Building Products Digest - November 2003

Pnooucrs Drcrsr

Laugh At The Elements

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IT'S A TYPICAT WARM SUMMER DAY.

SO WHAT'S THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE A SOLAR BOARD HOUSE?

It's a lot coolen

A house protected by Solar Board' radiant barrier sheathing has a head start on comfort. Up to 97% of radiant heat from the sun is reflected by Solar Board, so the attic will be as much as 30'cooler, This means the rest of the house will certainly be cooler too. And in the winter these highly reflective Solar Board panels help to keep the heat inside.

., :,,t, :i:'i Lower energY costs' r:,,,,, .. A house kept comfortable by

Solar Board is easy on energy bills. Typical costs for cooling are lower - up to 250/olower. Today a house that conserves energy is a whole lot more attractive to home buyers. So the small additional cost of Solar Board for roofs and walls is a real good investment.

A cool 2Oyear warranty.

,,, Solar Board is made right here in

the USA and iS baCked by a 20 year Warranty. That's a real plus for new home buyers too.

Mo$

Gypsum

PUBLISHER Alan Oakes (aioakes@aol.com)

PUBLISHER EMERITUS David Cutler EDITOR David Koenig (dkoenig@ building-products.com)

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Tyra Marie Smith (tsmith @ building-products.com)

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Chuck Casey (ccasey@ building-products.com)

ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR/ SECRETARY Marie Oakes (mlpoakes@aol.com)

CIRCULAT|ON Heather Kelly (hkelly@ building-products.com)

How to Advertise

Contact our adverlising oflices tor rat$:

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NORTHEAST: Paul Mummolo, 404 Princeton Ave., Brick, N.J.08724. Phone (732) 899-8102 Fax 732-899-2758 E-mail omummolo@aol.com

MIDWEST: Al Gravenhorst, Gravenhorst & Associates, 33 Waukegan Rd., Lake Bluff, ll. 60044. Phone (847) 615-9272 Fax M7-6159274 E-mail albx@mymailstation.com

INTERNET ADS: Alan Oakes, www,buildingproducts.com. Phone {949) 852-1990 Fax 949852-0231 E-mail ajoakes@aol.com,

How to Subscribe

Call Heather at (949) 852-1990 or send a check for the lollowing amount to Building Products Digest, 4500 Campus Drive, Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872: U.S.A.: One year (12 issues), $18

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APPROUED F(IR USE WITH

lhe ONE color coated fastener recommended for ALL

Unfinished ACQ treated lumber shown with Headcote's flat head tan fastener. Flat head style recommended for treated lumber.

Growing economy? What next?

Since late 2000 and particularly post 9/11, there is no doubt that the overall economy has been tough for many companies, and many industries. Ours, not without its problems, has been one of the more vibrant, and I shudder to think what it could have been like if the housing market had not been so strong.

It seemed for a while everything was going down the tubes; however, after three years of plague and pestilence, the tide maybe turning. Recent signs suggest that the next wave of the economy is about to begin. After a shaky start to the year, we are starting to see increasing confidence that the bottom of the curve is angled in the right direction.

Housing numbers and projections

look strong. The impact of the tax cuts is now being felt, and while unemployment is still high, new job creation is showing up. Coming from l0 years in the tech industry, I have been a great believer that the true sign of turnaround will be when we see the technology market growing again. Suggestions are that we are near. Large capital investments are a sign that our business leaders believe in the turnaround.

The stock market is growing steadily, and I suggest that this growth will continue steadily and not be as spectacular as the excesses we all saw in the late '90s. It is partly because too many of us have been burned, and perhaps we will be more careful going forward. However, if

STOCI{ TIIIJ ALL- IDI]ITTDOSIJ AITIIIINATIIIIJ

ALAN OAKES publisher ajoakes@aol.com

Elder Forest Products, Inc.

Plant: 1726 West Street, Crowley, LA 70526

(800)256-7197 . (337) 625-8141 . FAX337-625-5275

the tide is turning, how do we insure that our businesses get their fair share of the growth to come?

Last month's column discussed the budgeting process, and certainly while most of us analyze our businesses on a regular basis, the first thing to do is truly analyze what is going on, both in your business, your competitors', and the industry as a whole. If your business is strong, it is time to be bold. Windows of opportunity come and go, so getting a step ahead can make a large difference when the market is about to grow.

This is the time to be investing in new human capital, training, technology, product development, marketing and promotion. It's a time to be developing new lines of credit, and looking for opportunities to acquire poor performing businesses. Businesses have been trading at much lower multiples than three years ago, so this is the time to be looking for bargains. If you are ready to sell your business, this is the time to be preparing for a sale in the next twelve months. There must be a lot of capital sitting on the sidelines.

Review the expense cuts made these past couple of years, and untie the hands of your key people. Conversely, hand-cuff your key people to your company. When the economy gets strong again, it will become an employee market, back perhaps to where it was a few years ago.

Last month I wrote about planned strategic risk. Maybe, just maybe, this is the time to be ahead of the same. not behind it.

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U.S. Iumber demand forecast for modest decline

A MILD slowdown in new home -{a.construction and repair and remodeling expenditures should reduce U.S. lumber demand next year, according to Western Wood Products Association's 2004 lumber forecast.

The Portland, Or.-based trade association said U.S. lumber consumption will decline l.\Vo to 55.7 billion bd. ft. in 2004. Despite the pull back, the volume used will be the third highest on record. Lumber demand in 2003 is expected to hit an all-time high of 56.7 billion bd. ft.

The two largest lumber use markets-new home construction and repair and remodeling-will account for most of the decline in2004.

be slower in 2004, we foresee another year of strong demand for western lumber products.

Higher interest rates are expected to slow home construction, reducing housing starts slightly to 1.69 million units. The decline will reduce the volume of lumber used in the segment by 3.67o to 22.4 billion bd. ft. next year. Repair and remodeling usage is anticipated to decline 3.3Vo to 17.7 billion bd. ft.

"The housing sector has been a bright spot of the U.S. economy the past few years, fueling unprecedented demand for lumber products," according to WWPA president Michael O'Halloran. "It's clear that wood remains the top choice for building and remodelins homes for American

families. While activity will be slower in 2O04, we foresee another year of strong demand for western lumber products."

In step with lower consumption, U.S. lumber production is forecast to ease by l.4Vo to 35.7 billion bd. ft. Western production will be down roughly l.4Vo in 2004 while Southern production will be off | .l%o.

Although availability of some species may tighten, western woods specialist Universal Building Specialties, Auburndale, Fl., anticipates more than making up the volume with other woods or materials. "Western red cedar is an example of a species that appears tight, and getting tighter, with higher pricing and longer lead times being the end result," said

Jim VanPelt.

Nevertheless, he said, "UBS's business, traditionally a business of higher graded western specialty softwoods, is expected to be up from21%o to 3OVo rn 2004 over 2003. With over half of UBS's 2004 growth coming from expansion and increased market share, much will come from an improved economy and better market consumption than 2003. "

Lumber imports to the U.S. are expected to decrease to nearly 21 blllion bd. ft. in 2004, according to WWPA. While shipments from Canada will be down l.1%o to 19 billion bd. ft., non-Canadian imports are expected torise 5Vo to 1.87 billion bd. ft., spurred by higher volumes from European lumber mills.

"While activity will

WOOD PRODUCTS production, particularly in the West, is expected to only drop a lraction next year, as demand stays at nearrecord levels.

Deqlers brcrcinglhemselves for CCA decrdline

IIIITH less than two months

V Y remainins for wood treaters to use CCA for iesidential products, lumber dealers are gearing up for a transition to alternative products. Although new generation preservatives such as ACQ Preserve, NatureWood and Wolmanized Natural Select (CBA) are increasingly popular west of the Rockies, the vast majority of dealers contacted by Building Products Digest arc waiting patiently before making a switch.

They say the demand for the new products is not there yet-at least in their region. A majority of dealers that only stock CCA treated wood have not received any inquiries by

customers about the new generation preservatives.

One retailer has had customers "ask, but so far no concern." A second has had only a single request for ACQ, and other inquiries were "only for our opinion on what was going to happen after January 1." A third has customers inquire "occasionally, usually after a flurry of media coverage on the topic." Another receives occasional requests and fills them on a special-order basis.

Causeway Lumber Co., Fort Lauderdale, Fl., sells 99Vo CCA, with a single ACQ item. "We started selling a high-end, 2x6 radius edge product in ACQ last spring," said Mike

Coleman. "The sales have slowed, we think because ofthe higher price."

Attnougtr already-treated material can continue to be sold as long as inventories last, most dealers have no plans to stockpile large quantities of CCA treated wood.

One planned to order "only a couple of extra truckloads."

Michigan Lumber Co., Flint, Mi., will preorder "only enough inventory to handle the low volume needed in a Michigan winter, to get us to the first of April," said Chuck Olson.

TW Perry, Chevy Chase, Md., "will possibly cany a decent inventory of CCA-6x6 and 4x4s. These items carry about a 20Vo upcharge over CCA in the new chemical."

Most dealers in the South, Midwest and East will begin carrying the new generation treated wood at the very end of 2003 or early 2004, as CCA inventories run out. All expect a slight overlap, carrying dual inventories during the changeover.

"We offer (ACQ) now on special order basis only, grudgingly," said Dale P. Bernard, v.p., George Kellett & Sons. Metairie. La. "Otherwise we will place it in stock when we deplete CCA stock."

While many wood treaters are also delaying converting their operations until the last minute, none of the dealers contacted by BPD anticipated any difficulty in finding material after the deadline.

AUout half of dealers expected the higher price of the alternatives to have little to no effect on sales, despite the typical resistance to any change.

CCA TREATED wood has yet to begin disappearing lrom the majority dealers' inventory lists throughout the East.

Roger Holman, National Home Centers, Springdale, Ar., forecast no impact, "only a few complaints. There isn't anything anybody can do about it."

Chuck Olson, Michigan Lumber Co., Flint, Mi., agreed that "once CCA has worked itself out of the market, price should have little or no effect."

However, the other half of dealers predicted the higher price will interest customers in suddenly more competitive synthetic or non-treated substitutes.

According to TW Perry, "The price of the lumber exceeds the cost of the chemical. When treated lumber prices rise, people will increase their use of composite decking and hardwood decking."

Kellett's Bernard explained, "The price difference is not great enough to cause a wholesale switch to composites, but I do expect those sales to increase. I personally believe it will be a consumer education nightmare !"

