T?eaters share their plans

EIOR wood treaters. timing is everything when it comes -at to convertins from CCA to an arsenic-free alternative. Certainly, they ion't want to be caught selling what their customers don't want.

Treaters throughout the Southeast each had their own gameplan:

Alabama-Georgia Wood Preserving (Lafayette, La.)

Sales mgr. Rhonda Brushwood says the company is still deciding on the timing of a changeover, but "imagines that when we do it, we'll do NatureWood, and change over both cylinders."

Albemarle Wood Preserving (Albemarle, N.C.)

Steven Griffen says he doesn't know of any customers that want him to change to another preservative. He says for now the company has no plans to switch from CCA because "everyone is happy with CCA."

Aljoma Lumber (Medley, F1.)

Aljoma currently supplies lumber to most of the Home Depots in Florida and will hold off on making a change to its one-cylinder operation until Home Depot makes a switch to non-CCA wood, according to David O'Driscoll. "Basically we won't switch until

Top 25

Rank Company

2001 00

I tt urrrttandcascade

Tacoma, Wa

SXlgd$ Tamma; Sandpoinl, ld.; Eugene, 0r.; Broken Bow, Ok"; Elec{ric Mills, Ms.

Treatments: CCA, Penta, Creosote, WR, Colorant

Froduds: Lumber, Plywood, Timbers, $pecialties, Pilings, Posts

10 g ,roLn A. Biewer Lumber co, 155 168

St. Clair, Mi.

5 olants: St. Clair, Lansing, Mi.; Seneca, ll.; Washington Court House, Oh.; Prentice, Wi.

Treatments: CCA, CBA, FRT, WR

Producls: Lumber, Plywood, Timbers, Specialties, Pilings, Posts

11 rg en*r"rthowood Treaters 149.8 149 Washcx.qal, Wa.

^ - 9-44: Wa$nugal, Femdale, Wa.; Fott Collins, Loveland, Co.; Medtord, O.

Trestneflb: CCA ACZA, FRT, WB, Cobranl

Produc{s: Lumber, Plywood, Timbers, Specialties, Posts

12v New south Inc. NfP NfP +3o/o Conway, S.C.

2 olants: Conway, Camden, S,C, fualnenli: CCA, WR

PfgduCh: Lumber, Plywood, l1mbers, Specialties

132

3 planls:'Hampton

Trealmeflts:

Tampa, Fl.

3 plants: Tampa, Fort Myers,Orlando, Fl.

Ttealments: CCA, WR

Products: Lumber, Plywood, Timbers, Specialties, Pilings, Posts we're told to," he says.

Aljoma also exports lumber to the Caribbean where there is no concern at the moment over CCA-treated wood. O'Driscoll states that depending on how events shape up in the coming months, Aljoma may buy or build another treating plant.

Anderson Bros. Lumber Co. (Amelia Court House, Va.)

Anderson Brothers has one cylinder and plans to treat with CCA "until the I lth hour." Aubrey Anderson says he was disappointed that he made $120,000 in upgrades last year with help from his chemical company, and they didn't indicate that there might soon be an industry ruling on CCA.

Anthony Wood Treating (Hope, Ar.)

Executive v.p. Rick Green says Anthony is in the process of meeting with chemical companies regarding an alternative preservative. He adds that one cylinder most certainly will be converted this year.

Arnold Forest Products Corp. (Shreveport, La.)

Nearly 807o of the wood Arnold treats is for industrial purposes. Don Arnold says that one of the company's three cylinders will be converted from CCA well before the industry deadline. "We're going to go at it as quick as we can," he adds.

Arnold Lumber Co. (Bonifay, Fl.)

President Chris Jernigan says that his single-cylinder plant is as busy as ever. "We can't keep up with demand for CCA," he explains. Arnold has an exclusive treating arrangement with Great Southern Wood Preserving and Jernigan says the timing of any conversion will be made by both companies in concert.

Atlantic Wood Industries (Port Wentworth, Fl.)

Atlantic Wood is mainly an industrial treater and should not be overly aff'ected by the ruling. President William Cross notes, however, that he is "upset at the industry for letting a small group of environmentalists dictate policy."

B&M Wood Products (Homerville, Ga.)

The business will continue using CCA as long as fence posts are permitted. If they are reclassified, owner James Stovall says the company may be in jeopardy.

Barksdale Lumber Co. (Amity. Ar.)

The treater plans to exit the residential lumber business well before the industry deadline. Barksdale mostly treats lumber for barn builders and decided it would be too costly to convert their one cylinder to an alternative preservative.

Barnett Lumber Co. (Commerce, Ga.)

Plant mgr. Stanley Simms says it is mostly "a wait-and-see type of thing right now." The one-cylinder operation treats mainly residential lumber and has had no drop in demand for CCAtreated wood from customers. Simms says that they company is looking into a copper-based preservative, and that Barnett's current equipment will allow for a relatively quick and inexpensive conversion when the company is ready.

Bean Lumber Co., Curt (Glenwood, Ar.)

Bean's Amity, Ar., facility started producing ACQ Preserve the first of this year and will convert its Buckner (Kansas City), Mo., facility in "a couple of months," sales mgr. Linda Priddy says. "Glenwood will continue treating with CCA and supply our other facilities, as needed, as long as demand for CCA continues."

Blue Ridge Wood Preserving (Moneta, Va.)

Blue Ridge Wood Preserving is owned by Spartanburg Forest Products and, according to general mgr. Ed Snodgrass, expects to switch to ACQ by the end of the year. Snodgrass emphasizes, however, that Spartanburg owns six other treating plants, so nothing has been finalized yet.

Bowie-Sims-Prange Treating Corp. (Canollton, Tx.)

