NORTHWEST NEWS

By R0SS KINCAID executive vice president

fN THE REGIONS scntd hl theS'estern. r dealers. wholcsalc distributors and manufacturers will soon be receiving digests of the conclusions rear:hed at the Second AllIndustry Marketing Con{erence recently held at Gearhart, Oregon.

One hundred partilipants. r'epresenting all segments of the industry. gathered in roundtable discussions of matters of interest to all. The topics had been gathered lrom dealers, suppliers and manufacturers in preparation for the conference. Nine major topics were assigned with the samc numbt-'r of discussion tables involved. Everyone, however, was given ample opportunity to express himself on all subjects listed.

Next month's issue oI The \lerchant will carry summaries of conclusions reached to these topics which were:

(1) Should suppliers'catalogs be priced on the basis of ,.uggested retail or net cost?

(3)

Should th.ere bc standardization of invoice payment terms within our industrv ?

How can a clearly defined policy be established within our industry for the proper placement of responsibility when product failures occur ? What are the mo,st important areas o{ assistance to retailers that could be provided by other indrrstry segments?

(9) Recognizing the growing interest shown by "giant" merchandisers and discount stores in the light con. struction industry, what suggestions can be ofiered to the retail lumber and building matt:rials dealer to assure his position and growth in tht' marketplace?

W. Stewart Orr. 3 C's Lumber Co. in Grants Pass. Oregon. served as chairman.

Plummer Elected Rl5 President

H. Pierson PIummer. executive vice president of the Union Lumber Company has been clected president of the Redwood Inspection Service.

(6)

(7r

What is the relative efft'<'tiveness of the various local advertising media? Should manufacturers and wholesale distributors provide written sales policies and retailers written sales and purchase policies?

What a-ssistance could manufacturers and wholesale distributors offer rt:tailers of a local marketing area in staging a joint open-house type promotion ?

What positive opporturrity factors are emerging in the t'onstruction business during this pcriod of "tight moneY?"

Plus Soles ond Profits to Deolers in

With Union since 1939, he has been a member of the RIS grading commission and an alternate director of the National Forest Products Association. He is also a past member of the Grade Standardization committee (NFPA).

He succeeds John L. Robins, Simpson Timber Company, to the presidency. Re-elected to their current positions were P. E. Nell of Sonoma Wood Products, vice president; and Philip T. Farnsworth. -secretary-treasurer.