Building Products Digest - March 2024

DOMAN BUILDING MATERIALS GROUP UNIFIES OPERATING DIVISIONS UNDER A MASTER BRAND TO REFLECT ITS VISION AND EVOLUTION

In a strategic move set to redefine the future landscape of our organization, we are pleased to announce a significant transformation within our various operating divisions. Moving forward, we will unite under the cohesive and powerful umbrella of the DOMAN brand — a name that has been involved in the industry for over 100 years — marking a pivotal moment in our journey.

CanWel Fiber will be rebranded as DOMAN Timber, and our Canadian and US West Coast wood treatment facilities will become DOMAN Treated Wood. CanWel Building Materials and California Cascade will unify under DOMAN Building Materials, and Hixson Lumber will become DOMAN Lumber.

This strategic decision is driven by our commitment to enhancing the synergy of our activities, fostering unity, and strengthening our market presence.

With a global footprint of 29 distribution centers, 32 treating facilities, 5 specialty sawmills, 3 truss plants, 4 specialty planing mills, 2 post and pole peeling facilities, and 109,000 acres of managed forest, we are now in the position to emerge as one of the leading providers of building materials in North America.

“It’s the way in which we support and serve our customers that makes us who we are. It’s our commitment to their success that makes us valuable. And it’s our supply chain capabilities that makes us DOMAN.” — Amar Doman, CEO

Starting now, we will gradually implement the new brand across all touchpoints. Customers, partners, and stakeholders can expect a seamless transition with no disruption to our operations.

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PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

Patrick Adams padams@526mediagroup.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Shelly Smith Adams sadams@526mediagroup.com

PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Alan Oakes

MANAGING EDITOR

David Koenig • dkoenig@526mediagroup.com

SENIOR EDITOR

Sara Graves • sgraves@526mediagroup.com

COLUMNISTS

James Olsen, Kim Drew, Claudia St. John, Dave Kahle

CONTRIBUTORS

Jeff Easterling, Ian Faight, Brad Kirkbride, Paige McAllister

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CHANGE

------------ BY PATRICK ADAMS

FRIENDS JOKE that because the first half of my life was so guarded, that I now live as an open book to balance things out in the end. It’s true that I try to be open with my thoughts, feelings and mistakes. I’m not sure whether it’s a sign that I’ve finally gotten “old,” or perhaps my mind is so full of things kept locked up that there’s no longer room to store anything else.

In light of being “open,” I will share a struggle that I seem to have lately. I have always been a person that loves change. I thought this was normal, but as I’ve grown older, I have realized that it’s almost a human condition to avoid change. We are creatures of habit. In that routine, we find reassurance and comfort. It’s a survival mechanism and although a lot of people claim to like change, their idea of change is the excitement of trying something new at a favorite restaurant. However, I never had stability, or routine, or predictability and therefore, became comfortable in settings that others would find unsettling.

It seems though that I have been “domesticated.” I now have a very blessed life, an amazing family, and a team so skilled at what they do that it humbles me. It is a bit routine, and I find myself now struggling with the changes that are being forced upon me.

My best friend, who I have mentioned several times in my stories, recently made a life decision to take on a new role with a police department in Texas. We spent a long time discussing this and his desire to take his family somewhere that closer aligns with their values while providing his kids with a greater opportunity for the future. Although this buildup of visits, vacations and applications has spanned a couple years, the day recently came where they pulled away from our neighborhood en route to their new chapter. I’ve had many chapters in my life that have ended for one reason or another, but this one felt different.

Also lately, my once “little girl,” my tomboy, and pal daughter has started to grow up. She’s 13 now and all that they say about the “teen years” has landed in our home

with a thud. She is an outside hitter on a club volleyball team, has a heavy school schedule, and now her friends and social time are VERY important to her. Our talks on drives have gotten shorter and the times she just comes out to join in on a house project have gotten fewer. Camping has taken a back burner to the volleyball schedule and most discussions center around how she is the ONLY kid in school, or volleyball that doesn’t have her own phone and still has restrictions on “tech time.”

With my son now turning 7, he too is developing a schedule of demands that now has my wife and me literally passing each other heading different directions on the highway. It’s work, her extensive time working with our kid’s school or a variety of charities, picking up kids or dropping off kids at a variety of school, sports, training, tutoring or social events. By the time we see each other, a tired smile and an “I love you” is about all we muster before collapsing into bed for the evening. Once-impulsive things like a date night dinner now have to be planned weeks in advance.

I remember a wise older man who was a mentor to me in my early 20s telling me, “Adams, be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it.” It’s true. I prayed for, worked for, and built this life that we have. And a lot of times, it is exhausting, thankless and routine. It involves sacrifice, compromise and hard decisions. It requires as much thought, strategy and perseverance as anything I’ve tackled in my life.

And… I wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s another saying that he shared with me: “Nothing worthwhile comes easily.” That is also true. And while change is sometimes hard, it is only hard when things matter to you. So, I hope as you go through changes that you too can remember behind every change is an opportunity.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve you and this great industry.

PATRICK S. ADAMS, Publisher/President padams@526mediagroup.com

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WHAT CUSTOMERS WANT... AND WESTERN RED CEDAR CAN PROVIDE

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BY BRAD KIRKBRIDE

MOST RETAIL strategies involve three key elements that factor directly into value for customers: location, pricing and product. (Communication with channel partners is also important, but that will be a topic for another article).

Location and pricing are obviously dependent on a vast number of variables, such as proximity to competitors, how far customers are willing to drive to reach you, and, as far as pricing in the softwood lumber business goes, suffice it to say there are really too many market forces at play to list here to adequately cover that. Which brings us to the product.

Knowing what a customer wants in a product seems like an obvious and over-simplified strategy. And it is: If you’re easily accessible, your price is competitive and you’re selling what a customer wants, you are pretty much guaranteed a sale—and lots of them. The hard

part, of course, is knowing what customers want, and delivering on that preference.

The good news for those of us in the softwood business is that wood is making a resurgence. Yes, there are a lot of competitive non-wood substitutes in the market vying for customers’ attention, and market factors like availability during COVID frustrated many, but with prices returning to competitive levels and a growing focus on sustainability and renewable materials, wood species like western red cedar are seeing a surge in popularity as a building and finishing material.

As awareness of climate change continues to grow, so does the realization that we need to take actions to mitigate it. We need only to look at the rise in EV use and investment in charging infrastructure to see how our attitudes toward fossil fuels are changing and how this change is turning to action. The same is hap-

REAL CEDAR is readily available, and prices are competitive with non-wood substitutes. (Photo courtesy Maker Gray LLC. Photographer: Erin Longfellow)

pening with wood. The rise in tall wood buildings (no pun intended) is drawing unprecedented attention to wood’s role in carbon sequestration and is helping expand the narrative on how essential wood products are to the future health of the planet.

What’s fortunate for the softwood lumber business is that there really are no compromises when it comes to choosing natural wood products. Buying an EV in the early days meant limited range and a scarcity of chargers en route. Wood products like western red cedar have the environmental benefits that customers are looking for, but there are also a host of other advantages that come with choosing it over non-wood substitutes.

Price is often the deciding factor in any purchase decision, and WRC has seen large price fluctuations in past years, particularly around COVID. However, prices have since returned to expected levels and are now very competitive when compared to non-wood substitute products.

The same can be said for availability. The surge in the home building and renovation industry a few years ago led to a number of lumber mills temporarily closing, disruptions in commercial transportation, and ultimately a decrease in supply (and the increase in price). Last year, however, the building industry stabilized, lumber mills producing WRC were back in production, and transportation issues have, for the most part, been mitigated.

We know from consumer and market research that western red cedar’s most compelling feature for customers is its looks. The species has a highly sought after natural beauty that has yet to be imitated. It is interesting to note that a number of composite decking and siding companies market their products with claims that they (almost) look like real wood. Consider Coloradobased Trulog’s description that they’re a “wood alternative siding that looks like cedar” (trust me, they don’t); or TimberTech’s boast that their product has “Unrivaled Real Wood Looks.” I’m sure TimberTech makes a fine product, but I can think of a lot of decking and

siding made from real wood that rivals their “real wood look.”

Driven in a large part from its environmental benefits, customer interest in natural wood like WRC is swinging back. It’s highly versatile, smells good, feels good and creates a soothing atmosphere, and advances in engineered WRC products have created a host of new design possibilities.

Western red cedar also holds broad interest for customers in that it is used in such a wide variety of applications and in projects of virtually all sizes, from small to those involving thousands of board feet of material. Looking at current design trends, retailers may want to consider stocking narrow WRC boards, such as rough-textured 1”x2”, 1”x4” and narrow T&G products, for a renewed interest in trim, soffits and board and batten projects.

Another emerging area that’s growing interest in natural wood products is biophilic design: the use of natural materials to create a healthier and more pleasing and effective built environment. The area has been generating new attention since the pandemic, when we spent unprecedented amounts of time indoors. Studies are showing that being surrounded by natural

materials like WRC simulates our connection with nature and aids in stress reduction and stress-related illnesses, and improves physical and mental well-being. As our population continues to grow, and our cities and towns become increasingly crowded, incorporating products like ‘Real Cedar’ paneling, ceilings, timbers and trim into the design is expected to grow in homes, businesses and institutions.