Indeed, dealers point to customer

None of the dealers expected any difficulty in finding material after the deadline.

education as the top challenge anticipated from the switch.

Montalbano Lumber. Houston. Tx.. predicted "the first year will probably be very confusing to the public since inventories will be mixed. but sold as CCA.''

Michigan Lumber's Olson said, "Learning the advantages and/or disadvantages of a new product, in the real world of on-the-job use, will be the largest foreseeable challenge."

Pratt-Dudley Builders Supply, Augusta, Ga., said, "Learning to offer proper fasteners will be a chore for salespeople, and stocking those fasteners not already in inventory will increase SKU's and, at least temporarily, create a dual inventory."

Similarly, Ken Lawson, Thriftway, Inc., Owensboro, Ky., echoed, "We also fbresee a challenge in having the correct fasteners and hinges. Since we expect to change again soon, there will [continue to] be a problem with fasteners and having the proper products."

ood ort ,GS to GSut

F|-IAKE a large number of mill curI tailments due to previously depressed prices. Add the rebuilding of Iraq. Then combine with a surge of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Isabel and dozens of forest fires, and you have created what has been called "the perfect storm of demand" for domestic plywood and OSB. Prices are at all-time high, and availability is stressed.

The government's purchaser, the Defense Supply Center, shipped nearly 800,000 sheets of plywood in August alone for deliveries in Iraq, along with 320 truckloads of 2x4,2x6 and 4x4 boards to support Middle East operations, reported Random Lengths.

"Plywood costs have more than doubled in the past three to six months," said Dan Usedom, mgr. of Roselle Building Materials, Roselle, Il. "Lumberyards can't keep these materials in stock for more than a day or two."

The price can add thousands of

dollars to the cost of building an average single-family home. Some yards are reporting up to eight weeks of wait time for materials.

Skyrocketing prices

and tightened supply have propelled builders to consider using other materials as an exterior sheathing.

Skyrocketing prices and tightened supply of structural wood panels have propelled builders to consider using other materials as an exterior sheathing, said Bob Palermo, Zechman Supply, Chicago, Il.

Fiberock brand sheathing with Aqua-Tough, manufactured by United States Gypsum Co., is one option for exterior wall substrates on buildinss

that are going to be sided, or clad, when finished, according to Palermo.

Don Zeman, nationally-syndicated radio home-improvement host of Homefront, said he doesn't foresee prices going down for quile some tlme.

"I would fully expect more and more builders to turn to products like Fiberock sheathing for applications where a non-structural. economical panel is required," he added.

He does, though, warn builders and contractors that they need to fbllow proper procedures installing these type of products.

Manufacturers say gypsum panels should be handled carefully, and the paper-faced products must be kept from precipitation.

In addition to USG, other primary gypsum board manufacturers include Ceorgia-Pacific Corp. and National Gypsum Co.

Another alternative product to wood paneling is foam sheathing, which the National Association of

Home Building Research Center says is the most insulative of all sheathing. It comes in polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, and polyisocyanurate formulations, depending on the size of paneling needed. and the area where it will be installed.

The two primary advantages of foam sheathing are that it doesn't require corner bracing, since it isn't structural in nature, and it reduces the potential for moisture problems through its higher R-value, lowering the potential for condensation to form in the wall cavity.

However. it has little or no nail holding power, accoring to NAHBRC and the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, therefore is not recommended to use as a nailing base for cedar siding.

Some builders are using fiber cement panels as an alternative to wood sheathing. Fiber cement siding has a natural wood appearance, and reportedly is sealed to protect against

moisture better than other priming systems. Brands include WeatherBoards from CertainTeed, as well as HardiPanel and Cemplank from James Hardie.

A less expensive sheathing option is foil, or paper-faced insulative board, that can be applied in large sheets and doesn't require corner bracing. Foil-faced sheathing products include EnergyBrace by Ludlow Coated Products and Thermo-Ply by Simplex Products.

Many of these alternatives require measures be taken to prevent shears in walls.

Nonetheless, APAThe Engineered Wood Association emphasizes that, even at historically higher prices, structural wood panels are a good value.

Its strength and stiffness properties, high perfbrmance as a nail base for finishing siding materials, elimination of the need for let-in bracing, high impact resistance, ease of installation, and proven durability in all climates are benefits of natural structural wood.

NAHB's Research

Center echoes the APA, saying switching to other products can cause problems related to application, structural limitations, and material characteristics, which impact thermal and moisture performance.

The NAHBRC found the structural wood panel sheathing market share has risen from 357o in 1998 to more than 60Vo today.

turninq to lor sheathinq are Georgia-Pacif ic's Dens-Gold

AMONG the alternatives builders are (above) USG's Fiberock and (below) gypsum panels.

decking-like gains

f IAVING made noticeable in-roads llinto the decking market, plastics and composites are now poised to make a stand in the fencing market.

Although synthetic fencing has been around as long as synthetic decking, fence buyers have been slower to convert. Jim Murphy, Environmental

Building Products, points to two reasons for the slower conversion in fencing: price and appearance. "There is still a proportionately larger price spread between the fence alternatives versus wood than deck alternatives versus wood." he said. "There are a few 'low-end' wood

polymer deck products that are close to redwood decking. The better wood polymer deck products and all plastic decking is approximately 25Eo -30Eo more. However, in the fence market, the least expensive plastic fence products are at least twice the price of cedar fencing."

Aesthetics should become less of a factor. "The initial plastic fence products were very shiny, smooth and not natural looking," Murphy said. "The current products look much more natural."

Jake Gosa, Elk Composite Building Products, Inc., is similarly optimistic. "The conversion to date has been much quicker with decking than fencing, however we are beginning to see a real spike in fencing," Gosa said. "I attribute the descrepancy to the fact that homeowners are much closer to their decks than their fences. You never physically touch your fence and

rarely do you stand within 5 feet of it. Therefore, the disadvantages that wood brings to decks are not as prevalent with fences, and the education process has been much slower. Longterm, both categories will be dominated by composites, but decking will get there much quicker."

"There are a few more variables when dealing with composites in fencing," agreed Leo A. Renner, director of sales for Composite Building Products International. Inc. "Although we produce composite profiles in all of the traditional fencins dimensions. e.g. 2x2. 2x4. 2x6, 5xi. 1x6, and lx8, in addition to expansion and contraction, other factors, including creep and prevailing wind effects must be considered."

In addition, Renner added, "We have been conducting R&D and tests on fence applications for three years, and will soon be introducing recommended systems and procedures. Composite fence cost initial differ-

ences will likely be greater than traditional deck wood/composite comparisons, as well as vinyls. But the strength, appearance, life, and versatility result in a much lower life cycle cost and a much greater value."

Indeed, increasing interest in synthetics will help fuel rising U.S. demand for fencing products, which a new Freedonia Group study forecasts to climb nearly 5Vo annually through 2007 to $3.3 billion, measured at rhe manufacturer's level.

Growth will accelerate from that of the 1997-2002 period, with the nonresidential building market setting the pace. Gains in the residential building market for fencing largely will be spurred by improvement and repair expenditures. An expected deceleration in housing activity from the elevated level of 2002 will limit opportunities for fencing installations associated with new housing construction.

Plastics and concrete fencins materials are projected to post somJ of the fastest growth over the forecast period. "Gains for plastic fencing will come primarily at the expense of wood," according to the study. "Plastic materials can offer similar aesthetics to wood with advantases in

reduced maintenance costs. Vinyl will account for the vast majority of the plastic fencing total in 2007, with wood-plastic composite lumber and high density polyethylene representing smaller fractions."

In residential markets, demand for vinyl fencing will be aided by homeowners' desires to reduce the burden of caring for their property.

"We are beginning to see a real spike in fencing."

ALTHOUGH alternative materials have been usurping wood in fencing at a slower rate than for decking, manufacturers of synthetic fencing, such as CertainTeed's new Prestioe line. expect to pick up the pace.

Trimboards by Kiimmerling" New

linished house is a builder's mosl important source of new business. Give your proiects lhe endurance of K0MNM Trimboards, and they'll speak well of you lor years lo come.

Insuring longevity Benefits of key person life insurance

By Paul C. MacDonald

QEVERAL years ago, I worked for \)a manufacturing firm where several key executives were returning f a trip when the small plane theY flying in crashed into the mou and all were killed.

The family-owned company left with one brother to run the com: pany and several widows as shareholders. The sudden, simultaneous deaths of several key managers put a tremendous amount of financial and emotional pressure on the one surviving brother, and soon thereafter, he had a heart attack and died. The company was eventually sold to an outsider for pennies on the dollar. This is not an uncommon story.

In a short span of time, the manufacturer was reduced from a highlY profitable company to one that nearly went out of business. Whv did this happen?

Most companies

realize that their key people have a tremendous impact on the profitability of their business.

tory of good execution, and stability among the managers who PreviouslY achieved success.

Another reason may have been that the new leadership wasn't able to lead the employees as well as the recently departed managers did. People can be in shock for a long time, and much of their creativity and energy can be lost while they grieve. There is also a tendency to canonize a good Person who died too soon, making it more difficult for successors to be judged fairly.

I don't know why the comPanY struggled, but I do know that a keY person life insurance policy would have helped. Most companies recognize that their key people have a tremendous impact on the profitability of their business. A president, a top salesperson, or a financial officer can be difficult to replace. Their sudden loss can be devastating.

absolutely cannot afford to lose. Given enough time, almost anybodY can be replaced, but if death were sudden and unexpected, what imPact would that have? Think about what the loss of a key financial officer or person could mean to your busihess. If you couldn't replace your key executives tomorrow, then You probably need to insure them.

As for the amount of coverage a company needs, there is no right or wrong answer. I generally recommend purchasing the maximum coverage that can be obtained. An insurance company will typically offer 10 to 20 times an executive's salary as coverage.

As for what type of insurance should be purchased, the answer varies. If the company is younger and cash is tight. term insurance is very inexpensive initially. If the company has good cash flow and is more mature, then a permanent insurance plan with a high early cash value can be utilized. This can serve to provide a "golden handcuff' to keep the key executive from leaving to a competitor and then coming back and raiding key management. It also has minimal impact on the company's balance sheet.

One reason was undoubtedly a lack of top management talent. A good manager is hard to find, and small businesses have trouble keeping more than one or two because the comPanY isn't large enough to offer enough room for more to grow.

