Building Products Digest - May 2009

I

BPD

Butt otNc Pnooucts Drcrsr

Serting lu'mber 8t building products retailers 8L toholesale distributors

Pdte hike hope Expect lumber prices to rise-tempororily.

l0 nwrodechng

Globol PVC moker exponds to decking ond roilino.

SequiGeniennici. :r''

Michigon'sJudd

Lumber hits 150.

12 0ects flex: Dedgn optlonr erqond for romporile dechng

Composite boords ond components ore being used for o growing ronge of opplications, including gozebos, orbors, benches ond fences.

f4 Vendor orovs{ con boostyourdechng soler

At the plont or closer to you, product tours equip deolen' soles stoffs- ond their pro customen.

16 Cut your fuee by uring excesr inventory -April

l5 moy be behind us, but it's never too eorly to begin improving next yeois tox situotion by donoting overstock merchondise to o discounl indu$ry retoiler.

Ednoriol

BUILDING PB0DUCTS DIGEST is published monthly at 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872, (949) 852-1990, Fax 949-852-0231, www.building-products.com, by Cutler Publishing, Inc. (a California Corporation). lt is an independently owned publication for building products retailers and wholesale distributors in 37 states East of the Rockies.

Copyright@2009 by Cutler Publishing, Inc. Cover and entire contents are fully protected and must n0t be reproduced in any manner with0ut written permission. All Rights Reserved. Building Products Digest reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter, and assumes no liabilitv for materials furnished to it.

(Sister publication The Merchant Maguine seves the West)

PUBLISHER Alan Oakes (ajoakes@aol.com)

PUBLISHER EMERITUS David Cutler

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Carla Waldemar, James 0lsen

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About the Cover

The front cover is a paid advertisement, this month sponsored by Redwood Empire.

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I'm on the "happy pills"-how'bout you?

I've received several letters and emails asking me how my happy pills were doing and where you could get them (see last month's column).1 can only say that I am still on the double dose, but I can already see the sign of a smile, fewer lines on my brow, and I believe I will soon be down to a single dose for the next few months-and weaning off them totally in the last part ofthe year or early 2010.

I would like a few more to join with me, though. As I travel around, the pain everywhere is clear to see. I landed in Boston the other day to see a deserted airport. Was in Las Vegas the other week, and it didn't take more than a few steps off the plane and not hearing the ching-changing of coins in the slots to realize how bad it was there (although when they are still trying to push $200-$300 show tickets

my sympathy is a little less). It does not matter whom you talk with: there is a frenzy of fear, sadness and apprehension about what has happened. And while it is understandable, and it is real easy to blame the c.e.o.s of the financial industry, the end of the world is not nigh. In fact, I would argue that it is time to become American again. What do I mean? I have been here for 32 years now, and in that time I have never seen anything faze the people of this country. Whether it be an earthquake. an attack. a recession, we face the challenge head on and beat it. When we as individuals or as a country face problems, by nature we always lead the world with an overwhelming confidence and ingenuity. But, this time it has been different and you have to question what has been happening to us. From my perspective.

I feel that most of us (including myself) have been wallowing in self pity and a tornado of worry perhaps fueled by the constant repetition of the same news over and over again. Do I really need to see the same news feed every l5 minutes throughout the day? This constant barrage of bad news only leads to a clinical depression, fuels the fire, and in itself can make the worst happen.

As individuals, we are as much responsible for what has happened as thc financial institutions. It is our fiscal irresponsibility and greed as a nation that has fueled where we are today (as well as the rest of the world), with too many people having bought the house they know they could not afford-in some cases two or three homes, credit card overspending, and plainly spending what we don't have. While there are many of us who have not done that, those ofus that can need to start doing things that will positive- ly effect the economy(local and national)-a vacation here, a restaurant charge there, mending the fence, buying furniture, a needed car repair-whatever it is that will help to kick our economy back into gear, start cutting unemployment, and, by extension, stop the number of foreclosures. Again, I am not advocating spending what we do not have and living outside of our means, but life has to go on and all of us -responsible or notwill pay the price if we don't start revving the economy up.

I also believe there is no rule that says we should not enjoy ourselves even when times are tough. It is time to get out of the house and out of the office and start enjoying life again. And to support that thought, I think that the great adjustment in our economy is now underway. The adjustments that households and businesses have already taken to cut out excesses of the past are starting to kick in and will start normalizing our economy soon. The stock market will continue its seesaw, but it is already on an upward swing and that is one of the keys to us all feeling a bit better. And, the impact of the stimulus package (although I have my doubts about a lot of what is in it) will also contribute to the uptick we are all looking for.

Again, I would say, it is time to be American and get back to who we are as a nation and a people. Let us count the good things we have in our lives and use our strength to get our lives and our country back on track again.

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Pressure

Lumber prices poised to increase, but climb may be short-lived

By Paul Jannke RISI

f UMBER prices typically see subI-Jstantial movem€nt in the first quarter. Unfortunately, the only movement we've seen this year has been down. Are we near a bottom? We think the answer is yes.

Lumber prices are well below our estimates of variable costs, as evidenced by the spate of closures and downtime that have been announced in recent months. Moreover, dealer stocks are now being measured in weeks, not months. Finally, lumber consumption has begun to increase seasonally as the spring building season gets underway.

So, lumber will become less available as mills cut production. At the same time, end-use consumption will rise (seasonally) while dealers lack the stocks on hand to supply the increased demand. This will be the impetus for a rally in lumber prices over the next several months.

While we expect prices to move higher, the upside potential will be limited by several factors, the foremost being cyclically falling end-use consumption. Housing starts averaged just over 500,000 units (SAAR) in January-February. Meanwhile, construction on existing properties has fallen sharply in early 2009 as well.

The weak residential construction markets were likely influenced by unseasonably bad weather in the Midwest and Northeast (the regions that saw some of the greatest decline over this period). Nonetheless, high new and existing home inventories, tight credit markets, a collapse in cash out refinancing, and the worst recession in generations will all keep downward pressure on construction for the next several quarters.

Finally, industrial production has

plunged. The manufacturing sector is likely to remain under pressure through mid-year as aggregate demand remains weak and companies continue to draw down inventories. Another factor limiting the upside for lumber prices are the very market forces that those higher prices will elicit: production will come back online as mills stop losing money and in some cases begin to turn a profit. We have seen several billion board feet of capacity curtailments over the past several months because prices were below the cost of production. With prices rising, mills will ramp up production to take advantage of one of the few times during the year where they may actually make some money.

So what is the bottom line? We expect prices will increase 25Vo from their first quarter lows to their peak midway through the third quarter. In

addition to being mild, this rally will be short-lived: as the building season winds down toward the end of the year, we expect lumber prices to again move lower. However, they will not retest the first quarter lows as dealers will not have as much inventory to draw down this year as they had in 2008, and so ordering will be steadier.

Moreover, we expect the overall economy, consumer confidence, and housing markets to be improving by the end of the year. This will lead dealers to build more inventory than they did in late 2008iearly 2O09.

- Paul Jannke is senior vp. of wood & timber information for RISI, a leading information provider for the global forest products industry and publisher o/Crow's Market & Price Service, which offers free trial sub scriptions at www.risiinfo.com/ crows. Reach Mr. Jannke at pjannke@ risiinfo.com.

Crow's Framing Lumber Composite Index ($ per MMBF)

decking and

DVC SHEET producer Inteplast Group, Livingston, I N.J., is launching a new line of finished building products, starting with TUF deck and TUF railing.

"Before 2007, you could only see polyethylene and polypropylene decking boards available in the marketplace," said group president Dr. John Young. "Our TUF deck is made of PVC with a hardened and embossed surface that provides superior stain and scratch resistance. He said that the boards are also "lighter weight and they display better workability."

The new building products are produced exclusively in Lolita, Tx., in what Young called the "single largest vertically integrated plastics manufacturing site in the world." He added that the central location of the plant cuts shipping costs for customers.

"The large size of our operations was required to make manufacturing in the U.S. viable and competitive against imports," he said. "Today, we have many other plants elsewhere in North America and Asia, but we have always found the south Texas plant to be the most economical and productive site."

International PVC maker expa s

The first building products produced at the Lolita plant were TUF board and TUF moulding. "Our products can be worked with standard woodworking tools," said Young. "They do not decay or rot, and once mounted, they no longer need any maintenance."

The decking and railing products, which were introduced to the market in the second half of 2008, are avail-

able in four different colors with reversible finishes. Wholesale distributors such as Boise and Guardian Building Products carry the products.

"We've built a large, loyal client base by focusing on economy of scale and quality," he said. "With our continuous drive toward automation and creating a paper-less operation, we believe that our operations are cost-effective against any domestic or foreign competitor."

According to Young, the company is already developing a new line of PVC fencing. "We anticipate adding both fencing and siding, to create a complete portfolio of TUF Building Products," he said.

"Today's customer wants to buy more items in smaller quantities, to simultaneously achieve the cost benefits of full truckloads and minimal inventories," said Young. "This customer expectation of a 'one-stop supplier' is in line with our own Inteplast concept of meeting our customers' multiple requirements as one vendor."

DECKING PRODUCER Inteplast calls its mega-plant in Lolita, Tx., the "largest vertically integrated plaslics manufacturing site in the world."

Michigan yard retehes its sesquicentennial

ARD work, lower prices, and great service have helped Judd Lumber thrive for the past 150 years in Dowagiac, Mi. Being close to 320 lakes that are perfect for vacation and retirement living hasn't hurt either.

"We're not dependent on just local industry," said owner Richard Mark Judd Jr. "Lake recreation and the many fruit orchards attract people, especially from Chicago, which is 150 miles away. Oprah Winfrey has a home in the area."

The family-owned company recently received a special "Sesquicenten-nial Award" from the Michigan Lumber & Building Materials Association. Judd has been active in the association for years, as president in 1985 and as "Lumberman of the Year" in 2001.

"We are very pleased to received this l50th anniversary recognition," he said. "We grew with American pioneer spirit and Yankee determination."

His great-grandfather, Mark Judd, who was born in Connecticut, moved to Michigan and started his waterpowered planing mill on Dowagiac Creek in 1859. In 1886, his son William joined the business, which was then known as Judd Lumber, and a retail lumberyard was added three years later. In the 1950s, the store became the 3lst to join the new Do-It-Best co-op.

Richard Judd joined the business in 1963, after teaching

at a nearby community college. When his father died in l916,he became president. Today, his three daughters are stockholders, but they don't work in the store.

The store's 11,000-sq. ft. showroom and 30900-sq. ft. warehouse sit on 20 acres. A rental store added five years ago stocks everything from contractor tools to a complete line of party supplies and equipment. The expanded kitchen and bath showroom draws both contractors and homeowners looking to build or renovate vacation homes in the area.

