BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. (AruO

THE DEALER, THE INSTALLER, THE HOMEOWNER, TH E ENVI RON M ENTALIST...)

Strong lines and natural features have always been the trademarks of timeless beauty. Which is vrrhy Geodeck'M is catching the eye of so many different people.

This distinct family of composite decking products looks as good as natural wood but offers the added benefits of being fade-resistant and maintenance-free, It's also guaranteed against insect damage, warping and cracking for up to 20 years.

Available in tongue-and-groove or traditional profiles, Geodeck is designed for quick, easy installation. lt also comes urith a variety of brushed natural wood finishes with matching railings, posts and balusters for a complete, integrated, beautiful decking system. vvas only more information, call (7a1) 275-3600 or visit wvvw.geodeck.com

Geodeck. lt's innovative. It's reliable. lt's durable. And you thought beauty skin-deep.

Home Depot Revises Three-Year Plan

As Home Depot closed the year with sales approaching $53 billion, the company announced plans to open 200 stores a year for the next three years.

Depot also plans to add more square footage to 184 warehouses throughout 2002. while constructing l0 new Expo Design Centers.

The future will also include four new Home Depot Pro stores, the first which is scheduled to open February in Mesquite, Tx.

Additionally, the company will unveil its new Home Depot Urban stores in Chicago and New York City, which feature a smaller size format aimed at the convenience customer.

Not all the news is optimistic, however, as Home Depot recently sold off its unprofitable stores in Brazil and Argentina, while also scrapping its four prototype Villager's Hardware stores-which focused on the convenience hardware market. The closed New Jersey stores will be re-opened as Urban stores.

On the retail floor level, Depot has completed a plan to have more workers free for customer service during peak hours, with product stocking to be done during slower periods.

Additionally, company officials said there will be a greater emphasis on tool rentals, with rental programs put into 608 stores by the end of 2OO2 and in 1,300 stores at the conclusion of 2004.

Depot also plans to focus on the smaller professional customer with its pro initiative program, to be in 966 stores by the end of 2002.

For larger commercial/industrial customers, Depot plans to introduce its HD Supply in 2002 as well as test its Home Depot Pro format, which offers products and services similar to wholesale supply houses.

HD Supply, in turn, will utilize company account mgrs. and the outside sales staff of Depot's Maintenance Warehouse, Apex Supply and other related businesses.

VNmachine applied coatinp tffidr Offirnachho .pplled coadr6$

),our bullder and rcmodC€r a€counts wlll add dCE/s rnitirg br dre pdm subsntreceF hcplrg pndGcts on sdredub.

\4tder dCqls wlll boenro afilq dfn

FsaPlts e bffi qudlty fnhft b adrkil/€d sc codlrus arc appllcd wrdcr otrimrm condldorc ln a conuofled cnvimrmcnt

,Cqqrycdhdd end chhrs wi|| be vlrts$y €knked.itrb meldon tl; krtmr

FEtdhd codrg cost frc/ll edof

Ghm pur trrsb.ncrs an ad\,an4a,utttfi Olmpltrmaddno appllod codrgs pr6,id€d Uy CtrcqeqnTledkq Crup,dr€ kst Cest lcader In faftory primdd ofttbrt.hn b€r*"Call odrybr rnorc hbnrdon.,

Southern Building Material Association has donned the theme "Supplying the American Dream" for its annual building products buying show Feb. 7-8 at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart, Charlotte, N.C. The show kicks off with a breakfast featuring former New York Yankee Bobby Richardson.

SBMA also is sponsoring a basics of financial statements seminar Jan. 24 in Richmond, Va., and a spring meeting April 25-28 in Savannah. Ga.

Lumbermens Association of Texas is staging a three-day Bill Darling estimating seminar Feb. 5-7 at the Four Points Sheraton, Austin, Tx. A one-day quoting and bidding seminar follows Feb. 8.

Concurrently, LAT will hold winter board and committee meetings Feb.7-9 at the Port Royal Resort, Port Aransas, Tx. National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association government affairs director Jenna Morgan will speak at the legislative committee breakfast meeting.

LAT also is sponsoring a LUMPAC duck and hog hunt Jan. 18-20 and Cajun feast Jan. 19 at Bruce Agness' Wild Boar Ranch.

Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association expects more than 70 vendors to exhibit at its buying show held in conjunction with its 97th annual convention Feb. 4-5 at the Hyatt Regency, Lexington.