DOUGLAS FIR

WCIA Trcrde Mission to Europe Returns with Gloomy Outlook

Italy ranks a close second to West Germany as a valued market for Douglas fir clears, but competitive pressures are developing from other species and substitute materials. Howevero the prospects for increasing the Douglas fir export market in other European Nations appeared remote, according to the six Northwest Lumbermen and a member of the U. S. Department of Commerce, who comprised the recent West Coast Lumber Association Trade Mission to Europe.

Members of the mission included the following: G. Cleveland Edgett, Executive Vice President. WCLA; William H. Schlauch, Export Department, Georgia-Pacific Corporationl Lantz D. Warrick, Export Manager, Simpson Timber Company; Faval L. Foval, Executive Assistant to Marketing, International Paper Company; Strayer E. Pittman, Sales Manager, Bohemia Lumber Company; Marco J. Heidner, President, Pacific Lumber Exporters Association; and A. D. McKellar, Program Executive, U. S. Department of Commerce.

In every European country visited, U. S. irregularity of supply and price was found to be the major complaint. Last year Canada exported 95.7 per cent of the lumber purchased by the United Kingdom from the North American West Coast. U. S. exporters were able to sell the remaining 4.3 per cent only because it was unobtainable elsewhere.

British Columbia, already outselling the U. S., 24 toLin the UK, aggressively promoting hemlock and cedar, and threatens to capture existing markets where Douglas fir is preferred. In reference to cedar, it was noted that the Canadian supply appears to be somewhat limited and there is a growing interest in California redwood as an alternate.

In The Netherlands and Belgium the Mission found Douglas fir pretty much out oI the picture, due to price and local tradition. Dutch importers showed a high preference for Baltic whitewoods and West Coast hemlock, while Belgian importers leaned heavily to red pine from North Europe. Again, both countries were critical of the West Coast's "in and out of the market depending on the price of lumber at home" policy.

German spokesmen urged a promotional program aimed at West German architects; plastic protectors to prevent damage and./or rust marks from packaging wire or strap; red ink stenciling rather than conventional black used in U. S. mills; squared and waxed ends.

Traveling to France, the U. S. lumbermen found that it prodrces 85/o of its softwood lumber requirements, importing the rest largely from Sweden, Finland and the USSR. Representatives of the French trade expressed displeasure with what they consider excessive price fluctuations. As a result, the French tend to turn to Baltic and Scandinavian softwoods and to explore the field of plastics and other substitutes for lumber.

The WCLA Trade Mission returned to the States fully convinced that effective merchandising and promotion will 'become increasingly necessary in order to retain or expand export markets. Opportunities for increased sales of merchantable grades appear to be limited due to competitive factors, but members of the Mission felt there is a real potential for select items from the Douglas fir region.

Did you know that the Lord's Prayer has 56 words; Lincoln's Gettysburg Address 266; Ihe Declaration of Independence 300. But, a government order establishing the price of cabbage contains 26,91I words?

Beoutiful Color Brochures Avoilobb to Retqilers

Five beautiful color brochures featuring I(/estern Red Cedar from MacMillan. Bloedel and Powell River Limited, Vancouver, B.C., are available to retail lumber dealers at no cost, according to Forrest W. Wilson, southwestern sales representative of the firm.

The sales promotion material has space available for dealer imprint and each piece of literature has an AIA file number for quick reference by architects and builders. All of the various items are manufactured by B. C. Forest Products, specialists in the production of Western Red Cedar.

Brochure number one tells the story of the natural beauty and protection of Western Red Cedar. It is aimed to the general public and explains the many features of Forest Siding, Ranchpanel and Bevel Siding. The siding comes heavy butted and rabbeted in random widths and lengths.

A.I.A. file number lg-D-l features Western Red Cedar Shingles and Certisplit Shakes. This folder contains all pertinent information regarding the two major brands shipped by the British Columbia firms, including quality control, grade inspection and shipping data.

A.I.A. file number l9-E-6 features Red Brand Western Red Cedar Paneline for interior and exterior application. The literature illustrates, in color, the various uses of this quality material with five photographs describing the finishes for interior use.

A.I.A. file number 19-D covers all in{ormation regarding Western Red Cedar Siding. And A.I.A. file number 19-D-3 completes the series with all information on Roof Decking. The Roof Decking brochure is complete with conversion tables for handy reference and installation informa. tion for guidance of the dealer and the builder. The Western Red Siding piece is an eight page folder containing all information about Red Brand and Keystone Brand products from British Columbia.

All of this, and more too, may be obtained from Forrest W. Wilson, P.O. Box 5074, Pasadena, California, to aid the retail dealers in the sales promotion of these quality Red Cedar products. For quick action on your supply call him at SYcamore 4-7835.

Sontq Clqro Elects

Eugene Pollerson President

Santa Clara Valley Hoo-Hoo Club 170 held its annual elections at the Chez Yvonne Restaurant in Mt. View and unanimously elected Eugene Patterson, U. S. Plywood Corp., as its 1963-64 president. The club's new vice-president will be Ralph