Although several big boxes are within driving distance-Lowe's is 15 miles away, Home Depot 20, Menards five-the 2O-employee company has managed to prosper. "It has been drilled into all our employees that outstanding customer service must be the cornerstone of our business," said Judd. "We pride ourselves on being a good community supporter."

After 150 years, he remains confident that the store will continue to succeed. "Running a business is always difficult, but we work hard to supply the best quality lumber and building materials to our customers, at consistently competitive prices."

EARLY SfGN advertised William Judd's (pictured) philosophy of providing the best products at the best prices.

SESOUICENTENNIAL AWARD is proudly displayed at MLBMA meeting, with (left to right) president Rick Seely, owner Richard Judd and his wife, Sandra, and Keith White, director of sales.

Design options expand -

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y llrent Gwatney

does not need or contain mildewcides, insecticides or coloring agents. Customers concerned about the environment can feel good about using composite decking products that make good use of natural resources and recycled material.

Bending the Rules

Applications in which composite decking boards are curved to fit certain design requirements are also gaining in popularity. Composite decking boards can be heated and then bent for use in such applications as curved stairs, yard structures that highlight architectural elements such as trellis and walkway arches, and any surface or non-structural applications that call for round edges.

Builders can also combine attractive design and function with curved benches in complementary colors, either stand-alone or built-in to decks. Curved and angled composite boards are also increasingly used in hot tub surrounds and on pool decks. Composite decking is a good way to combine the look of wood with long-lasting quality for modern projects that demand resilient surfaces.

Dealers who provide attractive composite decking prod-

ucts have an advantage in gaining and retaining customers by offering materials that are versatile, durable, and environmentally friendly. Customers benefit from using a decking material that offers design flexibility, engineered strength, and efficient use of recycled materials.

* Compatible vith hudwood & compocite daking. f Avatlablc with a stainls stccl imen moldcd lnside fot addcd mngth. phone (864)-902-8818 toll free l-866-4U-2547 wwwJpeClip.com

6et valuahle service from enperts who understand gou.

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- Brent Gwatney is vice president of sales & marketing for Moisture Shield. Reach him via www.moisture shield.com.

SNAP-TOGETHER deck tiles are the latest innovations in composites,

Vendor *tourstl can boost your decki ng seles

By Cheryl Copeland TimberTech

grams that help grow business.

But not everyone can invest the amount of time needed for a facility tour. That's why TimberTech decided to take their tour on the road by conducting presentations and virtual plant tours at regional locations. Participants receive similar information as a regular facility tour without having to physically be there.

Last year, TimberTech hosted nearly 2,000 distributors, dealers, and their affiliated contractors at these regional presentations. Participants walked away with a better understanding of the company. its personnel, and its products. They also gained knowledge that allows them to more confidently and effectively serve their customers and increase sales.

Another plus of regional presentations is that dealers and distributors can invite their contractor-customers to attend.

Tf:-T:

decking.

Long-standing composite decking manufacturers are constantly innovating to improve their products and keep up with the demands of homeowners. In addition, a number of new companies have entered the marketplace due to the rising popularity of the alternative decking categorywhich has seen double-digit growth over the past few years.

With so manv Droducts available

from multiple manufacturers, how can a dealer or distributor keep current on the newest innovations and decide which manufacturers to work with?

One excellent tool to evaluate a manufacturer and its products is to visit their facility. A comprehensive facility tour gives visitors a wellrounded experience that guides them through all facets of the company: from the creation, packaging and shipping of the product, to marketing materials that assist in the sales process and customer support pro-

Ben Carbaugh, R.G. Miller, Hanover. Pa.. attended a recent event held in Baltimore, Md. "We brought two vans of our contractors, from an hour and a half away," he said. "They all felt it was worthwhile. The handson displays were excellent and having the ability to talk with guys who can explain the products in detail was very impressive."

During the one-hour product demonstration. TimberTech's entire product line-including decking, railing, fencing and lighting-is set up in stations to allow hands-on interaction. This is also the time when dealers, distributors. and contractors can share

BEGIONAL PRESENTATIONS allow attendees to share industry knowledge and business in their respective areas.

way to sell composite is to know composite

ideas about the industry and business in their respective areas.

"I saw some new items and got several display ideas from the hands-on display area," said Rich Stout, Friel Lumber, Queenstown, Md., who has been in the business for more than 25 years and attended many product seminars.

After the product demonstrations, attendees listen as the president of the company and other top sales and marketing executives discuss the state of the business, industry trends, and sales support materials and marketing programs available to help channel partners grow their business.

"This was first I can remember where the president of the company participated in the actual presentation and was knowledgeable, informative, and seemed genuinely in touch with every part of the business, including our needs as retailers," said Friel.

The virtual factory tour takes the form of a l0-minute video that guides participants through the manufacturing plant and all of the steps involved in manufacturing composite decking-from the intake of raw materials to the mixing areas and the extruder lines, to the finished goods warehouse.

The goal of the entire presentation is to give distributors, dealers, and contractors the knowledge they need to grow their business and to help answer the question: "Why should I support this manufacturer's products?"

- Cheryl Copeland is a senior marketing manager at TimberTech, Wilmington, Oh. She can be reached at (800) 30777 80 or ccope land@ timbertec h.com.

WHEN DECKING manufacturers bring their presentations to the dealer, retailers can invite their contractor customers to participate.

Cut your taxes bv using your excess inuentow

Bv Emilv Collins

can put advertising and promotional dollars where they'll do the most good, on your star performers.

Avoid problems involved with liquidating those overstocks. Liquidators tend to pick and choose. They may not want to buy all of your non-movers, leaving you with the problem of what to do with the leftovers. Donating can often clear all of your problem products at once.

Help deserving schools and nonprofit organizations. This good deed can translate into good will. You might ask the recipient group to call the local newspaper to publicize the donation.

Once you've decided that donating inventory might be a smart move for your business, how do you identify which merchandise to clear? Here are some types of products to consider:

. Slow-selling or non-moving SKUs (stock keeping units). Just as it is dangerous to keep a stock or mutual fund and be reluctant to unload it when it is not performing, it is equally unwise to hold on to stagnant inventory. Wholesalers and catalog businesses are well aware of the need to constantly review their offerings, weed out the slow-movers, and concentrate on popular, top-selling items.

VOUR business may be sitting on I an important tax deduction and you probably don't even realize it.

The deduction lies in your excess, overstock inventory. By donating that nonmoving merchandise to charity, your company can earn a federal income tax deduction under Section 170(e)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

The IRS Code says that regular (C) corporations may deduct the cost of the inventory donated, plus half the difference between cost and fair market value. Deductions may be up to twice cost.

For example, your business (a C corporation) sells a product for which it pays $1. Retail price is $2. Your deduction is $1.50. If you pay $l and that item sells for $4, your deduction is $2 (limit of twice cost).

S corporations, partnerships and sole proprietorships qualify for a straight cost deduction.

Even if your business realizes only a straight cost deduction, it may be to your advantage to donate your stagnant merchandise rather than clear it

through a liquidator. Since a liquidator looks for the lowest price they can get, their offer may be less than your cost-substantially less. When you are faced with the choice of liquidar ing this merchandise, dumping it and writing it off as a loss, or donating it and taking a straight cost deduction, donating may be the preferable choice.

Investigate donating inventory before negotiating with a liquidator, however, to be able to justify the product's fair market value with the IRS.

Besides the tax deduction, there are many other great benefits of donating your excess inventory:

Free up needed warehouse space. Whether you own your warehouse or are renting space, storing product can be expensive. Insurance, utilities, labor, and shrinkage all factor in. It doesn't pay to hold stagnant inventory that isn't earning its keep.

Put your marketing focus where it should be: on your top sellers. Non-moving inventory can consume a disproportionate amount of money. time and effort to clear it. By donating those items to charity, your business

. Unsuccessful product introductions. Despite extensive studies and market research, some new products simply do not go. By donating them, instead of selling them to a liquidator, your business may do better on the bottom line and donation will keep them out of the consumer market.

. Returns. If returns are not damaged, they can be a good candidate for donation. By donating, you will avoid the costs and labor involved in returning those items to stock.

Cancelled orders. Again, donating avoids restock costs. If the product was custom made, it may be difficult to sell anyway.

. Packaging changes. If package graphics are updated, you may want to keep products in old packaging out of the market as you introduce the new. Donating is also a good way to clear products with packaging that promotes rebates or contests that have expired.

. Discontinued models, styles, colors. As an example, software publishers may donate the previous version of a program that has been updated, to keep the earlier version from competing with the update or to keep it out of the hands of liquidators. Trendy items that are no lonser sellins are also can-

NAEIR

didates for donation.

Misprints or seconds. Businesses that make or sell promotional items frequently have misprints on products that are still serviceable. Seconds can be donated as well.

To earn this deduction, companies must donate to a charity or a public or private school. In the case of nonprofit organizations, make sure that the nonprofit is a 501(cX3), since only that IRS classification of nonprofits qualifies as recipients.

You should have your accountant or tax adviser instruct the recipient group as to what information they need to include in the documentation they furnish you as proof of the donation. You will have to include the recipient's letter on your corporate tax forms as support for claiming the deduction.

If your business has a small quantity of merchandise to donate, you will need to select the recipient(s) carefully to avoid the appearance of favoritism. By the same token, if you have a large quantity of product (a semi-trailer or more), you will have to instruct the recipient groups that under IRS regulations, donated merchandise may not be bartered, traded or sold. Charities or schools may not auction or sell donated merchandise to raise cash.

To avoid having to deal with many of these issues, consider a gifts-in-kind organization, such as the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources (NAEIR), which redistributes donated goods to other nonprofits and qualified schools.

The donation process is simple. To begin, a company sends in a written proposal or list of product they want to donate, including a short description, quantities and a value. A committee reviews the proposal and notifies if it is approved. The donor then sends shipping instructions and labels. Although the donor company is responsible for the shipping cost, that is also a tax-deductible expense of the donation process.

From coast to coast, 501(cX3) nonprofit organizations have opened hundreds of retailstores specializing in donated building materials. The list includes Re0oNNstruction Center, New Britain, Ct., and Habitat for Humanity, which operates 535 ReStores in the U.S., including 56 just in North Carolina. There's an outlet in every state except North Dakota and Vermont.

Contact your nearest location for their exact procedures.

- Emily Collins is the communications associate for the nonprofit NAEIR. Reach her at (800) 562-0955 or donor@naeir.org.

Buying into

better times

By Carla Waldemar

E[OW do you weather a grueling Ilrecession? Well, if you're in Detroit, you lay off workers, curtail operations, and fly your jet to Washington to beg for a government handout.

But if you're running Humphrey's, a longtime lumberyard in Rhode Island (the hardest-hit of the New England states, by the way), you add another store.

WHAT were they thinking?

