LBm software report What3 New in 2003

(OffWnnE companies serving the lumber and buildsf ing material industry have begun unveiling a host of new and updated products.

CcrTntno

New iNet e-Invoices allows point-of-sale systems to automatically email a copy of each invoice to customers. Seconds after completing a transaction, the customer's bookkeeper automatically gets a copy ofthe invoice.

Channe ti nx

Channelinx's new elinx release, Version 3.79, contains approximately 170 enhancements throughout the e-commerce platform and specific expanded functionality to its OCI Punchout and Sourcing modules.

In addition, Content Manager Version 1.9 adds over 150 new features, including performance improvements in the Submit, Distribute and Publish processes.

Cogn icase

ScoopSoft Version 7.0 features an improved order entry screen, directly from the whiteboard, to view available-forsale inventory. Users are able to configure their own order entry screen by choosing which fields they will have to fill in order to complete the sales order. This helps sales personnel quickly create sales orders, therefore reducing available inventory from the whiteboard in seconds.

New features also include two-way match (or reverse billing) for freight invoices. For selected carriers, the system can generate an accounts payable directly at time of shipping, based on pre-negotiated rates (as opposed to creating the usual accounts payable accrual).

Accounting department users will also be able to electronically reconcile checks by downloading a check file from any bank.

Computer flssociates Inc.

CAI has released its interface program to the Andersen Windows Intelligent Quote (IQ) system. The program allows Andersen dealers and distributors to generate an Andersen product quote on IQ, then submit the quote.

CAI's new Ponderosa Building Materials software system captures the information and brings it forward into a quote or sales order. Part numbers, pricing, description and other information are polled from IQ.

Once the Andersen IQ quote is in the CAI system, individual lines can be changed, selling discounts applied and load factors calculated. Also other products can be added providing a single quote for all lumber and millwork items needed for the job.

When the job is sold, the entire quote or any portion of it can be turned into an order without re-entry. Non-stock items can be converted into the Purchase Order system or the order can be classified with CIA's new Crossdock Module. Crossdock orders can be combined for van shipment and the van number tracked through the CAI software. Products may also be selected individually for the crossdock order so the dealer or distributor can "pick and choose" what products can come from stock versus those shipped from Andersen. When the van is received, another program sorts the receiver by Andersen part number, reducing the effort to match shipping and ordering documents.

In addition to Andersen Windows, interfaces have been developed for Caradco, Vetter, Windsor Windows and 20120 for Kitchens. Others are in the works.

Dmsi

Through advanced features in Inventory and Attribute Viewer screens, DMSi's Agility software Version 2.3.4 enables wholesalers and treaters to quickly access on-hand lumber to help create custom orders.

For example, users can search inventory records based on attributes, items, size, description, product group and supplier. Even with minimum information, it's easy to find accurate inventory information on products immediately in a point-and-click Windows environment.

"Our customers want accurate information on inventory while their customer is on the phone and ready to place an order," said Monte Jensen, DMSi software lumber industry sales representative. "The latest version of Agility provides the tools to easily locate items through attributes, item characteristics, ordering status, view groups of inventory items and their quantities for one or more branches, and dynamic features allow Agility users to select items and add them to orders instantly."

One exciting trend sees users running Agility graphical software features like this on wireless Tablet PCs when they're out in the yard. The potential uses in a business for this type of device are significant-imagine sales personnel, with a dealer, at a customer job site, quoting material and converting it to an order on the spot in real-time. A Tablet PC stylus can offer excellent touch-screen, handwriting and voice recognition capabilities.

Enterprise Computer SUstems

Best known for its POS systems and productivity tools, Enterprise's latest development is its estimating service. The service frees dealers from adding a dedicated estimator as well as purchasing the software and hardware to generate automated takeoffs. So far,80 dealers have signed on.

Enterprise currently has five full-time estimators on staff and is looking to add one more. Since custom databases are set up for most customers, any of the estimators can work with any customer. "We are doing a full range of takeoffs-from small residential house plans to large commercial projects and everything in between," said Dan Kukol, general manager of estimating services. "Most customers send us the more difficult plans that would be very time consuming for them to estimate."

Enterprise provides professional takeoffs with a quick turn around and gives dealers the ability to review the takeoff from their own point-of-sale system. Enterprise dials into customers' POS systems and deposits the material list for the dealer to review and price, eliminating the need to key lists back into the system.

Takeoffs can also be received by fax, e-mail plan file or export file. Customers choose the time frame in which they need the takeoff back. There is an option to use a generic database or to have a custom database created with specific item numbers, phases, assemblies, and delivery loads. Enterprise also markets the service to dealers using its Professional Estimating module, to assist when an estimator is overwhelmed with requests, on vacation, or out sick.