A second reason may have been a tightening of credit. Banks don't like risk. They like to see a strong balance sheet, a strong income statement, a well thought out business plan, a his-

However, if the company had Purchased a key person life insurance policy, it would have received cash at a time when it needed it most. Companies can have lines of credit frozen, or even called at the death of a key executive, so a sudden influx of tax-free money certainly helps.

Who should a company insure and how much insurance should they purchase? What type of insurance should be bought? Insure any executive You

For those who own or manage a business, make sure to protect it. Remember, the rank and file emPloYees are counting on you for a job, and your families are counting on the income you derive from the business.

- Paul C. MacDonald is a chartered life underwriter and financial consultant specializing in working with businesses in the areas of insurance, benefits, estate and retirement planning. A qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table, putting him in the top 6Vo of insurance professionals wordwide, he may be reached at (949) 252-26s2.

R:ulrrns

T.H. Rogers Lumber Co., Edmond, Ok., has acquired True Value Home Center, Pittsburg, Ks., from Norman Miller; only one of T.H. Rogers' 30 retail locations had been in Kansas

Hawkeye Lumber Co. will close its vard in Muscatine,Ia., bv Jan. 1 and sell the 2-acre site to tire city; Hawkeye continues operation in Iowa City, Hutchinson and Oskaloosa, Ia. ...

Everglades Lumber & Building Supply is selling its Miami, Fl., property to a condominium developer and relocating after 62 Years to Homestead, Fl.; the deal allows Everglades to keep a 15,000-sq. ft. showroom at the Miami site once the development goes up ...

Shone Lumber opened its 3rd Delaware location Sept. 26 in Georgetown; situated on the former Thriftway site, the operation consists of 10,000 sq. ft. of warehouse and 8,000 sq. ft. of showroom and offices (Jim Hackney, general mgr.)

Denny's Lumber and Arnold's Hardware, Steele, N.D., are closing; Dennis Arnold, who founded the businesses in 1992, died two years ago ...

Swift Supply is adding locations in Pensacola, Fl. (Bill Carter, exWickes, mgr.), and Daphne, Al., which will serve as a satellite yard of Bay Minette. Al.

BMC Construction, a subsidiary of Building Materials Holding Corp., has entered the MidAtlantic region by acquiring a majority interest in ANM Carpenffy, Strafford, Va., serving production builders in Va., Md. and De.; the joint venture has been named WBC-a BMC Construction Co....

Lee Lumber & Building Material Corp., Chicago, Il., has opened its fifth store, Lee Lumber's Spaces and Views, in Oakbrook Terrace, Il.

Stuckey Lumber & Supply, Hutchinson, Ks., closed Sept. 30; the business, including inventory and selected equipment, but not the facilitv. was sold to a local competito;, multi-unit Star Lumber & Supply Co., Wichita, Ks.

Adams Building Supply, North Augusta, S.C., has been acquired by Builders FirstSource and folded into its Southeast Group ...

Sol's Hardware, South Bend, In., has been acquired by Tim Rankert and reopened as Westside Hardware ..,

Bender Lumber Co., Madison, In., received a conditional use permit to operate a retail lumberyard on a portion of its property currently zoned "heavy industry"

Mueller Roofing Distributors, Lockland, Oh., purchased the assets of Andres Lumber & Supply, Mount Carmel, Oh., for an undisclosed amount

84 Lumber opened a 40,000-sq. ft. store in Lubbock, Tx. (Pete Cantu, store mgr.; Rick Bettis, comgr.), and a 57,500-sq. ft. unit in Gulfport, Ms. (Ken Tuggle Jr., store mgr.; Wayne Eason, co-mgr.) Oct.7 ...

84 Lumber paid $750,000 for 35 acres in LaVergne, Tn., to build either a truss company, retail service center, or lumberyard

The OId Lumber Company

Hardware & General Store, Cotter, Ar., has been opened by William and Tina Cooke

Home Depot this month opens new home centers in Sandy Plain (Marietta), Ga.; Homer Glen and Machesney Park, Il.; Owensboro, Ky; Rome, N.Y., and Johnston, R.I....

Home Depot will oPen two urban-focused stores next summer in Manhattan, N.Y.-an 83,000-sq. ft. unit on the lower level of a tower under construction on 3rd Ave. between 58th and 59th streets and a midtown outpost on 23rd St. near 5th Ave.

Lowe's Cos. opened a replacement store in late October in Wise, Va. (David Altizer, store mgr.), and recently unveiled new locations in Jacksonville. Ar.: S. Clearwater and W Jacksonville, Fl.; Madison, In.; N.W. Staten Island, N.Y.; Ardmore, Ok.; Springfield, Tn., and W. Dallas and Nacogdoches, Tx.

Lowe's has broken ground in Opelousas, La. ... the chain Plans to add 140 new stores next year, and 150 in 2005

Wnorrslrr ns/lhlrutlcruttRs

Industrial Lumber Sales, Tuscaloosa, Al., has been renamed North River Wood Products ...

International Paper is closing its Georgetown Region Forest Resources, its regional woodlands office in Georgetown, S.C.

N orandex Reynolds Distribu' tion,Macedonia, Oh., has acquired Razorback Siding Supply, Fort Smith and Lowell, Ar. (Dana McFain, district mgr.)

Eastex Forest Products, Houston, Tx., will convert two of three cylinders to ACQ by Thanksgiving; the third will continue with CCA for non-residential applications until mid-February ...

Curt Beqn Lumber converted its Buckner, Mo., plant to CBA (Natural Select) mid-Nov., and will convert its Glenwood, Ar., plant to CBA in Dec., when its Amity, Ar., plant will convert back to CCA

Wood Protection Co., Houston, Tx., converts its second cylinder to ACQ Nov. 11; the third cylinder will continue with CCA..,

C olumbus Lumb er, Brookhaven, Ms., converts to NatureWood ACQ Nov. 15...

CCI Tria.d, Austin, Tx., has been renamed Activant Solutions to better reflect its wide range of customers and services

Housing starts in Sept. (latest figures) rose 3.4Vo to an adjusted annual rate of 1.888 million single-family starts increased 3.IVo to 1.520 million and multi-family starts (5+ units) were at a rate of 321,000 ... building perrnits fell 2.2Vo to a 1.860 million pace (Please turn to page 38)

Pressure Vessels - Pressure Piping

Fabrication - Installation - Repairs Alterations - Retrofits - Conversions

Listings are often submitted months in advance. Always veriJj' dates aid locations with sponsor before making plans to attend.

llov:msrn

Construction Suppliers Association - Nov.9'll' dealer roundtable, Sandersville, Ga.; (770) 751-63-73

Southern Forest Products Association - Nov. 9-12' annual meeting, Hyatt Regency, San Antonio, Tx.; (504) 443-4464.

Western New York Lumber Dealers Association - Nov. 10, board meeting, Best Western, Batavia, N.Y.; (800) 292-6752.

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Northeastern Retail Lumber Association - Nov. 10-12, dealer roundtable, Rensselaer, N.Y. ; (800) 292-6'7 52.

Columbia Forest Products - Nov. 11'13, hardwood plywood training class, Trumann, Ar.; (800) 547 -4261.

South Carolina Forestry Association - Nov. 1L'13, annual meeting, Grove Park Inn, Asheville, N.C.; (803) 798-4170'

Northeastern Young Lumber Execs - Nov. 13, board meeting, Amherst. Ma.l (800) 292-6752.

Oklahoma Lumbermen's Association - Nov. 13, health benefits committee meeting, Oklahoma City, Ok.; (405) 840-l'771.

Virginia Tech - Nov. 13, strategic marketing planning for the wood products industry, Blacksburg, Va.; (540) 231-8'152.

Distribution America/Pro Group - Nov. 13-L5' 2004 executive planning conference, Naples, Fl.; (847) 296-'7000.

Noith American Wholesale Lumber Association - Nov. 13'15. Traders Market, Wyndham Anatole Hotel' Dallas, Tx'l (800) 52'7-8258.

Mid-America Lumbermens Association - Nov. l3'14. Fall Fling, Kansas City, Mo.; Nov. 17, area meetings, Chanute, Ks.l Nov. 18, Wichita and Garden City' Ks'; Nov. 19' Hays and Manhattan, Ks.; Nov. 20, Lawrence, Ks.; (800) 747 -6529'

National Forest Products Week - Nov. 16'22.

Building Shanghai - Nov. 1E-2L, Shanghai. P.R. China; (408) 737-2820.

Lumber Dealers Association of Connecticut - Nov. 19, annual meeting, Marriott, Rocky Hill, Ct.; (800) 292-6752.

North American Building Material Distribution AssociationNov. 19, sales workshop, Dallas, Tx.; (312) 321-6845.

Central New York Retail Lumber Dealers Association - Nov. 22, anmal meeting, Verona, N.Y.; (800) 292-6752.

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Mid-America Lumbermens Association - Dec. L, area meetings, Springfield, Mo.; Dec. 2, Sikeston and St. Louis, Mo.; Dec.3, Moberly and Cameron, Mo.; (800)74'7-6529.

Ohio Lumbermen's Association - Dec. 1'4' Bill Darling seminars, OLA Hq., Columbus, Oh.; (614) 267-'/817.

Eastern New York Lumber Dealers Association - Dec. 2, trade show, Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; (800) 292-6752.

Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers AssociationDec, 2, yard foreman training; Dec. 3, selling your price seminar, KLBMDA office, Louisville, Ky.: (502) 245-'7283.

Virginia Tech - Dec.2-4, oak drying workshop, Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Roanoke, Va.; (540) 231-8752.

Eastern Building Material Dealers Association - Dec. 4-5, winter board meeting, Bethlehem, Pa.; (800) 296-3278.

Wallace Hardware Co. - Dec. 4-5, winter show, Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg. Tn.: (423) 586-5650.

Northern New York Lumber Dealers Association - Dec. 10, board meeting, Lobster House, Norrvood, N.Y.; (800) 2926752.

SouthWestern Association - Dec. 10, counter sales program, Columbia, Mo.; Dec. 11, managing iron salespeople workshop, Kansas City, Mo.l Dec. 12, iron salespeople workshop. Oklahoma City, Ok.; Dec. 12, understanding the warranty game, Hays, Ks.; (816) 561-5323.

Distributors View Latest Software

Fascination with new electronic commerce. warehouse management, and rvireless Windows technology make these favorite topics the hot-buttons for efficiency in 2003 among distributors of lumber, millwork, laminate, roofing, siding and building materials. Distributors attending the recent DMSi Partner Conference in Omaha, Ne., inquired about these avenues more than any other throughout the two-day meeting as they experienced and discussed the newesl soliware innovations.