Well, the company's been a family business in Tiverton, R.I., since 1885, so there's got to be a pretty good business sense in the DNA. When the fifth generation of Humprheys, Jay (now 48) and brother Scott, took over the company in 1992 (Do the math: Jay was all of 31), they marshalled a fivefold increase in business over the ensuing years, so they're not the kind to be stopped by something like the R word. ("We're blessed," says sales manager Tim Llewellyn. "It would be silly to say we're not impacted, but we're not feeling a pinch, like the competition"-even in the high-end mahogany and ip6 decks he markets and installs.)

But wait: back to the new store in Middleton, R.I., with its long, strong line of Ben Moore paints. "The owner was retiring," explains Jay, "and we saw the opportunity to take it over, including the experienced staff. With paint as the draw, the store will still bring people in. For $200, they can paint a room, even in these tough times, and feel better, get some satisfaction."

Works for me. What also works is

the brothers' evolution of the family business. "We set a vision of where we wanted to go." Jay begins, "and started by growing individual segments, like our Marvin windowssomething in which we had expertise and could handle." Next came an expansion of the kitchen department involving a total retrofit, which now attracts both the builders who represent90Vo of Humphrey's business and walk-in homeowners with kitchens on their minds.

"Next, and this was Scott's idea, we added installed services, starting off with garage doors" and growing to include kitchens, decks, exterior

wanted the control [of salaried rather than subbed workersl," Jay explains, "and we were doing enough volume to keep them busy."

You start with garage doors and before you know it, it's mushroomed into one-stop shopping. That came about when a customer wanted an entire new kitchen. "He told me,'Jay, quite frankly, I want someone to handle everything; I don't want to call the plumber, the electrician, the carpenter....' 'We can do that!' I told him," and from then on, that's exactly what they did.

That one-stop mantra now includes everything from power tools (lousy margins and lots of competition, but a convenience to customers) to paint ("Our strongest retail department, along with kitchens") and specialty hardware, another strong and lucrative niche.

doors, and new and replacement windows. "At first we used subs," he says, but that system came with too many drawbacks in the brothers' minds, so now installation is handled by a salaried, in-house crew, headed by a former remodeler customer with 20-plus years of experience who'd gotten tired of answering his own phone at 10:00 in the evening. "We

The going wasn't always smooth. Boxes moved in, but it didn't take Humphrey's pros long to figure out who took good care of them. Competition with longtime, strong independents also was fierce. "Plus, we learned that we had a reputation of being highly overpriced," Jay notes. Belonging to LMC buying co-op lowered what Humphrey could charge, "so we made adjustments and improved our service level and then got the word out" via the company's in-house marketing director, working in tandem with Scott at home shows, buying print ads and leveraging referrals. Today, Humphrey's outside sales force "working 2417 ," says their task master, drives kitchen sales. and three

designatcd salcs reps call solel-v- on architects "all clal' long" to sell thcm the nrerits of Marvin Wintlows. Thc conll)an\1 still (or nruke that. oncc rrglrirtr ollets I't'ec dclirc11 :errit.'. "Wc adclccl a charge lutc in '0li whctt fuel costs cscalatccl. nhich ntet with no rcsistance ('What took t'ot-t str Ion-s'.'' thc1"ci ask). bLrt rvhcn priccs camc back ckrwn. wc rcscinclccl it" lunothcr move to pass savings on to custonrcrs, which thcy are cyuick to noticc.

Within thc storc. Hunrphrey clesignated insiclc salcs peoplc declicate-cl solelv to u'olking vuith pros, so thosc tinrc-starvecl builclcrs ncccl not stltncl in line bcliincl the cl-i-1'cr u'ith I'ris can ol'paint. "Wc werc thc first yarcl rrlrttnttl ri ith tltlrt 'Il() \r'r'\ iLc r'()tlccpt"" Jay' clainrs braggin' rights.

Anothcr first: "Wc startcd trackin-t on tirne clclivcrics; no onc elsc was doing it. Our cxpcctations are high. ancl that rnitkcs our custotncls cttnfident in us." Rcrnodelcrs. too. get special scrvicc: "Their trccds at'c di11'erent. and wc undclstancl that."

Thc conrpanv has hostecl its share of llurnphrcy Expo clinners. backcd by sLrpplicrs u ith nen products to clisplal'. "Thcn we acldecl prodttcl knor'vlcclgc se minars in the al'tcrnoot.tlirr instancc. how cocle changcs wet'e being acldresscd b1- Sinrpson's lastcn crs.".la1 sa1 s. "Now. wc've shiftccl strictly to wl'rat thcv sccnr trt valltc rlost. the educational offering wc spollsor fbr our contractors ancl itrchi tccts. We also bring clicnts to Murvin's factory in Minnesota. whicli thcse buildcrs applcciate. It's an au'esonre erpcricncc, and thcy're blowrr away.''

I Iurrrltlrgl': :litl'l' rttelit: trlrirting. Ioo. of (()ur\L'. hoth i iu lr ntettltrt'inq s)'stcm and throu-eh the Northeast Rctail Lunrber Associltion's senrittars ancl nebinars.

So. rlclcls arc goocl (scratch that: makc it "!rfeat") that the longtinte conrpanl, rvill withstarrtl thc builclin-c tsunanri ancl mavbc induce thc kids in tlie riings to follow tlicir dacls' firotsteps tirrwarcl. Sa1,s J11'. "l stlrtecl in as s()on as I r'vas old cnough, at 13. and haven't lookcd back sincc. I cnjov seeing sonrcthing being built l'r'om nothing ancl giving hotucou'ct's thut sltisfhction."

A .lorrrtt'r t'it url-tt irtrtitt,q LIIXI tt'urlt' r r t,gtt : i t' c d i t t t', (l u r u \l' u d c n t r n' r 1 a.t .fi ctluerttl_t on tltc irulu.ttn'. CorttttL t lter ul t t tt l de ttttt r @' t ( )nt ( a.\t.n ( t,

R:rrrrrrs

Bayview Building Supply is closing its Kirksville, Mo., yard late this month ...

Danek Hardware & Lumber, Jarrell, Tx., was destroyed by an April2l fire

Builders Support & Sapply, Erie, Pa., is relocating truss/component operations to the l5-acre former Bradco/Wickes Lumber yard in Saegertown, Pa., closed since last June

Stock Building Supply closed its regional DC in Green Bay, Wi. ...

Ace Hardware has relocated to a larger 23,ffiO-sq. ft. facility in Park Rapids, N.D.

Ace Hardware, Cherry Hill, N.J., and two adjoining businesses were leveled by an April 9 fire

Hansen True Value Hardware, Des Plaines, Il., is liquidating its inventory after 31 years, with the retirement of owner Conrad Hansen after 58 years in the hardware industry ...

Howard Lumber Sales, Alexandria, La., remains open, as the owner has placed its building and property up for sale

Menards opened new locations April 28 in Warsaw, In. (Scott Fitterling, general mgr.); April 21

- CORRECTION -

AWPA has nor studied micronized copper-treated products and was not involved in any studies by the chemical companies, which may have used AWPA test protocols, to confirm the presence and amount of micronized preservatives (as erroneously reported in April, p. 10).

in Evansville, In. (Craig Mills, general mgr.), and April I in Columbia, Mo. (James Hilkemann, general mgr.) the chain has backed out of plans to build a new store in Wichita, Ks.

Wilke-Donovan True Value, Kearney, Ne., opened its newly rebuilt store, after operating in temporary quarters since a fre one yearago...

Trojan Hardware, Troy, N.Y., is closing this summer after 94 years, with the retirement after 44 years of owner George Sheehan

Habitat for Humani4r relocated its ReStore discount LBM outlet in St. Augustine, Fl., and opened a new branch in Lapeer, Mi.

Reinhart Retail Group has sold Rainbow Home Center, Rice Lake, Wi., to longtime employees Byron and Jodi Bunnell and Stephen and Christine Smith; the Bunnells will serve as general mgr. and sales mgr., respectively

Wrorrsn:ns/trrutlcu r:ns

Bradco Supply Corp., Avenel, N.J., has acquired Quality Rooftng Supplies, Schenectady, N.Y.; the facility, which includes a DC, metal fabricating operation, and door/ window plant, will continue to be managed by Fred Bogdon Jr. and Lori Bogdon Appel

Roseburg Forest Products, Dillard, Or., is closing its wood panel cut-to-size operation in Eupora, Ms., May 8, eliminating 25 jobs; the facility was one of six Roseburg acquired from GeorgiaPacific in 2006

N.E.W. Plastics Corp., Luxemburg, Wi., has acquired the assets of Tnrruex Building Products, Anderson, In., and will integrate TRIMAX's structural lumber products into its RENEW Plastics business unit ...

Ainsworth Lumber Co. is investigating selling or converting to bio-energy production its shuttered OSB plants in Bemidji, Grand Rapids and Cook, Mn.

Hedstrom Lumber Co., Grand Marais, Mn., is operating at twothirds capacity following a twoweek shutdown to reduce unsold inventory...

US Block Windows, Pensacola, Fl., has acquired the assets of fellow acrylic block manufacturer Hy-Lite Products, Eatonton, Ga., fromFortune Brands...

Gre enTe c h Manufacturin g will build a 103,000-sq. ft. manufacturing/distribution center on 9 acres in Douglas, Ga., to produce molded building materials, including roofing, siding, decking, flooring, lumber and fencing

Infarge Group has started up a new joint compound manufacturing plant adjacent to its gypsum wallboard facility in Silver Grove, Ky.

Cedar Siding ^Inc., Rochelle, Il., is now distributing TUF Board PVC trim and mouldingfrom Inteplast Group, Livingston, N.J.

Cambia by Greenleaf thermally modified lumber is now distributed in New England by North Pacific's locations in Conrad, N.H., and Springfield, Ma., and distributed in N.Y., N.J., and eastern Pa.by Nash Lumber Merchandising C orp., Bay Shore. N.Y. ...

Housing starts in March declined IA.8Vo to a seasonally

(Please turn to poge 29)

Preseruation l nnovatiolt "

Viance is committed to providing performance-based, envir0nmentally preferred wood treatment technologies for decking, playgrounds, walkways, benches, fencing, landscaping and gazebos.

Environmentally preferred wood preservatives - US EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

. Lifetime limited warranties - Proven performance against decay and termites

. AWPA standardized wood preservatives and ICC'ES building code approved

Stabi I ized Weather- Resistant Wood

Wood that looks better and lasts longer. New environmentally preferred nonmetallic preservative system with built'in wood stabilizer and water repellant.

. Reduces uorping, cupplng, cracking and splittlng

Less long'term malntenance with fewer callbacfts

. Can be used In contact with aluminum

. Above Ground applicatlont

Less sorrosive to fasteners

Advanced copper'and-quaternary (AC00) preservation system. Preserve@ AC00 treated wood is backed by 20 years of proven performance.

Above Grsund and Ground Contact applications

. Approved for fresh water immersion use

AWPA use: UCl, UCz, UC3A, UC4A, UC4B

Preserve Pluso with water repellent also available

We@$erf use Cwrect&ck CXl wordgets around,

lUhv

Forest Products Society -May ll-12, international conference on composites, Madison, Wi.; (608) 231-1361

Wallace Hardware - May 11-14, spring market, Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg, Tn.; (423) 586-5650.

