Green optimism

By Jay Tompl

fT SEEMS there's less talk these days labout the bad economy and more about things we can do to take action. Action is inherently hopeful and psychologically empowering. Businesses that take action when economic conditions change create their own oppoftunities.

Over the last several weeks. this is exactly what I see happening. I'm hearing optimism about green business opportunities and a genuine desire to be more, or even much more, sustainable. And this is leading to an emerging economics of trust that our industry needs to embrace.

The big economic trends all point to "green": clean energy, energy and water conservation, clean technology, federal spending and regulation, etc. There are more green building programs that require third-party verification and the U. S. Green Buildine Council's LEED program is pushing third-party life cycle analysis for products and materials eaming LEED credits. And there are more third-pany certifications that cover a wider variety of product categories.

The message to manufacturers is that not only must they produce products that meet green building guidelines, they must do so sustainably and these facts must be demonstrated to a trusted, impartial third party. "Trust, but verify," a former president and product pitch man once said. And manufacturers are doing it, ensuring that this will be one of the most imoortant ways to establish their credibility in the marketplace, with huge implications for brand building, marketing and sales strategies.

Consumer attitudes continue to slant "green" as well. Energy saving is top of mind for most at the moment, but awareness about the long tenn issues of climate change, drought, eutrophication, toxic chemicals, food security, etc. hasn't abated. Consumers are still buying greener products, but more people are suspicious of corporate greenwashing. In fact, one emerging trend shows people moving away from "consumerism" altogether and toward greater personal responsibility. More people want to do more with less: less negative impact on their family's health, the environment, and energy budget, and more quality of life. As a result, a host of social media websites such as GreenGuide.com and GreenMaven.com are popping up, attcmpting to deliver the real truth about this green product or that greenwasher, creating rapidly growing communities that trust in the "wisdom of crowds." More importantly, sites like these can establish or obliterate the credibility of a retailer or a product in flash.

I've recently spoken with a surprisingly large number of product manufacturers, some in unexpected product categories, who are planning to undergo some sort of third-party certification or documentation to give their claims a credibility boost in the market. Product certifications and other documentation are increasingly important to retail and distributor merchandisers who orocess loads of product data everyday but don't have the expertise or the time to independently verify all manufacturer claims.

More often these days, the first question a buyer asks when being sold a green product is, "Who says?" That's a good sign, because many retailers and distributors I talk to are attempting the more difficult task of creating trustworthy merchandising programs for their stores and yards. The starting point and the foundation for these programs must be on building collections of quality, verified products that the sales staff understands and feels confident selling. Businesses that get this right will inspire trust and have good reason to be optimistic about their futures.

- Jay Tompt is vice president ofgreen procluct devekryment at distributor Plan-lt Hardware and a leading expert in sustainable business and supply chain issues. He can be reached at inJo@plan-ithardware.com or (415) 359-9911.

Gunman Slays Lumberman

The 5 5-year-old, third-generation owner of Bohnhoff Lumber. Vernon. Ca., and a 31-year-old yard worker were shot and killed by a second employee May 18.

Authorities said that Saul Moreno. 51, opened fire in the company's office after a work-related dispute with owner Alan Bohnhoff. Moreno then reportedly tried to shoot son Michael Bohnhoff, but the gun jammed.

"Moreno just doesn't like to take orders and blew his cool." said Charlie Bohnhoff, the victim's father. "I ran over there and held my boy in my arms when he died. I gave him a kiss goodbye."

Exiting into the lumberyard, Moreno allegedly then fatally shot coworker Jaime Sanchez, a forklift operator and order man.

The gunman fled after the shootings, but was quickly arrested by police after he lost control of his car and crashed.

Moreno was charged with two murders, attempted murder, and for evading police.

According to the district attorney, the death penalty is an option because it is a multiple murder case.

Boise Closing 2 NW Mills

Boise Cascade is shuttering its sawmill in La Grande, Or., and small log mill in Kettle Falls, Wa., for an indefinite period.

La Grande is scheduled to close late this month, once log inventories are depleted. Kettle Falls curtailed production in early May.

"We don't know when our operations might come back up again, but it is not any time in the foreseeable future," said spokesperson Steve Lyon.

Mexican Buyers Visit ldaho

Representatives from one of Mexico's lumber imporlers associations visited Idaho in late April to meet with wood products suppliers.

"A slower domestic economy presents a good opportunity for Idaho companies to diversify their customer base outside the United States," said Damien Bard, an administrator in the international trade division of the Idaho Department of Commerce.

The purpose of the visit was to demonstrate the wide variety of applications for Idaho forest products, showcase the high quality product standards that Idaho companies are able to provide to the global market, and explain the affiliated supply chain that services and supports ldaho's timber industry.

Mexico is Idaho's eighth largest export partner, with exports in 2008 totaling $183.7 million, up 5.4Vo from 2001.

"Cooperation of our partners in the forest products industry was critical in making the visit a success," said Bard. "It was a great opportunity to differentiate Idaho products from competing products from South America that currently possess a strong market share in Mexico."