DMSi c.e.o. Jim Hassenstab opened the conference with remarks to an enthusiastic and generally optimistic group of building product distributors coming off a season of higher than averase business revenues.

Several distributors then shared their experiences and strategies with technology. Millsource, Montevallo, Al., is running real-time Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) in three locations, with plans to implement the same system over the next year in its six other locations.

According to Millsource's Rick Pearson, "Order accuracy is one of the key benefits of running a real-time WMS. We have a system-generated tally sheet showing us exactly what was pulled for each order. The items the customer ordered now match the items they receive, in the right quantity. I know that sounds simple, but in the millwork business that wasn't always the case."

Pearson added that since WMS has been running at Millsource, 99.9Vo of the time the right material is on the right truck. "Reaching higher than 99Vo accuracy makes for very happy customers," he noted.

Other wholesalers are adopting e-commerce solutions, such as EDI, online catalogs, and online ordering capabilities. Chris Cramer, Boise Building Solutions, Boise, Id., said, "We believe in StockNet, DMSi's online catalog. It's a platform we can use to provide business-to-business system integrations for our customers and our suppliers."

Grand Rapids Sash & Door, Grand Rapids, Mi., has had success with the EntryNet online ordering solution. "Our customers find value in EntryNet when they see how easy it is to order products online," said Dawn Hemond. "They immediately realize online ordering can save them time and increase productivity. It's a win-win situation for building product distributors, our vendors and our customers."

The conference, titled "One Source, Endless Solutions," also featured educational classes, exhibits, demonstrations and discussion forums for each industry sector.

CO-WORKERS Tony Micozzi and Deborah Oshinski, National Industrial Lumber Co., Elizabeth, Pa., discuss the benefits of e-commerce durinq a break at the DMS| Partners Conference.

Eastern Building Material Dealers Association will hold its winter board meeting Dec. 4-5 in Bethlehem, Pa.

Mid-America Lumbermens Association is picking up the tab for members at its annual Fall Fling Nov. l3-14 at the Marriott Country Club Plaza Hotel, Kansas City, Mo.

Activities include an open board meeting, "meet-and-greet" reception, address by National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association president Shawn Conrad, and tour of a HarleyDavidson assembly plant.

Area meetings continue through the fall in Kansas (Nov. 17 at the Holiday Park Motel, Chanute; Nov. 18, Ramada Inn East, Wichita, and The Plaza Inn, Garden City; Nov. 19, Holiday Inn, Hays, and Ramada Inn, Manhattan; Nov. 20, Holiday Inn, Lawrence) and

Missouri (Dec. I, Holiday Inn-North, Springfield; Dec. 2, Best Western Coach House, Sikeston, and Holiday InnWentzville, St. Louis; Dec. 3, Best Western, Moberly, and Country Side Hall-South City Limits, Cameron).

Michigan Lumber & Building Materials Association will hold a yard foreman training session Dec.2.

Mike Butts of the LD.E.A. Group, a subsidiary of the MLBMA, will take members through a day-long course designed to provide a clearer understanding of what it takes to manage one of your most important assets-your lumberyard. Topics to be covered include customer service. personnel management, managing the operation and understanding the process.

Butts will conduct an advanced skills course, "Selling Your Price," Dec. 3.

The workshop teaches salespeople specific strategies and skills to sell their price and negotiate more effectively with the customer. It provides solutions for price competition, teaching specific selling strategies that help salespeople handle price objection and negotiation. Also included are improved questioning, presenting and closing skills.

Kentucky Lumber & Building

Material Dealers Association's membership committee has designed a contest to bring in new members and reward those who help recruit them.

Through Dec. 31, KLBMDA is offering prospective members their choice of either the remainder of the year at prorated dues, or they may pay first year's dues now and the dues will be considered paid through 2004.

For each new member recruited. sponsors earn a chance to win a threenight Caribbean cruise plus $500 spending money. Other prizes include 507o off next year's dues, and IOOVo of dues back in KLBMDA credit, which can be applied to registration fees, seminars, dues or business forms.

National Sash & Door Jobbers Association unveiled its name. Association of Milllvork Distributors. at its recent convention in Orlando, Fl.

Newly elected officers (see p.40-4 I for photos)are president Brian Mcllwee, J.J. Mcllwee Co., Itasca, Il.; v.p. Terry Bumgarner, King Sash & Door, Clemmons, N.C.; 2nd v.p. Carl Detering, Detering Co., Houston, Tx.; immediate past president George Lorenz, Western Building Products, Milwaukee, Wi.; treasurer Mike Walsh, Radford Co., Oshkosh. Wi.. and executive director Rosali Leone. AMD.

Board members include Bill Anders. Pacific Millwork, Inc., Marysville, Ca.; Robert Kasten, K-K Distributing, Wausau, Wi.; Daniel Barber, Barnett Millworks, Theodore, Al.; Joe Bayer, Bayer-Built Woodworks, Belgrade, Mn.; Kenneth Bussmann, Cleary Millwork Co., Rocky Hill, Ct.; Joe Cornett, Texas Wholesale Building Materials, Farmers Branch, Tx.; John DeSimone, New England Millwork, Dorchester, Ma.; Andy Durosky, Black Millwork Co., East Islip, N.Y.; Doug Hart, OrePac Building Products, Wilsonville, Or.; John Kerr, Reeb Millwork, Kent, Wa.; Jack LaRock, BMC West, Englewood, Co.; Johnathan Lambert, Pacific Mutual Door Co., Kansas City, Mo.; Timothy Lyons, Brockway-Smith Co., Andover, Ma.; William Sarbaugh, River City Millwork, Rockford, Il.; Hanell Spivey, Guardian Building Products, Greenville, S.C., and Daniel Warren, Warren Window & Supply, Rapid City, S.D.

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REID & Wright Inc., Hanover, Mn., teamed with L-P Oct. 16 to introduce the WeatherBesi composite decking and railing program for 2004. Over 20 upper Midwest dealers enjoyed a social hour, dinner and presentalion. (1) Bob Shull, Les Simonson. (2) Chris Lynch, Robert Reid, Bob Dewald. (3) Scott Frank,

Mark Graue. (4) Steve From, Nancy Zieher, Francis Zieher. (5) Hal Hedlund, Roxanne Shaw. (6) 7 Frances Marion, Mark Andrews, Wayne McMinn. (7) Chris Hedlund. (8) Jon & Tracy Wigen. (9) Steve Houle, Todd Bradle, Cassie Lienen. (10) Ron & Nancy Enter. (11)Wayne McMinn. (12) Kevin Probo.

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Arson Fires Put Missouri Lumberyards On Alert

Northwest Missouri lumberyards are beefing up security after suspicious fires destroyed three area lumberyards in one week.

Arson was confirmed as the cause of fires that leveled two Porter Brothers Lumber Co. and Building Center yards and is suspected in the

blaze that decimated 123-year-old Schutte Lumber Co. five days later.

The first fire, late night Oct. 6 at Porter's Building Center in Kearney, began in a warehouse that contained drywall, plywood, forklifts, paint and other building materials. Fire officials said 75-foot-high flames ripped through the warehouse and detonated propane tanks on the back offorklifts.

Two hours later, a second blaze struck a lumber warehouse at Porter's yard in Mosby. In all, damage is estimated at $2 million, with no injuries.

The hardware stores reopened the following day, with building material orders filled from other company locations in the metropolitan area.

The Porters will rebuild and hooe to be back in business by early Apiil -with improved security. "We've talked about better fencing, more lighting, some type of security system that was maybe better than what we had," said co-owner Craig Porter.

Then, early Oct. 12, fire struck Schutte Lumber, about 25 miles away in midtown Kansas City. The fouralarm blaze consumed about half of the l3-acre yard and caused $4 to $5 million in damage.

The fire appeared to have started in at least two spots, according to fire department spokesperson Germane Friends. Although the blaze was also ruled arson, no connection was found to the Porter fires.

The company reopened Oct. 20, working out of a tent and a leased 15,000-sq. fr. building across the street. To clear space at the yard, Schutte sold 30 truckloads of damaged materials to a salvage firm.

After the Porter fires. Schutte employees had been asked to watch for anything suspicious. Other Kansas City dealers, including 84 Lumber Co. and United Building Center, are also urging workers to be extra watchful.

Beverly Lumber consulted with police for advice on how to better secure its yard. Albert Tamm Lumber Co. added overnight security and, as a precaution. relocated some equipment and materials to off-site locations.

THIRD Kansas City, Mo., area lumberyard fire in a week struck 123-year-old Schutte Lumber

reqriles painting staining or sealing and oice 6r natural beauty and ageless value.

onqls

Bill Lodge, ex-James Hardie Building Products, is new to the marketing department at Hoover Treated Wood Products, Thomson, Ga.

Ken Sartin, ex-Wickes Lumber, is new to OSB sales at Louisiana-Pacific, Schaumburg, Il.

Keith Bradford has joined Swift Supply, Atmore, Al., as installed sales mgr. Norman Earls has rejoined the sales team.

Bob Scarborough, ex-Weyerhaeuser, is now v.p., distribution and national accounts, at Weekes Forest Products, St. Paul, Mn. Tom Lindquist is new to the industrial sales staff.

Bob Baxter is the new general mgr. of Northeast Texas Milling, Greenville, Tx.

Tim Williams, ex-Pan Pacific, is new to Tampa International Forest Products, Tampa, Fl.

Jimmy Garza has been named store mgr. at McCoy's Building Supply Center, Corsicana, Tx.

Sean Ryan is the new director of plans, programs & corp. sales for Trex Co. in Winchester. Va.

Larry Broadway has joined Universal Building Specialties, Charleston, S.C., in outside sales, covering N.C. and S.C. regions.

Mike Coffey, ex-Tampa International Forest Products, is opening an office in Tampa, Fl., for Vandermeer Forest Products, North Vancouver. B.C.

Dave Morton, Allied Midwest, Sioux Falls, S.D., retired Sept. 30 after 43 years in the industry. Dana lverson will assume Morton's position.

Beryl Buley, ex-Kohls, has joined Sears, Roebuck & Co. as senior v.p./general mgr. of home stores, including Sears Hardware and Orchard Supply Hardware. He replaces Dan Laughlin, who has been promoted to senior v.p./general merchandise mgr. of appliances and electronics.

