roducls

Step Right On Up

An engineered OSB stair tread system for single and multi-family structures is now available from Weyerhaeuser.

Structurwood SturdiSteo is manufactured from engineered'strands of wood and moisture resistant resins bonded with heat and oressure for extra strength

OSB treads reportedly eliminate many of the problems associated with plywood and lumber, such as loose knots. glue failure. and warping.

Circle No. 901

Saddle On Inside

Energy efficient door saddles using unfinished oak inserts as thermal breaks are now available from Zero International.

The saddles come in a variety of wheelchair-accessible models with a l-112" rise. Aluminum inserts are also available.

Circle No. 902 now available from ATP.

The 1040 is available with an inside or outside trigger and in 1" square drive or #5 spline drive. It has 2000' lbs. of torque.

Circle No. 903

The Sands Of Time

CIog resistant sanding sponges and sandpaper from 3M which reportedly cut three times faster and last three times longer.

Breaking The Mold

A home safety kit to test for toxic mold is new from Professional Laboratories.

Pro-Lab is desiqned for consumers to determine level-s of toxic mold in the home.

Circle N0.914

Lifting Made Easier

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has updated its mid-size pneumatic tire. 8,000-l I,000 lb. capacity gas, LP and diesel forklift trucks.

New models feature a tilt steering cofumn adjustable within a 12" range of motion, an open-step frame for user-friendly entry and a relocated air intake vent for cleaner air flow.

Circle No. 906

21st Century Fences

A plastic lattice fence system that is said to be easy-to-install and almost maintenance free is new from Tuffbilt.

A Wrenching Proposal

A l" plus capacity impact wrench with "twin hammer" clutch for heavy duty bolting and MRO applications is

SandBlaster oroducts are made with high performance minerals and a patented coating technology.

They both come as block and pads in seven grits.

Circle No. 904

The LatticeFence System features the authentic graining, texture, and deatiled look of hand crafted wood. It comes in white. cedar or redwood.

Circle No. 907

Cleanin'House

A magnetic push broom with metal axles and 5" semi-pneumatic tires is new from Maenet Clean Co.

high seams that snap adjacent panels together. It can also be roll-formed on the job site or in the factory, using heavy gauge aluminum, copper or steel coils.

Available in 16 colors, the panel utilizes the Kynar 500 paint system, which reportedly will not rust, corrode or fade.

Circle No. 911

The Anti-Rot Movement

A black preservative and insecticide from Wolman is EPA-registered and protects exterior wood against termites, rot, and decay.

The MC-18 has a 48" handle with a comfort grip and features an Ez-Off cover for easy metal removal.

Circle No. 908

The Great Barrier Sheath

A radiant barrier sheathins that is said to lower energy costs by -prevenf ing 977o of the sun's heat from entering the attic is now available from Louisiana-Pacific.

TechShield allows air conditionins units and ductwork to ooerate morE efficiently and reduces th-e transfer of heat from the attic to living quarters.

Circle No. 909

Cutting Edge

LRH Enterprises has introduced router bits that match shaper cutters and vice-versa.

Woodlife CreoCoat is said to be an environmentally safe, effective substitute for creosote. It imparts a solid black finish to wood and is VOC compliant.

Circle No. 912

Firm Up The Floor

A floor coating system that utilizes a polyfunctional amine structure to ease contractor application and extend durability is new from Tnemec.

Manufactured from bonded resins and hardeners, StrataShield reportedly resists chemicals, abrasions, and scrapes.

Circle N0.913

Vented Fiber Cement

The Match-A-Cut system is designed for both smaller shops and larger plants.

Circle No.910

Heavy Metal Roofing

Custom-Bilt Metals has introduced a metal roofing panel that is guaranteed to last a lifetime.

The Titan SL-1750 features 1-314"

Cemplank has updated its fiber cement soffits with a pattern of ventilation holes engineered for energy efficient housing.

The Vented CemSoffit features 9 sq. inches of net free ventilation per lineal ft. and provides balanced ventilation as referenced by Model Building Codes.

It comes primed or unprimed, 12" or 16" wide, 12' long and a full 5/16" thick. There is a non-prorated25-year limited warranty.

Circle No. 905

Hot Cuts

A lightweight, electric hot knife that cuts and seals artificial srass outdoor carpeting is new from IIot Tools.

The HK-60 hot knife features a resharpenable copper tip that is said to reach 1,500" in under two minutes. It operates on 115 VAC, is 6'-314" long, and weighs less than I oz.

Circle N0.915

The Steel Curtain Defense

Excalibur Stainless has introduced a new line of stainless steel shingles designed for re-roofing applications and new construction.