According to Neil Bowie Jr., the company has tentative plans to convert its operation over to a copper-based preservative in the summer or fall of 2003.

Brackett Brothers Corp. (Morganton, N.C.)

Brackett Brothers switched one of their two cylinders to Envirosafe borates six months ago. According to v.p.-sales Mike Lyles, the company had discussed switching over one year ago. "Times change-we've got to go with it," he says.

Carolina Woodworks (Statesville, N.C.)

A division of Bestway Enterprises, the plant began treating with ACQ early last month as TSO and to supply other Bestway facilities, which continue to use CCA.

Coastal Lumber Co. (Weldon, N.C.)

Coastal will retrofit its five locations over the next f'ew months, but each will begin using ACQ at a different date. "We'll have our facilities able to run ACQ by end of July and then our customers' preferences will determine the timing," states division mgr. Tom Evans. "Once you're ACQ compliant, you can still treat CCA. The very last thing you do is clean out the tanks and sludge. Our best guess would be our customers can expect the initial shipment (of ACQ) around January 2003."

He says Coastal's customer base is "almost l00%a pro dealer. I predict they'll switch right after the bix boxes switch to ACQ. The price differential is so great that they don't want to be the leader. Our goal is to be ready andjust put our ear to the ground."

Some dealers, Evans says, "want us to build up a big pile of CCA, since they can sell it for an unlimited time. If the politicians leave it alone, CCA will just shoot off the shelf."

Columbus Lumber Co. (Brookhaven, Ms.)

Kirk Hammond says that the industry's CCA ruling "won't affect us immediately, although we imagine that we'll be making a change some time in the beginning of next year." Hammond adds that Columbus has done a plant assessment and will make some changes to its equipment over the next several months. Columbus is looking at all the copper-based preservatives, but hasn't decided on one at this time.

Commercial Lumber Sales (North Little Rock. Ar.)

According to sales mgr. Gary Burchfield, Commercial plans to convert one of its cylinders this year to an alternative preservative. He adds: "None of my customers have said, 'Don't ship (CCA), we're scared!"'

Commonwealth Wood Preservers (Hampton, Va.)

Sales mgr. Jim Powell says that Commonwealth plans to switch one of its cylinders to ACQ, but adds that it is still a matter of waiting for the customer demand for non-CCA lumber to pick up. "We're as much in the dark as everybody else at this time," he notes. "We're watching the big guys and seeing what effect it will have on the little guys."

Conasauga River Lumber Co. (Conasauga, Tn.)

"It's going to be a mess turning over," according to John Sloan. "It's a wait-and-see kind of thing right now." He adds the company is looking at altemative preservatives right now, and are also considering whether to acquire another plant.

Cook Lumber Co. (Tampa, Fl.)

According to president Joel L. Miller, Cook is evaluating its options in regards to converting its one cylinder. He says that he has spoken with other small treaters in the area and they have discussed the idea of forming an alliance, where one plant would convert to an alternative preservative while one kept treating with CCA-and then trading lumber within the alliance to satisfy customer demand for a variety of products.

Cook Lumber Co., E.D. (Orlando, Fl.)

They have no plans to immediately switch over their one cylinder. They are considering a variety of options.

Cox Industries (Orangeburg, S.C.)

In March 2001, Cox's Orangeburg plant became the first U.S.

Rank 2001 '00

Top 25 Gomoany Annual Ptoductisn (miltionsbd. rr.) 2001 2000 Change

15rz GoasblLumbsrco. 126 12S +1%

Weldon, N.C.

5 pdt; #d;, Ft.;Wekton; Horuood, Oxford, Pa.; Betingilon, w.V.

Treatments: CCA, FRT

Prodr.rch: Lumber, Plywood, Tirrbors, Specialties, Postr

16 rs Bestway Enterprises

12s 1s6 -soh Cortland, N.Y.

5 plants: Lancaster, Ma.; Cortland, Gouverneur, N.Y.; Stony Point,N,C.; Cresco, Pa.

Treatments: CCA, FRT, WR

Products: Lumber, Plywood, Timbers, Specialties

17 rc curtB@r Lumberco. 119 1S0 .Ibta tsHffi, Amiry, Ar.;Btrc{<ner, rb.

Trcarn€nts: CC.A ACO, FRT, WR, Mant

Prod.ds: Lun$s, Ptt*ood, Tmrbers, @hnies

18zr c.ntorniacascadetndustries 110 100 +10% Sacramento, Ca.

2 olants: Fontana, Woodland, Ca.

Treatments: CCA, ACQ, FRT, WR, Colorant

Products: Lumber, Plywood, Timbers, Specialties, Poits l phnt [idison rHmbsrs, specratties, posrs

19 tg lladtson t{ood prcsetrcrs tos 1ls.s -11% Madison, Va.

N zO Pacific lVood Preserving Corp. 101 10t.2 Eloy, Az.

4 olants: Eloy; Bakersfield, Ca.; Silver Springs, Nv.; Sheridan, Or.

Treatments: CCA, ACQ, Borates, Penta, Creosote, CuNap, FRT, WR, Coloranl

Products: Lumber, Plywood, Imbers, Specialties, Pilings, Posts, Cross Ties, utility Poles

21 p Effibx For€st Products

1m 10s.4 .g%

Z,ze EfieriorWood Inc. NfP

I -

Washougal, Wa

1 olant Wajhougal

Treatmenls: CCA, FRT

Products: Lumber, Timbers, Specialties, Posts

our",r*o#*t

1 dant CoosBay

Treatmenb: CCA ACQ, Borabs, Cdorant

83

Fbtslon, Tx. NIP hlA

Bo NA

P|tr[&h: Lumb€r, PtyutooO, Timbors, Spffia[i{rs, Po6ts

24zs J.H. Baxter 57 52 +10oh

San Mateo, Ca.