Joe Cone, ex-Diversified Forest Products, has established Cone Wood Products Inc.. Blackshear. Ga.

Marvin Willey has established Willey Land and Lumber Co., Port Neches, Tx., to trade southern pine lumber.

Roger Ball is store mgr. of the new Home Deoot in Sherman. Tx.

Eric Carey and Bryan Trussell have joined the sales team at Conner Industries, Inc., Fort Worth, Tx. Also new to sales are Bobby Meade, Conroe, Tx., and Jeremy Studdard, Jackson, Ms. Richard Bell is now with the Conner Packaging and Crating division.

Elizabeth Hill has transferred from Loxley, Al., to the outside sales team at Klumb Forest Products Center, Greeneville. Tn.

Nathan Potter has been promoted to v.p. of sales for DW Distribution, Desoto, Tx.

Scotty Booth, formerly rvith Williamette Industries, has joined Anthony Forest Products as procurement mgr. for its Urbana. La.. sawmill region.

Alyssa King is new to 84 Lumber Co., Murrysville. Pa.. as an inventory mgr. New mgr. trainees include Vincent Huck, Harmarville, Pa.; Nathan Gordon, Lancaster, Oh., and Rob Evenhouse, Raleigh, N.C. Valarie Bueil is a new components accounting clerk and Matthew Yuvan a computer programmer at corporate offices in Eighty Four, Pa.

Jon Grass, ex-North St. Louis Lumber Co., is new to International Forest Products' Industrial Division, Tampa, Fl.

Robert R. Buck has joined Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., Peabody, Ma., as president and c.e.o.

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Garnett McCollum, ex-MeadWestvaco, has joined G-Plex Forest Products, Peachtree City, Ga.

Martha Finn Brooks, president, Alcan Rolled Products Americas and Asia, and senior v.p. of Alcan, has been elected to the board of International Paper, Stamford, Ct.

Gary Finseth, Flood Co., Hudson, Oh., has been promoted to v.p.-marketing.

Rick E. Keup has been named president of Simonton Windows, Parkersburg, w.v.

Patrick J. Kenny has been promoted to business mgr. of PPG Industries' construction market team in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Marilyn Morgan, formerly with Acco Brands, is the nerv marketing mgr. for the Chamberlain Group's retail division, Elmhurst, Il.

Steve Synnott has been elected president and c.e.o. of the Pro Group Inc. 's board of directors. Richard Page will remain c.e.o. and Gary Cosgrave will stay chairman of the board.

John Plassmeyer, ex-BMA, is now an account rep for The Buying Source, Greenville, S.C., in the Midwest and North Central regions.

Alden Robbins, Robbins Lumber Inc., Searsmont, Me., joined a week-long trade mission to Ireland organized by the Maine International Trade Center.

Lois Carmen Denominator is the new hiring director for Mungus-Fungus

Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

Chain Buys Indianapolis Yard

Builders FirstSource has acquired Indianapolis, In.-based Davidson Lumber Co. and its installed sales division, Space Concepts.

Currently under third generation owners Larry Davidson and his sister, Debbie Hillenburg, Davidson Industries, Inc. had operated its lumber business for the past 75 years in the Indianapolis market, introducing products such as wood roof trusses, pre-built wall panels and pre-hung door units to the area. Facilities included a component plant and supply center on 40 acres in Franklin, In., and a distribution center in North Indianapolis.

The facilities will be incorporated into Builders FirstSource's Central Division. "Davidson fits our strategy perfectly," noted Builders Firstsource chairman and c.e.o. Floyd Sherman. "The company is the clear market leader in a strong area and has a significant truss and wall panel manufacturing capability."

Based in Dallas, Tx., Builders

FirstSource operates 82 manufacturing facilities and 58 distribution centers in I I states.

Two Die In Ohio Yard Blast

Two firefighters were killed and nine other people injured from an explosion inside a silo at Hoge Lumber Co., New Knoxville, Oh.

The Oct. I blast occurred about about two hours after fire crews were called to a fire in the concrete silo. The explosion blew off the top of the silo, launching chunks of concrete up to 100 yards away.

Killed were John Garman and Kenneth Jutte, who was on top of the 70-ft. tall silo. Another firefighter in an aerial bucket was thrown to the ground.

Among the injured were seven firefighters and four employees, including v.p. Jack Hoge.

The silo held wood shavings and sawdust to feed the boiler. Investigations continue into the causes ofboth the fire and the explosion.

The 99-year-old, family-owned lumber company produces cabinetry, building supplies, and bills itself as the world's largest maker of wood bowlins lanes.

Fortress Wood Products uses Osmose" Naturewood' and CCA wood preservatives, and our treated wood products carry a limited lifetime warranty against termites and fungal decay. Our products are third party inspected by SPIB and Fortress quality control provides testing by our own laboratory to insure quality of treatment and proper retention of preservative.

Fortress has recently upgraded our treating plant to a fully automated treating system. Upgrades such as this one, enable Fortress to remain your low cost producer.

With production facilities in Greensboro, Henderson and Elizabeth City, NC, Fotress is ideally positioned to service lumberyards throughout the Mid-Atlantic states

If you can't find a product, call us and we'llftnd it for yoa!

APA-The Engrneered Wood Association held its annual meeting Sept. 14-18 in San Diego, Ca. (1) Steve Killgore, John & Chrissy Murphy (2) Bob Maurer, Pat Harris. (3) Bil |r/ tchel , Clary & Frankie Anthony. (4) Conrad Chmielewsk , Benny Teai (5) Tony Vuksick, Mark Alness. (6) Melinda Lilley, Ben Floyd, Cathy Lynch (7) Donna Meade, Greg Brzozowski, (8) Chris Chappell. Ray Turenne, Rod de Sequera. (9) Heri Baum, Ole Sorensen, (10) Steve Blankenship, Michael Pratt. (11) Tony Bowman, Lisa Phlllips, Alex Brown. (12) Roger Roatch. Ruth & Claire

Bt-nrrrr; Pnouuc ls l)r(;Esr Novrvern 2003

Vermedahl. (13) Linda Kaye, Bill Corbin. (14) Craig & Lynne Adair, Gary Rupert. (15) Conn e Rexroad. Mike St. John. (16) Chuck Malpass, Spike Bruggeman. Ken Caylor, Mark Gryziec, (17) Tom & Claudia Westbrook. (18) Peter Lynch. Jimmy Hunt. (19) Aaron Babcock, Jeff Redd (20) Jennifer Cover, Ed Underwood, Dennis Lapierre. (21) Linda & Doug Calvert, Sabrina & Jim Enright, (22) KaIhy & Dave Larecy, Lucie

Gauthier, Mark Craig, (23) Michelle Simmons, Rick Chaney. (24) Kerlin Drake. Dave Crane.

L-P Moving Home Base To Nashville

As part of its onging consolidation, Lousiana-Pacific Corp. will relocate its corporate headquarters from Portland. Or.. to Nashville. Tn.. over the next 12 to 15 months.

The move follows a major restructuring in which L-P divested non-strategic operations to reduce debt and improve financial flexibility, enabling the company to focus on growing its retained, strategic business.

Charlotte. N.C.. and Richmond. Va.. as well as its existing location in Portland, Or., were other places being considered,

"All four cities demonstrated their desire to attract or retain our headquarters," said L-P chairman and c.e.o. Mark Suwyn.

"Our center of gravity has certainly moved to the East," said L-P spokesman David Dugan, "Nashville is very centrally located, and it has the best proximity to our mills, customers and investors."

The company said it will keep about 130 positions in Portland, where they now employ 210, and plans to move approximately 15 more positions to the Northwest as part of the overall consolidation. Additionally, L-P will centralize many employees from its office in Charlotte, N.C., which it plans to shut down by the end of 2004. Employees from other administrative offices in Hayden Lake, Id., Conroe, Tx., Shaumburg, Il., Troy, Mi., and Montreal, Quebec, will move to the new headquarters.

The company expects the impact of the move to vary by location. "Some will see minimal impact, while others will consolidate in greater numbers to the new headquarters," said Suwyn.

G-P Gypsum Files Patent Lawsuit

Georgia-Pacific Corp. has filed suit alleging BPB America is infringing on the U.S. patents for its Dens family of interior and exterior gypsum panel products.

The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Wilmington, De., claims BPB's Glasroc products infringe on Dens lines' fiberglass mat-faced gypsum board technologies.

Home Builders Prefer Wood Panels

When using structural panels in home construction, builders overwhelmingly prefer engineered wood products, such as OSB and plywood, according to a new survey.

A Forintek Canada Corp. study indicated builders are continually satisified with the two types of wood products in single-family residential construction. Builders gave wood structural panels a high satisfaction rating and reported they use them SOVo of the time.

An initial report based on research detailed the residential construction industry's current demand for wall product, product usage and possible future use in prefabricated building. The primary concern of builders was that the wall be straight and square, followed by on-site concerns, such as speed of assembly, ease of handling, and level of waste.

The researchers concluded panelized walls represent l87o of the single-family construction market share in the U.S., and more than 40Vo of builders have tried panelized walls, suggesting there is a growth market for them in single-family residential construction, based on demographic forecasts of qualified labor shortages and probable consolidation of residential builders.

"With the qualified labor force declining and manufacturers consolidating, this should lead to more in-plant manufacturing of housing components," said Craig Adair, director of market research at APA.

The results of the first study spurred the researchers to delve deeper into the specific markets of wall panels and roof trusses, which identified specific species of lumber preferred by manufacturers, and consumer satisfaction rating levels of lumber and structural panels.

The second study confirmed the same trend as the first one-panelized walls are the wave of the future in singlefamily home construction.

With OSB reigning as the top sheathing used at over 70Vo and plywood at just under lU%a nationwide in2OOl, wood structural panels dominate the panelized wall market.

Nationwide, wall panelizers' use of other sheathing products, such as foam, fiberboard and foil-faced kraftboard remain at less than 57o.

The percentage of panels consumed varied per region as well. Plywood stood at 22Vo in the West, but only 57o in the North and 4Vo in the South.

Lumber Retailers As Role Models

Juergens Do it Center, Huntington, In., and Gilman's Do it Best Home Center, Connersville, In., were honored by U.S. Senator Evan Bayh, D-Indiana, for their success as small business role models.

Sen. Bayh said small businesses such as these two are engines for economic growth in Indiana because they provide high-quality jobs for people in their community, and have the ability to foster growth even in the midst of a weak economy.