Western red cedar has long been a highly popular and versatile material for decking, siding, trim and outdoor structures, among other applications. The growth of competitive non-wood substitutes, coupled with misinformation about the health of our forests and forestry practices, has eroded market share and changed the softwood industry. As we enter a new time of increased climate awareness, our choices and actions that affect the planet are also changing, and as a result environmentally friendly wood products are swinging back in demand. Fortunately, we have the products to meet that demand. BPD

– Brad Kirkbride is managing director of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (www.realcedar.com). Established in 1954, the WRCLA is the voice of the cedar industry, with members in 131 locations throughout North America.

EMPLOYING WRC in biophilic design—the use of natural materials to create a healthier built environment—is growing in consumer interest. (Photographer: Erin Longfellow)

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOUTHERN CYPRESS

BY IAN FAIGHT

LIKELY A RESULT of spending more time living and working in their homes, today’s homeowners see the value of investing in high-quality materials, like real wood. This is good news for lumber dealers and wholesalers, and an excellent opportunity for a versatile species like cypress.

“Cypress is a unique wood that performs well inside and out,” says Truss Beasley of Beasley Forest Products, Hazlehurst, Ga. “The wood is a great alternative to different hardwood species for interior applications, such as paneling, cabinetry, furniture, exposed beams, and millwork due to its good looks, natural honey-hues, color consistency, and grain pattern. And the wood is perfectly suited for exterior applications—like siding, soffit, porch flooring, pergolas, and doors—as well, thanks to its natural durability.”

Unlike some other softwood species that need to be pressure treated with chemicals for exterior use, cypress is naturally resistant to the elements. While growing, cypress trees produce a preservative oil that makes the wood resistant to insects like termites and carpenter bees, decay, chemical corrosion, and other damaging elements. That’s one of the reasons why cypress historically has been an architectural fixture in the hot, humid and salty coastal regionals, and a popular alternative to cedar and southern yellow pine all over the country.

Cypress also is readily available in a variety of visual grades to complement any design scheme—from modern to traditional to farmhouse chic. Select grade cypress offers mostly clear grain with few knots. Common grades, like No. 2, provide a more rustic look. And demand is increasing for both grades. “Early on in 2024, we’ve experienced strong demand for select grade cypress in various patterns in the marketplace,” says Cassie Lewis of Turn Bull Lumber Co., Elizabethtown, N.C. “Demand for No. 2 common grade remains steady, and it’s competitively priced, making it an attractive substitute for western red cedar.”

In addition, pecky cypress remains a popular product among interior designers for high-end projects, but the

wood can be difficult to source. With its unique look filled with pockets and holes, pecky cypress is used in applications where the wood’s visual appearance is a featured design element, such as kitchen islands, ceilings, and paneling. BPD

– To learn more about the many uses of cypress building products, visit the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association’s website at CypressInfo.org and follow SCMA on Instagram at @cypress_info.

RICH CYPRESS brings to life paneling and built-ins (above, photo by John McManus) and millwork (below, photo by Eric Elberson)

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NEXT-GENERATION STUD FINDERS ELIMINATE FALSE POSITIVES

FOR HARDWARE dealers and distributors looking to entice contractor and DIY sales, today’s most advanced stud finder technology is designed to essentially eliminate the false positives that have proliferated in recent years. Accurately locating studs within walls is crucial to cut safely and efficiently into drywall, mount fixtures, and reroute wiring, plumbing, or HVAC ductwork during installation or remodeling.

Pros and amateur handymen have long utilized stud finders based on unrefined capacitive technology. While this original technology can indicate the location of wood stud framing, it may also discover metal, plastic, wiring and other objects in walls and indicate them as studs. The potential for “false positive” indications is further

increased by brands with constantly active, hypersensitive “deep scanning” models. The result is that traditional stud finders may chirp or flash LED lights to indicate something was sensed, but it is not clear what that is.

Today, the challenge of accurately assessing what is behind walls is only increasing. There is more behind the drywall than ever, including network cabling, plastic pipes, and tubing. Complicating matters, not all construction follows standard stud spacing practices of 16” or 24” on-center, and there are often additional support beams, fire blocks, and other framing features that can further muddy the picture.

Now, newer and more refined technology is being introduced to the popular stud finder category, and it promises to redefine the standards

for stud finder performance at a mass market price that will spur retailer and distributor sales.

Zircon’s latest stud finders utilize multiple sensors and sophisticated signal processing to help filter out false positives, minimizing the risk of misidentifying objects as studs. Its new Wood Stud SuperScan advanced stud finder with Target Control technology and FILTERz cancellation analyzes the complex data streams from multiple sensors and controls the result using sophisticated intelligence to filter out metallic objects, such as plumbing, conduit, straps, brackets, screws, protector plates, and ductwork behind the wall. The technology also alerts users to the presence of other low-density, non-metallic targets like plastic pipe and PEX tubing.

DeepScan mode locates the center of wood studs and metal up to 1-1/2” (38 mm) deep behind walls. A warning indicator will display when metal is detected. To minimize the risk of cutting into dangerous electrical wires, the device also provides WireWarning detection, which indicates the presence of live, unshielded AC electricity.

JAXWQ’s upgraded Stud Finder Wall Scanner 5-in-1 Stud Detector incorporates an intelligent micro-sensor chip with the highest sensitivity to accurately and quickly find edges and center of metal, studs, joists, pipes, and live AC wire behind walls, floors and ceilings. The device offers multiple scan modes, including stud scan, deep scan, and metal scan, to detect various materials and depths.

By providing solutions to the longstanding problem of proliferating false positives, retailers and distributors can bring contractors and DIYers in the door and boost their sales. BPD

ADVANCED, second-generation stud finders, such as Zircon’s Wood Stud SuperScan, utilize multiple sensors and sophisticated signal processing to help filter out false positives.

GO CLASSIC. NOT PLASTIC.

There’s a reason plastic deck companies try to look like 100% natural Western Red Cedar. Real Cedar creates a timeless, genuine look and feel that no other material can match. Completely sustainable, renewable and unrivaled in its versatility and ability to withstand the elements, Real Cedar is the ideal material for any outdoor project.

CONTROLLING THE CALL

------------ BY JAMES OLSEN

WHEN WE SAY we need to “control the call,” it may sound adversarial. It is not. We are not at war with our customers. We bring them value and serve them—as a partner. We give great service, but we are not servants, we are partners.

I put myself through school waiting tables. Waiting tables and selling are kissing cousins. The man who trained me told me, “James, to give great service, you have to control your tables. If you don’t, not only one customer will get bad service, but your whole section will get bad service.”

The example he gave me: “You come up to a table of 10 to take their drink order before dinner. You go around the table getting everyone’s order, but two of your customers are in deep discussion. You have to say, ‘Excuse me, can I get you something to drink?’ This may seem like an interruption, but if you don’t, you are going to go stand in line at the service bar, get the other eight drinks, and when you come back to the table, the two who were in the deep discussion will now want to order. The extra 15 minutes it takes to get their drinks will put you behind with that table and all your tables for the rest of the evening.”

The same can be said of sales calls. The Master Seller knows how they want their calls to go and brings more value because of it. The struggling seller has no idea or is winging it, which wastes the customer’s time and brings much less (if any) value.

Controlling the Prospect Call

The purpose of the prospect (initial) call is to qualify the customer. We

need to find out: (1) what items they buy, (2) species, (3) grade, (4) tallies, (5) mill preference, and (6) volume.

Many sellers are not clear or jump from one item to the next without thoroughly qualifying each item—item by item. They get off the phone with a garbled understanding of what the customer buys. This creates a lot of poor, non-value second calls. Often the seller has to re-prospect the account or offers them the wrong species, tally or grade. This is frustrating to the buyer and gives a bad first impression, which is difficult to overcome in the competitive life of salespeople.

Often customers will ask, “So what’s your price on ------?” Many sellers scramble to give a price. The Master Seller says, “Susan, I’d love to sell you something today, but that really isn’t the purpose of this call. Let me ask you a couple more questions about you, your company, and the products you buy. When we are done with that if you want to give me an inquiry on something, I will work up a professional quote for you and we can start doing business.”

Controlling the Inquiry

Most sellers rush in too quickly to give a price when the customer asks for a quote on an item. The Master Seller pumps the brakes and takes a thorough inquiry before quoting a price. The Master Seller asks a series of questions before quoting a price:

1. How many do we need?

2. When do we need them to ship?

3. What kind of tally are we looking for?

4. Any stock we prefer/can’t use?

5. Do we have an idea on the price we want to pay?

6. When are we going to pull the trigger on these?

Once they have a clear picture of what the inquiry is about, then they quote a price and ask for the order.

Controlling the Closing

Most sellers tell the customer what the product is and then wait for the customer to buy:

Seller: “John, I’ve got a truckload of 2x4 16’s I can get to you at $450/ MBF…”

Master Sellers promote products. They tell their customer why something is a good deal, why they should buy it, then simply and directly ask for the order:

Master Seller: “John, I’ve got three truckloads of 2x4 16’s. They are out of ABC Sawmill, which is your preferred. The market is moving on 16’s, and I can work with you on the shipment. You want to put these together?”

Control your calls, control your sales life. BPD

JAMES OLSEN

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WORKING WITH PROTECTED GROUPS

------------ BY PAIGE McALLISTER

IT’S ONE OF the most dreaded parts of running a business: you overhear someone tell a discriminatory joke or an employee tells you they have been the victim of harassing behavior. What do you do?