3 plants: Weed, Ca.; Eugene, Or.;Arlington, Wa.

Treatments: ACQ, AZCA, Penta, Creosote

Products: Lumber, Plywood, Timbers, Specialties, Pilings, Posts, Cross Ties

25 - u*,oo.lm wood S@dtlee fu&uf: ukiah

Ukiah, Ca.

Tr@nents: CCA, C@ant

RodWb: Lunber, Pbnrcod, Timb€rs, PoSs treater to begin producing Natural Select treated wood. It is currently available with both above ground and ground contact retentions and also re-dried after treatment. Orangeburg will continue to produce CCA through this season and as long as customer demand warrants it.

According to Bruce Palmer, v.p.-sales & marketing, "Other Cox Industries production facilties (Coleridge N.C.; Cove City, N.C.; Sumter, S.C.) are currently in the process of conversion. Some will convert over entirely, while others because of their heavy retention commercial markets will have multiple cylinders producing both CBA and CCA."

Culpeper Wood Preservers (Culpeper, Va.)

Culpeper converted two of its four cylinders in Culpeper to ACQ in February and now 407o of its production there is ACQ, according to Larry Lang. Culpeper's Fredericksburg, Va., location is still treating with CCA but its proximity to the main plant allows fbr the easy swapping of lumber, notes Lang.

In January Culpeper bought Colwood Co., Columbia, S.C., and has since renamed the facility Culpeper Wood of Columbia. Lang says there hasn't been much of a demand for non-CCA lumber in the South Carolina area, yet there are conversion plans for the plant if demand arises. "We could easily convert in a week if we needed to," says Lang.

D&D Wood Preserving (Albany, Ga.)

President Russell Davis notes that his customers are not ready to pay more fbr lumber treated with alternatives. He says the company plans to switch both of its cylinders to ACQ as close to the deadline as possible.

Dantzler Lumber & Export Co. (Jacksonville, Fl.)

Operations mgr. Chuck Galloway says they will convert one of their two cylinders soon and are curently looking at both ACQ and CBA to see which preservative best flts their applications. In response to questions about the CCA ruling, Galloway says, "One interesting thing is that this is the first time there has ever really been a choice in treating preservatives."

Deforest Wood Preservers (Bolton, Ms.)

Currently Deforest has no plans to switch preservatives or modify its operation in any way.

Durable Wood Preservers (Charlotte, N.C.)

According to president B.E. Barksdale IlI, "Our first take on it is that we'll probably stick with CCA, since we do so much commercial work, such as for the Department of Transportation. It's a pretty strong percentage of our business, but we'11 have to investigate further before deciding. We do not try to compete with the large treaters who sell to Home Depot and Lowe's. If we did switch, it would be Arch's copper azole. We have multiple cylinders. so we could do both."

Eastex Forest Products (Houston, Tx.)

Bobbie Schiel, president/purchasing mgr., says the company will convert two cylinders to ACQ Preserve in September. Their third cylinder will continue to use CCA for heavy retentions and D-Blaze.

Elco Forest Products (Opelousas, La.)

"We're 100% positive that if we switch it will be to Arch's copper azole, and about 95Vo positive that we will make the switch from CCA," says owner Michael Higginbotham. "About 75Va of our business is residential-related. but we're a small business and (converting) will cost us almost $100,000. We'll decide whether we'll switch or be out of the residential market by the end of this year. December is a slow time, so that would be the time to make any switch."

Elder Wood Preserving Co. (Mansura, La.)

Elder will treat with CCA until late this month, when the facility will shut down for one week to convert to ACQ Preserve, to begin production by May l.

Ellijay Lumber & Wood Preserving Co. (Ellijay, Ga.)

"I'm like a snat in a nudist colonv; I don't know where to begin," says owner Garland Thomas. If fence posts are no longer allowed to contain CCA, Thomas is not sure what he would do.

Escue Wood Preserving (Millwood, Ky.)

Leon Hill, sales mgr., says Escue is "still researching. We haven't made a final decision, because once you change it's final. We have customers calling every day asking about the pros and cons of this and that, but we haven't had anyone pressuring us to change."

Everwood Treatment Co. (Spanish Fort, Al.)

The company was one of the first to retrofit one of its cylinders to handle ACQ Preserve in the early 1990s, but eventually shifted it back to CCA and fire retardant. It again began using ACQ in January, while the second cylinder continues with CCA.

Florida Perma-Wood Treaters (Hialeah, Fl.)

"Our market is primarily export, so we'll stay with CCA to remain competitive," says president Stephen Rose. "All the offshore users will continue to use CCA, and our competitors overseas are cranking up production. Export is now 80% of our business; it will be loo7o."

Follen Wood Preserving (Jackson, Ms.)

The company has, according to sales mgr. Jim Cole, "made no decision as of yet. We're still discussing it, but my feeling is that we'll probably switch at some point."

Fortress Wood Products (Greensboro, N.C.)

The company is currently retrofitting its plants in Greensboro and Henderson, N.C., so they will be able to handle ACQ or CBA when demand warrants. Brad Mitchell anticipates one of the facilities will change over "by the end of the year, if not sooner, but the problem is right now not enough people want it."

In the meantime, Fortress has been stocking arsenate-free wood treated by a neighboring treater.

Free State Lumber Co. (Haleyville, Al.)

"We're not decided," says sales mgr. Charles Hall. "We're heavy into timbers and agricultural products, so it depends on where the ruling goes and what our customers want. We will continue in CCA for the foreseeable future, but we have multiple cylinders, so we can add ACQ at some point if that's what our customers want."