Juergens Do it Center obtained a loan at a secured low rate to help expand its existing store, which made it easier for the company to get an additional loan from the local bank since it spread out the risk, said mgr. Dan Juergens.

Gilman's Do it Best Home Center acquired an SBA loan last year as well, and used it to help open its third store in Connorsville. "I strongly suggest that businesses pursue SBA loans," said Charlie Gilman, president.

COMPOSITE REPLACEMENT: The Woods Resort, Hedgesville, W.V., recently replaced the 5,000-sq. ft. redwood deck around its Olympicsized pool with TimberTech Tongue-and-Groove planks. The original, multi-level deck, complete with 500 ft. of railino and 200 ft. of fencino. had already been replaced twice with redwood, but still faced maintSnance problems, such as splinters, loose railings and protruding nails.

Three-Roller Belt Sander

The DeWalt DW433 belt sander has been redesigned with a variable ample speed control and S-amp motor. The belt speed ranges from 850 to 1,400 surface ft. per minute. The tool is said to mark the first use of a threeroller design to improve balance and provide the lowest center of gravity on a3"x2l" sander.

Double-Sided Deck Planks

Two decking surface options in one plank are now available from TimberTech. The TwinFinish 5/4" Plank features one side with a brushed surface, while the other side has a woodgrain texture.

The planks are made from a formulation of pure plastic resins and wood flour, which reportedly provides resistance to rotting, warping and insect damage.

They come 5-Il2" wide and l" deep, in 12', 16' and 20' lengths. The planks span 16" on-center, are backed by a lO-year limited warranty, and come in cedar, gray and redwood.

- Please contact (800) 3077780 or visit www.timbertech.com

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Guard Floors With Color

The Flood Co. has added a clear toner base to its FloodProWoodTones series, which can be custom tinted in a variety of colors.

The mildew-resistant finish with transoxides is said to guard against UV damage, while protecting wood.

The clear toner base is compatible with multiple colorant systems. The oil finish wood tones are available in pre-mixed natural, cedar and redwood.

- Please contact (800) 321-3444 or visit www.floodco.com

brushed aluminum melamine unfinished mahogany, or oak-faced board.

- Please contact (888) 772-1400 or visit www.o ut lvater.com

Steadied By A Nose

A slip-resistant nose piece for l" to 3" auto-feed screw systems has been added to Pamfast's Pl3 series.

The tool employs a removable dust bag that withstands impact if dropped. The cord is located on top to avoid damage.

- Please contact (800) 433-9258 or visit www.dewalt.com

Add Flair To Screen Panels

A series of decorative screenins panels are new from Outwater Plastici Industries.

Designed to add flair to any type of paneling, the 13 different patterns are offered in unfinished MDF, hardwood and pine veneer-faced board in 6'x2' varieties.

The panels come in white PVC,

The nose piece reportedly improves accuracy, and the polyethylene covering helps to ensure the nose stays in place as screws are fastened.

- Please contact (704) 394-3141 or visit www.pamfast.com

Shield Your Concrete Floors

A self-leveling, seamless epoxy coating system is new from Garon Products.

The Tigershield coating system is designed to use on spalled and damaged concrete because it gets into small cracks and prevents the penetration of dirt and bacteria.

It complies with OSHA regula- tions, is VOC compliant, and approved by the USDA and EPA.

- Please contact (732) 223-2500 or visit www. garonproduct s.

Cedar Look-Alike Shake

Nichia Corp. has introduced a fiber cement roofing shake with the look of real cedar.

Siena Premium Shake is l/2" thick and 8' long. It's factory sealed on all sides, and overlaps with a blind nail for a tight fit.

- Please contact (866) 424-4421 or visit www.nichia.com

LSL On The Edge

TimberStrand laminated strand lumber (LSL) EdgeForm is new from TruJoist.

It is designed for forming non-elevated sidewalks, driveways and other ground level slabs, as well as for tiltup construction. It is said to eliminate the need for stacking, and resists bowing, twisting and shrinking.

- Please contact (800) 338-0515 or visit www.w et e r hae u s e r. c oml w bm

Stop Dropped Screws

Star-tipped screw holding designed to fit all common star

tools head from screws are new Bondhus Corp. ProHold Tips have a non-magnetic, corrosionproof button that holds screws to the tool, helping to eliminate dropped screws.

The tools feature a ProGuard finish. which is said to offer five times more corrosion orotection compared to traditional finishes.

- Please contact (800) 328-8310 or visit www.bondhus.com

Pocket-Sized Panel Lifter

A panel lifter made to lift all standard sizes of drywall sheets is new from Marshalltown.

The QLT panel lifter has a nonclogging rasp with protective guides, and is said to be lightweight and compact enough to fit into a pocket.

- Please contact (800) 987-6935 v is it www.mar shal ltow n.com

Colonial-Look Cabi netry

Canyon Creek Cabinet has introduced eisht new doors to its framed and framdless line of cabinetry.

Hammering With Less Shock

Fiberglass and solid steel framing hammers have been added to Vaushan & Bushnell's BlueMax hammer liie.

The Halifax veneer door has solid edges; oak, maple, cherry and hickory faces and edges may be mixed and matched. The applied moulding doors are available in six different looks.

- Please contact (206) 674-0973 or vi sit www.canyonc re e k.com

Routers Go Round

Routers designed for inverted router table mounting and portable freehand use have been introduced by Porter Cable Corp.

The 890 series features adjustable speeds, a knob designed for easy micro-height adjustments in and out of a router table, a dual-position dust proof switch, overmold finger grips on handles and motor banel. and an autoengaging spindle lock.

- Please contact (404) 266-7596 or v isit www.po rte r - cable.com

Wheat Straw Fiberboard

Columbia Forest Products is now offering a core material made from wheat straw.

Woodstalk Fiberboard MR is manufactured with DowBio Products formaldehyde-free resin and wheat straw fiber.

They feature a head-start magnetic nail-holding notch for extended reach and one-handed hammerins.

The solid steel Blue Mlx includes Shock-B lok, a vibration-absorbing insert in the head, and the fiberglass model features a shock-cushionins hollow core handle.

- Please visit the company online ut www.valtghanmfg.c om

Stains Be Gone

A combination latex sealer. nrimer and stainblocker is new -from Masterchem Industries.

It is said to contribute to low-emitting materials through the Leed Green Building Rating System.

- Please visit the company online at www.c o I umb iafo r e st

Kllz 2 reportedly seals and blocks most household stains, including crayon, pencil, ink, marker, rust and grease. It dries to the touch within 30 minutes and can be re-coated in one hour. Water-based, it purportedly has a mild odor and can also be used on exterior surfaces.

- Please contact (866) 774-6371 or visit www.kil:..com

Porcelain-Cutting Blade

Felker has introduced a narrowwidth diamond blade made for cutting oorcelain tile and other hard surfaces.

The TM-7's blade width has been narrowed from 65-85mm to 60mm, and has more horsepower per sq. in. than other similar blades.

It is said to lessen the possibility of breakins the tile near the end of the cut sin6e the blade is sharper and removes less material when cutting.

- Please contact (310) 787-1940 or v i sit www.fe lke r saw s.c om

Adjustable Arches

Easy-Arch has added an adjustable metal framing arch for deeper openlngs.

Made from pre-formed 2O-gauge galvanized steel, the arches can be adjusted to fit any opening from 2.5" to 12.5".

Composite Engagement

Stainless steel screws designed for composite wood substitute deckinp materials are now availl able from Swan Secure.

Swercs fasteners feature a triple-thread form with f ine thread below their small, inconspicuous heads to suppress the "exhaust" generated during installation.

The screw's six-lobe drive is said to deliver positive bit engagement with no cam-out.

- Please contact (800) 966-2801 or go online at wwtt. swansecure.c'om

Chop Saw Wheels

Cut-off wheels for chop saws using I " or 20mm arbors are new from T. Christy Enterprises.

Sealed For Ages

Bond Distributing Ltd. has introduced a wood sealer with a sevenyear warranty to protect against UV rays, water and wind damage.

OneTime uses a technology that penetrates into the cellular structure of wood. It reportedly covers two to three times more square footage per gallon than traditional sealers.

Its resin blend does not contain solvents, water or waxes, and can be applied to natural or treated wood. It comes in cedar. red cedar and clove brown finishes.

- Please contact (866) 723-7325 o r v i sit www.onetimewood.c: om

They can be used in drywall applications, light gauge steel framing, concrete form and Styrofoam construction. Styles include the quarter circle, 180" half circle, eyebrow, elliptical and compound radius.

- Please contact (800) 854-2461 or vi s it www.e asy -arch.com

They come in 12" and 14" and are 1/8" thick.

The metal blades are made from aluminum oxide, and the masonry and ductile iron blades are made from silicon carbide.

- Please contact (800) 258-4583 or vis it www.tc hr i stv.com

Colorful Steeps And Slopes

Color-coordinated steep and low slope roofing products are new from CertainTeed.

Environment-Friendly Foam

A lightweight rigid expanded polystyrene foam insulation that has no CFC's, HCFC's or formaldehyde is now offered by Atlas Roofing Corp.

DensArmor Abuse Guard Firesuard is made for interior wall assem6lies for high traffic areas, such as schools and hospitals.

A coated glass mat surface on the back of panels protects the wall cavity from moisture, and heavy-duty, abra-

Color Companion Products are available in the Flintastic Modified Bitumen oroduct lines to match all shingle nine colors within CertainTeed's steep-slope line.

- Please contact (610) 341-7328 or so online at www.certainteed.com

Uinyl Goncepts&

Falcon Foam EPS insulation may be recycled through EPS collection sites throughout the country.

- Please contact (770) 952-1442 or go online at www.etlasroofing. com

Panel Boards Made Tougher

G-P Gypsum has added 5/8" interior gypsum panel boards designed to resist mold and impact to its Densguard product line.

sion-resistant paper protects the face of panels. The panels can be used in any assembly when Type X wallboard is specified.

- Please contact (800) 225-61 19 or go online at www.gp.com/gypsum

Safe, splinter-free vinyl decks and railings

Spend

News Briefs

(Continued frutm page l8)

Weyerhaeuser Co. agreed to sell 168.000 acres of timberland in Tennessee for $65 million to Fountain Investments Inc. to rcpay debt

Weyerhae user Structurwood is switching four additional OSB mills from APA to TECO certification. beginning Jan. l; with the addition of Grayling, Mi.; Elkin, N.C.; Arcadia, La., and Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada, TECO will certify 20 panel mills for Weyerhaeuser

General Woods & Veneers Ltd. is ceasing production at Swords Veneer & Lumber Co., Rock Island, Il., Dec. I after 41 years; 94 workers will lose theirjobs...