Minneapolis Home Building & Remodeling Expo - May 1517, Minneapolis, Mn.; (800) 374-6463.

Do It Best Corp. - May 16-19, spring market, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, In.; (260) 748-5300.

Composite Panel Association - May 3l-June 3, spring meeting, Camelback Inn, Scottsdale, Az.; (301) 670-0604.

American Architectural Manufacturers Association - May 3lJune 4, national summer conference, Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis, Mn.; (847) 303-5664.

furr

Northeastern Retail Lumber Association - June 1-2, spring leadership meetings, NRLA Headquarters, Rensselaer, N.y.; (800) 292-6752.

Temperate Forest Foundation - June 2.5, teachers tour, Starkville, Ms.; (503) 445-9472.

International Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Conference - June 3-4, Hotel Avenida Palace, Barcelona, Spain; www.rimainternational.org.

Lumber Dealer's Association of Connecticut - June 3, golf outing, Tuxis Plantation, Farmington, Ct.; (800) 292-6j52.

Southern Building Show - June 4-6, Cobb Galleria Center, Atlanta, Ga.; (8OO) 854,7736.

Southern Forest Products Association - June 9-13, midyear meeting & expo, Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, La.; (50q 443-4464.

Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Expo - June ll-13, Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, La.; (608) 231-1361

Eastern New York Lumber Dealers Association - June 12, golf outing, Eagle Crest Country Club, Clifton Park, N.y.; (800) 292-67 s2.

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22 Burr,orNc Pnotucrs Drcpsr Mnv 2009

Mid-America Lumbermens Association - June 12. Kansas Sunflower Shootout golf tourney, Salina, Ks.; (800) j47 -6529

Central New York Retail Lumber Dealers Association - June 15, golf outing, Pompey Country Club, Pompey, N.y.; (800) 292-6752.

Twin Cities Hoo-Hoo Club - June 15, golf tournament & picnic, Highland National Golf Course, St. Paul, Mn.; (612) 4908583.

National Retail Federation - June 15-17. loss prevention conference & expo, Los Angeles. Ca.: (202) 783-797 |

Construction Specifications Institute - June 16-19, Construct 2009, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, In.; (301) 6700604.

National Lawn & Garden Show - June 16-19, Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, Ga.; (888) 316-0226.

Forest Products Society - June 2l-23, convention, Doubletree Hotel Boise-Riverside, Boise, Id.; (608) 231-1361.

Midwest Hardware Association - June 22-23, annual convention, Wisconsin Dells, Wi.; (800) 888-1817.

Western New York Lumber Dealers Association - June 23, golf outing, Canandaigua, N.Y.; (800) 292-6752.

Temperate Forest Foundation - June 23-26, teachers tour, Duluth, Mn.; (5O3) 445-94'72.

I

Illinois Lumber & Material Dealers Association selected Craig Loomis, Woolf Distributing, as its 2008 Lumberman of the Year during its recent Construction Expo.

Maze Lumber, Peru, Il, was honored with a plaque for 160 years of business. Alexander Lumber, Woodhull, Il., and MFC Building Systems, Mendota, were honored for 100 years in business. Searls Windows & Doors, Plainfield, was honored for 30 years of business.

The annual Northern Illinois Whing Ding is July 9 at Tamarack Golf Club, Naperville, Il.

Florida Building Material Association will host its annual convention and Gulf Atlantic Building Products Expo Aug. 19-21 at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Kissimmee, Fl.

The event starts with the Tom Snead Golf Classic. The Old Timer's Recognition Luncheon will honor Teeny Johnston, who retired as v.p. of Huttig Building Products in 1993, and Rodney Potter, a manager with ProBuild.

Other highlights include WoodSource seminars, evening receptions, and a PAC silent auction.

Lumber Association of Texas elected Bob Ashley, West End Lumber, as its 2009-2010 president during its recent convention in Galveston, Tx. (See photos, p.40-42)

Other new officers are lst v.p. Robert Archer, Morton Lumber; 2nd v.p. Rufus Duncan, Higginbotham's; treasurer John Jones, Cassity Jones Lumber; secretary Matt Mullin, Alamo Lumber; sergeant at arms Joe Breeden, Montalbano Lumber; associate v.p. JoAnn Gillebaard, Holland Southwest International; Louisiana v.p. Mike Diecidue, Dash Lumber, and immediate past president Chuck Pool, Main Street Lumber.

Cally Coleman Fromme, Zarsky Lumber, was named 2009-2009 Dealer of the Year. Brenda Elliott, Temple Inland, was honored as 20082009 Member Representative of the Year.

Southern Building Material Association will hold its summer conference July 30-Aug. 2 at Wyndham Oceanfront Resort, Virginia Beach, Va.

Northeastern Retail Lumber Association affiliate Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers Association will hold its annual summer outing May 29-31 at Wequassett Inn Resort & Golf Club, Chatham, Ma.

Kentucky Building Materials Association's Education Foundation will award two more $1,000 scholarships this year, upping the number of prizes from six to eight

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association elected Jeff Desjardins, Moose River Lumber, as chairman at its 76th annual convention in Boston, M,a. (see photos, p. 38-39).

Other new officers are 1st vicechairman Peter Buckley, Mill River Lumber; 2nd vice-chairman Jason Brochu, Pleasant River Lumber, and treasurer Randy Caron, Caron Consulting.

New directors are Nicholas Fontaine, Fontaine, Inc.; Kevin Hynes, Hancock Lumber. and Chuck Gaede,

Durgin & Crowell. The new wholesaler representative to the board is Jamie Place, Eastern Forest Products.

Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association will hold its annual meeting July 23-25 at the Ritz Carlton. Amelia Island. Fl.

Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association elected Nancy Tucks, Gates Custom Milling, Gatesville, N.C., as its new president during its recent annual meeting.

Christopher Sackett, Turn Bull Lumber, Elizabethtown, N.C., is the new v.p.

International Wood Products Association elected Scott Beggs, president & c.e.o., American Pacific Inc., Holly Springs, Ms., as its new president during its recent convention in Indian Wells, Ca.

He joins outgoing president Christian Mengel, DLH Nordisk Inc.; Chris Paras, Penrod Co.; Alan Mcllvain, Alan Mcllvain Co.; Chris Connelly, North Pacific, and Warren Spitz, UCS Global, on IWPA's executive committee.

National Hardware Lumber Association is taking its inspector training school on the road-June 8Aug. l4 at Venago Technology Center, Oil City, Pa.

A new program, Hardwoods 101, which provides students with a "forest to market" education, will be rolled out June 1-4 in Memphis, Tn.

SAND CASTLE sculptor Lucinda "Sandy Feet" Wierenga created a stir at the Lumberman's Association of Texas' booth at LAT's recent expo in Galveslon. (More expo photos on p. 40-42.)

Sales management = activity management

A COMMON misconception

.ILamong sales managers is that they are managing themselves. You can work unsupervised. You know how to sell. You know how to build a territory. These combined skills are not common-that's why you were made manager!

Last week I had a similar conversation with two different sales managers in completely different industries on opposite sides of the country.

East Coast (Lumber): "James, I'm not their father; I shouldn't have to tell them all these things."

West Coast (Seafood): "James, I shouldn't have to babysit these guys; they should do these things on their own."

My answer to both was the same, "That's exactly what you have to do. Sales management is activie management. If you don't want to babysit your team, you need to get out of sales management."

Hire Talent

Many sales managers (and companies) think they can get around managing salespeople by hiring only the most talented. There are inherent problems with this strategy. Number one: there just aren't that many superstars out there. (My best guess is this group represents about one out of 40 of the current sellers in any market.)

The other problem with the superstar group is they want superstar compensation. I've found very few companies who can stomach the price or believe these salespeople are worth it.

Superstars may not fit your company culture. Who is going to manage this incoming prima donna? It's great to bring someone in who will put up numbers quickly, but who will deal with them (and the rest of the sales team) when they skip the Saturday sales meeting because they (feel they)

don't need it?

In addition to pay and fit problems, superstars can have their own set of management issues. Just because a salesperson can put numbers on the board doesn't mean they don't have to be managed. A sales manager may not have to tell the superstar to close more, but they (the sales manager) may have to spend hours with them in their office talking about the superstar's personal problems.

Final note on superstars: Audit their numbers. Do they do all their business with one account? Do they put up large but low margin business? Are they going to sell your operations people into an untenable service agreement? Sales numbers can be very deceptive. The top line (sales) may be great, but the bottom line (profit) may not be. Interviewing a superstar? Audit first, then hire.

Activity Management

Successful sellers micro-manage their time. Sales managers are reluctant to micro-manage their salespeople. Don't bel Any salespeople who are not hitting their numbers need to be micro-managed. When they start performing, we can ease off on some of the management. Remember, sales team productivity is our responsibility. Do not let low performers intimidate you into not managing them.

Activities sales managers should manage:

By James Olsen

. List of who sellers will call the next day. Who they will call, what they will offer with a delivered price, and the outcome of that call. (Many sellers list only who they are going to call-this doesn't cut it. They must list what they are going to offer to the customer with a delivered price). The preplan and post call list-with outcomes-should be placed in the manager's in box every day before going home.

. Account management. Go over on a regular basis-quarterly, if not monthly. One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is calling accounts who are not buying from them. Sales managers need to help sellers decide whom to keep, whom to visit with the sales manager, and whom to cut or reassign. This will not happen without sales management.

. Emotional management. An area grossly overlooked by sales managers. Your sales team needs your emotional support. Some will need it more than others, but they all will need it. Most sales managers spend more time with their boss than they spend with their sales team. The sales team sees and feels it. What kind of message does this send?

Consistency

If sales managers will spend time on activity, account and emotional management on a consistent basis, their sales teams will perform and improve. The key is consistency. Once your team knows what you expect and that you are going to follow up religiously, they will perform for you.

- James Olsen, Reality Sales Training, specializes in sales training for the lumber industry. Reach him at james@realitysalestraining.com or ( 503 ) 544-3 572.

Building code standards require deck railing posts to be able to resist a 200-lb. load in any direction Many comrnon failing-post connections thal attach only to the rim joist don'l pass this test. The new Simpson Strong-Tie] DTT

Deck Tension Tae connects the railing posi back into lhe deck framing, n0t just t0 the rim jOist, creating a connection that meets the code standard and results in a saier deck. And since the DTT installs quickly with Simpson Slrong-Tie SDS screvrs, a safer solution d0esn't have t0 take more trme.

Share product and deck salety inlornration with your custonters, including the Simpson Strong-Tie Deck Franing C0nnection Guide. our online deck classes and local workshops. Visit www.slronglie.com/deck or call (800) 999-5099 10r m0re details.