Freeman-Patrick Wood Products (Centreville, Al.)

The plant treats primarily industrials and heavy retentions, so hopes to remain with CCA.

General Timber (Sanford, N.C.)

A final ruling on fence posts will determine if the company will stay with CCA or switch to CBA.

Georgia Lumber Co. (Covington, Ga.)

Since the company operates a single cylinder, it is unsure when it will make the change. "We're considering 'swinging' the cylinder (to accommodate both CCA and CBA or ACQ), but that's expensive," says president Cliff Eason.

He thinks dealers will start asking for arsenate-free products when their pro customers demand it. ln time, Eason say, "builders will want to switch. They build a $500,000 home with a $25,000 deck, they can't afford for even one person to not want to buy that home because it's got a CCA deck."

Georgia-Pacific (Montgomery, Al. )

G-P's treated wood provider, Southeast Wood, has begun converting the first of its facilities to handle ACQ Preserve.

Goldston Lumber (Goldston, N.C.)

The company likely will convert to ACQ Preserve, but hasn't decided when. "Whatever we do," says sales mgr. Jay Bennett, "it's going to have to be relatively quick. We have customers with a lot of questions."

Great Southern Forest Products (Haleyville, Al.)

Since the plant treats mostly commercial products, it will continue using CCA and eventually phase out its small number of residential items.

Great Southern Wood Preserving (Abbeville, Al.)

The largest treater based in the South plans to convert to an alternative preservative "well ahead of the EPA deadline," says James Riley, and is now in the planning stages.

Gulf Treating Co. (Mobile, Al.)

"We're going to stay with CCA as long as we can," says Ben Stimpson, Jr., v.p.-sales. "We'll eventually switch over to Osmose's NatureWood, but we're probably a year away. Once we switch, we'll totally switch both cylinders."

H&M Wood Preserving (Gold Hill, N.C.)

Allen Hammill is in no hurry to convert to ACQ due to its higher cost. "l think we're going to stay in CCA as long as we can," he says. "It will probably be a year to a year-and-a-half before we switch."

Hallman Wood Products (Eatonton, Ga.)

The company is weighing its options, but has yet to formulate a timetable.

Hankins Wood Preserving (Grenada, Ms.)

Hankins shut down its treating plant late last summer and early this year sold the cylinder to Great Southern, which is relocating it to its Memphis, Tn., facility.

Hoover Treated Wood Products (Thomson, Ga.)

The company currently uses both CCA and ACQ at some of its locations, but has yet to announce additional plans.

Huntsville Wood Products (Huntsville, Al.)

The facility converted from CCA to ACQ Preserve in October.

Julian Lumber Co. (Antlers, Ok.)

The company only treats fence posts, so reclassification of the product will determine if it must convert.

Keadle Lumber Enterprises (Thomaston, Ga.)

The single tube treater specializes in residential applications, and "we're looking at all our options," says human resources mgr. Tommy Mclnvale. "We'll respond to what our customers want."

Lakewood Treating (Newbeny, S.C.)

General mgr. Dave Wylie says, "We're in the process of talking to CSI right now to see how quickly we can convert (to ACQ Preserve), and it looks like it will be six to nine months before we will change over."

Langdale Forest Products Co. (Sweetwater, Tn.)

Langdale operates two treating facilities, each with multiple cylinders. Industrials are a majority of their business, but one cylinder in Sweetwater will likely convert to an alternative "at some point," says Steve Borris, plant/sales mgr.

A cylinder could also be converted in Valdosta, Ga., if CCA can no longer be used for fence posts. The company is in no hurry to decide, says Bill Gay, general mgr.-wood preserving. "We've got plenty of time," he says. "We're going to let the dust settle, and wait until our customers let us know what thev reallv want."

Laurel Lumber Co. (Laurel, Ms.)

Remanufacturing is the majority of Laurel's business. TSO operations are a sideline that might not be worth the trouble and expense of conversion. Treating, says mgr. Billy Ryals, "is such a small part of our business, that if I had to guess, I'd say we'd probably just get out of it all together. That's just my personal viewpoint. We will decide when the time comes."

Lee Lumber Co. (Centreville, Al.)

The company is undecided.

Lewis Lumber & Mfg. (Cove, Ar.)

The company will delay any possible conversion until the end of next year. Richard Gilbert, v.p., expresses reservations over the price and corrosiveness of alternative chemicals, as well as the details on which applications will be reclassified. "What about fence posts? Barn poles?" he asks. "I sure hope we don't have to switch. I'm sitting on a pin cushion."

Littrell Brothers Lumber Co. (Vinemont. Al.)

The facility will convert at some point, possibly this winter, according to Allan Littrell, sales mgr.

Louisiana Treated Lumber (Kenner, La.)

"We haven't made a final decision, but we're considering switching over to ACC within the next two or three months," says George Herron, v.p./sales mgr. "It would be an easy conversion for us and less expensive than going to ACQ."

Madison Wood Preservers (Madison. Va.)

The company currently is retrofitting its three cylinders and expects to begin offering ACQ next month, in addition to CCA. "Two of the cylinders will produce ACQ and the other, for the time being, will do CCA," says Steve Lillard, v.p.-sales.

McKinney Lumber Co. (Sheffield, Al.)

"We're not sure," says Darrell Pace, general sales & purchasing mgr. "We're just waiting to see what final determination the EPA makes on what is and what is not included. We only have a single cylinder, and commercial/industrial is 507o of our clientele, so we lose either way."

McRae Woodtreating (Mt. Gilead, N.C.)

Mary Lefler, sales mgr., says the company has applied with CSI to eventually convert to ACQ Preserve.

McCready Lumber Co. (Pulaski, Va.)

