Building Products Digest

AUGUST 2OO1

Worning lobels coning for CGA pressule treoted wood

Ihillwork DC for Atlcnto Service is key criierio in designing monufoctureis distribution focilitv.

Moulding lrends lmports from Southern Hemisphere continue strong, os MDF millwork holds its own. lnnovotions in windows

Monufocturers' wish list of inventions.

Whot builders wonl

Iips on selling windows to builders.

Dobbling in e+ommerte and assumes no liability for materials fumished to it.

Checking in on how the Internet is working for lop choins ond co-ops.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS Send address label from rec€nt issue if possible, new address and nine-digit zip mde.

Serving 13 Southern states

PUBLISHEB Alan Oakes (ajoakes@aol.com)

PUBLISHER EltlERlTU$ David Cutler EDITOR David Koenig (dkoenig@ioc.net)

ASSOCIATE EDITOf, Robefi Fay (rfay@bc.net)

AD SALIS MANAGER ChuckCasey (chuck@ioc.net)

ADIIINISTRATION DIRECTOR/ SECRETARY Marie Oakes (mfpoakes@aol.com)

CIRCULATION HeatherKelly

How to Advertise

Contact our advertising officet for rates:

U.S.A.: Chuck Casey, 4500 Campus Drive, Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca.92660-1872. Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231

E-mail chuck@ioc.net

INTERNET AD$: Alan Oakes, www,buiUingproducts.com. Phone (949) 852.t9S1 Fax 94s-852-0231 E-mail aloakes@aol.conr.

How to Subscribe

Call Heather at (949) 852-1990 or send a check lor the following amounl t0 Building Products Digest,4500 Campus Drive, Suite 480, Newprt Beach, Ca. 92660-1872:

U.S.A.: One year (12 issues), $18

Two years, $29

Three years, $39

FOREIGN (Per year paid in advance in US tunds):

Surface-Canada or Mexico, Sl9

Other countries, $50

Air rates also available.

Single copies, $3 + shipping

Back issues ($,hsn aveilable), $4.50 + shipping

Vsr Us Ott-lne nr WWW. BUILDING.PRODUCTS.COM

ALAN OAKES publisher

Respecting the Past, While Moving Forward

Last month I wrote about our goals as a magazine and how we would truly respect our past and almost 80-year heritage, while yet moving forward.

As a c.e.o. with over 25 years of managing businesses of all sizes in a variety of industries, I have been struck by how steeped in history and tradition this industry is compared to most. Having been part of industries, especially technology, where change was the only constant, I have found it fascinating and refreshing to talk to a number of veterans who have freely given their advice and counsel-unlike some industries I have been in.

As so many of these individuals start to retire, I cannot help but be sad that so much knowledge and talent is being lost. These are the people in our organization who can tell you everything and when. When they leave they take with them a chunk of your company's history. Unfortunately early retirements, cut backs, buy-outs, mergers, etc., are on the rise again, a scenario only too familiar to many of us, and this often strips the company of its trusted mentors to whom we all seek advice. This institutional memory is hard if not impossible to replace.

How many of us can look back at our mentors who were instrumental in our career growth, and I wonder how many of us told them how important they were to us. The past is an important anchor to our future. Only too often those who follow want to bring change, and this often brings culture change and shock for those left behind.

When we next wave goodbye in the boardroom to one of our long-term colleagues, think about how we should play the role of senior or teacher, so that the bridge to the past, present and future can be balanced. The challenge for leaders is to find the balance between what is worth preserving, what should be discarded and thrown out, and to find the balance between old and new.

In a world of consolidation, do not make the mistake of believing that the knowledge of our industry seniors can be so readily replaced. In the last rounds of downsizing a few years ago many companies found that out at great cost. Unfortunately, many will again.

Warning Labels Coming

The EPA has approved the pressure treating industry's proposal to place consumer warning labels on virtually all CCA treated wood, beginning this fall.

The labels are part of a program to better inform consumers about the chemical. Fifteen years ago, as the EPA moved to ban most inorganic arsenic pesticides, manufacturers voluntarily agreed to distribute Consumer Information Sheets listing use, handling and disposal precautions of CCA treated wood. The agency allowed continued use of CCA in wood as a "restricted use" pesticide, but in the years since, dissemination of the fact sheets has been spotty, at best.

In recent months. a flurry of controversy, marked by critical newspaper articles (see Digest, April, p. 13), lawsuits and proposed legislation, has brought heat on the industry and the EPA to improve the system.

The American Wood Preservers Institute proposed a five-pronged program, including newly renamed Consumer Safety lnformation Sheets, a toll-free information line and Web site, end-tags on every piece of CCA lumber 5/4 and larger, and various instore signage, such as hang cards and bin stickers, all approved by the EPA.

According to EPA's timetable, AWPI introduced the toll-free phone number and Web site in July; retailers are to begin displaying point-of-sale signage in August; treaters should begin shipping labeled wood in September, and the program should be in "significant implementation" by October 1.

Retailers can obtain the signage from their CCA wood suppliers. Treaters can obtain the signage as well as the end tags from their chemical providers or produce their own similar labels.

"There shouldn't be any real cost for dealers," says Huck DeVenzio, Arch Wood Protection. "They can get all the materials from their suppliers. And, I imagine some large retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's will demand that the treaters themselves come and install (the signage). But however it gets done, we just hope it gets done."

Although the program is voluntary, retailers and dealers are urged to participate. "Our biggest push now is to ask retailers. home centers and building material dealers to insist that their treaters and suppliers comply with this

For CCA Treated Wood

new program," says AWPI's Mel Pine. "EPA is going to monitor it closely."

More regulatory changes may lie ahead next year after the EPA releases a comprehensive review of CCA treated wood that includes an evaluation of how well the new consumer information programs are working.

MDF Moulding Plant Starts Up

TLC Mouldings is now in full production at its new MDF mouldins plant in Willacoochee, Ga.

A division of Langboard, Inc., TLC offers standard and lightweight products, including base. crown. casing. chair rail, stool, jamb stock, shelving, plinth block, rosettes, and custom profiles, all under the Harmony Mouldings brand.

The 105,000-sq. ft. manufacturing facility features two Weinig Hydromat moulders, two Delle Vedove vacuum coat prime lines for consistent coating, and an in-house tooling management system. Initial production capacity is 40 truckloads per month.