Amfac - and Hawaii

by OtE MAY

,,sr/ ?*1?,I*5,'"T3; #'j

":'.T: said Robert H. "Bob" Lawder, manager of the lumber division, American Factors, Ltd., Honolulu, Hawaii, when we visited the plant of this pioneer firm recently.

In other words, the study of components is high on the list of Amfac's policy for future development and service to the Hawaiian building expansion which is rushing along at unprecedented speed.

"We are studying the complete picture from the tree to the log to the uses of odds and ends, and hope to come up with a pretty good anslver which will guide us in formulating future distribution policy," Lawder continued.

American Factors is one df the leading merchandising businesses in the 50th state. A oioneer wholesale lumber firm in the Islrands, Amfac furnishes all species of domestic and imported hardwoods and softwoods for every purpose, along with flooring, closet lining, hardwood and softwood plywoods, sash, doors, shingles, shakes and many other miscellaneous items for the retailer and industrial user.

This progressive lumber division enjoys gross sales in the neighborhood of the $10 million area, and operates branch distribution yards in Hilo, Kona and Kauai.

"Although business has been a little slower this year in relation to that of 19ffi," Mr Lawder said, "we are optin-ristic for the future progress of our new state, and feel that we shall show a steady growth, rather than a boom and bust."

The sales department is in the capable hands of manager Clarke I. Mizumoto, who has been identified in the procurement, sales and shipment of wood products since graduating from school. He is on the phone from early morning until late evening checking the supply and demand, making sure that Amfac is alert to the needs of its customers.

It requires the services of more than 100 employees at the plant, located on Nimitz Highway, to keep the orders flowing and the wheels of progress turning, including the 16 units of remanufacturing equipment in the modern mill.

This one of the finest, cleanest mills we have ever seen, geared to turn out any item to satisfy customer demand.

Over Ten-Acre Plant

The plant covers ten and one-half acres in the center of the ever-expanding industrial area in Honolulu. Well kept storage sheds house the dty stock, and inventory is stacked as far as the eye can see in the clean, attractive vard. Thirtv-six units of mobile equipment, including trucks, are required to keep material moving into and out of the plant and on its way to the builder and user.

The operation is close to docking facilities for incoming cargo on Sand Island. The graders and order clerks work in a cool under-cover area adjacent to the mill while preparing short orders for fast delivery.

"Ours is the finest equipped mill in the 50th state," said Mr. Mizumoto. "The lumber division is an integral part of American Factors' organiza- tion, which is worldwide in scope. Every employee has a competitive spirit which spurs him to vigorously ctARKE L M|ZUTTAOIO

Soles Monoger - lumber D€pq?ltnenl apply his efforts so that we will stand high on the ladder as a successful operation."

Yes-business is booming in Hawaii -but it requires the know-how and effort of a well directed personnel such as Amfac maintains to keeo abreast of the ever-changing conditlons, and to stock the supplies to meet the demands. American Factors does this superlatively well, in one of the finest set-ups we have ever seen.

Word Kerkmsnn New Amscqn tlonoger

Ward Kerkmann, formerly manager in Los Angeles for the Pacific Coast Division of W. R. Grace & Co., has been appointed Manager of AMSCAN, Inc. The new AMSCAN office is located at 1336 Wilshire

Boulevard in Los Angeles. Kerkmann will set up distributors for the hardboard and acoustical ceiling tile products of the SWANBOARD mill in Sweder,.

Upon his return from an inspection tour of the hardboard industries' manufacturing and shipping facilities in Sweden, Kerkmann stated that, "Current expansion of production capabilities along with modernization of quality control methods in Sweden's forest products industries is keeping pace with the increasing demand of our own building industry for high quality products."

Kerkmann further stated that, "AMSCAN intends to remain sensitive to the changing and exacting requirements of the American market and will provide minute attention to the requirements of the users of SWANBOARD products." TEIL