Self-reliance is back

By Jay Tompt

II/HEN the First Lady planted the V Y White House vegetable garden this spring, it did more than just promote home gardening. It harkened back to the Victory Gardens that were common during World War II, when our society pulled together for the war effort and our culture was imbued with the virtue of self-reliance.

It seems that our culture, which has been criticized over the last generation as being both selfish and disposable, might be taking a taking a sharp turn toward self-reliance and sustainability. Anecdotally, this seems true. A friend of mine has forsaken anything packaged and has taken to making her own cleaning products, toothpaste and yogurt. On a recent trip to Portland, Or., I saw more rain barrels and frontyard vegetable gardens than I could count. Though I don't know for sure, I'm inclined to believe that book sales for Emerson and Thoreau are on the upswing, as well. All this, of course, creates opportunities for the savvy retailer in our industry.

Let's start with gardening. Not only were sales of organic gardening products up last year, but more households were growing their own food. The National Gardening Association reports that 36 million households participated in food gardening in 2008 and projects that number to increase l9%o to 43 million households in 2009.

In a separate report, they found that nine out of l0 households believe that it's important to maintain their landscape in a way that benefits the environment, although only about half are knowledgeable about how to do so. That gap is the retailer's opportunity-a budding populafion of food gardeners with a thirst for knowledse.

For those dealers with garde-n centers (those without might reconsider), it should be relatively easy to source organic soils, plant foods, pest control products, and drip irrigation kits, as these product categories have been

growing for years and most L&G distributors stock them. Seeds can be a different matter. I recommend Seeds of Change (www.seedsofchange.com), which stocks a wide variety of organic and heirloom varieties.

Getting staff educated is key. In California, there's a fantastic program called Our Water Our World (www. ourwaterourworld.org), a non-profit funded by state and utility grants that provides free training and education for store staff on pesticide-free methods for controlling garden pests. Similarly focused non-profits and organic gardening organizations sh the country, so they should be easy to find.

But there's more to household selfreliance than simply planting a garden. Households generate lots of organic waste, with food scraps accounting for a big chunk of what goes to the local landfill, where it's consumed by anaerobic microbes that produce methane-a greenhouse gas 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. The solution is simple: composting.

Composting organic waste produces a nutrient-rich soil amendment, which every gardener knows is essential. There are some good composters on the market that look attractive on the retail floor, such as those from EnviroCycle, Terracycle, and Earth Machine. Some, like Green Johanna, even work in cold weather and can handle meat and bones. An alternative to conventional composters is a worm bin, such as the Worm Factory, which works well for folks without a yard.

Little "economic recovery" gardens, irrigated by rainwater, with soil amended by composted organic waste. are ripe with merchandising opportunities for the self-reliant retailer.

- Jay Tompt is vice president of green product development at distributor Plan-It Hardware and a leading expert in sustainable business and supply chain issues. He can be reached at info@plan-ithardware.com or GI5) 359-9914.

ProBuild Restructures Regions

ProBuild Holdings, Denver, Co., is moving to a new region structure and adopting a new "shared services" model-two enhancements designed to bring regional leadership closer to the customer and reduce costs associated with repetitive back office functions.

The restructuring will move critical sales and operating functions closer to similar customers grouped within smaller geographic areas. "Increasing customer responsiveness is the primary goal behind these organizational changes," said Bill Myrick, chief operating officer. "Given current market

Midwest Dealer Adds Yard

Dennison's Retail Lumber opened a second location April 13, in Shawano, Wi., after just four months of construction.

"To accomplish that much in four months was a challenge," said owner Rod Dennison, who purchased the name and inventory of Retail Lumber and has owned Dennison Lumber in Clintonville, Wi., since 1981.

The new building measures 80 ft. by 170 ft. and has space for hardware, plumbing and electric supplies, as well as a kitchen design center and display areas for flooring and windows. Equipment rental will eventually be offered.

"We'll be bringing in much more inventory," said co-manager Cody Bessette. "This way, we can show them everything we have to offer." There's also an area where contractors can have coffee and doughnuts while their orders are being loaded. A second level overlooking the showroom has a conference room and sales offices.

Inventory will be stored in two 90-by-132-ft. warehouses. A truck/ equipment shed measuring 48 ft. by 132 ft. is being built. The shed will also be used to host seminars and workshops. Dennison said, "We're hoping to have cookouts and events for customers to help generate interest in the new business."

Both Bessette and Dennison are optimistic about the economy. Bessette said there is less new construction, but more remodeling and regular maintenance such as new roofs remains important.

conditions, we feel it is critical that we get even closer to our customers. Grouping similar customers into more manageable service areas will enable our region leaders to successfully achieve this goal."

ProBuild's regional structure, formerly consisting of four regions (North, South, East and West), will grow to six regions:

. Northwest, based in Lacey, Wa., and headed by former Spenard Builders Supply president Ed Waite;

. Midwest, Winona, Mn., led by ex-North president Doug Ossefoort;

. Northeast, Morristown, N.J., led by market development president Joe Todd;

. Southeast, Atlanta, Ga., headed by ex-East president Buddy Ables;

. South Central, Tulsa, Ok., overseen by ex-South president Jim Cavanaugh, and Southwest, San Diego, Ca., led by ex-West president Joe Lawrence.

With the new shared services model, said c.e.o. Paul Hylbert, "we can drive millions of dollars out of daily operations by consolidating and centralizing redundant functions that we currently perform both at region and at corporate levels.'

Brad Bradley, ex-Century Forest Products, has joined Universal Building Specialties, Auburndale, FI,

Duane Goodwin, chief supply chain officer, has resigned after four years with BlueLinx Holdings, Atlanta. Ga.

Tom Wolf has rejoined The Wolf Organization, York, Pa., succeeding as c.e.o. Ron Blevins, who is now vice chair and treasurer. and succeeding as chairman George Hodges, who remains on the board. Dave Confer is now vice chair. secretary and general counsel; Craig Danielson, president; Brad Kostelich, executive v.p. and chief operating officer; Michael Newsome, executive v.p. and c.f.o., and Jim Groff, executive v.p. and chief marketing officer.

Jim Beebe has retired from MeadWestvaco, Cottonton, Al., after 38 vears in the industrv.

Vernon Townsend, ex-Tolleson Lumber, has re-opened Townsend Lumber Co., Jacksonville, Fl., to trade in the domestic and export lumber markets.

Michael Yazwinski. ex-Hancock Lumber, has joined the outside sales team at Russin Lumber Co.p., Montgomery, N.Y., covering Maine and southwestern N.H.

Mark Otto is now national sales mgr. at Kubinec Strapping, Howell, Mi. Don Stilson is the new operations mgr.

Keith Rozolis has been named executive v.p. and chief operating officer for ABC Supply, Beloit, Wi. Brent Fox is now v.p.-divisional operations; Brad Money, v.p.-manufacturing operations; Kim Hendricks, v.p.-organizational development; Mike Schwarz, director of marketing & business intelligence, and Mary Groessl, director of business development.

David Lilkas is store mgr. of the new Lowe's Home Improvement Center in Ticonderoga. N.Y.

Lynn Wilson, Plum Creek, Athens, Ga., has been promoted to v.p.operations support. Paul Davis, Northeast Region general mgr., takes over management of the Lake States Region of Wisconsin and Michisan.

Michael Brennan and Kevin Wood. ex-Thompson Products, are new to inside sales at Advanced TrimWright, E. Taunton, Ma.

Douglas P. Kintzinger has resigned as a director of Imperial Industries, Pompano Beach, Fl ., to devote more time to his primary business interests.

Stefan Bergmann, formerly executive director of the Great Lakes Forest Alliance, is now executive v.p. of the Forest Products Society.

Jack Merry has semi-retired after 28 years with APA-The Engineered Wood Association, the last l7 in communications. He will continue some contract work with the Engineered Wood Technology Association.

Tom Beyer has been named to lead the cabinet division of Elkav Man-

ufacturing, Oak Brook, Il. Duke Piotter has been promoted to executive v.p.-marketing & channel development.

Moore Watts is the new electrician at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

News Briefs

( Continued from page 20 ) adjusted annual rate of 510,000 single-family starts held at 358,000, while multi-family fell 29Vo to a 152,000-unit pace ... permits slid 9Vo to a rate of 564,000 regionally, starts were down 16.8%o in the South and 25.4Vo in the Northeast, but tp nearly I6Vo in the Midwest ...

Ace Hardware,Oak Brook, Il., ranked 1Oth on BusinessWeek's annual customer service ranking for the second year in a row.

AZEK Building Products, Scranton. Pa.. has been dubbed a preferred supplier by deck/porch builder Archadeck ...

Tiger Deck has achieved Forest St ew ardship C o unc il chain-of-custody certification for its imported hardwood decking ...

Sto Corp., Atlanta, Ga., earned ISO 14001 :2004 Environmental Management System certification for its North American plants ...

LP Building Products has earned a 1.75E grade for its LP SolidStart LSL from APA-The Engineered Wood Association

Universal Fastener Outsourcing, F ayetteville, Ar., won approval from IAPMO Evaluation Service under AC120 (Report No. 0133)

that its Ballistic NailScrews are a substitute for 8d common nails in subfloors and shear walls

Fasco Fasteners, Alsip, Il., has been selected as an exhibitor in the Smart Solutions section of PCBC June 17-19 at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, Ca.

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Lumber Markets Face Historic Lows Before Recovery

Demand for lumber in the U.S. in 2009 will slide to the lowest level in modern history, then move toward a slow recovery starting next year, according to a new forecast by Western Wood Products Association.

The poor economy and a housing market that has plummeted to historic lows are the chief reasons for the remarkable decline in lumber demand. WWPA predicts U.S.lumber demand will slide this year to just 28.9 billion bd. ft., down almost 307o from 2008 totals.

Since reaching an all-time high of 64.3 billion bd. ft. in 2005, U.S. demand for lumber has dropped by more than 557o- the steepest decline in the history of the industry.

Home construction traditionally accounts for more than 45Vo of the lumber used each year. WWPA estimates just 432,000 houses will be started in 2OO9, down more than half from 2008 totals and one-fifth of what was built in 2005.

The volume of lumber used in new home construction is expected to total 5.3 billion bd. ft. this year, compared to the 2'7 .6 billion bd. ft. consumed in

home building in 2005.

In 2010, housing is forecast to improve modestly to 553,000 starts, bringing lumber consumption to nearly 30 billion bd. ft. WWPA does not expect housing starts to exceed I million units until 2012.

The unprecedented decline in demand has taken its toll on lumber producers. Western lumber production is forecast to decrease nearly 26Vo to 9.7 billion bd. ft. That volume is the lowest since the 1930s and reoresents a little more than half the volume western mills produced five years earlier.

Mills in the South will see production declines as well, falling to 10.9 billion bd. ft. in 2009. In all, U.S. lumber production will total 21.8 billion bd. ft. this year, down 25Vo from 2008. As markets start turning up in 2010, U.S. production will rise to22.4 billion bd. ft.