McCready is tenatively targeting October to convert to NatureWood, based on customer demand. So far, notes Andy McCready, "our customer base has not been pushing for a change. We may very well produce CCA well past October. It's one thing for regulators to want a new product, but the marketplace has to embrace it. They'll tolerate a litte higher price, but it's got to act like CCA and almost look like CCA."

MG Building Materials (San Antonio, Tx.)

The facility will convert from CCA to NatureWood, "probably in early 2003," says president Larry Grothues.

Mid-States Wood Preservers (Simsboro, La.)

Last September, Mid-States became the second U.S. treater to begin using CBA. Its second cylinder, which now treats with CCA, will also convert to CBA "at some point," says owner/mgr. Bert Jones. "Our order file will dictate when we need to go."

Conversion of the first cylinder, too, was based on customer demand. Jones notes, "The science did not dictate it. We had some customers, specifically California playground people, who needed it. We're always receptive to our customers' wishes."

T.R. Miller Mill Co. (Brewton, Al.)

Since its plant mainly treats utility poles and other industrials, it will continue using CCA and penta.

Mt. Airy Wood Preserving Co. (Mt. Airy, Ga.)

The company is currently receiving quotes for a possible conversion. Poles and pilings are a sizable percentage of their business, but not enough to suppolt them. The deciding factor will be the EPA's ruling on fence posts. If fence posts are reclassified, they'll switch to NatureWood, if not, they'll stay with CCA.

Narjoe Timber & Supply Co. (Atlanta, Ga.)

The firm has not yet made a decision.

New South Inc. (Myrtle Beach, S.C.)

The company is preparing to retrofit its plants in Camden and Conway, S.C., to accommodate an alternative preservative, but customer demand will dictate the actual start of production, according to Craig Forbes, corporate marketing director. September is a possibility.

Peach State Mfg. (College Park, Ga.)

The plant is currently being converted to be compatible with Nature Wood. Conversion will be complete late this spring, but the plant will continue using CCA until late next year. James O. Hodges Jr., president, says, "Our present plans are to treat day and night with CCA in an attempt to stockpile as much CCA-treated lumber as possible, allowing our customers to be more competi- tive with the more expensive new product."

Phillips Building Supply (Culfport, Ms.)

President W.J. Hough speculates that it might be cost prohibitive to convert their existing cylinder. so is leaning toward keeping it CCA for offshore applications and possibly adding a new cylinder for CBA. The phase-out, he admits, "has caught us unaware, but we're going to have to make a decision some time soon."

Pine Wood Products (Gainesville, Ga.)

"We will be treating with CCA until midnight December 31, 2003, and selling off the inventory after that," says John Garrison, president. "We will decide in the next three to four months if we will convert the facility after that or add another cylinder on site for Natural Select."

Pitts Lumber Co. (Saluda, Va.)

Although he hasn't decided when, president James Pitts plans on eventually switching to CBA.

Pollard Lumber Co. (Appling, Ga.)

The company anticipates producing NatureWood by October.

Potomac Supply Corp. (Kinsale, Va.)

Stacey Carden, v.p.-treating division, plans to convert to NatureWood by the end of the year.

Quality Forest Products (Enfield, N.C.)

In 1993, Quality Forest Products became the first plant in the U.S. to use ACQ Preserve and now uses nothing but. "We just

Fence Treaters Hit By Phase-Out

The wood preservative manufacturef$' request to the EPA for a voluntary reclassification of CCA to exclude non-industrial uses has left dozens of treaters on the fence, literally.

Most vulnerable may be small treaters that specialize in large diameter round fence posts. Even though they're intended for agricultural uses, the chemical companies' proposal to the EPA would not allow such posts to be treated with CCA after December 31, 2S3.

The phase-out hits these treaters particularly hard since they often use inexpensive species of wood to stay competitive with steel post producers. Since the preservative, therefore, is a considerable percentage of their material cost, a significant price increase could price them out of business.

"Believe me, if I could get another dime for a fence post, I'd already be getting it," says James Stovall, B&M Wood Products, Homerville, Ga., a small treater whose fate may hinge on the rulingEPA set a March 25 deadline to accept public comment on the reclassification proposal and, according to Arch's Huck DeVenzio, "the EPA has indicated a willingness to listen. lt would be a change from what the chemical companies agreed to do, so ir would take a grassroots effort to prove that these products are more industrial than residential. They are not sold through retailers, but direct to fence contractors or ranchers or through ag supply stores."

EPA's Debra Edwards, however, said she expects the EPA to decide on the proposal "fairly quickly," and that it would take much proof of undue hardship to convince EPA to ask the chemical companies to revise their proposal. "The problem here is we didn't ask for (the reclassification), the chemical companies did," Edwards said. "They selected which wood types would be included, and they should be the ones to amend it."

discontinued CCA within the last year," says Bill Eure, v.p./sales mgr. "We were doing it on a limited basis for a few accounts overseas that still wanted it."

Rafter King (Lynn, Al.)

"We haven't decided yet," says c.e.o. Sonny Wakefield. "The jury's still out on if the consumer is going to pay for it. Everybody talks environmentally friendly, but when it comes down to it, they want the cheapest price."

Richardson Bros. Wood Preserving (Northport, Al.)

Mike Richardson, president, remains undecided.

Ridge Lumber & Treating (Eaton Park, F1.)

Ridge Lumber owner Charles Poston acquired the former Cook Lumber & Treating, Lake Worth, Fl., in 1985, but ceased treating there some time ago. The facility is currently being overhauled and cleaned to accommodate ACQ Preserve, but, says mill mgr. Victor Allen, "we don't know when it will start up and if the Eaton Park cylinder will change over, too, or if it will continue CCA for industrials, which is a large part of our business. We're absolutely undecided."

