STENERS

.!0.'p9='!*T:'*='@GRK,sTrimScrewsareidealformostcompositedecks,finecarpentry o ilo pre-dillllng o 3t10ng heads

. CllmaftI coated fu"*r;g;E1-Etr with the smallest screw head on the market. With sizes available from I l/2" to (4O mm) to 5" (125 mm), users have plenty of choice. The Trim Screws exceptionally small head, along with the W-Cut thread design, prevent most material splitting. Pre-drilling is only necessary if the building material's limitations require a pilot hole to be drilled. o tilm appllcatl0ns i!fifrca-ii6ffis well as window extension iambs and more. our Trim Screws provide end users e @ @

TEt. l-800-263-0463 o FAX l-800-895-51 60 t-[{AlL grk@grkfoslener.com o WEB SITE: www.grkfosleners.com

Circle No. 124onp.42

Home Depot Appeals Use Laws

Home Depot is challenging a zoning determination for a proposed 104,000-sq. ft. store in Fauquier County, Va.

At issue is a ruling by county zoning administrators that Depot will require a special zoning exception because it sells building materials.

Home Depot was scheduled to appeal the decision May I to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

"Building supply sales are classified separately from general retail sales," said Home Depot attorney James Downey. "Building material sales require a special permit at wholesale but are permitted by right at retail."

Zoning administrator Kimberley Johnson said, "The proposed use meets the definition of retail in the Fauquier zoning ordinance and will require a special exception."

Local county officials say that in recent history the Board of Zoning Appeals has never overruled a zoning administrator.

Home Depot contracted in January to buy the 15.7-acre propeny.

Weyerhaeuser Chief Maps The Way

Weyerhaeuser Co.'s c.e.o. Steve Rogel told shareholders recently that the company's immediate focus will be on paying down debt.

"Lean, nimble, quick, opportunistic. That's what we are trying to do," Rogel told shareholders at the company's annual meeting in Federal Way, Wa.

This year the company has had to grapple with low lumber prices and shrinking profits.

Ln2002 the company's profits plunged to $241 million, from a high of $840 million in 2000.

Rogel said the company was still facing internal challenges from the Willamette Industries acquisition.

"Admittedly, this new Weyerhaeuser is not going to be a comfortable fit for everyone," Rogel said. "As I've told our employees: You're going to find our workplace of the future fulfilling, exciting and rewarding if you're the kind of person who is customer-focused and results-orientated."

Speaking of future acquisitions, Rogel added that the company didn't have the cash now for bold moves.

"We wouldn't preclude ourselves from a minor acquisition," he said, "but anything major will have to wait."

In the future Rogel noted that the company would likely expand its international operations, particularly in China.

In the short term, however, Rogel said, "We're going to continue our focus on capturing synergies from the Willamette integration, paying down our debt and reshaping the company."

Rogel predicted that Weyerhaeuser will be out of debt in 30 to 60 months.

Still using steel banding?

Our new strapping system offers:

. Superior alternative to steel banding

. Far less likelihood of injury, to employee or customer

. Far less steel banding-related damage to materials

Secure bundling of all truss jobs

Resists weather and material shrinkage

mrun$ ond BIIIEII$

f; Helps eliminate "mushrooming" in ." composite decking material.

fi1 Dual thread design provides optimum - holding power and displaces less material.

ai Oversized top thread traps most loose - composite material during installation.

fi Undercut head traps any additional - loose material, pushing it back into the hole while countersinking.

@ Sure Drive USAo's exclusive Rustguard@ - coating prcvides excellent corcsion prctection, (i Patented WoodmasteP thread design starts ..- faster and slices through decking with minimal material distort.

6j1 The original Robertsono' square drive recess - provides positive bit engagement and eliminates driver bit cam out.

flt l0l8-1022 case hardened steel for - maximum strength.

fi1 Available in TAN and GRAY to match the - most popular deck colors.

Monufoctured By: SureDriveUSA@, Inc. South Son Francisco, CA Dollos, TX Huntersville, NC Toll Free (888) 2 1 9- | 700 Fox(650) 873-3356 www.suredrlve.com

Steel bandinLis dangerous and obsolete. Until now, there was no viable alternative. We believe we have the solution to your load containment needs! See for yourself!

In FlOfida, call Stambone & Associates

D-l-Yers'Cash In Place

A new survey ofhomeowners indicates that Americans will invest significantly in home improvement projects this spring.

The American Express survey of 341 households found that the average home improvement budget this year is

$3,800. The figure is a big jump from 2000 when the annual d-i-yer's budget was estimated at $2.900. Homes with an income of $50,000 or more are expected to spend nearly $4,300. With summer approaching, 44Vo of respondents said that home improvement spending was a higher priority than taking a vacation (20Vo) or dining and entertainment (157o). This is up from 33Vo in 2000.

According to the survey, T3Vo of homeowners will spend their d-i-y dollars at home improvement centers, followed by department stores and then hardware stores. Only 6Vo of those surveyed plan to shop at a lumberyard or specialty retailer.

The survey found that home owners will use nearly half (447o) of this budget for interior decorating, followed by remodeling, landscaping and other critical maintenance.

Less than 20Vo said they would tackle exterior house decor, add a room or expand a deck or patio this year.

When picking projects and materials, two-thirds of respondents said price determined where they shopped, followed by selection, service and location.

The survey also found that homeowners are tuning in more to home improvement shows-44Eo now as opposed to38Vo three years ago.

News Briefs

(Continued from page 16)

Alantic Forest Products, Baltimore, Md., was burglarized April 14; two men have been arrested on suspicion of lumber theft

Frisco Wholesale Lumber, Frisco. Tx.. was named Business of the Year by the local Chamber of Commerce

Nexwood Industries Ltd. has expanded its Ontario, Canada production facility, adding equipment and doubling the capacity of its floor line

Deceuninck has acquired Thyssen Polymer, the extrusion business unit of ThyssenKrupp Technologies...

Universal Forest Products was ranked 769 on Fortune magazine's "Fortune 1000" list of America's most profitable companies ...

American National Standards Institute approved the window standard "101/I.S. 2/NAFS-02 North American Fenestration Standard, Voluntary Performance Specification for Windows, Skylights and Glass Doors" as an American national standard.