Wait & CCA

(Continuedfrom page 7) t^t r ln fact. a large number of treaters will stay with CCA until the final second. Rhonda Brushwood, sales manager, Alabama-Georgia Wood Preserving, Lafayette, La., vows: "We're going to go as close to the end as we can [before switchingl."

Curt Bean Lumber Co., Glenwood, Ar., switched its smallest plant (Amity, Ar.) to a copper-based alternative early last year and planned to change over Buckner (Kansas City), Mo., a few months later, but "mostly people are still staying with CCA, and ordering CBA for special orders," says sales manager Linda Priddy.

Bean will probably convert Buckner to CBA in the third quarter, and convert Glenwood last, at which time Amity will discontinue CBA and return to Dricon fire retardant.

The new preservatives definitely have their supporters. Huntsville Wood Products, Huntsville, Al., converted entirely to ACQ in October 2001, adding a water repellent a few months later, and has been nudging customers along. "We have been working trying to convert retailers to ACQ," says Jonathan Landman. "Hopefully more will switch before December 31,2003. We are happy with ACQ and think it will last."

Eighteen months ago, Everwood Treatment Co., Spanish Fort, Al., was strictly a CCA treater. The company now offers CCA, ACQ, Dricon fire retardant and borates.

"There are a lot of other preservatives out there," explains sales manager Jay Hudson. "We looked at them all, and the copper-based preservatives seemed to be the best environmentally."

"l see no concerns," adds Lany Lang, Culpeper Wood Treaters, Culpeper, Va., which a year ago switched one cylinder to ACQ at three of its four locations.

Thomas Wood Preserving Co., Elliott, Ms., hopes to decide within the next 30 days if and when to switch to ACQ or CBA. "Nobody wants to change, but I think it's time," says president/sales manager Brent Thomas. "We may change over all three cylinders at once. We had considered keeping one or two CCA for industrial applications, but we're not sure considering the liability issues surrounding CCA."

Dtill, most treaters are waiting, listening to their customers and watching their competitors. "I'm waiting for Home Depot and Lowe's to switch," says Russell Davis, president/sales manager, D&D Wood Preserving, Albany, Ga. "I don't sell to those places, but I think everyone else will follow them." Davis says few customers are seeking an alternative just yet, but he is anxious to switch to ACQ as soon as demand surfaces.

"We're waiting," echoes James Hendrix, v.p./sales manager, Anthony Wood Treating, Hope, Ar. "So far, everyone's still happy with CCA."

Columbus Lumber Co., Brookhaven, Ms., continues to use CCA. "Our plan is to convert in late third quarter, probably to Osmose's ACQ, NatureWood," says president Bill Behan. "Our immediate micro-market is not demanding the change and the last thing you want to do is have a product that's 20Vo to 3OVo more expensive that no one is asking for."

Commercial Lumber Sales, North Little Rock, Ar., continues treating with CCA while formulating its next move. "My customers are still happy with CCA and, in fact, I've had several customers who asked me to tell them right before we're ready to switch, so they can stock up on CCA," says Gary Burchfield, v.p.-sales & purchasing.

The company's two cylinders and varied product mix leaves it "with two or three options."

Babb Lumber Co., Ringgold, Ga., is also patiently playing the waiting game. "We're talking to our customers and looking at the five different chemicals out there, evaluating their performance and marketability," explains David Burns.

Tarheel Wood Treating Co., Morrisville, N.C., will convert by the end of the year, but has no immediate plans. "We might do it tomorrow, we might do it at the end of the year," says sales manager Rick Faulk. "Nobody's calling for it right now, so it makes no sense to do so."

Similarly, Narjoe Timber & Supply Co., Atlanta, Ga., is not in any hurry to abandon CCA. The company will convert, but has not decided when or to what, according to general manager John Hines.

At Littrell Brothers Lumber Co., Vinemont, Al., "we're going to wait as long as possible," promises sales manager Allan Littrell. "We'll probably switch after Thanksgiving; we're slow then, anyways." Littrell is unsure what new chemical he'll eventually switch to, since his company currently buys from both Arch and CSI.

At Tolleson Lumber Co., Perry, Ga., "we plan on treat(Continued on next page)