Robbins Manufacturing Co. (Tampa, Fl.)

Robbins will add a new preservative, but has yet to announce what. when or where. "We're fortunate in that we have three plants, so we could concievably treat with ACQ, CBA and CCA, if we wanted to," says Dick Gates, v.p.-marketing.

Rocky Top Wood Preservers (Rocky Mount, Va.)

"We will run dual inventories," says Barry Flood, sales mgr. "By mid-summer, we'll have one facility running an alternative preservative (probably Hagerstown, Md.) and keep the others CCA." All three of Rocky Top's facilities have multiple cylinders and eventually will treat with both preservatives.

Savannah Wood Preserving Co. (Savannah, Ga.)

The company has two cylinders currently using CCA and one running borates that could also accommodate ACQ or CBA. It began treating with Crystal Clear Borate (Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate, or D.O.T.) in November 2000. "In its present formulation, boron is a good alternative preservative for wood in above ground use and not exposed to running water," says president Herb Guerry. "Future formulations are expected to expand its use to ground contact, etc. Crystal Clear Borates contain no arsenic, chromium, or copper, yet they are effective against Formosan termites and other decay organisms, and do not change the color of the wood at all. This latter point makes them highly suitable for restoration work and for other uses where one wants to show a natural wood color."

The cylinder, he adds, "is now ready for one of the alternatives, but we have not decided which one to use. Ifwe had a good TSO contract for treating with an alternative, we could begin in a few days."

After the deadline, one cylinder will continue to treat with CCA "for all uses permitted by governmental regulations, especially high retentions for marine uses, as well as plywood, laminated beams, etc.," Guerry says.

Sentinel Industries (Calico Rock, Ar.)

"We treat primarily fencing, and we really don't know which way the ruling is going to go," says Jim King, v.p./sales mgr. "We hope we don't have to change over, but we may have to."

About a year ago, its second plant in Heber Springs, Ar., ceased treating, but peeling operations there continue.

Shenandoah Wood Preservers (Scotland Neck, N.C.)

The plant expects to decide by the fall.

South East Lumber Co. (Kernersville, N.C.)

Its sister plant, Brackett Brothers, recently converted to borates, requiring South East to stay with CCA until closer to the December 3l. 200:1 deadline.

Southern Lumber & Treating Co. (Jacksonville, Fl.)

The company has yet to decide on a possible conversion.

Total Square Footage: 85 ,57 5

Acreage: 22.05

Southern Wood Preserving (Hattiesburg, Ms.)

"Right now, we plan to stick with CCA," says Joe Hartfield, plant mgr. "About 907c of what we do is industriat. The only lumber is heavier retentions that goes into things like pole barns, so that shouldn't be affected."

Stallworth Timber Co. (Armuchee, Ga.)

Richard Wall, sales mgr., says Stallworth will "wait and see. It's still too early."

Stockton Supply Co. (Rockwell, N.C.)

The firm is still considering its options, including sticking with CCA if a sufficient number of its targeted applications are still permitted.

S.I. Storey Lumber Co. (Armuchee, Ga.)

The company is currently adding a second cylinder. "It should be ready by the end of the summer to produce NatureWood," says Hal Storey, v.p./c.o.o. "We will continue our current cylinder with CCA for commercial and industrial applications."

Sunbelt Forest Products Corp. (Bartow, Fl.)

Sunbelt started producing ACQ Preserve last June at a treating plant it began leasing in Ocala, Fl. Their main plant in Bartow will continue producing CCA until it eventually converts to ACQ. As for when, president Carl Holland says, "the demand will dictate that."

Swift Lumber Inc. (Atmore, Al.)

Swift will continue using CCA, since it stopped treating lumber three to four years ago to specialize in poles.

Tarheel Wood Treating Co. (Monisville, N.C.)

The company will convert to NatureWood, but hasn't decided when.

Taylor-Ramsey Corp. (Blackstone, Va.)

The company operates two cylinders; one likely will convert to a new generation preservative in fbufth quarter 2002 or first quarter 2003. The other will continue with CCA, after the deadline focusing solely on industrial applications.

Thomas Wood Preserving Co. (Ellion, Ms.)

Of Thomas' three cylinders, one will be converted "to an alternative preservative such as ACQ possibly early next year, and we'll keep the other two CCA since we do a lot of industrial applications, such as pole barns," according to Brent Thomas, president/sales mgr.

Thrift Brothers Lumber Co. (Westminster, S.C.)

The business has not made a final decision, but predicts eventually it will convert to ACQ Preserve.

Tolleson Lumber Co. (Perry, Ga.)

The strictly TSO operation does not expect to make any decision before the end of the year.

Tri-State Lumber Co. (Fulton, Ms.)

The business will stay with CCA as long as it can, since it does a lot of industrials. "We're going to wait until we find out where the bulk of the business is at," says sales mgr. James Gibson.

He is most concerned about the price of alternative chemicals. "How much of that cost can you pass on to the customer?" Gibson wonders. "Treated wood is a commodity-type product, and people will only pay so much."

Tucker Lumber Corp., C.M. (Pageland, S.C.)

Conversion of one cylinder to NatureWood was expected to be completed by early this month. "We will convert our two larger cylinders in the tall, unless our customers demand we stick with CCA longer," says David Tucker, operations mgr.

Universal Forest Products (Grand Rapids' Mi.)

The nation's largest wood treater will soon unveil a branded line of treated wood products because, according to Scott Conklin, v.p.-wood preservation, "we foresee that a variety of different preservatives becoming specialized fbr special applications. Over the last 30 years, we've enjoyed the luxury and simplicity of hav- ing one product that seemed to do everything. CCA could be used for anything from bulkheads to Permanent Wood Foundations to the spindles for a deck."

