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Jordan Lumber & Supply, Mt. Gilead, N.C., has cut production by 40% through next month as the mill installs new equipment.

Anthony Forest Products' samwill in Atlanta, Tx., suffered approximately $15 million in damage in a Feb. 27 fire.

The sawmill will be down for "an extended period," although the planer mill and dry kilns continue operating.

Louisiana-Pacific is oermanently closing its 0SB mills in Silsbee, Tx. (down since mid-2007), and Athens, Ga. (temporarily idled in late 2008).

Catawissa Wood & Compo. nents, Paxinos, Pa., sustained a March 21 sawdust fire in a 4S-ft.-high silo between its dry kilns.

Uniboard, Laval, P.Q., is now producing MDF and HDF at its new $160 million fiberboard plant in Moncure. N.C.

ProBuild Buys Glaize Plant

ProBuild has acquired the former Glaize Components component plant in Winchester, Va.

The facility will continue to manufacture floor and roof trusses. wall panels, and I-joists, and will be joined on the lS-acre site by a full-service lumberyard.

ProBuild already has a retail store nonh of Winchester.

The Glaize family, which had supplied lumber for more than 150 years and assembled trusses for 35, continues to operate a development company in Winchester.

N.Y. Store Packs lts Bags

Sid's Hardware has filed for Chapter l1 bankruptcy protection, after closing its longtime store in Downtown Brooklyn, N.Y., and moving to Gowanus, N.Y.

"We filed for Chapter I I protection because we had to get out of our lease," said William Ruzzo, director of operations. "We could no longer afford to be there."

The store reportedly had two years remaining on its lease, but could not reach a deal with its landlord.

The new location will focus on contractors, builders, and property renovators, instead of the retail trade.

"Hopefully, with the move and the change in direction of our business and paying one-quarter of what we were paying in rent downtown, it will be a whole lot easier," Ruzzo said.

Exterior Supplier Adding #5

Arrowhead Building Supply is opening its fifth location, a 4,000-sq. ft showroom with drive-thru warehouse and exterior drive-thru pickup window in Hollister, Mo., April 19.

A difficult economy was no deterrent, according to general manager Rick Pogue. "We did alot of research," he said. "That area has no hometown supplier. Our specialty is speedy delivery, but we offer a wide variety of products as well."

Pogue said his store will be the first of its kind in the U.S. to offer "Service 3l15;'

"If a builder needs a box of nails, he can call ahead, drive through our express lane, and never get out of the truck," Pogue said.

He also vowed to deliver anything stocked in its multiple warehouses to a jobsite within an 80 to 100 mile radius within three hours.

Stock Buys Bankrupt National Home Centers

Stock Building Supply, Raleigh, N.C., which emerged from bankruptcy last July, has acquired National Home Centers. Springdale. Ar.. a nine-store chain that entered bankruptcy reorganization in December and closed locations in Bentonville, Clarksville, and Little Rock, Ar.

"Stock is a financially stable partner with a well-developed strategy and a demonstrated track record of improving its own operations despite tough market conditions," said c.e.o. Dwain Newman.

Stock has money to spend, thanks to 975 million lrom The Gores Grouo. a California private equity firm thut owns a 5l o/o stake in the company.

Obdyke Pursues Acquisitions

At a time when the construction industry seems to have little positive to report, one building products manufacturer is looking to aggressively grow its business with a strategy to acquire new product ideas, patents, product lines. and companies.

Benjamin Obdyke, Horsham, Pa., is actively searching lbr new opportunities that will position it fbr maximum growth as the construction sector recovers from its current downturn.

"ln order for us to achieve the company's growth objectives, we will need to look oulside the organization fbr new product ideas that we can synergize with our internal product development processes," said Geoff Ehrman, director of business development.

Specifically, the company is placing renewed emphasis on acquiring intellectual property, manufacturing capabilities, information technology, and new ideas that will allow it to leverage its core competencies in residential and light commercial roof and wall products.

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''By moving into an acquisition mode, we see it as a way to improve our current products, introduce new products, or expand our market reach so we can continue to provide our customers the specific products they need." Ehrman said.

He pointed out several reasons why a company tlr inventor might want to partner with a company like Benjamin Obdyke. "First, we have a well-established and respected brand of products for the building's exterior envelope. Second, we have established channels to access the market that is built upon our reputation for quality. And third, we have the technical expertise to help the contractor/builder build better. We have spent a great amount of time working with code officials and building scientists to make sure our products align with current building science practices," Ehrman said.

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Fire Strikes G-P OSB Mill

Georgia-Pacific's OSB plant in Brookneal , Va., was closed for two days to clean up water damage after a Feb.22 fire.

"G-P's fire suppression team put out most of the blaze. but we took care of a few hot spots," said fire chief Scott Horseman. "They have an excellent fire suppression system, but this moved a little too fast for them."

He said that the fire probably started in the press area, spread to the control room, and traveled to the exhaust and duct work.

Two weeks later, on March 9, a fire broke out at G-P's shuttered sawmill in Springhill, La. G-P bought the facility from International Paper three years ago, but it had been unused since the late 1990s and was beins demolished.