It’s important to take the situation seriously, investigate promptly and thoroughly, and take impactful corrective action. If you ignore the complaint or allow the behavior to continue unchecked, one grievance can lead to the workplace becoming a hostile work environment, thereby exposing the whole company to additional liability while possibly increasing turnover and generating bad word-of-mouth.

While all employees deserve to feel comfortable at work, if any impacted employee belongs to one or more protected groups, the company’s exposure to a negative legal outcome and potential damages increases even more.

Protected characteristics or groups:

Federal, state, and local laws define the characteristics or groups which are protected. Employees who fall into any of these groups have the protections of the laws which define them. Characteristics protected under federal law include race, religion, age (40 or older), national origin, color, gender (including gender identity), sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), veteran status, genetic information, and disabilities. Some states, counties, and cities have passed laws which expand protections to other groups such as natural hair and protective hairstyles; being a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or crime; use of sick time or medical leave; or familial or marital status.

What does that mean? If an employee who falls into one or more protected groups files a complaint of discrimination, harassment, or sexual harassment, there may be an investigation by the regulatory agency which could result in penalties such as fines; back and/or front pay; compensatory, punitive, and liquidated damages; and attorneys’ fees and legal costs. In addition, employees who file a good-faith claim of or participate in an investigation

into a complaint of discrimination, harassment, or sexual harassment are protected from retaliation.

Create a safe workplace for your employees:

Employers must provide a safe, healthy workplace for all employees. Part of that is to create a space where they aren’t harassed and can bring concerns to you for fair investigation without reprisal. Some good practices include:

• Establish clear policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation. Define protected groups and prohibited behavior such as quid pro quo and hostile work environment. Include these policies in your handbook, having employees acknowledge their receipt and understanding. Update regularly.

• Train employees on acceptable behavior in the workplace and with co-workers. Train supervisors on being consistent in their duties, handling unacceptable behavior, and understanding that the vicarious liability of their actions on the company mean they’ll be held to a higher standard.

• Take any complaint seriously no matter how minor. The aggrieved employee may not be the direct recipient of the unacceptable behavior, but, rather, they could be a witness or someone otherwise impacted by the behavior. And what is funny or innocuous to one person could be offensive to another.

• Investigate thoroughly and quickly, putting other tasks on hold until it is resolved if needed. Protect the identity of the employee and participants as much as possible to reduce retaliation concerns. Take proper action based on what you discover and follow up with the accused and accuser to close the loop.

• Be consistent in your actions regardless of the person or role of the accuser or the accused. If the person is entry-level or upper management, a new hire or has been there 20 years, all complaints are to be taken seriously even if the specifics change from case-to-case. If a leader

is accused of inappropriate behavior, bring in an outside consultant for an unbiased investigation.

• Follow a similar process if the accused is a third-party such as a delivery person or an employee of a client. You may not be able to take disciplinary action against the accused, but you can take steps (i.e., reassigning the employee or terminating the relationship with the client) to protect your employee if needed.

• Never retaliate or allow others to retaliate. Retaliation claims should be more concerning as they are usually easier to prove and therefore more likely to be pursued in a legal setting.

Tips for investigating an internal complaint:

Having an employee file a complaint can be daunting since it is hopefully not something that happens often in your company. Whether the complaint is about a careless comment, offensive joke, or inappropriate touching, you should follow a clear, consistent process, documenting throughout. While not a comprehensive how-to, here are

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some important tips to keep in mind while investigating:

• Protect employee privacy but do not promise confidentiality: If you learn about an incident, you need to investigate it. But try to keep conversations as general as possible to protect the privacy of the employees who complain or participate in the investigation to help shield them from retaliation. And once you’re done, respect the privacy of the accused employee by not sharing the actions you take as that is part of their confidential employee record.

• Document everything: Ask the accuser, accused, and witnesses to follow-up their interviews with written statements. Whether they do or don’t, be sure you thoroughly document all of the interviews, the outcome, and your thought process so you can review everything in the future if needed to respond to a complaint.

• Don’t unintentionally punish the employee: While a natural reaction may be to remove the employee from an uncomfortable situation, the accused may not want that. Instead, ask the employee how they would feel most

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comfortable during the investigation. You can give them options (i.e., stay at home with pay, work at another location with similar conditions and duties, work their usual job, or remove the accused temporarily). Understand that anything viewed by the employee as a negative employment action may be seen as retaliation.

• Be okay with only knowing part of the story: There are multiple sides to every story and the truth lies somewhere in the middle. After you talk with all parties, assess what you learned with other factors about those employees—seniority, performance, previous complaints, etc.—and then use that to balance all of the information you have. After reviewing everything, determine what most likely happened and then determine the best course of action.

• Termination is not your only option: After investigating, you feel the accused did something wrong. You may be right to consider terminating them. But if the accused told a joke or used a term that they did not know was offensive, then perhaps a written warning and sensitivity training is more appropriate.

Steps to protect the company:

Supreme Court decisions and other court rulings have outlined ways a company can help insulate itself from exposure to maximum damages. Often referred to as an “affirmative defense,” these actions include (this list may not be exhaustive):

• Draft, maintain, and publish comprehensive, compliant policies and include acceptable reporting procedures.

• Train employees and supervisors regularly in their protections and responsibilities.

• Make it easy for an employee to file a complaint by giving them multiple methods and people to contact to start the process.

• Investigate all complaints thoroughly and promptly and then take appropriate action.

One final thought:

Minimizing your exposure involves proactively implementing effective policies and procedures, reinforcing they are the expectation and culture of the company, and quickly taking mitigating action if/when it occurs. If any aspect goes unchecked, one minor issue could grow into a major one.

While a filed complaint does not automatically mean paying out damages, it does require time, money, and focus away from core business to respond and defend your case. And, even if a regulatory agency does not pursue the case, the employee may still be able to file a civil lawsuit to recover damages. BPD

PAIGE McALLISTER

Q. We have an employee who does a March Madness bracket pool in the office. Do we have any liability by allowing that? Can we tell him it is not allowed?

A. Bracket pools for March Madness are growing in popularity given the easy management though online resources. Since these pools aren’t limited in size like Fantasy Football or other leagues, they can be a fun way to connect co-workers even if only for a few weeks.

However, there are some things to consider before officially allowing bracket pools or any similar event to be done through the company.

• Open it up to everyone: Don’t allow certain people to be included while others are excluded. That can create or strengthen cliques within the workplace or even appear as discriminatory depending on the make-up of the group not invited to join.

• Don’t allow money to be exchanged: Gambling is not legal everywhere but, even where it is, money being won or lost can create financial concerns, confrontation and intensified emotions and outbursts. If not properly handled, the company may become liable for financial losses.

• Be prepared for a dip in productivity: Before the first tip-off, employees will spend time analyzing the teams and making choices for their “perfect” bracket. Once the games start, they will be following the scores, many of which are played during the normal workweek.

• Protect your network security: Since brackets are often tracked using a third-party platform, be sure that it is legitimate and secure to reduce the chance of a malware or virus being downloaded into the system.

• Monitor the side “chatter”: If the site has a place for ongoing banter or “trash talking,” the company may be liable for any inappropriate or unacceptable behavior or language which is not addressed or investigated.

• Realize you will need to allow similar activities in the future: Any time an employee is allowed to use company resources (i.e., email) to coordinate a bracket or drawing, organize a fundraiser, or solicit donations, a precedence is set. This means the company must allow other employees to coordinate, organize or solicit for their causes (as long as they are legal and do not violate a policy), even if it is against the company’s best interest.

While bracket pools are fun, you may decide the downside is not worth it. In that case, tell the organizing employee the bracket must be handled using personal emails and be done when off-duty. And be consistent with future requests.

There are other ways to use March Madness as a teambuilding opportunity. Perhaps invite employees to wear jerseys of their favorite schools or watch part of the games during a company-sponsored lunch.

Paige McAllister, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is vice president for compliance with The Workplace Advisors, Inc. Reach her at (877) 660-6400 or paige@theworkplaceadvisors.com.

WE ARE PINE PASSIONATE.

We source our wood primarly from New Hampshire and Vermont, and the majority come within a 50-mile radius,

Dual Weinig Powermat 2500 Moulders

Customizable Moisture Detection

Nelma grades and patterns

Specialized Dry Kilns

Enhance™ by Durgin and Crowell is our line of pre-coated, cured Eastern White Pine paneling product.

At Durgin and Crowell, we promise to be dedicated to offering our customers the personal service that is essential to delivering the highest quality, fully sustainable Eastern White Pine, on time, and to the specs desired. We provide hands-on solutions because we are Pine Passionate.

WANT WOOD? CHOOSE WOOD!

------------ BY JEFF EASTERLING

HAVE YOU SEEN these product ads promoting “wood-look” options? They’re out there, selling everything from fake laminate wood flooring to alternative plastic decking to faux wall panels. You’re supposed to choose their product because it looks like wood, but it’s not real wood.

Some of these companies go out of their way to press a fake woodgrain into their final product—because they know that wood is what end users of all types want! These plastic products are simply trying to recreate the beautiful, desirable, natural look of real wood. Why on earth would anyone choose a product like this?

We have a challenge for you: the next time a customer walks into your store, watch and take note of what

product draws them in. Are they immediately captivated by the real wood products? Do they walk to them, touch them, smell them, and comment on their beauty? An even better question: have you ever seen a customer do that with a wood-look product? Probably not.

Next time a customer asks for your advice when it comes to real wood vs. fake wood projects, here are four reasons to share with them as to why they should always choose real wood.