Over the next two to five years, Conklin predicts the new generation of preservatives, as well as yet-to-emerge products will gain favor for diverse applications. "In all that, there's a real danger of the consumer getting confused," he says.

Universal is already running ACQ at one facility that does not specialize in big box accounts (Hamilton, Oh.), and is installing a second cylinder at that location. Customer demand will determine the timing of other converslons.

Last year, Universal began partnering with L.L' Brewton's Winnfield, La., treating plant, which in January converted to borates as part of a $2 million facility-wide renovation. V.p. Kelly Waxley says the operation still has some CCA left, but expects to use lt up.

Valley Lumber Co. (Hackleburg, Al.)

"We have two separate facilities," says Barry Lindsey, sales mgr. "One we will keep CCA just as long as we can. The other we will be changing over to ACQ Preserve. We expect the change some time over the summer."

Valley Timber Sales (Troy, Va.)

"We don't know what we're going to do, because we don't know what the final ruling will be on what's considered agricultural and what's considered residential," admits Michele Gunn, v.p./sales mgr., calling the current proposal "fuzzy. lti barn poles are considered agricultural, what if you want to build a barn in your backyard?"

Varn Wood Products Co. (Hoboken, Ga.)

Varn will likely continue treating with CCA well into next year. "We treat overwhelmingly for the consumer market, so eventually we will have to switch over," says George Vam, Jr' "I will say this: our customers are not excited about having to pay ZOVa more for the wood, so they'll want to buy CCA-treated wood as long as they can."

Walker Wood Preserving (Livingston, Tx.)

The company operates two cylinders, so in time may convert one to ACQ Preserve, while the other continues with CCA. "For a big part of our market CCA will still be acceptable," says president Gary Walker. "I'm sure we'll continue to do some CCA, but we may shift partially to ACQ. We haven't made a definite decision. I'm supposed to have an engineer in here within the next 60 days."

Wilkes Wood Products (Washington, Ga.)

The company is still "gathering information," says sales mgr. Francis Rizner, who calls an eventual conversion "probable."

Wood Preservers Inc. (Warsaw, Va.)

The CCA treater will soon add CBA to the mix. "We will begin producing copper azole by July 4 or sooner," says Morgan Wright, president. "We plan to keep our other cylinders running CCA for industrial uses. based on what the market demands."

Wood Protection Co. (Houston, Tx.)

Last month, the company ran its first charge of NatureWood. By January l,2OO4, one cylinder will continue treating CCA fbr .60 and 2.50 retentions, and their other two cylinders will have been converted to NatureWood-exactly when will be determined by demand, says Jim Moncrief, v.p.-operations.

Woodtreaters, Inc. (Rocky Point, N.C.)

The company is undecided. "We have a year and nine months to decide," says Ronald Graves, v.p./general mgr. "I'd sure like to stay with CCA. It's less expensive and, I believe, a better product, and many of the things we produce will still be allowed to use CCA. But many won't. That's part of the problem. We only have one cylinder, so we're between a rock and a hard place."

Wood Treaters. Inc. (Jacksonville, Fl.)

Stan W. Hill, president, says, "We have not yet decided how we will respond to recent changes."

R:rrrrrrs

Home Depot this month opens new stores in Benton, Ar., and Paducah, Ky. the chain signed a five-year agreement with Stanley Works to expand the company's tool line at its home centers ...

Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga., agreed to buy 4-unit Mexican hardware chain Del Norte. Ciudad Juarez, a large city just south of the border from El Paso, Tx.; Depot also has started construction on a store in Mexicali and will soon break ground in Tijuana

Lowe's Cos. expects to begin construction this summer on a 150,000-sq. ft. home center in Pharr, Tx.; is negotiating for a 16acre site in Austin, Tx., to build a 135,591-sq. ft. store, and is considering adding a store in Brook Highland Plaza, Birmingham, Al., after Wal-Marl vacates the shopping center late this spring

Wnor:slrrrs/tlrurrcrunrns

Lawrence Smith Planing MilI, Atlanta, Ga., is liquidating, after selling its 8-l/2 acres in downtown Atlanta and shuttering its Orchard Hill. Ga., treating facility; the firm was founded in 1935 ...

Culpepe r Wood Preservers, Culpeper, Va., has acquired Colwood Co., Columbia, S.C., and renamed the treating facility Culpeper Wood of Columbia

Louis iana- Pacific suffered an explosion early March l8 at its Hanceville, Al., OSB plant

South Atlantic Wood Preservers, Elizabeth, N.C., has closed

ISK Biocides' former Kodiak treated wood plant on 22 acres in Allendale, S.C., is up for sale

Associated Materials Inc., Dallas, Tx., agreed to be acquired by private equity firm Harvest/

AMI Holdings Inc. for $436 million, with its Dallas corporate offices consolidating with subsidiary Alside's Hq. in Akron, Oh.; Alside c.e.o. Michael Caporale will succeed retiring founder William W. Winspear as president and c.e.o. of Associated Materials

Olon Belcher Lumber Co., Brent, A1., is no longer pressure treating wood

Georgia-Pacffic, Atlanta, Ga., has canceled plans to build a 10story, 453,000-sq. ft. office building in downtown Atlanta ... G-P is now using Logistics.com Inc.'s logistics planning applications for its building products division ...

Wood Protection Co.. Houston. Tx., is now treating with NatureWood...