The shingles come in 3-tab and 14" diamond configurations and are constructed with Type 304 stainless steel. They are said to resist physical damase and offer a lifetime of virtually miintenance free service.

Circle N0.916 is ovoiloble by circling the corresponding Reoder Service number opposite the inside bock cover ond sending the form to New Products Editor FAX to 949-852-0231, by E-moil to rfoy@ioc.net, by moil to 4500 Compus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beoch, C0.92660, or by colling (e4e) 852-r ee0.

Payless Cashways Closing 39 More Stores

Payless Cashways is closing anoth- line of $160 million. After 60 days, er 39 stores and laying off about 1,500 the financing falls to $140 million and more employees. then to $120 million after 120 days,

The latest batch ofclosures where it remains for the remainder of includes Payless Cashways stores in the year. Tulsa, Ok.; Arlington, Conroe, S:l':,11 111.Y^',1c:. ":):', :",11,:T:: rrusJ oi st Devetops Sorrwa re nuilqlng vlatenals unlts ln Lexlngton " "'--""'D'"" TrusJoist has joined with building anq Loulsvlile, n y. component supplier MiTek to develop

I ne cnaln wrll no longer oDerate stores in Kenrucky, ;;?t;;;-;;; tarseted at wooo-tramed constructlon. vllnnesota or unoer tne names K.nox Lumber, contractor sili;,;;;ci rhe companies hope the new softBuilders Resource. srri/'v' v^ ware will be a supportive tool for the

The liquidations will bring the spec-ification' design' and optimization , ' .' ""..:': _- of proprietary building products. retailer s lotal slore closures tnls vear :."'-.,; to 60 ano reouce lts unrts strll oDerating to 71. in the fall with development and integration starting at the end of this year.

I ne cnaln also plans to ellmlnate 145 positions at its Kansas City, Mo., headquarters and other regional administrative offices.

Confusion Over E-Biz lmpact

Manufacturers and distributors are between Payless Cashways, Congress The report shows manufacturers are Financial and Hilco Capital LP, still unsure whether the Internet can okayed by the bankruptcy court, replace distributors as a way to prowould provide an immediate credit vide product information to customers.

The retailer must conclude going- facing strained relationships as e-busiout-of-business sales by Oct. l5 to ness makes its way into marketing comply with a ratification agreement channels and supply chains, charges a with Congress Financial Corp. The new National Association of Wholedebtor-in-possession agreement saler-Distributorsreport.

In contrast, a majority of distributors are convinced the Internet will not replace their sales and communication functions.

The report's author, Adam J. Fein, Pembroke Consulting, believes this disparity of views "will slow the adoption of e-business solutions because both groups are approaching technology investments with divergent perspectives."

Among manufacturers, 56Vo expect online exchanges to generate loyal customers by 2006, while 607o of distributors expressed serious doubt that online exchanges will attract customers. And. 617o of manufacturers felt distributors will stock less inventory and rely on other supply chain partners to drop-ship to customers for them by 2006, while 4'/Vo of distributors believe they will outsource logistics by 2006.

The report also found that distributors are uncertain about whether their manufacturers will be investing in traditional channels during the next five years.

Fein suggested that the findings indicate manufacturers must carefully evaluate the business needs of their channel partners before implementing new technologies.

HARDWARE HONCHOS: Amono the exhibitors at the National Hardware Sl^ow & Buildinq Products Expo Aug. 12-14 in Chicago: 11t George Brooks, Ken Sanford. Salley Parker,

Thorpe. (6) Dave Ramsey, Todd Shipp, John Watson, Karen Winslow. (7) Doug Kinat, David Lawson. Bill Megahan, Mike Bugbee. (8) Ron Rado, Jack Lubker, Joe Dewes, Craig Lynch, Gary Hite. (9) Janet Durante, Jean Luc Mendler. Camilla Nello. (10) Wayne Knutson, Lawrence Prendivllle, Merv Bohn. (11) Jim Carey, James Attridge, Steve Foster. Morrrs Carey, (12) Bill Tucker, Steve Adams, Bart Swan. Hien Bui, Chris Frallicciardi, Mike McFarland, Albert Mickadeit. (13) Norm Abram, Naomi Eisenstadl. (14) Paul Spence, Ed Case, Steve Bieszczat. (15) Blueberry Hennin, Richard Wallace, Melissa Miranda. (16) Michael Gilmore, Robert Terzinl. (17) Quent Ondricek, Scott Greenweller. Dave Haist, Bobby Larson. (18) Steve Ditter, Ann Morello,