Sustainability.

We’ve talked about this before, so say it with us: within the U.S. forest industry, for every one tree that’s harvested, between three and five trees are planted. As products and their lifecycles are more and more under the microscope for their sustainable practices, the fact remains that only one building product will truly

WHY SETTLE for substitutes that attempt to mimic the incomparable look of wood, when real wood is available, sustainable, easy to work, and gorgeous, such as in this eastern white pine-paneled bedroom...

...AS WELL AS this curved barrel ceiling.

REAL WOOD is an ideal solution for customers suffering from “green fatigue.”

lessen the impact on the environment over its peers: real wood. It’s the most renewable building product out there, and to create it takes water, dirt and sunlight. What other product can make that claim? Wood is the only earth-friendly choice!

(Our favorite fun fact: forests across the U.S. are in better health and are more abundant than they were when Thomas Jefferson was alive.)

Ease.

What kind of ease is provided by choosing wood? What kind of ease doesn’t it provide? Wood is easy! Let’s talk about ease of care first. Real wood is natural and beautiful and easy to maintain. Maintenance is super easy: for exterior applications inspect the wood once a year for signs of decay and overall condition. Those plastic options that talk about “maintenancefree?” Might want to do your research a bit more.

Wood is easy to install in just about any project you can imagine. Chances are you won’t need any special tools, any special skills, any special training. Grab a hammer, some good nails, and your customer can get to work making their project more beautiful and more sustainable at the same time.

Healthy humans.

Have you heard the term biophilia? Studies prove that people are happier and just feel better around real wood environments. That’s called biophilia. Wood is the greenest product on the market, and it’s created by the earth. No finite resources, no fossil fuel usage, no damaging extrusion processes, no inclusion of chemical products from overseas. Wood is clean, and wood is pure.

We all have a good love-of-wood story to share: perhaps it’s the antique wooden floors in your grandmother’s house, or maybe it’s the new wall panels installed shiplap-style that bring warmth and peace to a room renovation.

Healthy forests.

By choosing wood, your customers are choosing centuries of natural endurance and constant regrowth. Properly managed forests are younger trending forests—young trees put out more oxygen and take in more carbon dioxide. Properly managed forests are less likely to burn and cause issues.

Additionally, choosing local wood from a managed forest supports local economies, and the wood itself is durable, strong, and naturally resilient, perfect for a multitude of exterior and interior applications. No large carbon footprints like you see on the plastic, steel, and concrete sides.

Do your customers have “green fatigue?” Are they tired of hearing every single product on the market claim to be green? Point them in the direction of real wood inside your store and tell them that there’s only one truly green building product. BPD

JEFF EASTERLING

Jeff Easterling is president of Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, Cumberland Center, Me. Reach him at info@nelma.org.

TINDELL’S TO THE RESCUE

------------

EASTERN WHITE PINE A POPULAR CHOICE IN REBUILDING TENNESSEE TOWN

BY KIM DREW

BACK IN 2016, a devastating fire was ignited inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The huge network of fires spread quickly, but by the time it was extinguished, 14 people had died and more than 2,400 structures were destroyed across the Gatlinburg, Tn., area. More than 300 law enforcement agencies pitched in to help quench the fires and manage the aftermath. Total damages exceeded $1 billion, and the fire remains one of the largest disasters in the history of Tennessee.

Hometown girl Dolly Parton, a native of Sevier County, quickly jumped in with a telethon (that raised more than $10 million) and a philanthropic outreach program, the My People Fund, to assist families in the area as they began the recovery process.

Tindell’s Building Materials, based out of Knoxville, Tn., is a family-owned building material dealer with payroll records dating back to 1892. Their history is deeply embedded in the Smoky Mountains: with no technology or logistics in existence to get big logs out of the woods in the late 1800s, the sawmill went to the logs.

Now it’s the opposite: once the sawmill stopped

traveling, Tindell’s grew roots in the Knoxville area, and that became their headquarters. The company has been run by the same family for five generations, with the sixth generation just now dipping their toes into the lumber business. Well known for their exceptional service, employees at Tindell’s are proud to share that they will outwork any competitors to ensure customers are taken care of.

The company sells just about anything from foundation to trim, with a truss shop, an interior door shop, and installed sales division and more located on site. From rebar to roofing, framing to interior trim, and windows to doors, Tindell’s sells it.

The majority of structures lost in the fires were cabins and timeshare units, a key player in the economic impact tourism has on the area. One long-time customer of Tindell’s, a timeshare resort, lost 90% of its structures. Seven years later, the timeshare resort has been rebuilt in its entirety, with several new structures on the way.

Now relatively complete, as the rebuild progressed,

TINDELL’S BUILDING Materials, Knoxville, Tn., has been a vital conduit in helping to rebuild the Gatlinburg, Tn., area, which was ravaged by fire in 2016.

builders from across the South stepped up to assist in the recovery. Ike Padgett, vice president of purchasing with Tindell’s, estimates that the majority of the rebuild was completed within four years, with new projects well on the way today.

“Most everything that was burned was rebuilt, with a few exceptions here and there,” said Padgett. “Some chose not to rebuild for various reasons; but anyone who wanted to rebuild did, and the area is back up and running at full capacity these days.”

The building momentum that began after the fires continues, as evidenced by former Tindell’s customers who have resurfaced with brand-new projects.

One building product the good people of Gatlinburg can’t get enough of? Eastern white pine. The species, found throughout the New England area, was a key part of many of the structures lost to fire in 2016. Long known as the standard in the market, people love to use it on their walls, floors and more. Builders and consumers loved it so much the first time that they chose to use it the second time.

The timeshare development used log siding on the outside of their cabins, while a second development used hundreds of thousands of board feet across their rebuilding effort.

“Eastern white pine is still a huge thing up here, it’s very popular,” commented Padgett. “It’s easily 90% of the market share. Why do people love it? It’s easy to work with, it finishes beautifully, and it’s robust enough

to handle daily wear and tear. We love selling it, and our customers love using it.”

“The market for eastern white pine in Tennessee predates me—it’s been the favorite for decades,” Padgett continued. “Honestly, we’ve tried using other species in the past, but they’ve never caught on. Maybe the finish wasn’t nice enough, or the pattern requested wasn’t available. Eastern white pine is still

the favorite up here.”

Padgett also mentioned reasonable freight as a selling point for eastern white pine. When compared to other species located further across the country, where the haul might be four to five days, it’s much simpler and more environmentally friendly to choose wood that is located within a one-to-two-day haul.

This time around, the momentum around the rebuilding effort (not to mention the large amounts of new projects coming their way) meant that while there

is traditionally an abundance of eastern pine, Tindell’s sometimes needed more than the market could produce. To solve the challenge and meet customer needs, they partnered with Sawmill Associates and started pulling product from multiple mills, to include Pleasant River Lumber, Robbins Lumber, and Durgin & Crowell.

What is the most popular eastern white pine product Tindell’s sells? There are several, of course. A nice 1x8 edge and center bead WP4 reversible due to its knotty look and robust integrity is always a favorite, as is 1x12 WP4/WP18 reversible.

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association president Jeff Easterling loves to hear how popular eastern white pine is across the Gatlinburg area. “It’s a beautiful place to visit, made even prettier with the use of an all-natural, renewable product like eastern white pine. Many more of our member mills are involved in providing the lumber needed to Tennessee, and both the members and us as an association are thrilled to be a small part of the rebuilding process.”

According to local Gatlinburg-area media reports, tourism for the area has hit new levels since the 2016 fire. Millions of people continue to visit annually, and multiple tourist sites have recorded their highest number of tourists yet. The Smoky Mountains National Park is well on the way to being healed and remains the most visited National Park in the country, topping the charts with 13 million visitors in 2022. The future is bright for Gatlinburg, and the good people of Tindell’s are proud to be part of the growth process. BPD

TENNESSEE dealer Tindell’s finds eastern white pine to be a popuar option for a wide range of applications.

IT STARTED IN 1848 WITH A SINGLE SAWMILL

Today we are a seventh-generation, family-owned integrated forest products company, passionate about our people-fi rst and values-driven culture. Our operations have grown to include four high-efficiency sawmills, 11 lumberyards, component manufacturing facilities, nine full-service kitchen design showrooms, and over 6,000 acres of timberland ownership.

With respect for the past and a commitment to the future, we invite you to become part of our journey!

OWENS CORNING PURCHASING MASONITE

Owens Corning, Toledo, Oh., has agreed to acquire door manufacturing giant Masonite International, Tampa, Fl., for nearly $4 billion.

Founded in 1925, Masonite designs, manufactures and markets doors and door systems, with a vertically integrated manufacturing model serving both repair and remodel and new construction demand. Masonite operates 64 manufacturing and distribution facilities, primarily in North America, and has over 10,000 employees globally.

“We are excited by this opportunity to add a scalable new growth platform for our company,” said Brian Chambers, board chair and CEO of Owens Corning. “Masonite is a market leader that complements our existing residential interior and exterior product offering and has consistently demonstrated top-line

NATION’S BEST BUYS KENTUCKY’S MALONE HOME CENTER

Nation’s Best, Dallas, Tx., has added Malone Home Center in Greenville, Ky., to its growing family of businesses, bringing their store count to 52 locations in 16 states.

Tracing its roots back to 1938, Malone began by selling lumber and building materials. In 1985, it relocated to a 30,000-sq. ft. building and expanded into hardware, plumbing and electrical, paint, and rental, and added its 2,500-sq. ft. home décor showroom nearly a decade ago.

