DiversifhationKey to the Future

W'estern Forest Products Company, a 9year-old youngster in Los Angeles wholesale lumber circles, recently embarked on a far-reaching diversification program with the opening of a new Special Product Division, a complete remanufacturing plant.

"I feel that future growth and develop' ment in the lumber industry will depend to a great extent upon the full utilization of orlr resources through product diversification and refinement," says Bob Theetge" energetic young president of the firm.

And diversify they have. Aside from their wholesale lumber operation, the com' pany now manufactures a full line of prod' ucts related to the building trade: glued Pine and Douglas Fir cabinet shelving, assorted furniture parts, door cores and even breadboards and hardwood chopping blocks.

Theetge's new Special Products Division centers around an Industron high frequency electronic gl uing machine capable of processing over 15 thousand feet of lumber per shift. The remarkable rnachine will handle panels up to 48 inches wide, bond' ing them together in less than 15 seconds. The machine requires only three men to operate.

Prior to the gluing operation, the panels are first trued-up through a straightJine ripping machine, then glued, filled, sanded, and finished. The entire operation is highly automated, and requires only 20 employees to handle the plant's production.

THE "SH,ORT COURSE'' IN ETECTRONIC EDGE-GLUING

HERE ARE IHE SIEPS in the production of a finished Special glues are applied to edges and the boards panel for cabinet shelving as performed hundreds are placed in the electroni-c- glulng machine, then of times each day at Western Forest Product's Spe- instantly bonded together. (3) Minor imperfections cial Products Division plant in Los Angeles: (1) are "patched" using a putty-like filler. (4) Panels Selected boards are first "trued-up" and initially are then run through sanding machine for final sanded through a straight line ripping machine. 0) finishing. Panels may be primed before shipping.

Theetge pointed out that operations such as his Special Product Division could go a long way toward solving the lumber industry's tremendous waste problem. Door cores, for example, are manufactured by gluing millwork cuttings and other scrap lumber. Low grade dry lumber may be used in making door stiles.

W'estern Forest Products' new plant is one of the first of its kind to begin operation in Southern California. "We feel we have a tremendous market right here at our own back door that hasn't been touched." says Theetge.

A look at the new plant's production schedule proves out Theetge's claim. Although the Special Products Division has only been in operation a short while, the plant boasts a long list of orders to be filled during the next few months. The company ls already planning to add an additional shift.

Heading up the production end of the new operation is Mike Gargano, who not only serves as mill supervisor but also handles the shipping and receiving. A veteran of over 17 years in the Iumber business, he operated the first high production electronic edge gluing operation in southern California which opened in 1959.

Ray McKendrick is chief of Western Forest Products' Sales force, assisted by Mike Bivins and Al Martens. Other members of the company's staff are bookkeepers Nora Degman and Jennie Dulany, both active in Los Angeles' Hoo-Hoo-Ette Club No. 1.

Order any combination of these 19 different hardboards from your Weyerha€user representative

Just about anything your customers need in hardboard, Weyerhaeuser makes. Check the list above.

Generally these panels are available on combined orders with other Weyerhaeuser building materials.

Consolidated buying saves you money on freight. Reduces handling time. And your accounting is streamlined with one order, one invoice and one source of supply.

From a few panels to a car load, you can order any combination of Weyerhaeuser hardboards from your nearby distributor or distribution center.

Or if you would like additional information, write us at Box B:32, Tbcoma, Washington.

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