

Hqve been sold oll lhese yeors by

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16"-5/2 #2 Shingles

16"-5/2 #3 Shingles

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16"-512 Undercoursing wide

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