Comparing Waldun's cedar products to brand X is like comparing Apples to Apples.

as easy to spot from a distance.

Waldun roofs have 30-50 vear real warranties because the products created at Waldun are crealed by people who care.

Waldun is FSC and PEFC Cerltfted.

Waldun sells 100% Bureau product and has warranties unmatched by any mill in the industry At Waldun tn every bundle we guarantee 1007" coverdge. Many mills will put in less inches of wood to compensate fora low price.

Mills that run with c Bureau label are mills that run wtth nothing to hrde.

By Alan Oakes

Are we off to the races... or back to the kennels?

ala*o MoNTHS INro 2012,I've been trying to get a handle on the year ahead. As I wrote a I couple of months back, we have been hearing better news, although perhaps more regional in nature. Recent trade shows have shown a mixed picture of how everyone is doing, but overall there are good signs that this year will be better than last, especially on the remodeling side of the business.

I just returned from IBS with a mixed view. On the one hand, the show footprint appeared to be the smallest in memory. But afier a quiet first day, the second seemed like old times. As well,l thought the energy and positive news I saw and heard in the Northeast a couple of weeks back at NRLA was very encouraging, although I think everyone agreed the news had better be better with the great weather this year compared to last. And, much to my surprise, I actually got there this year, after being stranded in Chicago at the same time last year (although only my GPS had any clue as to where I actually was staying).

Many of you last year reported a sudden jump in business in March, but one that by May had petered out. For others, there was no real spring business due to the bad weather. For the decking industry in particular, that business could never really catch up. So here's hoping that the good weather continues and we all have a great spring this year.

If this feeling is for real-along with the continued stock market revival, the apparent increase in new jobs, and declines in unemployment-then perhaps we are seeing the first dawn of revival. I hope so! I have always argued you cannot have a U.S. revival without a housing revival, and we are nowhere near that yet. However, I believe we will get there in small steps. Hopefully, the job picture will continue to improve, meaning more money in pockets, more spending, and a continued improvement in sentiment, which will then feed on itself. But there is very fragile psyche with the American consumer about spending. It does not take much to send us into a tizzy. My fear is that all the good news sometimes flies in the face of what many feel is not the reality.

Today, I spoke with an industry veteran who has been looking for a job without much success. Gone are the days I could name four or five companies to call. The recession has changed many things and none more so than the ability to find a job. No longer can you expect multiple job offers, a signing bonus, and a great increase on what you earncd before.

The old ways of sprinkling your resume around no longer seem to work. Fewer jobs mean more competition. Job seekers must be pro-active like never before. The Web can notify you of every job posting that might be a fit through job boards, job search engines, and social media. According to the Bureau of Labor, in 2007 there were I .8 persons per job opening, compared to 4.2 today (at least better than 6.1 in 2009). The reality is that for every prized position, there are probably 100 or more resumes to sift through. You need to be thick-skinned, more energetic, and use great initiative to unearth opportunities.

And yet we still look the same old ways, including sending the same resume to everyone. The reality today is that you need a resume tailored to every position you apply for. Every job and every company have different needs, and with each job you need to sell your ability to fit those requirements. That's easily achieved with your computer. No longer do you have hundreds printed at a time. As in any business situation, you must differentiate yourself and avoid being dismissed when your resume goes through word checking-not only for grammar and spelling, but for identifying key words that outline your skills. Do not believe that every word you write is read. You have about 10 seconds to make an impression on the typical recruiter. And watch out for your low credit scores and drunken stupor pictures posted on Facebook. All today are part of your picture.

Lastly, your best bet for a job is using the network you have developed through your career and socially. It can be no fun to have to call peers asking for help, but these contacts can help open doors.

To that end, you are part of my network and have helped me greatly over the years. If your company has a job opening in management, purchasing, sales or marketing, I am happy to offer you a $60 credit to advertise your position in the classffied section our April issue. Fax to 949-852-0231 or email dkoenig@ building-products.com. This means any help wanted ad under 40 words is free. Again, I want to see my friends back to work!

Alan Oakes, Publisher aioakes@aol.com

Bpii

Building Ploducts lligest

www. bu ld i n g-prod ucts. com

A publication of Cutler Publishing 4500 Campus Dr., Ste.480, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Publisher Alan Oakes ajoakes@aol.com

Publisher Emeritus David Cutler

Director of Editorial& Production David Koenig dkoenig@building-products.com

Editor Karen Debats kdebats@building-products.com

Contributing Editors

Carla Waldemar, James Olsen, Jay Tompt

Advertising Sales Manager Chuck Casey ccasey@building-products.com

Administration Director/Secretary Marie Oakes mfpoakes@aol.com

Circulation Manager Heather Kelly hkelly@building-products,com

How to Advertise

Chuck Casey

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 ccasey@building-products.com

Alan Oakes www.building-products.com

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 ajoakes@aol.com.

CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE

David Koenig

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 dkoenig@building-products.com

How to Subscribe

SUBSCRIPTIONS Heather Kelly

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 hkelly@building-products.com or send a check to 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, CA 92660 U.S,A.: One year (12 issues), $24 Two years, $39 Three years, $54 FOREIGN (Per year, paid in advance in US funds): Surface-Canada or Mexico, $49 Other countries, $65 Air rates also available.

SINGLE COPIES $4 + s5;Op,nn BACK TSSUES $5 + shipping

BUILDING PRODUCTS DIGEST is oublished monlhly at 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872, (949) 852-1990, Fax 949-852-0231, www.buildingproducts.com, by Cutler Publishing, Inc. (a California Corporation). lt is an independently owned publication for building products retailers and wholesale distributors in 37 states East of the Rockies. Copyright@2012 by Cutler Publishing, Inc. Cover and entire contents are fully protected and must not be reproduced in any manner without written permission. All Rights Reserved. BPD reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter, and assumes no liability for materials furnished to it.

OUR PREMIUM IDAHO FOREST GOLDTM LINE is in demand the world over - including Cedar, Idaho White Pine, Ponderosa Pine and Export.