HAND-HELD data collection devices interfaced to Lumber Track allow the entire operation to track inventory levels, movement and commitment.

llxTrend Technologg, Inc.

A fast, simple way to connect to disconnected vendors, eBuy Center is an automated procurement solutions that reduces the time, cost and errors associated with manual processing of POs. Unlike other solutions, vendors do not need to be hooked up via EDI, and the user does not need to run a specific proprietary back-office system.

Progressiue Solutions Inc.

Lumber Track Version 7 began shipping this spring and (Please turn to page 3l)

Rrrrrrtls

Emanuel Lumber Co., Azle,Tx., has closed after more than 50 years; Ken and Betty Haas, owners since 1976, wanted to retire and could not find a buyer

Bartow Ace Hardware, Bartow, Fl., opens next month in a newly remodeled, 8,000-sq. ft., former Goodwill storel owner Curtis Blocker also operates a hardware store in Immokalee, Fl.

Prescott's Ace Hardware, Tallahassee, Fl., has closed after 20 years in business ...

84 Lumber opened new stores last month in Savannah, Ga.; Palm Shores, Fl., and Augusta, Ga. (Jack Holt, mgr.), returning to the market after a lO-year hiatus the chain submitted plans to build a railserved pro yard on 12 acres owned by CSXin Brunswick, Md. ...

Ac e Hardw are, Chattznooga, Tn., suffered a recent fire that damaged a warehouse ...

Home Depot this month oPens new home centers in Lawton, Ok.; Vicksburg, Ms., and Destin, Fl., and a Landscape Supply store in Lewisville, Tx.

Home Depot recently held its annual meeting in Chicago, marking the first time the companY has held its meeting outside Georgia in its 24-year history ...

Loblolly Builders Supply, Moultrie, Ga., had $245 stolen by a thief who broke through a brick wall with a tire iron

Wtorrsn:rs/|f, murlcrutlRs

Louis iarn- Pac ifi c completed the sale of its Marianna and West Bay, Fl., sawmills to Grayson Lumber Corp., Grayson, Al. ... L-P has established a claimant offer program for homeowners who filed claims under the Inner-Seal siding products liability class action settlement

Georgia-Pacific Corp. is closing its Oxford, Ms., particleboard plant; the mill has an annual capacity of 200 million sq. ft.

Augusta Lumber Co., Waynesboro, Va.. plans to invest $5 million in the former West Point Sawmill it recently acquired in King William County, Va. ...

Enterprise Computer SYstems, Greenville, S.C., agreed to merge with Canadian-based software solutions firm Speedware Corp.; Enterprise shareholders were scheduled to vote on the merger in late April ...

Ridgeway Truss Co., Gainesville, Fl., lost a lumber shed in a March 29 ftre ..,

Bradlev Lumber Co." Warren, Ar., has agreed to buy 15,20O acres of Arkansas hardwood bottomland from Potlatch Corp.; Potlatch closed its Bradley hardwood mill in July and two months later sold the facility to Bradley Lumber president Dr. David Chambers ...

Ravonier" Jacksonville. Fl., is expeited to sell 8,465 acres of north Florida timberland to the St. Johns River Water Management District and the State of Florida for $22.7 million; the state is expected to incorporate the propertY into a nearby conservation area ...

FAX us your news!

Have a notice of your recent exPansion, promotions or other company changes published in the next issue of Building Products Digest! Just Fax vour news to 949-852-0231.

(a free serube)

Crown Bolt Inc. recently won a five-year tax freeze in lvlemphis, Tn., where it plans to consolidate three DCs into a 91,000-sq. ft. facility...

Branmar Logging Inc., Gordonsville. Va.. lost its office and warehouse complex in a March 31 fire

Latham Stairs & Millwork, Denton, Tx., is moving from its current 20,000-sq. ft. facility to a new 43,000-sq. ft. manufacturing and distribution facility

USP Lumber Conneclors has been renamed USP Sftuctural Connectors...

American Lumber Standards Committee has certified engineering design values for cypress, giving it recognition in model U.S. building codes

Elder Wood Preserving, Mansura, La., is now stocking Geodeck composite and ip€ hardwood deckm9...

Sunbelt Forest Products, Bartow, Fl., is now stocking Epoch Composites' Evergrain decking

Elias Wilf Corp., Owings Mills, Md., is now distributing Vicksburg, Ms.-based Capella Hard' wood Floors' flooring in W.V., Va., Md., and Washington, D.C.

