FUN,

Mike Wiginton, ex-Empire and F.E. Wheaton, is the new sales representative for Glen Oak Lumber & Milling in central and northern Florida. Dick Jensen, ex-McEwen Lumber and W.M. Cramer, is now sales rep for south Florida.

James Tipton retired Jan. 2 as president of Handy Hardware Wholesale, Houston, Tx., after 20 years with the company. He is succeeded by Don Jameson.

Dillon Forbes has been named treated sales mgr. at Coastal Lumber Co., Havana, Fl., replacing Jay Sego, who has left the company.

Hans E. Vanden Noort has been named v.p. and corporate controller of Rayonier, Jacksonville, Fl.

Paul Vandyke is the new mgr. at 84 Lumber, Tampa, Fl. Jerry Vanderstelt is a new mgr. trainee in Orange Park, Fl. Samuel Farley has joined the Asheville, N.C., store as a mgr. trainee.

Greg Elliot has joined the Birmingham. Al.. sales office of Klumb Lumber Co. Lea Gordon and Pam Alburl are new to the Mobile. Al.. export division. New to sales at Klumb Forest Products DCs: Stephen Batt, Tyler, Tx.; Cliff Press, Gulfport, Ms.; Darron Clark and Kim Vining, Loxley, Al.; J. Mashburn and Mike Drew, Conyers, Ga., and Amie Carter, Greenville, Tn.

Jim Tuberville has been promoted to plant mgr. of Conner Industries' Conroe, Tx., plant. Jason Walters, Eric Reidinger and David Jones are new to industrial lumber sales. Tiger Takamitsu has been named president of Nichiha USA, Atlanta, Ga.

Thomas S. McHugh has been appointed v.p.-finance and c.f.o of Huttig Building Products. He succeeds Kenneth E. Thompson, who retired Jan.31.

Anders Moberg, Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga., has resigned as head of international operations. Arthur Blank, retired co-founder, has bought the Atlanta Falcons pro football team for $545 million.

Denny Key Jr. is the new installed sales mgr./sales specialist at SmithPhillips Lumber & Building Supply, Winston-Salem, N.C. Jeff Case is the new engineered wood products sales mgr.

Kent Carpenter, ex-Tremco, Inc., is new to Bostik Findley, Atlanta, Ga., as distribution territory mgr. for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Arnold J. Thimons has been named construction market development mgr.

Lee D. Meyer has been named president and c.e.o of Ply Gem Industries, replacing Robert Ractliffe, who is now executive v.p. and c.e.o. of parent Nortek, Inc.

Ted Cap has been promoted to general merchandising mgr. of Ace Hardware Corp.

Beth Wilson is the new advertisins mgr. for HandySource. Bradentonl Fl.

Eric Barnes has been promoted to general mgr. of distribution sales for North America at Interior Products, Brunswick, Ga.

Peter Lenard has been appointed marketing mgr. at Hurd Millwork Co. David Whelchel has rejoined the company as director of sales and marketing.

Hap Hazard has been named v.p-random yard accidents at MungusFungus Forest Products, Climax., Nv., according to owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

Power Tools To Keep Selling

Power and hand tools purchases will experience a 47o annual increase over the next four years with forecasted sales of $15.5 billion by 2005 according to new study.

The demand for power tools is expected to grow 57o annually through 2005 to an estimared $9.4 billion. Cordless electric tools are forecast to be particularly popular, with electric drills, saws and screwdrivers makine up most of the demand.

Hand tool demand will experience only a modest gain with an annual rate of 3.2Vo anticipated-primarily due to their durability.

Professional customers are expected to comprise two-thirds of the total value over the next four years, as they generally purchase more expensive tools.

Consumers trading up for more expensive models coupled with the popularity of d-i-y should push the consumer market past the pro market in terms of number of buyers during the next four years, predicted the Freedonia Group Inc.

S.C. Timber Supply Growing

A new report shows that South Carolina's timber supply has recovered significantly from losses inflicted on it in 1989 by Hurricane Hugo.

Statistics released by the U.S. Forest Service and S.C. Forestry Commission reveal that since 1993. the volume of hardwood timber has risen 47o, while softwood timber volume is up 147o.

The report also indicates that softwood and hardwood's net annual growth, compared to 1993, has more than doubled to 6'7Va.

Contributing to the surplus is the fact that annual removal rate of softwood trees is down 57o, whereas hardwood removal is down 87o.

"We're cutting more than we're growing," said state forester Bob Schowalter.

While state forest officials are optimistic, they caution that overall forest land is declining, with 142,000 acres since 1993 lost to urban sprawl and development.

Wholesalers Welcome Dealers

To boost attendance, the Western Wood Products Association is invitins lumber retailers to its annual meetingl as well as adding business sessions and social event, including a golf tournament.

Now dubbed "Viewpoinr 2002," the meeting March 9-12 in San Diego, Ca., offers opportunities to network with lumber sales and production professionals, hear perspectives on the top issues facing the industry and develop new business.