NEW PRODUCT$ New Literature

Rapistan Conveyor Saves

Lumberyard Time And Money

The introduction of a simple conveyor system has resulted in substantial cost savings to a lumber conpany by creating a rapid-flowing "river" between f reight cars on a spur and the warehouse. Strong's Lumber & Coal Company, South Rockwood, Mich., reports a direct saving of from $8 to $lO in unloading each box car of building materials. This is made possible by the use of a conveyor system extended up to 110 feet from the boxcar. As a result, employes save many hours of manual labor and the lumber firm registers a 25/o cost saving in unloading operations.

The lumber firm installed a conveyor system engineered and manufactured by RapidsStandard Co., Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich. Equipment used in the yard includes the power, portable Stevedore, Jr. and gravity Rapid-Wheel and Rapid-Roller conveyors. The equipment is highly maneuverable and can easily be moved from car-to-car and adjusted to the distance from the unloading point to the destination in the warehouse, according to Strong's manager, Miles Laura. One worker in the boxcar places the lumber end-to-end on the Stevedore, Jr. Then the powef conveyor nloves the line of lumber along the gravity conveyor and up a fivefoot incline to a second worker who olaces the boards on the warehouse balcony. These two men, one in the boxcar and the other on the balcony, can unload a boxcar lvith 25,000 feet of lumber easily in an eight-hour dav.

Strong's uses the Rapistan Stevedore Jr. Model 350 constructed ot r/8" heat-treated aluminum alloy with a high-strength-weight ratio. It can be readilJ' movecl throughout the yard on two supporting wheels. The conveyor belt is powered by an electrical engine and can be adjusted from low horizontal to steep incline by a self-locking crank mechanisrn.

The gravity conveyor consists of RapidWheel and Rapid Roller conveyors made in five and l0-foot sections. The frames are constructed of lightweight alunrinum and l0 or |Z-gauge steel with baked enamel or galvanized finish. Strong's employs 18" wide sections of both Rapid-Wheel and Rapid- Roller conveyors. However, the RapidWheel also is available in 12" and 24" widths; and the Rapid-Roller is also made in 12" and l) wrdths.

SELF-MERCHANDISERS FOR WAXES AND FINISHES

Two compact self-merchandisers have been developed by United States Plywood Corporation, launching an intensive advertising and promotional campaign to stinrulate sales of Weldwood waxes and finishes. The campaign is backed by a heavl' schedule of consumer advertising in Life magazine and on Arthur Godfrey's famed rnorning CBS radio pr()gram.

Based on wide trade and consumer acceptance of the Weldwood Aclhesive Center, U.S. Plywood recognized the need to develop a compact unit for easy retail selling of waxes and finishes. Two different units were designecl; one a merchandising display, the other a store fixture. A survey was conducted in twelve key nrarketing areas throughout the country, offering dealers a choice. Over 600 dealers were shown color sketches of both and asked their preference. Results of the survey indicated alrnost equai acceptance.

Edge marking of lumber with company or brand name and species can now be accomplished automatically through the use of the Conveyor Line Marking equipment manufactured by Automatic Marking Equipment, The printing equipment is easily installed on the "green chain" of any lumber mill at a point following the trimmer or button saws. Tl.re lumber moving down the "green chain" contacts and rotates the printing roller which makes the desired impression. No additional labor is necessary. Speed of operation is determined by the speed of the lumber moving along the "green chain."

Lumber marking ink capable of application on wet materials is available in most stanclard colors. Approximately 30,000 linear feet of lumber can be marked with one pint of ink. An ink filling port installed on a hollow ink container with each unit facilitates replenishing the ink supply. The ink container holds three ounces of ink. An auxilliarv inking system is available and offers ionger operating cycles without re-inking. Little maintenance other than periodic lubrication and re-inking are necessary for trouble free long life operation.

Modestly priced rubber printing dies manufactured to order with 'i51161"-Back" adhesive or Rapid Interchangeable dies afford quick change of rea<ling matter. Each die is usually capable of marking 1,000,000 linear feet of lumber.

At the present time, many Canadian lunber mills are using the Marker through the suggestion of the White Pine Bureau of the Canadian Lumbermen's Association. Excellent results have been obtained by these mills. For complete information without obligation, write or call the Automatic Marking F,quipment Inc., 2U7 Fulton St., New York 7, New York.

Dealers ordering either Weldwood Finishing Center are being offered the unit at established dealer price plus a balanced stock of wood finishing materialsWeldwood Satinlac, Satinlac Lightener, Clear and White Firzite, Exterior Stains, Wood Prescrvative and both liquid and paste wax. As a special bonus, U.S. Plywood is including free merchandise with a retail value of almost $60.00.

United States

PLYWOOD CORPORATION'S custom-built .merchandisers for Weldwood waxes and finishes feature a collection of woods ato,p the displays which function as a selector-guide. By means of 40 finished wood samples, a customer can see exact results when he uses any of the displayed finishes. The selector-guide is supplemented by literature describing each finished and "how-to-do-it."

Retail prices and sizes are clearly shown to indicate cost of materials and facilitate self-service. The units occupy only 4l square feet of foor space. Flexible store fixture on the left, can be placed at the end of a gondola run, against a wall or used as an "island" display. Merchandising display on the right, modern in design to suit any decor, is built of sturdy plywood and wrought iron and has an eye-catching lighted header.