Anniversaries: Swanson Tool Co., 75th ... Spartanburg Forest Products, Greer, S.C., 25th Langboard, Inc., Quitman, Ga., 15rh...

Housing starts in March (latest figures) rose \Vo to an annual rate of 1.780 million single family starts increased 7.7Vo to a rate of 1.414 million; multifamily (5+ units) were at a pace of 329,000 building permits dropped 7Vo to a 1.685 millionrate...

(Please turn to page 30)

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

Mav fux:

Columbia Forest ProductsMay 13-15, hardwood plywood training class, Chatham, Va.; (800) 547-4261.

Southern Building Material Association - May 13-16, management training retreat, Hilton Head, S.C.; ('704) 376-1503.

National Sash & Door Jobbers Association - May L5-17, top management meeting, Indian Wells, Ca.; (800) 786-7274.

Peak Auctioneering - May 17-18, building material auction, Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, Tn.; (816) 474-1982.

Do it Best Corp. - May l7-2O, spring market, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, In.; (219) 748-5300.

International Conference on Woodfiber-Plastic CompositesMay 19-20, Hilton, Madison, Wi.; (608) 231-1361.

Southern Building Material Association - May 20-21, sales seminars; May 22, time management seminar, Cookeville, Tn.; May 27,time management seminar, Roanoke, Va; (704) 376-t503.

National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors - May 2l-22, human resources conference, Chicago, 11.; (202) 872-0885.

Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association - May 27-30, annual convention, Phoenix, Az.; (7 03) 264-1690.

Construction Specifications Institute - June 5, ProSpec trade show, Seattle, Wa.; (206) 382-3393.

Southern Building Show - June 5-7, Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, Ga.; (800) 854-7736.

National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association - June 6-9, semi-annual meeting, Asheville, N.C.; (901) 526-5016.

National Lawn & Garden Show - June 11-12, Rosemont Convention Center, Chicago, Il.; (888) 316-0226.

Florida Building Material Association - June 12-14, summer management conference, Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, Fl.; (352) 383-0366.

Intertribal Timber Council - June 16-19, Indian timber symposium, Cherokee, N.C.; (503) 282-4296.

Louisiana Forestry Teachers Tour- June 17-21, Alexandria, La.; (225) 922-1234.

Lumbermen's Association of Texas - June 18-19, committee meetings, Austin, Tx.; (512) 472-1194.

Temperate Forest Foundation - June 18-21, Southeastern Teachers' Tour, Jacksonville, Fl.; (503) 579-6762.

Forest Products Society - June 22-25, DoubleTree Hotel, Bellevue, Wa.; (608) 231-1361.

Southern Forest Products Association - June 25-27, forest products machinery & equipment expo, World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga.; (504) 443-4464.

Louisiana Building Material Dealers Association - June 26-28, summer outing, Grand Hotel, Point Clear, Al.; (512) 472-1194.

Tigers of Asia - June 27-29, show and expo, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Fl.; (305) 445-3788.

Futv

Construction Supplier's Association - July 10-13, summer management conference, King & Prince Hotel, St. Simons, Ga.; (770) 751-6373.

Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers AssociationJuly 14, golf outing; July 15, summer board meeting, Lexington, Ky.; (800) 844-1774.

House-Hasson Hardware Co. - July 18-20, summer market, Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville, Tn.; (865) 525-0471.

North American Wholesale Lumber Association - July 19-24, wood marketing seminar, Moscow, Id.; (800) 527-8258.

$ tion, attract more female customers, and significantly increase sales. And their new member portal, mydoitbest.com, has helped me get the product and program information I need, when I need it. lf you want a co-op that helps you stay a step ahead, contact Do it Best Corp. today.

Just as the landscapes provide broad displays of beautiful Corza desrgns a wide range of custom profiles fo fit just what you imagine. Corza provides reliable moulding supply solutions fo the world through extensive custom profiles and inventory of standard profiles.

Lumbermen's Association of Texas installed Kyle McCarley, Paris Lumber & Building Center, Paris, Tx., as president during its recent annual convention in Austin (See pftotos, p. 38-39).

Cally Fromme is 1st v.p.; Steve Herren, 2nd v.p.; Bruce Agness, associate v.p.; Frank Fraazzio, Lousiana v.p.; Doug Gregory, treasurer; Kyle Williams, secretary; Mary Cunningham, sgt. at arms, and Mitja Peterman, immediate past president.

Lonnie L. Goolsby Jr., John E. Quarles Co.. Fort Worth. was named Lumberman of the Year. Andrew "Drew" Sanders, Texas Industries, is Associate Member of the Year.