Third-generation owners Paul and Twyla Gabbard will stay with the business following the sale.

As part of Nation’s Best’s strategy, Malone will maintain operations under their existing name with its key management team overseeing company operations alongside Nation’s Best, which will provide strategic and financial support to drive optimal growth and profitability.

US LBM ACQUIRES MICHIGAN’S OLD MISSION WINDOW

US LBM, a leading distributor of specialty building materials in the U.S., has acquired Old Mission Windows, Traverse City, Mi.

Founded in 1985, Old Mission

growth and margin expansion. The combination of our commercial, operational, and innovation capabilities allows us to accelerate our long-term enterprise growth strategy with a clear line of sight to meaningful synergies and increased cash flow generation.”

The acquisition of Masonite and entry into doors adds a highly complementary line of innovative products and advances Owens Corning’s strategy to expand its building materials offering in residential applications. With the deal, Owens Corning’s revenue generated from North American residential applications will grow to 60% of its total revenue.

Following the closing, Masonite will operate as a reportable segment and will maintain Masonite’s brands and a presence in Tampa.

Windows distributes windows and doors to homebuilders and contractors throughout northern Michigan.

US LBM now operates 21 locations in Michigan as part of its Standard Supply and Zeeland Lumber division, which includes Northern Building Supply.

BLIFFERT ADDS WISCONSIN DEALER PORTAGE LUMBER

Bliffert Lumber, Milwaukee, Wi., has acquired 70-year-old Portage Lumber Do it Best, Portage, Wi.

Kimberly Dorn, general manager of Portage Lumber, represents the third generation of the Dorn family’s ownership and management and will continue to run this branch.

“We believe that merging with the Bliffert family of companies allows us to continue to serve our customers and community for generations to come,” said Dennis Dorn, CEO of Portage Lumber.

“At Bliffert Lumber, we are always looking to merge in other great lumber families like the Dorn’s that share our values,” said Eli Bliffert, VP of Bliffert Lumber. “We are very excited to extend our reach into central Wisconsin and beyond. Old lumber families go together like baseball and cold beer. We are absolutely stronger together.”

BRIEFS

Spring Lake Park Lumber Co., Spring Lake Park., has closed after 70 years with the retirement of owner Dann Francen and his sale of the property.

McCoy’s Building Supply will open a new store this spring in Lockhart, Tx., and has purchased 8.7 acres in New Caney, Tx., for a new location.

Aubuchon Co. reopened its Montpelier, Vt., store six months after it was severely flooded.

Next month, Aubuchon will permanently shutter its 40+-year-old store in Concord, N.H.

Ace Hardware is set to begin construction on a new store in the Southwest Garden neighborhood of St. Louis, Mo., targeting a late summer opening.

McKelvey’s True Value Hardware, Drexel, Mo., added a store in Louisburg, Ky., Jan. 2 (Cindy McClintock, store mgr.).

Hamlin Ace Hardware, Winter Garden, Fl., has been opened by Walter Toole.

Westlake Ace Hardware held a grand opening celebration last month at its new 15,000-sq. ft. store in Lee’s Summit, Mo.—its third in the city (Julia Manker, general mgr.).

Shep’s Ace Hardware, Atlanta, Ga., in May expects to open store #3 in Marietta, Ga.

Horn’s True Value, Sayre, Pa., is closing after 112 years of business.

DaBella held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new headquarters in Austin, Tx.

WEBB Building Essentials’ new showroom is now open in downtown Homewood, Al., displaying flooring, windows, doors, moulding, siding, decking and more.

Melaco Sisters, Cut Off, La., has been certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise Council South.

LAT is teaming with HTX Material Handling, Houston, Tyler and Dallas, Tx., to offer an incentive program for its membership that includes preferred pricing on parts, service and rentals.

COX HARDWOOD COMPANIES

BOUGHT BY PRIVATE EQUITY GROUP

As managing partner of a joint venture, 5M Group completed the acquisition of Cox Interior, Campbellsville, Ky., and sister hardwood manufacturing operations Cox Shavings and Cox Dimensions.

Cox Interior—the core business comprising 90% of the acquisition— manufactures and distributes milled building products such as moulding, doors, mantels, stair parts and systems, custom trim, and custom millwork. Cox Shavings offers wood shaving byproducts used for animal bedding, and Cox Dimensions is a wood kiln drying and wholesaling company.

The Cox companies produced $70 million of revenue in 2023 at 11 locations in the Southeast while utilizing a 937,000-sq. ft. facility on a 144-acre manufacturing campus south of Louisville.

In the pipeline for this year are adding three Cox Interior locations in Chicago, Charlotte and Miami; acquiring specialty hardwood manufacturer Whitney & Whitney Lumber Co., Campbellsville; and closing on an equity investment in Maine Plywood, Bingham, Me.

BARRETTE EXPANDS IN NJ

Barrette Outdoor Living recently expanded storage capabilities for aluminum products manufactured at its Egg Harbor City, N.J., facility by leasing a 57,000-sq. ft. warehouse in nearby Millville, N.J.

Todd Dixon, VP of manufacturing for Barrette Outdoor Living, said, “As our product breadth grows and the volume of those products that require indoor storage increases, we found the need to expand out of our Galloway location into a dedicated off-site facility.”

In addition to product storage, the warehouse also has receiving and distribution capabilities.

CORNERSTONE UNITES 3 BRANDS

------------| SUPPLIER BRIEFS

Lumberman’s Wholesale Inc., which began carrying Envision Outdoor Living Products’ decking and railing at its Fairview Heights (St. Louis), Il., location last year, has added the lines in Montgomery (Chicago), Il.

Parksite is expanding its partnership with Tando Composites to distribute TandoStone and Beach House Shake products in Florida, as well as Beach House Shake in Maryland and North Carolina.

Cary, N.C.-based Cornerstone Building Brands has unveiled its newest brand, Fortify Building Solutions, by combining its Heritage Building Systems, Metal Depot, and Reed’s Metals brands.

Fortify Building Solutions unites the residential metal roofing and metal buildings lines.

Later this year, Fortify will open four new physical locations—two in Montana, one in Alabama, and a fourth location to be determined. From websites, e-commerce and social media profiles to print materials and brick-and-mortar locations, the new brand is expected to be fully implemented within two years.

BEACON ACQUIRES ROOFERS SUPPLY OF GREENVILLE

Beacon completed the purchase of Roofers Supply of Greenville, Greenville, S.C., with branches in Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C.

Roofers Supply has a more than 40-year history in commercial roofing throughout the Southeast. “Our contractors and employees will benefit from combining our expertise, scope and size,” said president Chris Causey.

“This acquisition grows our service geography and design services in the Carolinas, particularly for commercial roofers. Chris and the Roofers Supply team deliver unparalleled technical knowledge, product range, and service reliability. We will leverage this foundation to drive above market growth for our existing and new customers,” said Munroe Best, Beacon’s division president, South.

Belknap-Haines, longtime distributor of Sika Corp.’s DriTac products, is now also carrying Sika brand flooring installation solutions.

All American Building Products, Tulsa, Ok., has been acquired by RW Americas, Denver, Co.

AdvantageLumber.com is now selling New Castle Steel deck framing online nationally and from its warehouses in Sarasota, Fl.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Grover, N.C.; and Santa Fe Springs, Ca.

Beacon has completed the acquisition of Metro Sealant & Waterproofing Supply, Springfield, Va., with additional branches in Linthicum, Md., and Ashland and Virginia Beach, Va.

Gulfeagle Supply, Tampa, Fl., has acquired Banning Lumber & Millwork, Largo, Fl.

Bell Lumber & Pole Co., New Brighton, Mn., has purchased Prentiss & Carlisle’s pole peeling/wood concentration operation in Newport, Me.

ODL, Inc., Zeeland, Mi., agreed to sell its Zabitat retail subsidiary to Pease Doors, Cincinnati, Oh.

Digger Specialties Inc., Bremen, In., launched a new contractor rewards program, Westbury Pro Rewards, providing cash, marketing support, job leads, and other benefits to professionals who buy Westbury aluminum railing systems.

PWT, Burlington, Wa., has launched a new AIA-accredited online course, “A Brief History of Deck Substructure Materials & the Potential of Treated LVL.”

TAMKO Building Products’

Titan XT shingle has been named the 2024 Product of the Year in the Home Protection category by Product of the Year USA.

EXTRA SPACE: (Left to right) material handler Barral Kemp, lead Rihab Kouba, and material handler Onteds Harris at Barrette Outdoor Living’s new warehouse facility in Millville, N.J.

TUF-TRED

OFFERING:

• Superior skid resistance

• Surface durability

• Weatherability

• Moisture resistance

• 4x8 panels, ¾" thick

• ADA Approved

Swanson Tuf-Tred is ideal for interior or exterior stair applications where skid-resistant surfaces are desirable.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Craig Johnston has retired as CEO of Forest City Trading Group, Portland, Or., after 42 years with the company. He is succeeded by Derrick Coder. Sam Barranco has been promoted to president of subsidiary Tampa International Forest Products, Tampa, Fl., replacing Joe Brown, who has retired after more than a decade at the helm.

Matthew Boyce is a new trader at Viking Forest Products, Minneapolis, Mn.

Bryan Mellick has been named CEO of Ward Lumber, Jay, N.Y. Jay Ward continues as purchasing mgr. and CEO emeritus.

