lmported Hcrrdwood Plywood Assn. Moves lnto Permonent S. F. Ofiices; Plons Fighr ro Mointoin Joponese Business

The Imported Hardwood Plywood Association, Inc., moved into its permanent office in Room 25OQ of the World Trade Center on March 13. Simple ceremonies were observed as the office had been temporarily established in the World Trade Center in the historic Ferry building in San Francisco since February 1. The World Trade Center in the north r"'ing of the Ferry building, which houses the new association office, was constructed at a cost of two and a half million dollars.

Gordon Ingraham, the newly appointed managing secretary of the IHPA, is no stranger to the lumber business. Graduated from the University of California in lV29 as an architect, he was with the United States Forest Service from 1930 ro l94O when he was called to Army duty as a reservist. Colonel Ingraham served in Europe with the famous Fighting 69th Division and was twice decorated by the United States Government.

Directors Review Six-Point Action Program

On March 5 the board of directors of the Imported Hardwood Plywood Association met to review the progress made on the six point "action program" adopted in their recent membership meeting in Fresno (CLM, 2/15/57). Present at this meeting were six executives representing the regular and associate members of the association, which constitutes approximately 70/o of the plywood imports into the United States from Japan. These directors were:

Jan van Wyngaarden, executive vice-president, The Pacific Coast Division, W. R. Grace & Co., San Francisco; H. Rainer, second vice-president, The East Asiatic Company, Inc., San Francisco; Thomas A. Parker, director. Getz Bros. & Co., San Francisco; John R. Osgood, director, Robert S. Osgood Company, Los Angeles; S. Nobe, director, Pan Asiatic Trading Co., Inc., Los Angeles; Howard H. Wickersham, director, Getz Bros. & Co., Pasadena, and Gordon Ingraham, managing secretary.

An intensive drive is norv underway to obtain nelv members. The association secretary reported that membership applications were flooding his office, and that already such applications represented an increase in the associate membership of 36/o. Although no goal was set it was expected that this drive would materially increase the regular membership. An increase of associate membership of I,M% was expected for 1957.

Committee reports on "Standardization and improvement of grade marking of imported plywood" and on "E,stablishment of uniform practices for purchase orders, sales contracts and claim procedures" are in the hands of the Executive committee and are under study.

John Osgood, in presenting his report on "Claims procedures and Uniform grading specifications," stated, "This recommendation covers the fields of claims and grades as follows: The Committee feels that a standard claims procedure should incorporate : a. Develop an experienced plywood surveyor in each area of the United States. b. Gain buyer's and supplier's acceptance and confidence in these surveyors.

"1. The establishment of a common and impartial third party for inspection of disputed material.

"2. Develop uniform p.rocedures covering a. Buyer's initial report of "Intent to File Claim." b. Seller's initial notice of claim to Japanese suppliers. c. Time limits for filing the "Intent" and the final claim. d. Minimum value of claims requiring third party inspection.

"The Uniform Grading Specifications recommendation covered:

"1. The formation of a permanent committee to study the matter of grades and to suggest possible changes to Japanese Export standards where the accepted quality has rieparted from these established grades.

"2. In liaison with Japan to point out where the various changes have become necessary due to market demand in the United States."

In reviewing the fifth action point the directors were also able to discover substantial progress. On February 5 a joint meeting of the IHPA members of the Los Angeles area and Japanese trading firms was held in Los Angeles, with Mr. S. Nobe as acting chairman. IHPA member firms represented rvere Atkins, Kroll and Company, William Back Company, Beton Company, The East Asiatic Company, Inc., Pacific Coast Division of W. R. Grace & Co., Getz Bros. & Co., Robert Osgood Company, Pacific Wood Prod(,Continued on Page 82)

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