Making it in the moulding industry

'aTRENDS in the wood mouldI ing industry were recently discussed by Wood Moulding & Millwork Producers Association president Matt Allen, Mt. Taylor Millwork, Milan, N.M., and WMMPA executive vice president Kellie Schroeder.

Schroeder: What do you believe is the most difficult situation facing your business today?

Allen: I think that our inability to find qualified help is a big issue. Our business is located in what I believe has become the poorest state in the Union. Furthermore, it is located in one of the three poorest counties within that state. And yet, we fight maintaining employees. We find many people who want a job, but few who want to work.

The other big concern I have pertains to our current trade deficit. Our government continues to lower the interest rates in the hope that continued housing growth will stimulate the economy. On a long-term basis I do not think it will work. They are relying on the housing industry to carry our economy.

Frankly, there is little doubt that the economy will be helped, but only on a small level. New housing will create jobs in the construction industry and no doubt there are a few more clerks at Home Depot or Lowe's. But, the reality of the situation is that the products being sold to manufacture these homes are coming from overseas. If those products were being manufactured here at home, many jobs would be created and supported. However, when the products are being imported with no governmental attempt at balanced trade, the economies being stimulated are located in the countries from whence these products come. Thus, our low interest rates are supporting foreign economies, not our own.

I feel that the United States of America is changing. We have gone from a proud nation of manufacturers to a nation of consumers. At one point we were the manufacturing superpower of the world. But, I believe we are becoming simply a nation of consumers, eagerly absorbing products brought to us by our overseas competition who are enjoying an economic edge due to their lower wage base and other advantages.

We need balanced trade. If foreign economies beat us in manufacturing because their quality is better, so be it. But, if they are allowed to beat us based solely upon cheap prices due to their economic advantage and our government allows this, we have a problem.

Schroeder: What do you foresee as the biggest change taking place in the moulding and millwork business in the next l0 years?

Allen: I think that the largest change will be a continuation of our current situation. More and more material will continue to be imported from overseas. There will be fewer and fewer successful U.S. manufacturers of these products. Foreign competitors will sell their products more cheaply than U.S. manufacturers resulting in an artificial ceiling on the market. This ceiling will keep U.S. manufacturers from selling at profitable levels all while their cost of doing business will increase with standard inflation. I do not foresee eood thines for our industry.

Schroeder: Matt, your father, your brother and now you have all served as WMMPA president. Can you explain Mt. Taylor Millwork's membership longevity with WMMPA?

Allen: I think that over the years we have all been able to recognize that the opportunity to socialize with our peers, to exchange information and to rally around our industry is extremely important. Mt. Taylor Millwork, Inc. became a member of the WMMPA in 1968. Since that time, at least to the best of my knowledge, the WMMPA has had only one meeting at which there was no representative from our company. Moreover, for those people hesitant to join an industry association, I think they need to recognize that they have a responsibility not only to themselves to be involved in activities that further their business, but also to the industry itself. Now, let's turn this conversation around for the next few minutes and have you answer a few questions. What are the key elements manufacturers seek when applying for membership in WMMPA?

Schroeder: Connectivity to the industry, marketing, resource base/educational programs, cost-saving benefits, and validation of their product in the marketplace.

Allen: What is one of the first benefits realized after joining WMMPA?

Schroeder: Marketing of the company and their available (Please turn to page 40)

896-9884

DorrisLumber&Moulding,sacramento,Ca.'(916)452-7531

Earlhsource.Oakland,Ca..(S66)5499663

EistForkLumber,Norway,or..(541)5tz;-sl3z_-AA

Ecoforestry Institute, Glendale, Or.'(541) 832-2578

EcofolestryManagement,Portorford,Or.'(541)332-7923AAAL

EcoTimber, San Rafael, Ca.. (888) 801-0855

Wood Products, Portland, Or.'(503) 233-7090

Home Center, Seattle, Wa. ' (800) 281-9785

Corp., Commerce, Ca.. (562) 927-3456

Evergreer Ecofolestry, Demm$ Wa.'(360) 592-3123 mdllulqvlultr19 w!' ^ruuquerYus, r!.rvr. tvww/