International Paper will pay $410,000 to six former employees in Pine Bluff, Ar., who alleged age discrimination as part of a consent decree entered with the E.E.O.C.: the sum will come in the form of retirement benefits and back pay

Anthony Forest Products ' wood laminating plant in El Dorado, Ar., qualified for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative labeling program

Lincoln Logs Ltd., Chestertown, N.Y., acquired sawmill Adirondack Forest Industries, Galway, N.Y. ...

Trex Co. received a $300,000 grant to add a 2,000-sq. ft. rail extension to its Winchester, Va., plant

Chamberlain Group, Elmhurst, Il., has acquired Elite Access Systerrs and Elite Entry Phone, Lake Forest, Ca.

Grffin Lumber Co., Cordele, Ga., sustained a mid-moming fire Sept. 26 in a dry kiln

Waltersdorff M/9., New Oxford, Pa., is consolidating its Hq., milling operations and separate leased warehouse at a 54,000-sq. ft. building in Hanover, Pa., early next year; a showroom will be added by 2006

Woodcraft Supply Co. will add 1l retail locations by Jan. 6, including Nashville and Johnson City, Tn.; Indianapolis, In.; Oklahoma City, Ok.; Wilmington, De.; Greensboro, N.C.; Virginia Beach and Roanoke, Va.; Jacksonville, Fl., and Albany, N.Y. ...

Louisana-Pacific Corp. donated I million sq. ft. of OSB to the N.C. coastal region damaged by Hurricane Isabel.

Potlatch Corp. 's OSB plant in Bemidji, Mn., will temporarily shut down its No. I line from Nov. 24 to Dec. 5 to install in-line sanding capability and do routine maintenance

DAP Products, Baltimore, Md., has acquired sealant/caulk manufacturer Gloucester Co., Franklin, Ma. Montrose Reload 1nc.. Montrose. Co., has increased its number of trucks from 15 to 28...

Old Bridge Chemicals, OId Bridge, N.J., recently expanded its capacity to 24 million lbs. of copper carbonate products...

Mid- State Lumber, Branchburg, N.J., is now distributing a full line of Koma PYC Trimboards

Ertruded Polystyrene Foam Association has been formed by several leading manufacturers

Anniversaries; Frank Miller Lumber, Union City, In., 100th .. West End Lumber, Houston, Tx., 8Oth... West Durham Lumber, Durham, N.C., 80th... Stotlar Lumber, Marion. Il.. 1sth Ace Hardware. Eureka. Il.. 25th Iowa Lumber & Construction, Des Moines. Ia.. 20th ... Prime Lumber, Thomasville, N.C., l5th.

Biewer Switches To CBA

To be in compliance with the mandated Dec. 30 deadline to stop production of CCA for non-industrial applications, Biewer Lumber, Lansing, Mi., has changed to copper azole, effective Nov. l.

Although the company has begun manufacturing Wolmanized Natural Select building materials, CCA products will be offered as long as inventories are available.

The company will continue to carry CCA industrial products, such as posts, pilings, utility poles and permanent wood foundations.

Hard Surface Flooring Grows

The demand for hard surface flooring in the U.S. is expected to increase 3.3Vo annually for the next four years, totaling 9 billion sq. ft., according to a new study from The Freedonia Group.

The increase is expected to be stimulated by rebounding commercial construction and residential repairs and improvements, as well as product innovations, such as mechanical locking laminates.

The laminate, wood and ceramic tile segments are expected to capture the market share from carpets and rugs, which have been the strongest segment in the past. Since its introduction in the mid '90s, laminate flooring has been growing yearly at a high double-digit pace.

By 20O7, laminate flooring is expected to account for more than 20Vo of the demand for non-resilient flooring and more than l07o of the demand for hard surface flooring. The demand for wood and ceramic tile flooring will be spurred by a growing consumer preference for high-end products made of natural materials, according to the study.

Until now, vinyl flooring products, such as sheet, tile and composition tile. have dominated the hard surface flooring market.

Although vinyl flooring is anticipated to continue to account for the greatest share by volume of all hard surface flooring shipments through 200'7 , its overall share in terms of value is expected to fall just under one-half in 2007-which is down from almost three-fourths in 1992. The decrease is expected from competition of advanced and premium nonresilient flooring products, such as laminate and wood floor coverings, which are increasing in popularity.

NATIONAL SASH & Door Jobbers Association recentlv held its annual convention in Orlando, Fl: (1) Incoming president Biian & Shannon Mcllwee. (2) Randy Roedl, Terry Lewis. (3) Kellie Schroeder, Kimberly Lister. (4) Doug House, Corol Lyn Groce, Chris Terrels. (5) Jerry McNamara, Susan Gurry, Ken Stubert, Barbara Gahan, Jim McOooey. (6) Rod Nichols, Ken Caylor. (7) Alberto Valenzela, Juan Carlos Ugarte, Ramon Vergara. (8) Dallas Stovall, Mark Schongalla, Catherine Towers, Lonnie Ramey. (9) Tom Elias, Howard Simons. (10) Nick Georgelis, Greg

BurLorNc Pnooucrs DrcRsr NoveveEn 2003

Haupt. (11)Enin Norlie, Alex Vaynshtok. (12) Bryan Hoyle, Mark Setzer, Jim Murk. (13) Becky Plemmons, Mary Anderson, Kathy Cope. (14) Larry Blagrave, John Monison, Mark Westlake. (15) Cal German, Tom Keller, Randy Luebe, Kevin Hughes, Jim Houser. (16) Omar Pabst, Erwin Kaufmann, Charles Kimber, Rodrigo Monreal, Rodrigo Winther. (17) Joel Adamson, Garnett Douglass. (18) Scott Vollbrecht, Gary Lacy. (19) Jeff Baker, Scott Kipp. (20) Charlie Risinger, Greg Thom, James Danielsen. (More photos on next page)

(Culvert Pipe - 8" to 48"Comes in 20 ft. lengths) Conugated Drainage Pipe

Slotted. Solid. or Septic-Leach Bed Styles

NSDJA'ERS (continued from previous page): (1) David Hurless, Chuck Crowlev. Michael Mendola. (2) Pete Himes, Jim Snodqrass, Duane Roth. (3j Doug LaDue, Josh Tyler, Lany White, Kathy Seito. (4) Gary Poole,'Jim Tri6e, Neal Grubbs,'Caivin H'enderson. (5)'Joe Robie's, J.F.

Gullo, Mike Splettstosser, (6) Derek Daly, Dave Williams. (7) Dan Beaty, Craig Young. (8) Scott Adkins, Brit Blair, Terry Ward, Rale Hagel, (9) Porter Andreas, Rosalie Leone, Bill Simon.

Dealer Parts With Casework Plant

In an effort to focus on its core pro business, Brown Lumber Co., Traverse City, Mi., has consolidated its casework manufacturing on-site millwork shop and sold its Brown Manufacturing casework plant in Grawn, Mi., to Odom Re-Use Co.

"Contractor sales were always our main business and we're re-focusing on that," said Ted Shaw, co-owner with Scott Williams and Phil Cochran, Jr. Pro sales represent about 927a of Brown's business.

Faced with thinner profit margins, the company shut down its Brown Manufacturing subsidiary in May.

In time, the partners hope to sell their current properties and relocate. "With most of our business being with contractors, we don't need such a high-visibility, high-traffic location," Cochran said

DHP To Sponsor NASCAR Series

Diamond Hill Plywood Co., Darlington, S.C., will assume title sponsorship of the spring's NASCAR Busch Series race for the next three years.

According to DHP executive v.p. Jim Ramsey, "My brother John and I have been long-time fans of Darlington Raceway and NASCAR, basically since the day our grandfather, Sherman Ramsey, donated the property on which Darlington Raceway now operates."

DHP had sponsored the event from 1991 to 1999. This time around, the company also plans to sponsor a golf tournament in conjunction with the race weekend, the Diamond Hill Plywood Golf Classic. ln 2004, the golf tournamenr will be held March 19, the race March 20.

"The Diamond Hill Plywood Co. 200 NASCAR Busch Series event and the Diamond Hill Plywood Golf Classic are perfect promotional venues to showcase our building supply customers and industry suppliers," said John Ramsey, chairman and c.e.o.

Arch, Bayer Sign Trademark Deal

Bayer AG has agreed to allow Arch Treatment Technologies to use Bayer's Preventol trademark in promoting Wolmanized Natural Select wood. Preventol is the trademarked fungicide used in the copper azole preservative that protects Natural Select wood.

"The real impact of the agreement," explained Arch v.p. Tom Kyzer, "is that it advances the relationship between Bayer, an internationally respected producer of chemical ingredients, and Arch, a leader in wood preservation, as the science of preservation continues to evolve."

Dr. Navnit Upadhyay, marketing mgr.-specialty products at Bayer Chemicals, echoed the mutual possibilities: "Our knowledge in organic chemistry is an excellent match for Arch's expertise in wood preservation. The treated wood market is looking for preservatives that rely less on traditional metals and more on organic components."

Home Depot Ratchets Up Security

Home Depot is installing digital video surveillance in all its retail locations over the next few months to reduce shrinkage and deter fraud.

The new technology will enable the retailer to store digital images and e-mail them to law enforcement agencies. The security cameras can also help deter and investigate cases of identity theft.

"We are employing [this] technology to meet a number of important objectives," said Marvin Ellison, Home Depot's v.p.-loss prevention.

One of the objectives is, according to Ellison, "generating business intelligence that can be used to improve merchandising."

The surveillance technology will be provided by Verint Systems, a Melville, N.Y., supplier of software-based solutions for communications interception, video security and business intelligence.

Home Depot expects to install the new video cameras throughout its 1,576 stores.

REVVING UP: New Diamond Hill Plywood Co. race sponsorship was announced by (l-r) Andrew Gurtis, president of Darlington Raceway, with DHP c.e.o. and piesident John Ramsey, executive v.p-. ,tim Ramsey, and v.p. of sales & marketing Geary Sharber.

Mill Worker Dies After Burns

A worker at B.A. Mullican Lumber and Manufacturing Co., Norton, Va., died of severe burns OcL 12, 12 days after accidentally dumping hot ashes on himself.

