Dealers, help is on the way

f TTIL the nation's economy and construction markets lJ recover, Iumber dealers can make an investment in their future success by visiting www.southernpine.com to see what's available to help them and their customers learn more about versatile, durable southern pine.

Copies of SPC's technical publications can also be downloaded from this site, or visitors can order a free "Lumber Library" CD that contains all of the publications.

Southern pine products remain attractive values when compared to many alternative building materials.

If dealers, distributors or end-users have a question not answered on the site or in print, the Wood Products Help Desk may be able to answer it. A knowledgeable wood products expert can be reached via email (help@ southernpine.com) or phone, (253) 620-7 4OO.

Finally, dealers stocking southern pine materials are reminded to add their free listing to SPC's Product Locator, where customers search for lumber sources by state. Signing up takes only a few minutes. Visit www.southempine.com/joinlocator.

Stock Finds Investor Partner

Stock Building Supply, Raleigh, N.C., has filed for Chapter 1l bankruptcy and is being taken over by The Gores Group, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles, Ca., to save the chain from shutting down completely.

As part of the deal, Stock will cut up to 2,200 jobs and cancel 210 lumberyard and showroom leases. The cancellations will include some already-vacated properties as well as currently operating yards, such as five in New York (Oneonta, Sidney, Richmondville, Roxbury and Walton) that are slated to close June 30.

"Gores' strong operational expertise and focus will help position the company during this unprecedented downturn," said Stock president Joe Appelmann.

Gores will invest $75 million, provide up to $125 million in loans, and acquire a 5l%o interest in the company. The deal is contingent upon completion of a pre-packaged Chapter I I bankruptcy process, which is expected to last up to 60 days.

Wolseley PLC, the Britain-based parent of Stock, will provide debtorin-possession financing, with an initial commitment of as much as $100 mil- lion, and Stock will pay all of its creditors in full. Wolseley had announced in March that if it would close Stock if it could not be sold by August 1.

Marvin's Expands To Georgia

Marvin's Building Materials & Home Centers expects a late JulY opening for a 37O00-sq. ft. store in Summerville, Ga.-its third of four new locations planned for 2009.

Marvin's held a grand opening in Andalusia, Al., May 29 and will hold festivities June 19 in Demopolis, Al. This month, it will also close its unit in Fort Payne, Al.

The Leeds, Al.-based chain operates 25 stores in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

Ex-Owner Buys Back Plant

ProBuild Holdings has sold its Danville, Va., truss plant to Keith Walden, whom the chain purchased the facility from in 2007.

Walden, who operated the facility for more than 20 years as Riverside Roof Truss, bought it back May 4 upon learning that ProBuild had decided to close the business and release its 26 workers. Walden will retain all employees and hopes to add 35 more workers over the next three years.

Walden's son, Clif, will serve as general manager.

MillWorker Dies Under Load

A lumber mill employee at Horse Creek Sawing, Cerulean, Ky., was crushed to death beneath lumber he was helping to load onto a truck.

Weaver W. Shirk,45, was directing the flatbed truck to back into a loading bay when the vehicle's muffler caught one of the hoisted load's I-beams, according to state trooper Dean Patterson. When the driver began driving forward, the entire load toppled, pinning Shirk against the truck.

lnvestors Salvaging Senco

SeNconp, parent of tool manufacturer Senco Products, Cincinnati, Oh., has agreed to sell its assets to an investment group led by Wynnchurch Capital and, to consummate the sale, will file for protection under Chapter 1l bankruptcy.

The sale, expected to close by early July, includes all U.S. operations, a Taiwanese branch, and dormant German subsidiaries, but no other foreign holdings. Current management will remain.

Connie Bauer, ex-Weyerhaeuser, has joined North Pacific's Columbus, Oh., distribution center as its ilevel EWP specialist.

Ralph Bruno, president, has left Azer Building Products, Scranton, Pa., after 8 years. Brian Kincaid, exNewell Rubbermaid, has joined Azsr as v.p.-marketing.

Daniel Moore has been promoted to chief operating officer of International Forest Products, Foxboro, Ma.

Gregory Menhart has been named controller of Fingerle Lumber Co., Ann Arbor, Mi.

Duncan Facey has been named director of forest products for ENAP, New Windsor, N.Y.

Joe O'Neill has retired as forest products mgr. at Progressive Affiliated Lumbermen Cooperative, Grand Rapids, Mi., after 35 years in the industry.

Jimmy Tanner, ex-TrusJoist and Weyerhaeuser, is now trading for Clarke Veneers & Plywood, Jackson, Ms.

Rhonda Hunter has been named v.p.- southern timberlands for Weyerhaeuser Co., succeeding Tom Holmes, who is retiring later in the year.

Bill Lennie has rejoined Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga., as senior v.p.-merchandising for international.

Carl Hedlund has been elected to the board of ProBuild Holdings, Denver, Co. Hedlund, who retired as president of Therma-Tru in 2007, will also serve on the board's compensation committee.

Richard Posey, ex-Moen, has been elected to the board of directors at Trex, Winchester, Va.

David Kohler has been named president and chief operating officer for Kohler. Kohler. Wi.

George Sui, ex-SAP Public Services, is now senior v.p.-customer relations & professional services for the hardlines & lumber group at Activant Solutions.

Barry Garrison, Glen Oak Lumber, Somerset, Ky., has joined the Kentucky Forest Industries Association board, along with Ed Payton, Sebree Fence Products. Sebree. Ky.; Steve Curry, Curry Timber Products, E. Bernstadt, Ky., and Hagan Wonn, Kentucky Hardwood Lumber, Somerset.

George "Buck" Hutchison, Hutchison Lumber & Building Products, Adams City, Co., was installed as North American Wholesale Lum- ber Association chairman, succeeding Susan Fitzsimmons, Snavely Forest Products, Pittsburgh, Pa. Chris Beveridge, Skana Forest Products, Richmond, B.C., is lst vice chairman; Gary Vitale, T.W. Hager Lumber, Grand Rapids, Mi., 2nd vice chair, and Bill Barnett, Marathon Forest Products, N. Vancouver. B.C.. treasurer.

Mark Sattler, v.p. and c.f.o., DW Distribution, DeSoto, Tx., was recently presented with the company's Vernon E. Potter Award of Excellence, recognizing outstanding leadership and service.

David Hartmann, president/c.e.o., Tiger Claw Inc., Bristol, Ct., was named a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award for New England.

Rob M. Blind now heads the executive compensation committee at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv.. according to co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

G-P Kills BlueLinx Deal Early

Georgia-Pacific LLC will pay $18.8 million to end its master purchase, supply and distribution agreement with Bluelinx Holdings.

G-P originally planned to cancel the deal in June 2010. Bluelinx will continue to distribute G-P building products, including engineered lumber, which is covered under an exclusive three-year purchase made in February 2009.

"We have been distributing Georgia-Pacific building products for over 50 years and look forward to continuing what we believe is a more sustainable long-term relationship for both of our companies," said George Judd, c.e.o. of Bluelinx.

MiTek Links With SidePlate

MiTek Inc., Chesterfield, Mo., has acquired SidePlate Systems Inc., , extending its reach into the commercial, institutional and heavy industrial construction markets.

Based in Laguna Hills, Ca., SidePlate develops and manufactures connectors to protect steel-frame structures from natural and manmade disasters, including earthquakes, blast attacks, and progressive collapse.

MiTek expects to retain all SidePlate employees, including president Henry Gallart and senior v.p. Jared Adams.

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