Southern Building Material Association booked Thomas P. Randolph to conduct time management seminars May 22 in Cookeville, Tn., and May 27 in Roanoke, Va. Also slated this month are a management training retreat May 13-16 at Hilton Head. S.C.: a back to basics sales seminar May 20 in Cookeville, and an advanced sales seminar May 2l in Cookeville.

Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association is staging its Congelton Cup golf outing July 14 in Lexington, followed by the summer board meeting July 15.

Oklahoma Lumbermens Association is hosting its Summer Fling July 11-13 at the Shangri-La Resort, Grove, Ok.

Construction Suppliers' Association has enlisted consultant Ruth Kellick, Kellick & Associates, to address "Consistently Great Service" during its summer management conference July l013 at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort Hotel, St. Simons Island, Ga.

Treated Wood Associations In,Trangltion

A glimpse at the futu& of prebsure tre,ated wood was set to be irnveiled during the American Wood-Preserverg' Associationr 5 annual meeting at the end of April. Details and photos will appear in next month's Building Products Digest.

In addiiion to presentations on emerging preservatives, the event* themed "Your Industry in Transition"Jeatured the flrst ever business meetings of AWPA's standards-setting commitbes outside of the usual week-long September sessions. AWPA hopes to sheanline its standards-setting Fsoess by'having technical committees meet twice annually instead of once.

During the event, AWPA was set to propose allowing corporate sponsorships to augment dues. The association also introduced its new executive vice profident;,,,,Colin lv1cCown, w:ho sucee€ds the retiring John Hall at the end of May.

Other associations:-inc|ll:ding the America,n Wood Preservers Institute, the American Forest & Paper Association, the Timber Pile Council and the Southern Pressure Treaters Association-were also expected to unveil seriors chasg8s during the event. In the wake of AWPI's restructuring, SPTA is considering expanding its foc,us beyond industrial treaters to the entile soqthern $eating industry.

Langboard Expands OSB Mill

Langboard is investing $70 million to double the capacity of its Quitman, Ga., OSB plant to 440 million sq. ft.

The l5-year-old facility will receive a second production line plus modernization of its equipment to conform to MACT (maximum achievable control technology) standards. Part of the Clean Air Act. the standards require the plant to capture the steam emitted and incinerate the fumes, with a compliance date of 2005.

Langboard OSB v.p. Chris Reid said over the next year of anticipated construction time, the plant will only lose a total of six days in down time, quite an accomplishment for an operation running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "We have engineers constantly monitoring the project to ensure we lose as little production time as possible," he said.

Reid toured several OSB plants in the U.S. and Canada to learn about new types of equipment and recently returned from Germany, where the firm purchased a new Dieffenbacher press. The huge press, being shipped on three boats, is expected to arrive this month and be installed over the summer. Production should besin in the second or third quarter of 2004.

"The new press will allow us to produce 9-ft. boards, where we can only do 8-ft. now," he said, citing a growing demand in the housing market as more homes are beine built with higher, 9-ft. ceilings.

N.C. Hardware Adds Sibling

The owner of Briggs Hardware, Raleigh, N.C., opened a second hardware store last month in a local shopping center.

Named Marc's Hardware, the 3,000-sq. ft. store serves d-i-yers and building contractors, according to owner Marc Scruggs. Scruggs added that the store's focus is on plumbing, cabinetry and door hardware.

Asked about stiff competition from big box stores, Scruggs said, "I feel like if I run a tight ship, we can come in 5 cents lower or even 5 cents higher, and we may save people time and money in getting what they need."

He will continue to operate Briggs Hardware at its cunent location.

Florida Millwork Firm Moving

Pinecrest Industries of Florida Inc. plans to move from Wellington, Fl., to

Fort

The specialty millwork company will soon begin construction on a new 9,000-sq. ft. manufacturing plant.

Owner Ferando DiSisto explained that the move was necessary because of increased demand for their mahogany and glass doors.

At the new location, DiSisto expects to make about 200 to 300 doors a year, priced at $4,000 to $ 1s.000.

The company chose Fort Pierce because it featured a central location for distribution and easy access to I-95 and the Florida Turnpike.

The move is expected to cost approximately I $ million.

Firms Expected To Invest

North American forest products companies are expected to increase spending in fiscal year 2003 on plant, properties and equipment.

A survey of 39 companies tallied expected expenditures at $8.1 billion, an 1l.6Vo increase over 2002 spending.

Last year the same companies spent $7.3 billion, $2.1 billion less than in the previous year.

Firm To Virginia Top Court

After a year of setbacks on a proposed expansion, one Virginia lumber firm is taking its fight to the state Supreme Court.