Pete Pereda, Logan Lumber, Tampa, Fl., has been promoted to regional VP of the Midwest and Southeast for parent Weekes Forest Products. Mike Thomas succeeds him as division leader of the Logan operation. Amy Stuart, ex-PulteGroup, is now sales mgr. at Logan.

Phanor Lasso is a new lumber trader with Lumber One Co., Conroe, Tx.

Ron Skinner has been promoted to chief operations officer for Short & Paulk Supply Co., Tifton, Ga.

Darrell Janis, ex-Fischer Lumber Co., has moved to the sales staff of Old Monroe Lumber Co., Old Monroe, Mo.

Rick Hobson, ex-John S. Wilson Co., is now with Reistertown Lumber Co., Reistertown, Md., as sales coordinator.

Heath Samuelson, ex-Hood Distribution, has joined Britton Lumber Co., Fairlee, Va., as outside sales rep for Massachusetts.

Ivy Su-Johanson has joined Spahn & Rose Lumber Co., Dubuque, Ia., director of purchasing. Lori Hoffmann is now VP of human resources.

Alex Millman is new to sales at Forest Products Supply Co., Kansas City, Ks.

Wayne Tarver, ex-DeFord Lumber/BFS, has joined Reichert Woodworks, Dallas, Tx., handling outside sales for its Davis-Hawn Lumber Co. and Architectural Carpentry Materials divisions.

Ian Young has been promoted to director of commercial sales for Curtis Lumber Co., Ballston Spa, N.Y.

Trey Kennedy, ex-Dufrene Building Materials, has joined the outside sales force at Mobile Lumber & Millwork, Gulfport, Ms.

Dave Haglund, ex-Hilltop Lumber, is new to sales at Lumber Depot, New York Mills, Mn.

A.J. Jesiolowski was appointed director of product for Eva-Last Americas, Plano, Tx. Eric Atkins is director of commercial sales; Greg Reed, director of sales for the West; and Shawn Feero, director of sales Canada.

Rich Lynch has retired from Do it Best Corp., Fort Wayne, In., after nearly 13 years as VP of marketing. Allison Flatjord is now VP of marketing & ecommerce; Corbin Prows, divisional mgr. of ecommerce platform operations; and Brianna Wells, divisional mgr. of ecommerce: marketing & merchandising. New to the company are: Pete Baldridge and Sean McMorrow, Northeast territory sales mgrs.; Jef Murray, East North Central territory sales mgr.; Robert Peacock, Southern territory sales mgr.; Christina Bechtoldt, Pacific Northwest forest products trader; and Alla Vovnenko, ecommerce B2B specialist.

Chris Moderwell has joined Lunada Bay Corp.’s sales team as Southeast and Texas regional sales mgr., based in Florida.

Cal Bailey has been promoted to store mgr. of 84 Lumber, Deptford, N.J. New mgr. trainess include Miles Menendez in Oakland, N.J., and Matthew Stevens in Canton, Ms. Steve Gauthier, ex-Builders FirstSource, is now an outside salesman for 84 Lumber in Sterling Heights, Mi.

Wendy Scribner, chief people officer, Hancock Lumber, Casco, Me., is retiring next month after nearly 40 years with the company. She will be succeeded by Anna Russo.

Lauren Pagano, Holcim Building Envelope, Nashville, Tn., has been named senior VP of the Adhesives, Coatings and Sealants business unit.

Tom McDonough, Carter Lumber, Kent, Oh., was promoted to buyer-plywood, FRT and boards. Daniel Ludwig, ex-Home Depot, has moved to Carter, as assistant mgr. in Charlotte, N.C Lauren Burnett is now multi-family sales coordinator in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Tim Richards has been appointed director of post frame construction & pole barns for Ambassador Supply, Fort Wayne, In.

Dustin Miller, ex-Interior Exterior Building Supply, is now in sales at Bailey Lumber & Supply, Ocean Springs, Ms.

James Brooks has been appointed general mgr. of Wendell Builders Supply, Wendell, N.C.

Dave Klein has been named president and CEO of ODL, Inc., Zeeland, Mi.

Jorge Torres, ex-84 Lumber, is a new product specialist for National Lumber, Newton, Ma.

Mark Shetler, ex-Kurtis Kitchen & Bath, has moved to outside sales at Mans Lumber & Millwork, Canton, Mi.

Thomas Bass is now an account mgr. at Coastal Building Supply, Wilmington, N.C.

Scott Meints was named director of operations at Pickerell Lumber Co., Pickerell, Ne.

Jonathan “Jon” Basalyga has been appointed VP of sales & general mgr. of Sound Seal, Agawam, Ma.

Michael Gambrell joined WM Coffman Resources, Plano, Tx., as director of operations.

Randy Huff is now director of safety at Big C Lumber, Dowagiac, Mi.

Nicholas Clary is a new commercial flooring account mgr. at Star Lumber & Supply, Wichita, Ks.

Jenny Culbertson is entering the industry as a new lumber trader for Atlantic Forest Products, Austin, Tx.

Dan Rice is the new national sales mgr. at Bon Tool Co., Gibsonia, Pa.

Val Johnson joined Marvin, Warroad, Mn., as senior VP of human resources.

Ryan Fernandex is new to brand marketing at Turnkey Lumber, Fitzwilliam, N.H.

Jonathan Edwards was promoted to director, investor relations for PPG, Pittsburgh, Pa. He replaces John Bruno, who earlier was named VP.

Brad Southern, CEO and chair of LP Building Solutions, Nashville, Tn., has been appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s board of directors for its Nashville Branch.

Ricky Stanley, T.R. Miller Mill Co., Brewton, Al., was elected board chair of the American Wood Council. Sean McLaren, West Fraser, is now 1st vice chair, and Derek Ratchford, SmartLam, 2nd vice chair. Ratchford also joins the board, along with Ashlee Cribb, PotlatchDeltic; Jake Elston, Roseburg; and Cade Warner, Westervelt Co.

Tom Siwek, Siwek Lumber & MillworkNE, Minneapolis, Mn., was honored as Lumberman of the Year by the Twin Cities Hoo-Hoo Club #12.

Felix Cited is the new customer experience officer at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus

LJ SMITH REVS UP HANDRAIL PRODUCTION LINE

L.J. Smith Stair Systems has started up its new state-of-the-art wood handrail production line in Bowerston, Oh.

The fully automated, 450-plus-ft. line integrates cutting-edge technologies that double L.J. Smith’s capacity to more efficiently manufacture best-in-class handrails while also dramatically reducing order-todelivery lead times.

“Our new innovative production line is the first of its kind in the world and further strengthens L.J. Smith’s position as a leader in the handrail industry in more ways than one,” said Craig Kurtz, senior VP of manu-

facturing. “We’re committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products more quickly, while also reducing waste and ensuring a safe and sustainable working environment for our employees.”

SFPA STREAMLINES SOUTHERNPINE.COM

The Southern Forest Products Association has published its redesigned website—SouthernPine.com—to provide an easy-to-use, one-stop-shop for all southern pine lumber technical guidance, resources, and bestuse applications.

SouthernPine.com combines the following sites into a single resource for all things related to southern pine lumber: SouthernPine.com (and the members-only site), SFPA.org, Southern Pine Global, Southern Pine Decks, Raised Floor Living, and Raised Floor Living Pro.

“The SFPA team put a lot of thought into the design and functionality of the site, focusing on how users like design professionals, builders, and DIYers would access the valuable information that supports the southern pine lumber community,” said Eric Gee, SFPA’s executive director. “The end result is a more unified and user-friendly experience for all, with the goal to further reinforce SFPA as the resource for all things southern pine lumber.”

The re-envisioned website project came out of strategic visioning and planning the SFPA board conducted in 2020. The new site meets all current accessibility requirements, and all content can be translated into 12 languages to drive southern pine lumber’s demand and increase user knowledge around the globe.

L.J. SMITH Stair Systems’ advanced handrail production system is the first of its kind in the world

Lee Roy Jordan Lumber Company

Lee Roy Jordan Lumber Company

MINERAL-BASED COMPOSITE

Deckorators has introduced mineral-based composite decking featuring Surestone technology.

Crafted with crushed limestone, decking made with Surestone technology reduces heat, offers an industry-best strength-to-weight ratio and slip-resistant grip, and has virtually no thermal expansion or contraction. Additionally, Surestone products combine natural woodgrain patterns with rich colors, giving consumers new opportunities to customize their outdoor living spaces.

DECKORATORS.COM

(800) 556-8449

DECK-BUILDING SCAFFOLDING

Joist Runner Scaffolding’s unique framework helps decking installers improve construction efficiency, reduce construction time, and achieve a better fit and finish.

The scaffolding assemblies improve ergonomics, elevates contractors above construction obstacles, and allows configuring of the system to fit immediate needs.

The system has been engineered with the latest design and analysis tools, has been ANSI certified through rigorous physical testing, and adheres to strict manufacturing quality requirements in both assembly and the materials of construction all while keeping the safety and productivity of the end user in mind.

JOISTRUNNER.COM

ONYX BLACK FENCING

Digger Specialties Inc. has added a new color—Black Onyx— to its Designer fencing system.

The fence infill panels offer privacy, security and distinctive curb appeal for residential and commercial properties. The new hue joins White, Tan, Mocha, Cottage Grey, Sienna, Storm and Antique Beige.

