SatinBead*

Premium Wood Panels

Attractive and versatile, SatinBead makes a distinctive statement in the home or in a wide array of commercial applications. Whether transforming an overlooked or unsightly area or beautifying a bare space, SatinBead is the ideal and affordable choice.

SatinBead's clean, natural look complements nearly any decor. A finely crafted, all-wood product, SatinBead creates the appearance ofcostly prefinished paneling, for a lot less. And it's ideal for do-ityourself projects-the panels are ready to paint or stain. Paint and stain glide on smoothly and evenly. And when it's time for an all-new look, simply repaint or re-stain.

The 4'x8' beaded panels create a rich, seamless effect. Features include: clean, unblemished, one-piece faces; uniform grain and color, with no unsightly wood patches or "blue stain" discoloration double-sanded southem yellow pine readily available in classic 1.6" on center width, or upon request in classic 3.2" on center width easy-to-install, smooth-fitting "shiplap" edges rNTERNArroNotGmt=*

Stock Buys Wisconsin Do-lt Center

Delta Do-It Center, Escanaba, Mi., has sold its 24-yearold Marinette, Wi., location to Stock Building Supply. Stock took over operation of the store June 2, with plans to close its own Oconto, Wi., location by Aug. 1.

"We are moving the sales and yard staff from Oconto up to Marinette, and merging the two facilities together, so all the sales that are being done out of Oconto will be done out of the Marinette location," said Stock regional manager Bill Imig.

The closure of Stock's Oconto store marks the company's exit from the city where it was founded in the early 1950s.

Delta Do-It Center intends to continue operating its Escanaba store, but closed its Kingsford, Mi., location early this year.

Maine May Ban CCA Sales Sooner

Maine lawmakers have approved a ban on the sale of CCA wood, clearing the way for Gov. John E. Baldacci to sign the bill into law.

The legislation states that beginning April I,2OO4, Maine lumber dealers can no longer sell CCA treated lumber for use in residential construction. The bill also restricts how treated lumber is disposed of, and mandates the state further study the risks linked to arsenic in the environment.

Despite strong opposition from the lumber industry, legislators sought to go beyond the EPA's decision to ban the manufacturing of CCA treated wood by the end of December. That deal did not impose sales restrictions, allowing treated lumber to be stored and sold indefinitely. Culvert

Corrugated

As part of the bill, lawmakers also approved a measure that would exempt local lumber dealers from any liability linked to CCA lumber they sold in the past.

Suspect Arrested For Yard Fire

A local man was arrested on suspicion of setting fire to Hoffrichter's West Side Lumber. Pontiac. Il.

Michael J. Singleton, 19, was arrested and charged with arson, felony theft, burglary and animal cruelty.

The OcL 2002 blaze, which nearly 80 firefighters contained in the lumberyard's office, caused $l million in damage.

Singleton has also been accused of breaking into a garage, stealing tools, torturing a dog to death and breaking into a Pontiac bar.

Krauter Adds Design, Construction

Krauter Storage Systems, Indianapolis, In., is partnering with an architectural design firm and a construction company to offer lumberyards a full range of remodeling and construction services.

Krauter will supply the racking systems, KKE Architects can plan the changes required by the installation, and the Building Division of Kraus-Anderson Construction Co. will coordinate and supervise construction.

The service frees retailer from a sticky situation. "Store owners daily work with trade contractors and vendors who make up their customer base," explained Chris Krauter. "Politically, when it's time to choose a firm from this customer base to handle their building needs, they often times are forced to subjectively select their largest volume clients regardless oftheir other credentials or cost competitiveness. Our goal is to 'insulate' the (retailer) from this awkward process by providing a qualified arbitrator to objectively make subcontractor and vendor selections based on the real needs of the project."

LBM Supply Chain Getting ln Sync

Technology synchronization for the entire LBM supply chain was the focus of the recent American Hardware Manufacturers Association' s Hardlines Technology Forum in Phoenix, Az.

This year's conference had a broad mix of manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, with help from executives at Lowe's and Ace Hardware Corp., who urged their trading partners to attend.

Keynote speaker Jim Tompkins, president, Tompkins Associates, summed up much of the conference's focus when he said, "It's no longer relevant that you're a great company. What matters is how good your supply chain is."

Industry leaders agreed, citing a proliferation of SKUs as the most persistent supply chain problem. Tompkins warned leaders that technology synchronization must be matched by logistics synchronization.

Tompkins also noted that some companies have lean manufacturing operations but fat supply chains.

"DCs should flow products not store it," Tompkins said. "Make sure all suppliers have Internet connectivity and don't treat all customers the same."

The term "item synchronization," which refers to the electronic transmission of price and products information from the manufacturer to the customer. was on the minds of many industry leaders.

"Beyond direct benefits," said Home Depot's Mark

Healy, "item synchronization is the foundation of all forms of electronic collaboration."

Peggy Spofford of 3M added that 30Vo of the data in retailers' systems is inaccurate.

"Item sync is costing us all a lot of money," she said. "We're all trying to do whatever we can to reduce supply chain costs-it's not an IT thing, its basic business."

Depot Hinges On Clean-Up

The Lacey Townsip, N.J., planning board voted last month to approve a Home Depot there, despite local concerns that a retention basin on the site could contaminate drinking water.

"What's important for you to understand is that (the developer) understands and takes concerns about arsenic or any chemical in the drinking water very seriously," said Stephen D. Reid, a public relations consultant for Home Depot.

Right now Depot's application is pending before the Lacey Municipal Utilities Authority.

The authority vowed not to approve sewer hook-ups for Home Depot until the developer has satisfied its concerns about possible contamination.

The planned retention basin, designed to hold storm water runoff, on the 35-acre site is within 500 to 700 ft. of wells 3, 4 and 5, which provide drinking water to 13,000 homes and businesses.

Authority executive director Henry Delo is concerened that if the basin is dug as planned, those wells could become contaminated by arsenic from treated lumber and pesticides from storm water runoff.

Reid said that arsenic in the water will not be a factor because trucks delivering CCA treated lumber, would be unloaded inside a garage-like structure or under a canopy, a condition of the approval.

G-P Plywood Mills Still Down

Georgia-Pacific has yet to resume production at two of the three Southeastern plywood plants it temporarily closed more than seven months ago.

In late November, G-P indefinitely suspended plywood production in Russellville, S.C.; Gloster, Ms., and Talladega, Al., due to market conditions. Production resumed in early April at Talladega, but downtime continues at Russellville and Gloster.

According to spokesman James Malone, G-P's Louisville, Ms., plywood mill reopened in January after a month-long seasonal closure. G-P has yet to restart plywood plants in Bon Weir, Tx., and Urania, La., that were shuttered before being acquired in an asset exchange with Louisiana-Pacific.

SmallS.D. County Gets Yard

Residents of tiny Spink County, S.D., can now stay local when they need building materials.

The Lumberyard, Redfield, is partly a community economic development group's efforts to revitalize the county of 7.000 people.

Owner Wendell Schubloom opened the yard May 1, which includes a 24,000-sq. ft. store and showroom.

"We're really after to be a full service yard to a contractor-or a homeowner," said Schubloom.

Before The Lumberyard opened, residents had to drive to Aberdeen, Clark or Miller for lumber.

"That burns a lot of time," said Craig Johnson, who headed the community development group. "You can't expect a contractor to eat that extra four hours."