Fritch Forest Products, Snohomish, Wa.'(360) 668-5838

G.A. Jones Lumber Co., Murphy, Or.'(541)862-7208

Gazebo Works Too, Central Point, 0r. ' (541) 664-2000

General Wood & Veneers, Pico Hivera, Ca.'. (8"88) 327'4458

GN Plywood, Bellingham, Wa. (360) 733-3960

Go|denStateFloo1ing,SanFrancisco,Ca..(925)551-4750aaA

Gofden State Flooring, San Francisco, Ca. ' (925) 551-4750

Gofden State Lumber, American Canyon, Ca.'(707) 648-7000

Green Mountain lVoodworks, Phoenix, Or.. (541)535-5890,-

Greenwood fnternational, Portland, Or. (503\222-3022

Halex Corp., Pomona, Ca.. (909) 622-3537

Haley Bros., Buena Park, Ca.. (714) 670-2112

Hampton Atfiliates, Portland, Or. (503) 203-6547 & (r,v99,q L! !9 !ts! !,e9, _Tu ql{!1,-01. :,FPQ,6!?f q20

Hardwoods, Inc., Livermore, Ca. (925) 455-5858

Harwood Products, Branscomb, Ca. 007\ 984-61 81

Haywatd Lumber, Monterey, Ca. (800) 640-1959

Heppner Hardwoods, Azusa, Ca. (626) 969-7983

Heritage Lu4b9r, Bolse, ld, 1 {208) 331:3536

Hull-Oakes Lumber Co., Monroe, Or. , (541\ 424-3112 l& E Lath Mill, Philo, Ca. (707) 895-3380 ldaho Cedar Sales, Troy, ld. (208) 835-2161 ldaho Timber Corp., Boise, ld. (208) 377-3000 l'lqowgCqFl,e9!Eoj.qct!,Pgrt!a@,or..(10-o)911,2!-8-3

Intermountain-Orient, Boise, ld.. (208) 384-5600

Jeld-Wen-Moulding & Millwork Division, Bend,0r. .(541) 312-5102

Johnson International. Kent. Wa. (253) 479-9900

Kaster's Kustom Cutting, Mulino, Or. (503) 829-4167

Kelleher Corp., Mira Lgma, Ca, 1 (909) 360-1880

Kelly-Goodwin Co., Everett, Wa. .(800) 869-7199

KLC lnlernalional, Lake Oswego, Or. (503) 699-8685

Konkolville Lumber Co., Orofino, ld. (208) 476-4597

Landmark Bldg. Products, Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. .(909) 484-5870

Lale$911!oj-!an99,!f lUgt!:!q,qq!ry,-ce.:,0?Q96-9,913,],

Longview Fibre Co., Longview, Wa. (360) 425-1550

LP Corp., Portland, Or. (208) 762-1640

Lumbermens, Olympia, Wa. (360) 350-3105

Lumber Products, Tualatin, Or. .(503) 692-3322

Mageffan Group, The, Poulsbo, Wa. 1(360) 779-3275

Maher Forest Ploducls, Mercer lsland, Wa. (206) 232-8390

Marysvifle Forest Products, Marysville Ca. (503) 749-0121

McCleflan Mountain Ranch, Bridgeville, Ca. (707) 777-3331

Menasha Forest Producls Corp., North Bend, Or. (541) 756-1 193

Mendocino Forest Producls Co., Calpella, Ca. (707) 485-6800

Mendocino Forest Products, Ukiah, Ca. (707) 468-1431

Meyer Moulding & Millwork, Modesto, Ca. (209) 522-2288

Monlbleau & Associates, San Diego, Ca. (800) 238-0305

Mt. Taylor Millwork, Milan, N.M. (505) 287-9469

Neiman S-awmiffs,_,t_lu.|9tt, W-y, PA7) 467:52F2

New World Millwork, Sedalia, Co. (303) 791-9003

Nord Door, Everett, Wa. (425\ 255-9292

North American Wood Products, Portland, Or. (503) 620-6655

Norlhern Hardwoods, Santa Clara, Ca. (408) 727-2211

Northwesl Dool & Sash, Springfield, Or. (541) 744-0150

Northwesl Pine Sales, Portland, Or. (503) 223-1628

Northwest Wood Specialties, Portland, Or. (503) 292-0716

Oregon-Canadian Forest Products, North Plains, Or.. (503) 647-501 o,ry991 py-elseas Tim!91C0,, Qgnlon, 9t, : F_+l) 112:1119-,

