New Remodeling Law a Blessing or a Curse for California Retailers?

A new law in California that requires owners who want to remodel older homes to install high-efficiency toilets and faucets-even if the rernodeling project has nothing to do with plumbing-may prove a boon for or a blow to home improvement retailers.

Passed with little fanf'are more than four years ago, the Water Conservation Act of 2009 came into effect January 1,2014, mandating that new homes and pre-1994 houses to be remodeled must have low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets. Building permits will not be issued or projects signed off by building inspectors unless non-compliant plumbing fixtures are replaced.

If not remodeled, all pre- 1994 homes must install the water-conserving fixtures by 2017, and all commercial and apartment buildings must do so by 2019.

Retailers that sell fixtures could see sales rise. Conversely, overall remodeling projects could plummet if the new requirements discourage homeowners from, say, adding a deck if they've also got to factor in the cost of replacing all of their otherwise satisfactory toilets, faucets and showerheads. Or. the law could drivc homcowners to seek out unlicensed contractors to do the work or to try to perform the work, perhaps by themselves, without obtaining the necessary permits.

There are some exceptions. The law does not apply to repairs or routine maintenance. such as painting. installing new roofing, siding, windows, furnaces, or water heaters, or treating for termites or dry rot.

It may also not apply to upgrades that aren't physically connected to the home, such as swimming pools, spas, retaining walls, fences, sheds, and detached garages.

But since, at this point, the mandates are a law and not a building code, different jurisdictions may have different interpretations and exceptions. Retailers should become familiar with the varying requirements of the areas that they serve.

Simpson Lumber Go. has eliminated one of three shifts at Mill #5 in Shelton, Wa., due to log prospects.

Northern Enqineered Wood Products indeTinitety idted its Smithers, 8.C., particleboard and melamrne plant.

Hampton Affiliates, Porttand, Or.. anticioates restartino its Babine Forest Products sailmill in Burns Lake, 8.C., early this month.

The facility has been closed since a deadly explosion on Jan. 20,2012.

Capital Lumber, Chino, Ca., is now distributing LP SolidStart engineered wood products throughout Southern California, including LSL and LPI 450 and LPI 530 l-joists.

Jeld-Wen, Klamath Falls, Or., is shutting down its Dubuque, la., wood fiber production plant March 28, laying off 52.

Parex USA, Anaheim, Ca., has added an 8,400-sq. ft. distribution center in San Diego, Ca., to stock LaHabra brand stucco oroducts and house a color samDle lab.

Fiberon will invest $3.8 million over the next three years to expand its manufacturing facility in New London, N.C.

Milgard Windows & Doors, Tacoma, Wa., was honored for the third time as one of the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces in the U.S. Ingersoll Rand also made the list.

CertainTeed Gypsum, Tampa, Fl., was named the 2013 Commodities Vendor of the Year Uv Do it Best

USG Corp.'s Auburn, Wa., manufacturing plant earned the prestigious Voluntary Protection Program Star designation from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, recognizing implementation of exemplary safety and health programs.

Johns Manville, Denver, Co., has redesigned its corporate website at www.jm.com, incorporating responsive design.

PEOPLE ARE BUILDING AGAIN and that means increased demand for timbers. That's good news for yards like yours; especially if you're carrying Humboldt Redwood Con Heart, Douglas fir and Pressure Treated Timbers. Premium quality Humboldt Redwood, Douglas fir and Pressure Treated Timbers give your customers everything they need - unmatched strength, durability, beauty, and eco-friendly FSC@ Cerlification. Our Redwood, Douglas fir and Pressure Treated Timbers are

Guy Bennett Mill Restarting

Bennett Lumber Products, Princeton, Id., plans to reopen its Guy Bennett Lumber mill at the Port of Wilma near Clarkston, Wa.. which has been shuttered since 2009.

The facility is expected to restart this spring, with one shift of 60 to 70 workers.

V.p. Brett Bennett attributed the reopening to slow but steady return of the housing market and a lawsuit victory by the Umatilla National Forest, which permits a large timber sale to proceed.

Fire Damages So. Cal. Yards

Authorities are investigating the cause of a Jan.2 blaze that damaged SB Lumber and HB Redwood in Pacoima, Ca.

"It was disturbing because I didn't know the extent of the damage," said Stan Zevikabrenner, owner of S.B. Lumber. "All the machinery is down, so we are paralyzed for a while, until we get the machinery back up."

Battalion chief Steve Ruda said the fire was dangerous because of the presence of high-tension wires that were damaged. "Some of those that were damaged by the heat and fell and then energized the fence," he said.

The fire originated in the outside lumber storage area. However, the office and recordkeeping systems were undamaged and no injuries were reported. Firefighters were monitoring "highly combustible sawdust" inside a 70-ft. silo.

"Nobody's hurt, and that's the first thing," said Zevikabrenner. "It could have been worse."

Conifex Buying Lignum

Integrated forest products company Conifex Timber, Prince George, B.C., has agreed to acquire distributor Lignum Forest Products LLP, Vancouver, B.C., for $4 million.

Conifex c.e.o. Ken Shields said, "We believe that this transaction, including the retention of Lignum's experienced personnel, will further advance our marketing and logistics capability, while concurrently reducing overall marketing costs. We expect to significantly extend our market reach, particularly in the improving U.S. market, through enhanced access to complementary customers and product lines."

The deal was expected to close by

Jan.3l.

Hans Thur, Conifex senior v.p., will have oversight responsibility for Lignum.

Utah's Burton Goes Solar

Burton Lumber, Salt Lake City, Ut., has reduced its energy cost and carbon footprint by transforming unused roof space into a solar farm.

According to co-owner Jeff Burton, the company had been paying anywhere from $150000 to $200,000 a year for power. "When you look at your energy costs and they're so high, you wonder how you can move them the other way," he said.

It took more than 18 months to install 2,616 solar modules on the 193,484-sq. ft. roof. The cost of the new system was $2 million, which the company expects to pay off within four years.

So far, the only problem has been snow, which has to be cleaned off the panels so they can produce energy.

"When a lumberyard can actually give back to the environment, because we are kind of known as the guys cutting trees down. when we can give back. that makes sense." said Burton.

Mtguel

Oregon Loses an Ace

Keizer Ace Hardware, Keizer, Or., closed at the end of January with the expiration of its lease.

Owners Greg and Jan Frank will continue operating their store in West Salem, Or. He took over the 42-yearold Keizer store (and became affiliated with Ace) in 20ll from his parents, who acquired the then-Coast to Coast Hardware in 1979,

Alarm, Sprinklers Limit Fire

Damage at Ace Hardware

Grand Lake Ace Hardware, Piedmont. Ca.. suffered about $20.000 in damage and closed for one day following an early-morning electrical fire Jan. 5.

The blaze started in a rear storage area, triggering the store's security system. Its automatic sprinkler system held the fire in check until firefiehters could arrive.

Stoltze's Roady Appointed to Softwood Lumber Gouncil

Chuck Roady, vice president of F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber, Columbia Falls, Mt., has been appointed to a three-year term on the Softwood Lumber Council.