The vinyl infill panels are framed by powder-coated aluminum rails and posts. Sold in 8’ sections, the fencing is available in 48”, 60”, and 72” heights with vertically grooved infills between aluminum top and bottom rails, and a side channel. Infill panels are available in 6” and 11.28” wide verticals.

The durable aluminum rails and posts come in 12 standard colors.

DIGGERSPECIALTIES.COM

(800) 446-7659

ANTI-SMOG ROOFING

Atlas Roofing Corp’s StormMaster Shake shingles with Core4 impact-resistance technology now feature 3M Smog-Reducing Granule Technology.

These granules, activated by sunlight, transform smog into water-soluble ions, contributing to improved air quality that is the equivalent of planting two to three trees.

In addition, StormMaster Shake will have four new high-definition colors—Midnight Lake, Aspen Grove, Grand Teton, and Moonlight Beach.

ATLASROOFING.COM

(800) 388-6134

Everything We Do Starts & Ends With People.

Koppers Performance Chemicals is a leading, global developer of innovative, patented wood enhancement technologies used in residential and industrial applications. Our products preserve, enhance and protect the beauty and performance of wood used in essential industries around the globe.

Koppers cares for the communities in which we live and work, and we take our responsibility to be a good neighbor seriously. At Koppers, we know that how we treat people matters because everything we do starts and ends with people.

DECK FOUNDATION IN A FLASH

MoistureShield has launched InstaDeck, an outdoor flooring system comprised of heavy-duty plastic tiles that easily snap together to create a foundation for a freestanding, ground-level deck.

InstaDeck tiles can be assembled using minimal tools on any level flat surface, including grass, concrete, existing patio surfaces and gravel. The product utilizes an integrated fastening system that allows compatible MoistureShield composite decking to be secured into place without the use of screws.

MOISTURESHIELD.COM

(866) 729-2378

SWITCHABLE PRIVACY GLASS

Marvin Is partnering with its long-standing glass supplier, Cardinal Glass Industries, to offer CLiC switchable privacy glass on its Modern direct-glaze windows.

CLiC glass uses liquid crystal technology to transition between clear views or a privacy setting in less than one second. When in the clear state, liquid crystals align for glass that is clear from edge to edge and from any angle. When in the privacy state, liquid crystals scatter to create uniform diffused illumination across the window’s glass surface, providing privacy while still allowing light to enter a space.

Windows equipped with CLiC glass are operated from a wall-mounted switch or integrated with home automation systems.

MARVIN.COM

(888) 537-7828

MOVING WALLS OF GLASS

Weather Shield’s new VUE Collection

Sliding Patio Door features narrow profiles engineered to perform even with larger 6’x12’ panel sizes. The doors are available in two- and four-panel configurations to create moving walls of glass. Eight precision-bearing rollers per door panel deliver smooth operation. Unused panel pockets and sill tracks are concealed from view with an aluminum snapin cover creating a clean aesthetic.

All panel profiles are filled with rigid foam for improved thermal performance. Depending on your performance requirements, sill risers can be added to improve water performance.

WEATHERSHIELD.COM

(800) 222-2995

BAMBOO THERMO DECKING

MOSO Bamboo Thermo is a solid, Thermo-Density engineered lumber, made from compressed bamboo strips. A special thermal modification process at 392˚F and high pressure provides impressive hardness and stability. Its performance and appearance properties are very similar to outdoor-rated exotic hardwoods.

Bamboo Thermo decking comes in 1x6 and 1x4 grooved planks designed to accept MOSO’s asymmetric fastener. The collection also includes an exclusive 8”-wide perimeter board that provides a unique style for decks with no gap under the posts, as well as 4”, 6”, 8”, and 12” wide square-stock for trim, fascia, drink-rails, and more.

MOSO-BAMBOO.COM

(855) 343 8444

FIGHT LEDGER FAILURE

Engineered specially for use behind ledger board, Trex Seal Sub-Ledger Tape creates a continuous watertight seal between the ledger board and the housewrap to prevent water from infiltrating the house.

Inspired by the success of Trex Seal Ledger Tape, the new sub-ledger offers similar performance features and benefits in a wider product designed for this specific application. Reinforced with an aluminum liner, the 22” wide, self-adhering, butyl-based tape fully covers the back of the ledger board and integrates with the house wrap to provide a continuous seal for optimal protection against moisture and water penetration. It also creates a water-tight seal around ledger fasteners.

TREXSEAL.COM

(800) 348-1385

VAPOR-PERMEABLE AIR CONTROL

Benjamin Obdyke has introduced VaporDry SA, one of the industry’s first self-adhered, vapor-permeable roofing membranes.

It features a continuous acrylic adhesive that is repositionable during installation and self-seals around roofing fasteners, allowing the membrane to serve as an air-control layer in addition to a moisture-control layer.

The membrane’s tri-laminate structure is durable under foot traffic, and a reinforcement scrim in the adhesive provides for more tensile strength. The surface is slip-resistant and features printed overlay guides for easier installation. It’s suitable for use with all roofing types, including wood, metal, composite and asphalt, with a pitch of 3:12 or greater.

BENJAMINOBDYKE.COM

(800) 523-5261

VENTILATED INTERIOR DOOR

VanAir’s new VanAir Door features a patented, builtin ventilation system, exceptional acoustics, and superb aesthetics, for commercial and residential applications.

The door has staggered slot openings on its opposing faces to create a unique through-door airflow channel for enhanced air circulation. Proper ventilation helps dissipate humidity to prevent mold and bacteria growth in bathrooms, and prevents heat buildup in laundry and mechanical rooms.

VANAIRDESIGN.US

(844) 757-6437

Read grade rules, span details, and get new promotional ideas for your business.

Sample the variety and versatility of eastern white pine.

Plastic, concrete or pine? Learn why consumers prefer natural over fabricated.

Reach more customers by getting listed on NELMA’s Retailer Directory.

Listen to and watch product installation and comparison videos, plus grade representations.

Use all your senses. Visit nelma.org for all things eastern white pine, spruce-pine-fir and other softwood species grown in the Northeast and Great Lakes region.

Ever see a paint swatch for wood grades? Scan here to see it. Simply open the camera on your smartphone or tablet, and hold it over this image.

@NortheasternLumberMfg

@WoodInspiration

@wood_inspiration1933

BMSA EXPO PACKS IN THE EDUCATION

During its yearly Learning Exchange & LBM Expo, Building Material Suppliers Association honored four-unit Garris Evans Lumber Co. of North Carolina as Dealer of the Year, and Charles Grey Inc., Winston Salem, N.C., as Associate of the Year.

Held Feb. 5-8 in Hickory, N.C., the event had a packed slate of speakers, including Casey Voorhees with three day-long workshops on building materials and estimating, Ken Wilbanks and David Wells with two days of instruction on yard and delivery operations, Dawn Stastny on leading multi-generational workplaces, Kaiser Yang on “The

Five Core Mindsets of Innovators,” and NAHB economist Dr. Robert Dietz with a housing forecast. A highlight was a “Building Company Culture” panel discussion, moderated by Jeff Tweten

and featuring panelists Mark Hopkins, Hancock Lumber; Ashley Guest, Harbin Lumber; Bruce Shelton, Capps Home Building Centers; and Thad Shuler, Southern Lumber & Millwork.

HIGHEST HONORS: [1] BMSA chairman Terry Lahoski (left) presents the Associate of the Year Award to Charles Grey Inc. president Matt Black and VP Brandon Barnes. [2] Dealer of the Year Garris Evans Lumber’s president John H. Evans and general manager Glenn Blackwell. [3] Anthony Muck, Jordan Lynch. [4] Michael Eldridge, Zack Kesler. [5] Robert Scott, Denny Casto. [6] Brandon Barnes, Matt Black. [7] Jim Berry, George Waddell,

Erik Bornstein. [8] Cheryl Brackett, John McMillian, Chase Brackett, Chad Brackett, Garrett Brackett. [9] Corey Ivey, Jay Smith, Marcus James. [10] David Yenor, Josh Smiley, Ken Brune, Tommy Deloach. [11] Jim Muthersbraugh, Mike Tester. [12] Matt Goodwyn, Dan Semsak. [13] Lee Shifflett, Kristina Eanes. [14] Jim Ramsey, John Ramsey. (More photos on next two pages)

EXPO EXHIBITORS (continued from previous page): [15] Matti House, David Cox, Ron White, Scott Willis, Mark Rummage, Jim Kilpatrick, Chris Poindexter, Zane Swanepoel, Ted Smith, Tom Corbett, Phil Osborne,

Bruce Kean, Marcus James. [16] Chris Moran, Jerry Lahoski. [17] John Cook, Neal Grubbs. [18] Jon Bryson, Seda Nance, Scott Sheppard. [19] Mark Sellew, Michael Berger. (More photos on next page)

BMSA (continued from previous pages) panel discussion on building corporate culture featured: [20] Mark Hopkins, moderator Jeff Tweten, Ashley Guest, Bruce Shelton, Thad Shuler. [21] Zach Crews, Jenny Brawley, Owen Scott. [22] Jonathan Mathais, Jeff Bullock, Lance Stephens. [23] Barb Strickland, Susie Sidhu, Kelly Franklin, Lynn Schwarz. [24] Kevin Rowe, Michael Bowers. [25] Brandon Massie, Holden Gilman. [26] June & Bryan Strickland. [27] Phil Heck, Dustin Taylor, David Anderson, Mike Elmore, Norwood Morrison. [28] Chuck Keating, Cindy Rosser, Jeff Tice, Shari Power. [29] Avery Jackson, Reed Hill, Fred Taylor. [30] Jesse Huff, Amir Madani. [31] Zach Vestal, Trent Duhan, John Veraar. [32] Chuck Casey, Ryan Waterhouse. [33] Tim Goode, Renee Morgan, Jeff Hain. [34] Noah Stewart, Taylor Peck, Salma Nakhlawi, David Fulham. [35] Bobby Marshall, Field Wardlaw, Mike Stiglitz, Tate Hudson. [36] Robert Fairchild, Danny Wright, Kit Pound.