Poor markets have been even tougher on Canada and other foreign lumber suppliers. Lumber imports from Canada are predicted to total 7.6 billion bd. ft. in 2009, a decrease of 34.7Vo from the previous year. Since

2005, Canadian lumber imports have declined by nearly two-thirds, or some 14 billion bd. ft.

Other imports, including lumber from Europe and Latin America, should decline by double-digit percentages for the fourth straight year and lose more market share to domestic producers.

Weyco Opens Northeast DC

Weyerhaeuser has replaced its Bridgewater, N.J., ilevel service center with a new 100,000-sq. ft. facility on 30 acres in Easton, Pa.

Serving eastern Pennsylvania, central and northern New Jersey, and southern New York and Long Island, the DC provides increased storage capacity and streamlined logistics.

"We designed the Easton service center to deliver on the ilevel promise of providing cutting edge structural framing products and services to customers quickly and simply," says Craig McDonald, ilevel North Atlantic region manager. "It was built from the ground up with the dealer and builder in mind."

Von Tobel Buys Into Michigan

Von Tobel Lumber & Hardwnre, Valparaiso, In., has acquired Glenlord Honre Center. Stevensville. Mi., and the inventory of sister company Home Lumber. Crown Point. In.

The two yards closed April 18. with the Michigan loeution reopenittt iis Von Tobel's fifih yard-and first outsidc of Indiana. Former owner Joseph Bcckman is leasing the Stevensvillc tacility to Von Tobel ancl placed the now-vitcant Crown Point property up 1br sale.

Beckman. whose -great--tlreatgriir.rdfather founded Home Lumber in 1907. will serve as a consultant tcr Von Tobel and devote rnost ttf his time to charitable organizations.

Most of Horne Lumber's employees, including Beckman's son arnd daughter. havc relocated to Von Tobcl's Schererville yard.

Fires Destroy Texas Yards

Early morning fires destroyed two longtime Texiis lumberyards last month.

Danek Hardware & l,umber, Jarrell, was destroyed. despite bcing located next door to thc fire statittn. The blaze cluickly sprcad from the lumberyard to neighboring utility poles and linc, triggering an explosion that forced firefighters to temporarily pull back.

Diinek's 100-ycar-old building served as the stage for the city's rcecnt ('cntenniirl cc'lcbratrtln.

Three weeks carlier. on April 3. fire decimatcd Seadrift Lumber & Hardware. Seadrift.

"It's a total loss. I l0olc gone." said owner Eric Estes. "Nothing is left. bui lding ur inventory."

PlyGem Slashes Production

Ply Gcm Industries. Cary. N.C., has begun cclnsolidating productitln at several of its manufacturing facilities to improve efficiency and reduce operating cxpense by over $6 million a year.

Thc company will shifi the majority of production from its Kearney, Mo.. vinyl siding plant to its other three vinyl fircilitics. layin-u off 1,10. The Kearney plant will run on a limited basis until thc housing ntarket rcbounds.

PlyGem will close its Tupelo. Ms.. window ancl door manufacturing facility, which employs 23. ancl consolidate all window lineal production into its Rocky Mount. Va.. plant.

Production of its West Coast window and door facilities in Sacramento. Ca.. and Auburn. Wa.. will also be realigned.

Hardwood Co. Only Wholesale

Mid-America Hardwoods Inc., Sarcoxie, Mo., is converting its retail store into ii customer scrvice facility fbr its wholesale divisions.

Its products-fnctory-direct prefinished flooring, hardwood mouldings, and lumber-will now be sold through Meek's Lurnber's 30 rctail yards in Missouri and Arkansas.

Meek's yards have been adding a

slew of new product lines of late, including fireplaces, kitchen cabinetry, Ruhbermuid cl()set ilnd garltge organization systems, stair parts, prefinished doors. and installation service..

Worker Killed At Planer Mill

A millworker at Spanish Trail Lumber, Cypress, Fl.. was fatally struck in the chest by a l2-ft.-long 2x4 after it was cjected from a planer mill.

Rufus Dudley.48. dicd at the scene March 26.

OSHA and the sheriff's office are investigating.

Bosed in Annopolis, MD, Fletcher Wood Solutionse is the lorgest monufocturer of defect-free, oppeoronce grode rodioto pine products in New Zeolond. Distributing our cleor boords, mouldings, LIFESPAN!l treoted wood, ond lumber to the North Americcn morket through our proven ond completely integroted supply choin, Fletcher Wood Solutions !' mointoins direct occess to one of the lorgest FSC certified'' pine plontotion forests in the world.

producls

New, Wider Batten

New to CMI's line of MiraTEC treated cxterior composite trim is 2" wide batten with a cedar texture on one side and a smooth, contemporary finish on the other.

and a range of custom tints.

The acrylic/oil formula delivers reliable adhesion, easy application, and cleanup with soap and water.

- Cull (866) 715-5367 or visir tuww.nam..t it ke ns.cotn

Baluster Options

Railing Dynamics has addcd three new baluster options to its line of Novaline railing.

The new balusters have been modi-

for LEED points.

- Coll (800) 282-5828 or visit www.qttikre te.cortt

Composite Railings

A composite railing kit is now available fbr MoistureShield decking by A.E.R.T.

The l6' long product is available in 414 and 5/4 thicknesses. Both are factory-primed on all four sides with a low-VOC primer that contains a mildewcide.

Green building certification from Scientific Certification Systems is another plus.

- Call (800) 105-2233 or visit vlww.cmicompenytom

Deck Stain

Sikkens' Rubbol Solid DEK is an opaque, solid-color stain for new, weathered, and previously coated exterior wood surf'aces.

The product is available in a highhiding pure white, three tint bases,

fied with stronger, structural aluminum and are available in squarc, belly, glass, or 314" round iron profiles.

- Please call (877) 420-7215 or t, s it w ww.rdirail .c om

Greener Concrete

Green concrete mix from Quikrete contains 50% recycled material.

Each kit contains all components needed for a 6-ft. section. includinc a 4'x4' post. a 6' (op und botrom rail. and l4 balusters.

Two Rainforest Collection colors are offered: teracotta and desert sand. Plea.se call (866) 729-2378 or v is it www.mo i s t u re s hie Ld.cont

Deck Clips With Lift

Mantis Deck Clins fiom Universal Fastener Outsourcing simplify deck installations and eliminate the need

Composed of recycled aggregate and fly ash, the product is suitable for general concrete work and qualifies

for visible fasteners-even on first and last boards. The clips elevate deck boards above joists so boards dry out and don't rot. Each carton contains 90 powder-coated steel clips, five starter clips, five finish clips, and all fasteners needed.

- Call (800) 352-0028 or visit www.9l l-nails.com

Sporty Mouldings

-Hand-iarved mouldings in alder. maple and cherry are new from Braided Accents.

Constructed of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum, the tool is designed to straighten even the toughest hardwoods. It can also accommodate a variety of joist sizes and has a self-locking cam design for hands-free holding power.

- Call (866) 427-2547 or visit www.ipeclip.com

The Look of Cedar Fencing

Woodland Select vinyl fencing from Kroy Building Products mimics the look of weathered cedar.

Named Themed Millwork, the line includes chair rails, crowns, furniture parts, and corbels. Available themes depict golf, snow skiing, fly fishing, water fowl, pine cones, and more.

- Please call (866) 440-9663

Vinvl Fencinq For A Lifetime

LifeTime fencine-contains no wood or plastic, but has at least 6OVo recycl{dcontent.

Rails, pickets and posts have the woodgrain pattern of cedar, but require no maintenance.

- Visit www.kroybp.com

Low-Profile Storage

Knaack's Weather Guard low-profile side boxes combine a large storage space with maximum rear-window visibilility.

Manufactured by LifeTime Composites, the product is composed of fly ash and urethane. It reportedly weighs 25Vi less than most wood-plastic composites, but can be worked like wood with standard tools and has earned a Class A fire rating.

- Vi s it www .ltlumb er.c om

Deck Board Straiqhtener

The Hardware Wrench frdm Ipe Clip Fastener Co. helps

straishten bowed deckine boards.

Constructed of heavy-gauge aluminum, the boxes have one-touch locks that deter against break-ins.

Sizes range from 3.1 cu. ft. to 4.2 cu. ft. - V s it www .w e ather Puard.c om

Premier Railing

AZEK Reserve newest member of Premier Series.

railing is the the company's

The style reportedly offers an upscale architectural style and a flat handrail, in all white.

- Please call (877) 275-2935 or visit www.azek.com

Thermal ly Treated Decki n g

Radiance deckins is manufactured from thermally trealed southern yellow pine in traditional or Euro styles.

After the wood is milled and cut, it receives the added protection of One Time Wood-a non-toxic, low-VOC resin blend that reportedly provides long-term protection against the elements.

- Please call (866) 318-9434 or v i s i t www .radianc ew ood.c om

Ultimate Calculations

The Ultimate Lumber Calculator completes conversions between standard and metric units, and net and nominal sizes.

With the 6' to 20' tallv feature. enter a tally and choose a iize to get

the equivalent standard and metric units. The calculator supports price conversions as well.

- Visit www.lumberiq.com

Easy Chairs

An Adirondack chair from Nantucket Post Cap is constructed of western red cedar.

The chair is designed for relaxing on the deck or beside a pool or pond.

- Please call (888) 758-7678 or v i s i t www .nant uc ke tp o stcap .c o m

o Use almost anywherc oldinary screws are used

r Saves time and labor costs

. Twice as fast as collated scr€ws, eight times faster than bulk screws

. Easily adjusted, quickly removable

r Dramatically increased holding power vs. nails

Making projects easier since 1998 Visit www.fascoamerlca.com/ScnlUcut

and watch a video demo of the

in action, or phone 800-239-T00t (3665) for more information.

Available in wire coil, plastic sheet coil, and plastic strip collations; torx, philips, pozidrive, and sguare head types; electro-galvanized, Saddle Brown, Winchester Grey, and FasCoatrM finishes; and fine, coarse, and BeckDeckrM double thread types.

Stronqer Deck Connections

Simpsin Strong-Tie's DTT2Z tension tie is designed for safer deck-to-house and guardrail-post connections.

The new product connects railing posts into deck framing, not just to the rim joist. It can also be used the deck into the house for a safer, stronger ledger connection. An added ZMAX coating can be applied for additional corrosion protection.

- Visit www.strongtie.com

Deck Clip With a New Angle

A new anlled clip from Tiger Deck accommodates

unique deck designs that can't be constructed with standard clips.

The hidden fastener reportedly moves with the wood to maintain a firm hold on joists over time and under varying climatic conditions.

- Call (503) 625-1747 or visit www.tilerdeck.com

3" to 48'

Airport Runway/Parking Lot Golf Course Storm Drains

lndustrial Waste Water Applications

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3" to 48'

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Phone: 91 0-525-4046

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For the Best Quality and Service Call

wEB SITE: www.cpp-prpe.com

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Deck Lighting

Deck lights from Aurora are designed for easy installation on both new and upgraded designs.

