Sales Pick Up Seen Continuing Thru Year

A seasonal pickup in sales coming earlier and stronger than usual encourages the Iumber industry to look forward to a ooverv good year," says -Investornews, financiai publication of Francis I. duPont & Co., one of the nation's leading investment firms.

In its comprehensive analysis of the industry, Investornews points out that while the spring pickup in industry sales usually does not begin until March or April, this year saw lumber and plywood mills set new records for production and orders in early February.

This fast start has buoyed the prospects of the industry, along with the expected surge in construction of residential build. ings as postwar babies reach marriage age. Such units reguire more lumber and plywood than high-rise apartments.

However, rather than wait for new markets to open, the analysis notes, lumber and plywood manufacturers are taking the initiative in new product development and market promotion. They recognize that lumber and plywood are more complementary than competitive and most large Western lumber producers also make plywood.