According to plant mgr. Rick Birchfield, ashes are produced at the hardwood flooring mill by two woodfired boilers and contained in hoppers. Cold water is used to cool the ashes, and then a forklift is typically used to remove and empty the hoppers.

Mark R. Mefford, 36, sustained burns to about 35Vo of his body, Birchfield said, apparently after removing the ashes without cooling them and using a piece of equipment other than a forklift.

After the accident, the victim remained conscious, walked into the office and told co-workers he needed an ambulance.

The state Department of Labor and Industry is investigating.

Alcoa Plans Composite Lines

Known for its aluminum and vinyl siding and accessories, Alcoa Home Exteriors is expanding into composite decking and railing through a partnership with PVC-U extruder Dayton Technologies.

Their first collaboration on "a new generation of building products" will launch by early 2004 with a composite decking and railing program.

Monroe, Oh.-based Dayton will expand one of its plants to accommodate production of the new decking line, which will be composed of high density polyethylene and wood flour.

Itr*t

Building Products Digest welcomes your comments. Send to Editor, BPD,450O Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660; Fax 949-852-0231, or email dko e ni g @ b uildin g -produc ts.c om.

FUEL FOR THE FIRE

Your September editorial ("Curbing Wildfires Again a Hot Issue," p. 6) was right on the mark.

As a Midwestern lumber wholesaler, we source much of our lumber from the forests of the Northwestern U.S. and western Canada. We empathize with the producers on both sides of the border who are affected by forest fires. The conditions con-

ducive to fires need to be reversed by government policy for better forest management. On the U.S. side, the proposed legislation of HR 1904, known as the Healthy Forest Initiative, is a step in the right direction.

Here's an example of how we in the forest products supply chain can help. At this year's Sprengerfest held Sept. 13, we were pleased to have Jim Hurst of Owens & Hurst Lumber as our guest speaker to bring his message to our lumber dealer customers. The Owens & Hurst mill at Eureka, Mt., has been impacted by restrictive logging policy. The mill was shut down for part of the summer due to a lack of logs-this in a region that is becoming a tinderbox forest because of aging trees and insect infestation, causing falldown and fuel for wild fires. According to Jim, HR 1904 would serve both goals of improving forest health and utilization of the resource for human needs, changing a lose-lose situation to a win-win!

Jim urged us to contact our Senators and Congressmen to support HR 1904. It looks like the political winds may be going our way.

I received a response from my contact with Senator Daschle's office.

Although usually on opposing sides of the issues with Bush Administration proposals, Senator Daschle expressed hope that "in the end, we can develop a bipartisan proposal that can win approval in the Senate and provide federal land managers with the tools and resources they need to protect homes, businesses and communities, and improve the health of our national forests and public lands."

Let's get behind this "bipartisan" effort to remove the fuel from the fires.

Steve Sprenger

Sprenger Midwest Inc. Sioux Falls, S.D. steve @ sprengermidwest.com

Thomas Herbert Guerry, Jr., 88, chairman of the board for Guerry Lumber, Savannah, Ga., died Sept. 24 in Savannah.

A native of Savannah, Mr. Guerry was also involved with Savannah Wood Preserving, Savannah, which is operated by his son, Herb Guerry III.

Southern Pine Council promotions generote thousonds of inquiries from folks who wonl to know where to find Southern Pine moteriols. Our website, www.soulhernpine.com, feolures on eosy-to-use "where to buy" directory.

lf you ore o deoler or distributor of Southern Pine lumber products, odd your compony to our directory so thot interesled buyers con find you! The listing is FREE, ond signup is eosy. Just go to www.soulhernpine.com/signup.htm.

ploce

Rates: 25 words for $25, additional words 70d each. Phone number counts as one word, address as six. Headline or centered copy, $6 per line. Private box or special border, $6 each. Column inch rate: $45 camera-

ready, $55 if we set the type. Send ad copy to Building Products Digest, 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach. Ca. 92660, Fax 949-852-0231, or call (949) 852-1990. Ad must be prepaid unless you have established credit with us. Make checks payable to Cutler Publishing. Deadline for copy: l8th of the month.

To reply to ads with private box numbers, send correspondence to box number shown, c/o Building Products Digest. Names of advenisers using a box number cannot be released.

CLASSI FT ED ADVERTISI NG Order Blank

Great opportunity for experienced trader with steady accounts. 607o commission split for trader. Any product line. Relocation not necessary. Excellent oflice support, great credit, and financial strength. Call John at Lakeside Lumber Products, (623) 566-7100, fbl confi dential discussion.

per column inch for camera ready copy; $55 if we set type)

633-7539

Great

Gulf States Paper Corp. .................................(205) 562-5000

Hogan Hardwoods (Hot Springs, Ar.l .............(87 7 ) 523-0200

Hogan Hardwoods (Little Rock, Ar.)...............(800) 985-7385

Hogan Hardwoods (Santa Rosa, Fl.) .............(866) 758-7041

Hood Industries,.,.,,.,,........,,. .,.....,..,.(601 ) 735-5071

Hoover Treared Wood Products (Fl.) .............(904) 258-7818

Hoover Treated Wood Products (Ga.)............(800) 531-5558

1angb0ard...,....,....,. .,..,.(229) 263-8943

McEwen Lumber Co (Al ) .......(334) 432-2322

McEwen Lumber Co, (Delray Beach, Fl,)..,.,,.(561) 276-5155

McEwen Lumber Co. (Jacksonville, Fl.) .........(904) 783-01 70

McEwen Lumber Co. (Orlando, Fl.)................(407) 299 4280

lilcEwen

l\,fcEwenLumberCo.(Ky.)..... .......(502]1297-8321

llonrnllsr

Manufacturers Assn..........(877) 607-7262

Starborn Industries (DeckFast) ......................(800) 596-7747

Vinyl Concepts & Design,..,..,..,..,....,,,,...........(508) 580-3072

Weaber, Inc............ .......(800) 745-9663

Weyerhaeuser Building li]a|ena|s...................(877) 235-6873

Work Safe Specialty Products........................(734) 878-01 54

Souru

(nrmr

Allied Plywood & 1umber...............................(800) 231-0061

Austin Wholesale Decking...(877) 834-3325 (512) 834-1200

Breco Wood Products..........(800) 742-3093 (903) 868-1 541

8urkDistributi0nCenter.................................(800)580-7748

Capital Lumber Co. (Tx.)......................... .......(254) 7 41 -1727

Cedar Creek Wholesale (Oklahoma City) ......(800) 375-6025

Cedar Creek Wholesale, Inc. (Tulsa, Ok.)......(800) 299-9870 DixiePly

Hogan Hardwoods (Baton Rouge, La.) ..........(888) 343-5488

Hogan Hardwoods (Fort Worth,

Mro-Arurnc

Beautiful Home Supply (Va.) .......(540) 7 10-7144

Carolina Atlantic...... ......(800) 672-3555

Chadsworth's 1.800.Columns ........................(800) 486-21 18

Chemical Specialties, Inc. .......,......................(704]| 522-0825

Chesapeake Hardwood Pr0ducts...................(800) 446-81 62

Cox Wood Preserving C0...............................(800) 476-4401

Crumpler Plastic Pipe.....................................(800) 334-5071

Diamond Hill Plywood Co. (Charlotte, N.C.)...(800) 737-7134

Diamond Hill Plywood Co. (Greensboro) .......(800) 737-7130

Diamond Hill Plywood Co. (Raleigh N.C.),.,..,(800) 737-7133

Diamond Hill Plywood Co. (Darlington, S.C.) .(800) 737-7126

Diamond Hill Plywood Co. (Greenville, S.C.) .(800) 737-7132

Diamond Hill Plywood Co. (Chesapeake)......(800) 737-7131

Diamond Hill Plywood Co. (Richmond, Va.)...(800) 737-7129

Eastcoast Mouldings ....(800) 627-3263

Epperson Lbr Sales ............(800) 222-1 41 4 (7 041 87 3- 4321

Fortress Wood Products (Elizabeth City) .......(252\ 264-2466

Fortress Wood Products (Greensboro, N.C.).(866) 878-9663

Fortress Wood Products (Va.)........................(800) 289-3678

Hoover Treated Wood Products.....................(800) 531 -5558

Huber Corp., J.M. ......1704) 547-9220

Louisiana-Pacilic..... ......(800) 648-6893

l\,ladison Wood Preservers.............................(540) 948-6801

l\,lcEwen Lumber Co. (High Point, N.C.).........(336) 472-1676

lllcEwen Lumber Co. (Raleigh, N.C.) .............(919) 772-7550

McEwen Lumber Co. (Charleston, S.C.)........(843) 766-5383

.........................(800) 2s9-51 74

Mid-States Wood PreseNers .........................(800) 673-5714

Simpson Slrong-Tie (Tx.)............ ...,..............(800) 999-5099

Snider Industries ...........(903) 938-9727

Southern Pine Counci1....................................(504) 443-4464

Sure Drive USA..............................................(888) 21 9-1 700

Weyerhaeuser Co. (La ) ........(318) 255-6258

Weyerhaeuser Building l\4ateria|s...................(877) 235-6873

Wood Protection Co .......(800) 392-5670

For more information from advertisers, call them directly or visit their Web sites in hrackets.

FAX to 949-852-0231

or call (949) 852- 1990 or mail to Building Products Digest, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newporl Beach, Ca.92660-1812.

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No rnatter what your storage need, Sunbelt has you covered. We supply all types of storage systerns, frorn srnall runs of pallet or cantilever racking up to cornplete yard designs and installation. We carry traditional pallet and cantilever rack, as well as specialty board bin or A-frarne racking. We operate in all 50 states and with cornpanies of all sizes - frorn a srnall, one yard operation to larger rnulti location cornpanies. Your size doesn't rnatter, but our service does. Sunbelt is truly your one stop shop. No rnatter what you need to store or organize, our design experts will design a storage solution specifically for you, your product rnix and, your location.

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ADVANCE IIGUARD] n BORATE TREATED SItL PTATE

Builders can use borate-treated lumber as framing, si[[ plates and exterior sheath i n g ap plications. Borate-protected plywood, OSB sheathing and lumber will protect the framing structure from fungal decay and termites.

Deaters can also be sure that they will be able to provide their builder customers with borate-protected framing lumber available in muttiple species, including southern yellow pine and spruce-pine-fir.

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