The only hidden

Designed to work with all types I wood composites, and plastic lumber

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Three different energy choices are available: low voltage, line voltage, and solar. A variety of styles in I I designer colors fit posts from 2" to 6-1/2".

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FSC-Gertified lp6 Lumber

FSC-certified ip6 lumber and decking from Panel Source International has Class A fire resistance and meets LEED requirements.

All lumber is kiln dried and graded to #l premium. Available sizes are 2x4.2x6.2x8. and 2x10. Decking sizing is 5/4x4,514x5,514x6, and 5/4x8, with a l/8" radius edge on all sides.

- Call (877 ) 464-7246 or visit www .panelsource .net

6PddM.7.W.ru

Home Depot Eyes Bargain Hunters

Home Depot has launched a new advertising campaign. with the can-do slogan of "More Saving. More Doing," targeted to bargain-seeking shoppers.

"We knew the consumer was hunkering down and making fewer trips to stores, and only going where the dollar went the furthest," said chief marketing officer Frank Bifulco. "We were the original home improvement warehouse. so we're comfortable in our own skin," he said. "If a paint associate has a little bit of paint on his apron, it's because he knows how to get color right."

The new ad campaign also jabs at Lowe's, which is considered more female-friendly and style-oriented and is Depot's biggest rival. "Stores that look more like a warehouse than a Lowe's are at an advantage," said consultant Howard Davidowitz. "Right now, what the consumer is responding to is value. Frankly, it's the only thing."

Last fall, Home Depot cut prices on certain items and discontinued unprofitable promotions on others. Lowc's fought back with its own taglines of "Everyday Low Prices" and "New Lower Prices."

"Lowe's is a formidable competitor," said Bifulco. "We want to make Home Depot different and better and special, but we don't fall prey to Lowe's envy."

Ace Hardware Wins Service Award

For the second year in a row, Ace Hardware Corp. appeared in the top 10 of BusinessWeek's "Customer Service Champs" ranking-the only home improvement retailer to be included.

"Our retailers have always provided top-notch service to

their customers," said president and c.e.o. Ray Griffith. "These entrepreneurs have the support and strength of a strong national brand while localizing their businesses to meet the needs of the community."

According to the magazine, Ace has cut costs but maintained service levels by using technology that helps managers determine the best times to stock shelves and clean restrooms based on past shopping patteffts. Also, by consolidating its call centers, the chain now offers customer service hours later in the evening and longer on the weekend.

GRADUATING students from the National Hardwood Lumber Association's latest 14-week lumber inspection program included (Front row, l-r) Jamil Rahman, Gutchess International, Skaneateles, N.Y.; Matthew Welsh, Nelson Hardwood, Muscoda, Wi.; Mark True, Pike Lumber Co., Rochester, ln. (Back) Craig Preston, San Antonio, Tx,; Keith Horn, lndustrial Timber & Lumber, Blacksburg, Va.: Zachariah Belcher, Stuart Flooring, Critz, Va. Horn won the Lumbermen's Club of Memphis Leadership Award, notching the highest overall average and highest board run average.

Mev 2009 Burr,orNc

NORTHEASTERN LUMBER Manu{acturers Association held its annual convention April 2-3 at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel, Boston, Ma. (1)Charlie & Michelle Lumbert, Stephanie & Jeff Desjardins. (2)Jeff Easterling, Luke Brochu. (3) Joe Robertie, John Benjamin. (4) Tom Jenkins, Doug Britton, Dan Canier. (5) Marc Moore, Scott Steve. (6) Chris Jacobson, Jlm Robbins, Wil Nance. (7) Elwood Lowell, Jean & Merle Becord, Michael & Hilda Record. (8) John Garth, Bill Edwards, Bob Burns. (9) Phyllis & Prisco DiPrizio. (10) Dan Page, Trina

BurLorNG PRotucrs Dr<;nsr Mnv 2009

Francesconi. (11) Claude Lessard, Piene Donais, Robert St.-Laurent. (12)GilAdams, Dennis Connelly. (13)Fredrik Broen, Donna Reynolds, (14)Megan & B. Manning. (15)PeterCrowell, Scott Brown. (16)Mark Woodbrey, Cameron Betts, (17)Dante & Elizabeth Diorio, Carry & Bill Christopher. (18)Tom & Rebekah Bingham. (19) Leslie Moore, Zoltran van Heyningen. (20)Julie & Richard Quitadamo. (More photos on next page)

MORE NELMA (continued from previous page): (11Cathy & Terry Walters, Don & Mary Hammond. (2) Jeff Hardy, Win Smith, John Kreuger. (3) Alden Robbins, Jeff Hardy. (4) Tom May, Matt Demers.

(5) Mike & Keni McFalls. (6) Jethro Poulin, Darren Zwicker. (7)Adrien Brochu, Nicholas Fontaine, Jason Brochu, Chris Brochu. (8) Matt & Alison Duprey, Noah Duprey, Evan Duprey,

LUMBERMENS Association of Texas gathered April 2-4 at the Galveston lsland Convention Center for its annual convention & expo.

(1) Bob & Claire Ashley, Bebe & Bob Burns. (2) Richard & Ruthie Ledermann. (3) Steve Phillips, Steve Ashy. (a) Pam & Kyle McOarley, John & Lisa Jones. (5) Jackie & Allen Andrews, Garnett Douglass, Judy Powers. (6) Ronnie Hess, Sheryl Pool, Ken Bullock, Judy Powers. (7) Mark Masters, Gary Flenoy. (8) Frank Doran, Tim Cannori.

Lackey, Patrick Schmidt. (16) Johnny Coker, Dave Sherwood. (17) David Keller, Skip Engel. (More photos on next two pages)

(9) Bert Campbell, Colby Mayeaux, Marty Nieswander. (10) Frank Stewart, Britt Inman. (11) Cameron McCuller, Steve Henen. (12) Dave AMry, David Walker, Mark Ridley. (13) Adam Beck, Jason Williams, Lyle French, Anthony Whalls. (14) Dan Schreiner, Fred Starck. (15)Jill

LAT EVENT included a green building lorum and the President's Dinner GaIa. (1) Bill By;d, Ed Gray.

(2) Blake Cooper, Lee Baxter. (3) Tiffany Leffke, Brad Brown. (a) Cindy Moore, Barbara Douglas. (5) David Bayles, Rick Crawford, David Pearson. (6) Melvin Allen, Greg Pannell. (7) Robert & Marilyn Archer. (8) David Cusey, Andy Spyhalski, Mike Pollok, Eric Martinez. (9) Terry Gibson, Meagan McCoy Jones, Brian McCoy. (10) Kim Sebastien, Aimee Edmond, Phillip Steffy. (11) Mike Diccidue,

KC Cox. (12) Jeremy Howard, Eddie Howard, Bruce Pack. (13) Lynn Bradley, Ken Harvey, Wesley Beeson. (14) Eddie Stafford, Mary Cunningham, David Carmichael. (15) David Conville, Patrick Schmidt. (16) Bob Maurer, Mike Boone, George Hewitt. (17) Russell Richardson, Joe Briggs. (18) Roy Deering. (19) David Ray, Robert Failla. (20) Mike Potthoff, Jeff Christiansen.

(More photos on next page)

MORE LAT (continued from previous pages): (11 Bill Lawson, Ctayton Epstein. (2) Al Cron, Mike Aaron, John Butcher. (3) Miguel Gonzales, Debbie Freshour, Tom Tamlyn. (4) Scott Gaskin, Tosh Strader, Scott Boyer, Chris Abel, Robert Marsh, Juan Lara. (5) Jim Miranda, David Suszko. (6) Bryan Moore, Tony Rocha, Alyssa Mastors, Larry Hawkins. (7)Jim Thrash, Miles Tompkins, Rex Scott. (8) Ray Miller, Travis Hixon. (9) Ty Clark, Tom Heard. (10) Clint Cowan, Cheryl Riley, Chris

BuTLDTNG Pnooucrs Dtcnsr Mnv 2009

Roberson, Carter Smith, Chris McCollum. (11) Jim Dunse, Steve Hickman, Dave Bond, Pat Miller, Joe Breeden, Brian Hauerwas, Rick Roberts, Ben Meachen. (12) Bobby Crowley. (13) Gary Weaver, Adam Perpich. (14) Kirby Kasten, Aaron Elliott, Pat Wolever. (15) Bruce Agness, Brad Brown. (16) Mark Hamilton, Jamie Hursh, Sandra Hamilton, Steven Rogers, Allan Meier, Durae Miller, Connie Evans. (17) Judy Childress, Butch Finnell, JoAnn Gillebaard.

John Joseph "JJ." Haggerty Jr., 92, c.e.o. of Williams Lumber Co. of North Carolina, Rocky Mount, N.C., died March 25 in Rocky Mount.

He served in the Navy during World War II as an airship pilot stationed in Lakehurst, N.J. He spent 70 years as a lumberman. serving as president of Williams Lumber Co., which his uncle Cash Williams founded in l9l2.He and his son, John, purchased the assets of the company in 1983 and formed Williams Lumber Co. of North Carolina.

Helen M. Alexander.76. retired co-owner of Alexander Lumber, Vineland, N.J., died April l8 in Vineland.

Mrs. Alexander co-owned and operated the business with her late husband, Jim Alexander. She retired from the business in 2000.

William Davidson, 86, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Guardian Industries, Auburn Hills, Mi., died March 13 in Bloomfield

Hills, Mi.

Mr. Davidson ran track at the University of Michigan, played football in the Navy during World War II, and was one of the first inductees into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

ln 1949, he earned a law degree from Wayne State University and practiced law for three years before saving a wholesale drug company and a surgical supply business from bankruptcy. He then joined his family's business, Guardian Glass Co.

He also owned the NFL's Detroit Pistons and Tampa Bay Lightning, and a sports and entertainment venue named The Palace-which is located near Guardian' s headquarters.

Kathleen A. Gross, 70, owner of Patenaude Lumber, Henniker, N.H., died March l9 in Hillsboro, N.H., after a year-long battle with cancer.

Mrs. Gross also worked at Hillsboro Lumber and Central Concrete.

Allen Ryland, 57 , OSB salesman at Lake States Lumber, Brooklyn Park. Mn., died March 23 in Hudson, wi.

He was previously employed by Georeia-Pacific and Gibbs Lumber.

Jack L. Sherron, 60, a sales rep at Roberts & Dybahl, Tipton, In., died March 18 in Marion, In.

Mr. Sherron was a manager for Wickes Lumber for many years before it closed, then joined Roberts & Dybahl.

Wood Crushes Menards Clerk

A Menards employee died March 28 after a stack of garden ties collapsed on him at the two-month-old home center in Scottsbluff, Ne.