Drywall Building & Supply, Lexington, Ky., agreed to be acquired for $9 million by Hoge Warren Zimmermann Co., Cincinnati, Oh.; the deal includes operations in Louisville and Bowling Green, Ky,

C ertainTeed, Oxford, N.C. ; Johns Manville, Macon, Ga., and GAF Materials, Chester, S.C., received 2001 President's Awards from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association for the plants' safety records

Informatech Fore stry Software Inc. has changed its name to Scoopsoft Corp.

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White Riv e r- Hardw o ods/lVo odworlcs, Fayetteville, Ar., is partnering with Matallon to produce various finishes for wood trim. mouldings and corbels ...

Rayonier, Jacksonville, Fl., has ended its business relationship with accounting firm Arthur Andersen as a result of the Enron Corp. investigation

Mohawk Indust ries, Calhoun, Ga., has completed its $1.8 billion acquisition of ceramic tile and stone product producer Dal-Tile, Dallas. Tx. ...

Hurd Millwork Co. has been named an Energy Star partner by the Environmental Protection Agency for the energy efficiency of its windows and patio doors

Trex Co., Winchester, Va., received word that Columbia University's Biosphere 2 Cenler, Oracle, Az., has selected Trex decking and railing for its new greenhouse trail ...

National Gypsum Co. has purchased a 30,000-sq. ft. building near its Charlotte, N.C., Hq. to establish a Technology lnnovation Center...

Southern Pine Council and APA-The Engineered Wood Association have opened a help desk in Tacoma, Wa., for questions regarding southern pine; (253) 620-7400

Anniversari es: American Hardboard Association, 50th ... Valley Timber Sales, Troy, Va., 20th

Housing starts in Feb. (latest figs.) rcse 3To to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of L769 million single-family starts climbed 7Vo to I.457 million; multi-family was at a rate of 264,000 for 5+ units permits increased ZVo to an adjusted annual rate of 1.752 million.

'Advance Guard products offer builtin termite and decay protection. Advance Guard products are readily available and economical.

'Advance Guard products are easy to workwith using regular tools, fasteners and framing crews. Advance Guard products are available in a variety of preferred species including spruce studs, douglas fir, hem fir, southern pine dimensional lumber and plywood sheathing.

. Advance Guard is part of the SmaTtGUARD familyof borate treated products.

Using Wood Soves

Listings are often submitted months in advance. Always verifi dates and locations with sponsor before making plans to attend.

Apnn

Construction Supplier's Association - April 14-16, truss roundtable, Charlottesville, Va. ; (7 7 0)'l 5 | -637 3.

Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers AssociationApril 16, board meeting, Bardstown, Ky.; (800) 844-1774.

Center for Forest Products Marketing & Management - April 17-18, marketing seminar, Blacksburg, Va.; (540) 231-5876.

Southern Forest Products Association - April 17-18, spring meeting, New Orleans, La.; (504) 443-4464.

National Hardwood Lumber Association - April 17-19, grading short course, Memphis, Tn.; (901) 377-1818.

Architectural Woodwork Institute - April 18-20, board meeting/conference, Hyatt Regency, Reston, Va.; (703) 733-0600.

GlobalShop - April 18-20, Chicago, Il.; (800) 646-0091.

Lumbermen's Association of Texas - April 18-20, annual convention & buying market, Wyndham Anatole Hotel, Dallas, Tx.; (800) 749-5862.

National Wood Flooring Association - April 18-20, annual convention, Orlando, Fl.; (636) 391-5161.

American Hardware Manufacturers Assn. - April 2l-24, Hardlines Technology Forum, Orlando, Fl.; (8a7) 605-1025.

American Wood-Preservers' Association - April 2l-24, annual meeting, Peabody Hotel, Memphis,Tn.; (817) 326-6300.

National Lumber & Building Material Dealers AssociationApril 22-24, legislative conference, Washington, D.C.; (800) 634-8645.

Structural Board Association - April 23-25, annual meeting, Tampa/St. Petersburg, F1.; (416) 730-9090.

National Association of Home Builders - April 25, construction forecast conference, Washington, D.C.: (202) 266-8474.

Certified Forest Products Council - April 25-27, conference and showcase, Atlanta, Ga.; (503) 224-2205.

Southern Building Material Association - April 25-28, annual membership meeting, Savannah, Ga.; (704) 376-1503.

Mid-America Lumbermens Association - April 26-27, Oklahoma state meeting, Shawnee Country Club, Shawnee, Ok.; (800) 741-6529.

Enterprise Computer Systems - April 26-28, users' and management conference, Savannah, Ga.; (800) 569-6309.

Composite Panel Association - April 27-l[4ay 1, spring meeting, La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, Ca.; (301) 670-0604.

American Wood Preservers Institute - April 29-May l, legislative conference, Washington, D.C.; (703) 204-0500.

Llhv

Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America - May 1-5, joint conference, San Antonio, Tx.; (215) 564-3484.

Florida Building Material Assocaition - May 2, South Florida golf outing, PGA Club, Port St. Lucie, Fl.; (352) 383-0366.

Mid-America Lumbermens Association - May 6-7, plumbing & electrical training, Little Rock, Ar.; (800) 74'l-6529.

Coverings 2002 -l|/Iay 6-9, Orlando, Fl.; (800) 881-9400.

Wallace Hardware Co. - May 7-9, spring show, Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg, Tn.; (423) 586-5650.

National Hardwood Lumber Association - May 15-17, lumber drying short course, Memphis, Tn.; (901) 377-1818.

Steel In Sustainable Construction Conference - May 15-17, Luxembourg Congress, Luxembourg; (44) 1344-623345.

Virginia Tech - May 16, wood products sales training seminar, Richmond, Va.; (540) 231-5182.

Moore-Handley Inc. - May 17-19, summer show, Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, Al.; (205) 663-8235.

Do it Best Corp. - May 18-21, spring market, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, ln.; (219) 748-5300.