Redwood Mills Lay Off More

Mendocino Redwood Co., Calpella, Ca., and Humboldt Redwood Co.. Scotia. Ca.. have throttled back production, temporarily laying off about 30 workers each.

"In the past, redwood lumber has been insulated from the ups and downs of the housing market," said spokesperson Mike Jani, as it is used mainly for high-end renovations, decks and other lifestyle features. "That is not the case this time."

According to c.e.o. Richard Higgenbottom, "We anticipate business conditions could allow, but not guarantee. a return to active status within the next l8 months."

Dave Johnson, ex-North Pacific, is new to Boise Cascade's distribution center in Lathrop, Ca.

Scott Crutchfield. ex-Summit Hardwoods, has joined Parr Lumber Co.. Chino. Ca.. as hardwood sales mgr. New to sales are Matt Wright and Brad Appelgate, both also formerly of Summit.

John F. Morgan Sr. has been elected chairman of the board at Plum Creek Timber, Seattle, Wa. He succeeds Ian Davidson, who is retiring from the board after 20 years.

Satoshi Iida has been promoted to president of Kubota Tractor Co.p., Torrance, Ca.

Bill Lennie has rejoined Home Depot as senior v.p.-merchandising for international.

Richard Posey, ex-Moen, has been elected to the board of directors at Trex.

Donald De Visser, technical director, West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau, Portland, Or., was presented the L.J. Markwardt Award by ASTM International.

Ron Ctiff has been appointed the chairman of Canfor Corp., Vancouver, B.C., succeeding Peter Bentley, who remains on the board as chairman emeritus.

George Sui has joined Activant Solutions Inc., Livermore, Ca., as senior v.p. of customer operations & professional services for the hardlines & lumber group.

Ralph Bruno, president, has left Azer Building Products, after 8 years. Brian Kincaid, ex-Newell Rubbermaid, has joined Azsx as v.p.-marketing.

Rhonda Hunter has been named v.p.-southern timberlands for Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way,

Wa., succeeding Tom Holmes, who is retiring later in the year.

Larry Ettis, mill mgr., Oregon West Lumber Sales, Eagle Point, Or., is vying for a seat on the local school board.

Michael Parrella and Janet Pimentel recently marked their 25th year with Parr Lumber Co., Chino. Ca.

Garry Tabor, president and c.e.o., Building Material Distributors, Inc., Galt, Ca., recently presented 20 scholarships to full-time college students who are children of BMD employees: Ryan Johnson, Chelsea Garrett, Rigoberto Fonseca II, Katie Kime, Jennifer Malagn, Jessica Malago, Christie Liebig, Lindsey Liebig Alexis La Rose, Tara Breckenridge, Derek Colson, Trevor Deane, Ajana DeRamos, Xiomara Fonseca,

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Rob M. Blind now heads the executive compensation committee at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

Blaze Levels Glulam Plant

A massive late-night May 20 blaze destroyed Cascade Structural Laminators' glulam beam plant in Chehalis, Wa.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fast-growing, three-alarm fire, which caused caused CSL's main building to collapse.

"Basically the heart of our building is gone-our manufacturing process. We lost our main building, our office, and another building we had," said CSL president Steve Killgore.

Most employees will be out of work for some time, according to Killgore. "Ironically," he noted, "business picked up and we were looking to coming back to maybe a second shift here in the next couple of weeks-so luck of the draw."

Based in Eugene, Or., the company also operates a planing mill and shipping facility at Fort Hill (Willamina), Or., sparing CSL's entire Stock Beam inventory and allowing orders to be filled for at least the short term. CSL "will begin working to insure we provide an uninterrupted long-term supply of both Stock and Custom beams."

MiTek Links With SidePlate

MiTek Inc., Chesterfield, Mo., has acquired SidePlate Systems Inc., Laguna Hills, Ca., extending its reach into the commercial, institutional and heavy industrial construction markets.

SidePlate develops and manufactures connectors to protect steel-frame structures from natural and manmade disasters, including earthquakes, blast attacks, and progressive collapse.

MiTek expects to retain all SidePlate employees, including president Henry Gallart and senior v.p. Jared Adams.

Suitors Parcel Out Britt Sites

Four different parties are negotiating to acquire assets of the nowdefunct Britt Lumber Co., Arcata, Ca., from Town of Scotia Co., which inherited Britt in last year's bankruptcy proceedings for former owner

Pacific Lumber Co.

Bob Figas, Figas Construction, Eureka, Ca., has agreed to purchase and restart the sawmill, which has been idle since October 2007. At its peak, the facility employed 120, but was down to 20 workers by the time it closed.

Larry Oetker, Arcata community development director, said the city is considering a business loan of $35,000 per employee if Figas purchased the property. "Whatever the city can do to attract or get back 20 or more manufacturing jobs in this town is what we want to see happen," he said.

The city of Arcata has agreed to buy Britt's log yard, with plans to divide the 2O-acre property into smaller parcels to sell to businesses.

A hydroponics firm is purchasing Britt's planer mill, and a construction company is considering buying Britt's forklift repair shop.

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