Brad Soske, 24 , was standing at the base of the stack in the lumberyard when a band holding several bundles together apparently came loose. Two ofthe falling bundles struck Soske.

OSHA is investigating.

Arrest in Yard Burglary

A suspect has been charged with receiving nearly $6,500 worth of stolen property from Moore's Lumber, Nashua, N.H., a felony that could bring a l5-year prison term plus fines.

Police said that nail guns and other merchandise were stolen on Oct. 17. Authorities said Chad Everette. 30. was also charged with shoplifting Dec. I I at a convenience store.

Attractive and extremely functional, Bookcase Door Systems offer a distinctive, space-saving opflon for closets, pantries, wall safes, wine storage, home oflices or hidden rooms just past the threshold. Built with durable 3/4" ApplePly to support a load of 500 lbs., yet quiet and easy to open. Available in hardwood veneers (oak, cherry and maple) with environmentally safe clear and customized stain/paint finishes or unfinished. Woodfold Bookcase Doors ship fully assembled with heavy-duty roller system and multi-position steel upper wall guide.

For more information and a list of distributors in your area, contact

WOODFOLD MFG., INC.

P.O. Box 346, Forest Grove, OR 97116 Phone (503) 357-7181 Fax (503) 357-7185

www.woodfold.com

Your sourceJor custom-msde occordion ond roll-up doors

ploce

Rates: $1.20 per word (25 word min.). Phone number counts as I word, address as 6. Centered copy or headline, $9 per line. Border, 99. Private box, $15. Column inch rate: $55 if art furnished "camera-ready" (advertiser sets the type), $65 if we set the type. Send ad to Fax 949-852-0231 or dkoenig@ building-products.com.

For more info, call (949) 852-1990. Make checks payable to Cutler Publishing. Deadline: l8th of previous month.

To reply to ads with private box numbers, send correspondence to box number shown, c/o BPD. Names of advertisers usins a box number cannot be released.

LUMBER TRADER

We are a wholesale lumber company looking for an experienced trader. Any species. No restrictions on mills or customers. No relocation.6OVo split for trader. Call John at Lakeside Lumber at (623) 566-7100 or email lakesidelumber@cox.net.

WANTED: LUMBERYARDS FOR SALE.

We have a growing list of clients asking for yards to purchase. We are business brokers as well as financial advisors to the lumber & building material industry. We will prepare a marketing package that will create enthusiasm internally and externally. Contact Philip Arsenault of American Business Consulting at (508) 864-7500. See our website at www.amerbusconsultins.com

WE BUY AND SELL PANEL STRIPS

Plywood, OSB, particleboard and MDF by the truckloads. Lumber Source, Phone (800) 8741953, Fax 888-576-8723, email LumberSource@worldnet.att.net.

G.V. MOORE LUMBER CO. has 2 yards for sale, Chelmsford and Webster, Ma. Turn-key opportunity includes: real estate, equipment, racking, trucks, forklifts, intellectual property, and ability to hire current staff. Both stores have operating income, priced to move quickly. Call Philip Arsenault at American Business Consulting at (508) 864-7500 for more informatton.

YOU'LL NEVER FORGET

SoffiErsf

Tenon U$io/Fletchsr Wood Solutions..........(866) 372-9663

US Lumber (Baltimoro) ................................(888) 88S54i10

US Lumber (Greenville) ...............................(W0l U2-2617

US Lumber (Raleigh) ........................,..........(888) 773-0102

Viance.................... ......(704) 522'0825

Williams Lumber Co. of North Carolina... .....e52\442-2136

tuWrsr

Biewer Lumber....... ......(800) 482-5717

Cedar Creek (Kansas City, Mo.) ..................(800) 621-261 1

Cedar Creek (Springfield, Mo.)....................(800) 375-7891

Cedar Siding, Inc..................,.......................(800) 345'9471

Chicago Suburban Lumber Sa|es................(800) 341-6485

Digger Specialties.. ......(574) 546'5999

DMS|....................., ......(402) 330-6620

Do it Best Corp....... ......(888) 364-8237

Hoover Treated Wood Products...................(800) 531 -5558

KK Mfg. C0............. ......(913) 908-9445

81 1-7318

Mississippi Laminators ......(601 ) e87-1 571 (60.| ) 687-5378

Osm0se.................. ,'.(n0\228-UU

Scotch P1yw00d..........,......(800) 9364424 (334) 636"4424

Southeastem Lumb€r Manufacturers Assn..(800) 789'7562

Sunbe|t..............................(800) 353'0892 (7701 565'22M

Swan Secure,....................(8r/) 766-7878 (904)

llonrullsr

Krauter Storage Systems..,.,....,...,...............(800) 992-2824

Kubinec Strapping So1utions........................(866) 397-8727

Maze Nai1s.........................(800) 435-5949 (815) 223'8290

Peak Auctioneering. .....(800) 245-9590

Permalatt Products, Inc.,....,............,............(888) 457-4342

Quality Borate C0... ......(866) 267'2837

Safer System, The . ......(800) 509-4386

SkuttleTight............

......(866) 758-8853

Tnuxo Building Pr0ducts............,.................(800) 405-0546

Universal Forest Products.......,....................(877) 463-8379

Som Grnrr

Breco Wood Products........(800) 742.3093 (903) 8681541

Capital Lumber Co. (Dallas, Tx.).......,,.........(214], 6/'7-2351

Capital Lumber Co. (Lubbock, Tx.)..............(806) 747'3191

Cedar Creek (La.) .. ......(800) 25641 65

Cedar Creek Wholesale (Oklahoma City)....(800) 375'6025

Cedar Creek Wholesale, Inc. (Tulsa, Ok.) ...(800) 299-9870

Cedar Creek (Canoltton, Tx.)...........,,..........(866) 323-51 17

Ce&i Creek (San Antonio, Tx.)...................(800) 284'0488 East Teak Fine Hardwoods..........................(800) 338-5636

OrrDr

DiPrizio Lumber, 1lC.....................,..,......(603) 332-4654

Pennsylvania Lmbrmns. Mutual lnsurance..(800) 752'1895

PPG Machine Applied Coatings....,...,..,.......(413\ 562-2574

Robbins Lumber, 1nc....................................(207\ 342-5221

Sandy Neck Traders ....(508) 482-4195

Seaboard lnternalional Forest Products......(800) 669-6800

Universal Poly Products...............,...............(888) 772-9524

Warren Trask Co.... ......(800) 752-0121

trrAnrrnc

Coastal Lumber Co ,.....(8W\735-2727

Commonwealth Wood Preserves ..........,....(157) 247'36,21

Crumpler Plastic Pipa...................................(800) 33+5071

Diorio Forst Products (Va.).........................$n\ 43/,$7 46

Fiber0omposites, LLC (704) 46&7120

Hoover Treated Wood Produc{s.................,.(800) 531-5558

PPG Machine Appliod Coatings...................Vsn ffi-An

Smith Millwork, Inc. . .,...(336) 249{171

Sure Ddve USA...... ,.....(866) 767-1 850

Swan Seare Produc,ts.................................(800) 96S2801

Tank Fab Inc.......... ......(9.|0) 675.8999

FAX to 949-852-0231

or call (949) 852-1990 or mail to BPD, 4500 Campus Dr., Ste.480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

Name (Please print)

Phone

Want to Suhscribe? Check the appropriate boxes to begin receiving your monthly issues.

C I Year (924) O 2 years (g39)

C 3 Years ($54) x Besr Deal

i Qualified Dealers & Wholesalers (Free) News or Comments? We welcome comments on articles or news of your company such as new hires or expansions (a fr e e s e rv ic e) Email dkoenig @ buildingproducts.com, or Fax this form:

For more information from advertisers, call them directly or visit their websites in brackets.

Distribution Management Systems Inc. [www.dmsi.com] ......13

Elder Wood Preserving [www.elderwoodpreserving.com].....28

Fasco America [wwwJascoamerica.com] .........34

Fiber Composites LLC [www.fiberondeckingcom] .....Cover II

Fletcher Wood Solutions [www.tenonusa.com] ......................31

GAF-Elk [www.gaf.com]..................... ...............30

Great Southern Wood Preserving [www.yellawood.com] .......f

GRK Fasteners [www.grkfastenerscom]. ........39

Ipe Clip Co., The [wwwjpeclip.com]........................................13

KK Manufacturing [wwwJumberloc.com] .............................36

Krauter Solutions [www.krauter-storage.com] .......................17

Lumber Timber Group [www.lbrtimber.com]........................45

Mary's River Lumber [www.rnarysriverlumber.com] ..........37

New South [www.gator-guardcom]..... ...............s

NewTech Shingles Iwww.newtechshingles.com] ......................27

Osmose [wwwosmose.com],.,... ..Cover IV

Redwood Empire [www.redwoodemp.com]....................Cover I

Roy O. Martin [www.royomartin.com]..........,,..........................7

Selkirk [www.selkirkcedarcom] .......................3S

Simpson Strong-Tie Iwwwstrongtie.com]...............................25

Sure Drive USA [wwwsuredrive.com] ..............43

Temperate Forest Foundation Iwww.forestryinfo.org]...........44

United Wood Treating [www.unitedwood.com] .....................25

U.S. Metal Works [www.usmetalworks.com] .........................36

Viance [www.treatedwood.com]..... ...................21

Woodfold Manufacturing Iwww.woodfold.com] .....................43

Woodway, Division of LWO Corp. [www.lwocorpcom] ........46

Wynndel Lumber Iwww.wynndellumber.com] .......................19

Professional contractors who know quality, know Woodway. Built for professionals by professionals, Woodway's six quality product lines are built tough, made of top-quality solid wood and are carefully crafted. Call or email Woodway for complete information about EZ Rail, Architectural Deckrail, Quick Clad post sleeves, post caps, planking and durable lattice panels.

Burr-pttlc Pnooucrs Drcesr Mrv 2009

Tested

Rrc

Why Builders, Contrqctors, & Homeowners Use

MicroProo Pr€ssure Treoted Wood Products

The osmoseo MicroPro' Technology is the first treoted wood process to be certified under Scientific Certificotion Systems Environmentolly Preferoble Producl (EPP) progrom bosed on Life-cycle Assessment. Long Term Field Testing shows thoi MicroPro treoted wood provides effective protection ogoinst fungol decoy ond termite otiock.

. Building Code Compliont.

. Lighler, more NolurqlWood Appeoronce.

. lmproved Pointing ond Slqining quolilies.

. Befler Corrosion Prolection for code-opproved fosteners ond hordwore, ond Approved for Alumlnum Conlqcl.**

. End Uses include interior ond exterior Above Ground, Ground Contocf, ond Fresh Woler lmmersion.

Since 1934, Osmosehas produced quality,tested, reliable woodpreservatives suchas MicroPro. We fully stand behind our products and back them with industry leading warranties.*

For more informqtion visil www.osmosewood.com

^T,il3;ff;*