Roper Brothers Lumber, Petersburg, has been seeking approval to build a cement mixing and proportioning plant on a 4.5-acre portion of its lumberyard. In early April, the city council voted unanimously to reject the company's expansion bid.

Some in the community say the decision was not about cement, but a proposed tourist complex on the banks of the Appomattox River, directly across from the yard.

Roper's property is on an end of Pocahontas Island, which has a population of 90 and both residential and industrial neighbors. Some island residents feel a plant would harm the community's quality of life.

Last April the city planning board affirmed that the construction was an allowable use, yet questioned the plant's traffic, noise and environmental impact. Soon after, Roper took its case to the board of zoning appeals, which upheld the planning department's ruling. Roper then went to the local circuit court and the city council, where it met defeat by both bodies.

A hearing date has not been set.

Dealers Demand Free Trade

Last month a North American Free Trade Agreement bi-national panel accepted a "friend-of-the-court" brief on behalf of LBM dealers and home builders that seeks to overturn tariffs on Canadian softwood.

Filed last fall, by the National Association of Home Builders and the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, the brief argues that U.S. consumers and dealers who rely on Canadian lumber have been left out of recent softwood talks.

The brief also documents that different types of lumber produced by the U.S. and Canada are not interchangeable in the home construction industry. The groups argue that many builders prefer Canadian S-P-F for wall framing instead of U.S. southern yellow pine.

The U.S. residential housins mar-

Large Inventory l" Southern Pine Boards & Patterns

Premium WRC Timbers & Boards

.lxl2 SfS2E 718" & 1x10 Channel WRC

. Pickets - Pickets - Pickets - "Thick" 13116" Green WRC & KD Cypress

Kiln Dried Florida Cypress - 1x6 Reversible V-Joint ket relies on Canadian lumber for 30Vo of its needs and fears that home buyers may pay as much as $1,000 more because of the tariffs.

The U.S. currently imposes a 277o tariff on all Canadian softwood.

Pick Paint The Depot Way

Home Depot stores are introducing an interactive paint center that seeks to simplify paint selection for customers.

The Color Solutions Center features new color technology, brochures and project idea cards in a 30-ft. display. The results of several years of consumer research, Home Depot will use the center to showcase paint brands by Ralph Lauren, Glidden and its exclusive Disney Color by Behr.

The center incorporates technology that lets consumers choose a color and then preview its application in virtual computer "rooms." There are also peel and stick paint chips that can be applied to any wall surface.

"Our research clearly pointed to customers' desire for a more userfriendly color presentation system," said Depot's Sophia Schade.

Gary Donnelly has resigned after 12 years as president of the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association. Vicki Worden is serving as interim president during the search for a replacement.

Brandon Wall has been promoted to store mgr. at McCoy's Building Supply Center, Port Arthur, Tx. John Finney is now store mgr. in League City, Tx.

Sonny Richmond, ex-Builders FirstSource, has rejoined Moore's Lumber and Building Supplies, Roanoke, Va., as general mgr. of the Knoxville, Tn., operation. Brian Muelenaer, exWickes Inc., is the new Roanoke mgr. Wayne Hargrove has been named general mgr. of Phillips Building Supply, Charlottesville, Va., a division of Moore's.

Lee Thomas, president, Georgia-Pacific, Atlanta. Ga.. was named to the added position of chief operating officer. David Paterson is now executive v.p. of the building products businesses.

James H. Hill has been named v.p. of land sales & acquisitions for the forestry division of MeadWestvaco, Charleston. S.C. D. Bruce Funderburke is now msr. of land sales & acquisitions.

Tommy Guy, New South Wood Preserving, Myrtle Beach, S.C., transferred to the treated sales staff.

Sonny Sessions has sold Georgetown Hardware, Georgetown, S.C., to Wayne Carter. Sessions ran the business for 27 years.

Trent Freernan is a new account mgr. at Savannah Lumber's Waynesboro, Ms., location.

Karen Cannon was named window dept. mgr. for the millwork division of Buck Lumber Co., Charleston, S.C. Ken Conway is now millwork operations mgr., and Jim Wood, a sales trainee specializing in window products.

Richard J. Taggart has been promoted to executive v.p. and chief financial officer at Weyerhaeuser Co. He succeeds William C. Stivers, who will retire in June. Jim Hemphill has been named eastern sales & customer service leader for Weyerhaeuser Building Materials. Phil Leupold is now East region general mgr.; Bill Ames, Northeast area general mgr., and Jack Delaney, New England area general mgr.

Michael Haining has been named senior v.p.-distribution and logistics for TruServ Co1p.