------------| DATE BOOK

Listings are often submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with sponsor before making plans to attend.

Northwestern Lumber Association – March 5-6, yard & delivery operations workshops, Tomah, Wi.; March 7-8, Eden Prairie, Mn.; members.bldconnection.org.

LMC – March 5-7, annual meeting, Houston, Tx.; www.lmc.net.

Frame Building Expo – March 6-8, Des Moines, Ia.; www.nfba.org.

Peak Auctions – March 7-11, Midwest online auction; peakauction.com.

North American Wholesale Lumber Association – March 10-12, Leadership Summit, El Conquistador, Tucson, Az.; www.nawla.org.

University of Innovative Distribution – March 11-14, Indianapolis, In.; www.univid.org.

Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club – March 12, meeting, Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Va.; www.lumberclub.org.

Emery Jensen Distribution – March 12-13, Edge show, Dallas, Tx.; www. emeryjensen.com.

Ace Hardware – March 12-14, convention, Dallas, Tx.; acehardware.com.

Northeast Retail Lumber Association – March 14, IDEAS show, Mohegan Sun Earth Expo, Uncasville, Ct.; www.nrla.org.

Peak Auctions – March 16, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, Il.; www.peakauction.com.

Northwestern Lumber Association – March 18-19, blueprint reading & material take-off, Sioux Falls, S.D.; members.bldconnection.org.

National Hardwood Lumber Association – March 20-22, intro to hardwood grading course, Memphis, Tn.; www.nhla.com.

Southern Forest Products Association/Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association – March 20-22, spring meeting, Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, La.; www.slma.org.

National Wooden Pallet & Container Association – March 20-24, annual leadership conference & expo, Sawgrass Marriott, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl.; www.palletcentral.com.

Northwestern Lumber Association – March 21, Wisconsin Connection Conference, Ho Chunk Hotel & Convention Center, Baraboo, Wi.; March 21-22, blueprint reading & material take-off, Fargo, N.D.; members. bldconnection.org.

Blish-Mize – March 21-23, buying market, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Ks.; www.blishmize.com.

JLC Live – March 21-23, Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, R.I.; www.jlclive.com.

Do it Best – March 23-25, spring market, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Tx.; www.doitbest.com.

Southern Cypress Manufacturers Assn. – March 25, annual meeting, Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston, S.C.; www.cypressinfo.org.

Hardwood Manufacturers Assn. – March 25-27, national conference & expo, Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston, S.C.; hmamembers.org.

International Mass Timber Conference – March 26-28, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Or.; www.masstimberconference.com.

National Hardware Show – March 26-28, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nv.; www.nationalhardwareshow.com.

Wallace Distribution Co. – March 26-28, spring dealer market, Sevierville, Tn.; www.wallacehardware.com.

Peak Auctions – April 6, LBM auction, Saline, Mi.; www.peakauction.com.

Composite Panel Association – April 7-10, spring meeting, Omni Amelia Island, Amelia Island, Fl.; www.compositepanel.org

National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Assn. – April 9-10, spring meeting/legislative conference, Washington, D.C.; dealer.org.

Montreal Wood Convention – April 9-11, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, Quebec; www.montrealwoodconvention.com.

Trending Insights & Valuable Networking

NAWLA Regional Meetings connect lumber industry professionals across North America for networking and tailored education.

WANTED TO BUY

WANTED TO BUY

John Charles “Charlie” Wolohan, 89, co-founder of Wolohan Lumber, Saginaw, Mi., died on Jan. 29 after a lengthy illness.

Charlie enjoyed a lengthy career in the retail lumber business, starting out at the Wolohan family’s grainery business, which later expanded into lumber after being acquired by the Wickes Lumber Co. After graduation from Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) in 1956, he worked for Wickes in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois.

In 1964, Charlie, along with relatives who also worked for Wickes Lumber and other Wickes managers, left Wickes to form Wolohan Lumber. The retail chain would grow to 65 locations in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kentucky.

After helping to open and run Wolohan stores in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, Charlie was transferred to the company’s headquarters to serve in upper management roles. He retired in 1983.

Bernard “Buzz” Holtvluwer, 66, former co-owner of Standale Lumber & Supply, Grandville, Mi., died Dec. 27.

Buzz officially joined his father’s lumber company after graduating from high school in 1974. During his 45 years with the family business, he served as vice president and became co-owner with his siblings when their father passed away in 2010. He retired from daily operation of the business in 2018. He then became area sales manager for VB Synthetics in 2022 and with Tanager Products a year later.

Samuel Pitt Moneypenny, 72, co-owner of Moneypenny Hardware & Rental, Louisville, Ky., died on Dec. 19. He also worked at 84 Lumber, Wickes, Furrows Lumber, and retired from Oscar’s Hardware in 2020.

Charles Nickerson Rogers, 75, former owner of Conwell Home Center, Provincetown, Ma., died on Feb. 8.

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Charlie spent 30 years as a title examiner before purchasing Provincetown

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Lumber in 1989. He renamed the business Conwell Lumber to appeal to the larger area and in time added an Ace Hardware store.

His son, Jeff, joined the business in 2006 and took over a few years later, so his parents could retire.

Henry “Hank” Kovar IV, 97, longtime manager of Fullerton Lumber, New England, N.D., died on Feb. 3.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Hank joined Fullerton Lumber. He retired after more than 40 years with the yard.

Cheryll Kay Bowers, co-founder of Bowers Forest Products, Beavercreek, Or., passed away on Dec. 19. She was 64.

With degrees in accounting and business management, Cheryl owned and operated multiple businesses. She and husband Jeff Bowers launched Bowers Forest Products in 1999, with her serving as CFO and vice president. They led the company three different mill locations and in 2019 purchased the Woodway product line from LWO.

FLASHBACK: HELLO, FINGERJOINTING

FORTY-FIVE YEARS ago this month, BPD’s sister publication, The Merchant Magazine, reported on the emerging trend of fingerjointed lumber and its use in floor framing. Per the March 1979 edition:

Fingerjointed Floor Framing

A development in residential construction gaining acceptance is the use of fingerjointed lumber in floor framing. Short pieces of lumber are run through a zig-zag splicer and glued together into lengths up to 72 ft. These long lengths allow continuous span framing without overlaps.

Standard Structures Inc., Santa Rosa, Ca., has developed the XL floor joist and from a new factory opening this month will produce 1 million board feet of fingerjointed lumber each month.

Lumber that has been kiln dried to 15% moisture content, in sizes 2 x 6” through 2 x 12”, is used in manufacturing XL joists. Tests have proved that fingerjointed lumber

LIFELONG FRIEND of the magazine Dwight Curran used the March 1979 Merchant to announce he was striking out on his own after wholesaling along the West Coast for Georgia-Pacific and others. He named his company DMK-Pacific after the initials of his children. The grandson of California lumber pioneer Frank Curran, Dwight spent decades as a contributing editor for our publication, gathering news during his calls and travels. He passed away on Dec. 29, 2019, at the age of 81.

meets all structural tests for strength, the company says. The Uniform Building Code permits using approved fingerjointed lumber interchangeably with solid sawn lumber of the same species and grade.

By using shorter, less expensive lumber and with longer lengths that are installed faster, fingerjointed lumber is helping builders hold down framing costs, the firm notes, observing that residents claim continuous span floor systems have fewer squeaks, are stiffer and more comfortable.

The use of fingerjointed lumber also helps in maintaining the inventory of living trees, in that special trees don’t have to be felled to obtain extra long lengths of lumber. *

Standard Structures would sell its engineered wood operations to RedBuilt, Boise, Id., in 2011.

Another lead story in the issue was a surprise move by L-P—the manufacturer’s short-lived foray into retail:

L-P Enters Retail Field

In a move that caught industry observers napping, Louisiana-Pacific Corp. agreed in principle to acquire certain assets of Lonestar Industries, Inc.’s building materials distribution centers in the Los Angeles basin.

The move would put L-P into the retail end of the business for the first time. The firm only recently has been involved in building products wholesaling in addition to manufacturing, which comprises the bulk of L-P business. It is expected that further acquisitions at the retail and wholesale level will be made by the forest products giant.

For $10 million for the fixed assets plus the value of inventories of approximately $22 million, L-P will acquire 16 contractor and combination contractor/retail yards in metro Los Angeles as well as a roof truss manufacturing complex and cargo handling and distribution facilities.

Rounds Lumber Co., Cloverdale, Ca., was not shy about the species it was promoting on the cover of the March 1979 issue.

REDWOOD

Composite can’t compare.

Like the foods we buy, when it comes to decking, we want natural and real. Redwood is always available in abundance of options. So stock the shelves! Unlike mass-produced and inferior products, Redwood is strong, reliable and possesses many qualities not found in artificial products. They maintain temperatures that are comfortable in all climates.

Redwood Empire stocks several grades and sizing options of Redwood.