OrePac Building Products, Wilsonville, Or. (503) 685-5471

Pacific Architectural Wood Products, Portland, 0r.. (503) 284-0024

Pacific Lumber Co., Scotia, Ca. .007) 764-2222

Plum Creek, Columbia Falls, Mt.. (406) 892-6235

1,ry!ryggg-Il9p'_c9 USA, Portlan4 or. (503) 222-1622_

Pope & Talbot, Portland, Or.. (503) 228-9161

Potlatch Corp., Spokane, Wa. (509) 835-1500

Precision Lumber Co., Portland, Or. (503) 684-6281

Redwood Empire Sawmill, Cloverdale, Ca. (707) 894-4241

Riley Qp9!!11Qg,co,, Q9lq!9, l{,;12-QQ2eQ;7f74

RaFrni;inarionaitireoswego,oi;6osyoso-+2oz s.rdriM.iJi.gi t.r.no.,., *;. lCoo) sB4-477 4

Seneca Jones Timber Co., Eugene, 0r. (541 ) 689-1 231

Siena Cedar Products, Marysville, Ca. (530) 741-8090

Sierra Forest Products, Tena Bella, Ca. (559) 535-4893

Slena Lumber Manufacturers, Stockton, Ca. , (209\ 543-7777

Sierra-Pacilic Industries, Anderson, Ca. (530) 378-8000

Signature Development, Enumclaw, Wa. (360) 825-9000

Simpson Investment Co., Shelton, Wa. (360) 427-4s05

Siskiyou Lumber Products, Woodland, Ca. (800) 695-0210

!!q4e4 s!ry9!Ur9,s-_S,{'l? Rgsq, cq, 1 (Qop) eQi,+e.36

Stimson Lumber Co., Portland, 0r. $03\ 222-1676

Sunset Moulding Co., Yuba City, Ca. (800) 824-5888

Tafi-Pak, Hopland, Ca. (707) 744-1103

Taraca Pacific. San Fancisco. Ca.. (415) 765-0422

TDM Co., Federa! Way, Wa. (253) 929-1575

TEWA Mouldings, Albuquerque, N.M. (800) 821-3769

Three Rivers Timber, Kamiah, ld. (208) 935-2964

Thunderbird Forest Products, Sacramento, Ca. (916) 381-4200

Timberfine Intelnational, Bend, 0r. (541 ) 617 -5877 rin!!9fe!99!t-!9,co,9ptrtiglpl{ -0t ;. p!\ 7!7 ;!577

Timbeileld Manufacturing, Billings, Mt. (800) 548 7069

Tomen America, San Francisco, Ca.. (415) 536-3421

Tree Products Hardwoods, Eugene, Or. (541 ) 689-851 5

Trinity Engineering, Rohnert Park, Ca.. (707) 585-2959

Tub-ator M!ll, Morton, Wq (360) 496-6777

Unity Forest Products, Yuba City, Ca. (800) 248-4940

Universal Forest Products, Stockton, Ca. (209) 982-0825

Universal Forest Products, Woodburn, Or. (503) 226-6240

Western Moulding Cos., Salt Lake City, Ut. (949) 723-6165

Iv_egeCI,f Cne,l]!!e!Ue9!9ry!g,Eug_e!9.-ol. j-1s11):191,_0"297

Western Woods, Inc., Chico, Ca. .(800) 822-8157

Western Wood Structures, Tualatin, Or. (503) 692-6900

Westwood Forest Products, Everett, Wa. (425) 259-3836

Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way, Wa. (253) 924-2345 whilelhorn Cong!!gg!!g!, Whitethorn, Ca. Q'An996-7412

Willils Redwood Co., Willits, Ca.. (707) 459-4549

Windfall Lumber, Olympia, Wa. .(360) 352-2250

Woodceilings, Veneta, Or. (541) 935-9663

Wood Mill, The, Willits, Ca. (707) 468-7967