F.SC Dimension & Timbers

Nu Forest Froducts is a full-line distribution yard that, unlike many, has a wide range of milling equipment that enables us to handle all your specinlized needs. NFp can mill lengths from 8" to 38'-your stock or ours. hus, let Nu Forest Products prime your stock through our Paint-o-Matic and drying oven. protected with up to two coats of top-quality primer to mi:rimized moisture problems, NFp Primed Products perform better.

O_ur inventory includes Redwood (KD & Green), Douglas fir (KD Clears & Dimension, Timbers), pine KD (Commois & Clears), Western Red Cedar (select lhotty, Clears, Timbers), Hem-Fir (Fascia), Fingerjoint {DF, RedwoLd, WRC), pressure Tteated DF, and RMT Engineered Timbers.

Shortline RR Changes Hands

Albany & Eastern Railroad Co., a shortline railroad and reload based in Lebanon, Or., was acquired by Rick and Bernice Franklin, effective Aug. l.

Weyerhaeuser and Freres Lumber are the largest of the company's 22 customers, said Rick Franklin, but he sees great expansion opportunities. "With the opening of the new Lowe's distribution center in Lebanon and the opening of Weyerhaeuser's new Bauman Mill in about seven months, I think we have the opportunity to grow this business."

Former owner Mike Root had operated the line since 1998, but has been in the railroad business since 1959. "Rick has wanted to buy the railroad for a long time," he said. "There were other competitors, but he's local. It's the best thing for our shippers."

The railroad operates on 67 miles of track, from Albany to Lebanon, where it splits and goes from Lebanon to Mill City or to Foster. Included in the deal are four locomotives and Lebanon Reload, which has 105,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space and a 24,OOOsq. ft. warehouse.

"I have known Mike for many vears. and two or three times I told him when he was ready to retire to call me," said Franklin. "That time has come. The company name won't change. All of the contract agreements and operating rights will stay in effect."

Activant Buying Intuit Eclipse

Activant Solutions Inc., Livermore, has agreed to acquire the Intuit Eclipse Distribution Management Solutions business from Intuit Inc. for roughly $100 million in cash. The deal is expected to close this month.

Intuit Eclipse is a leading provider of business management solutions for wholesale distributors in segments ranging from electrical, plumbing, HVAC and building materials to industrial, janitorial and other durable goods supplies.

Building With Nanotechnology

Construction is one area where several "here and now" applications, such as specialized coatings, wood treatments, and self-cleaning glass, have already emerged for nanotechnology, according to a new study by The Freedonia Group.

Although current use is limited (U.S. demand in2006 totaled less than $20 million), the market for nanoma- terials used in construction is expected to reach $100 million in 2011 and near $1.75 billion in2025.

Nanomaterials offer improved performance properties for adhesives, concrete, coatings, flooring, glass, lighting equipment, plumbing fixtures, and other construction products.

Coatings are projected to constitute the largest application lor nanomaterials in construction. Architectural paints, water sealers, and deck treatments, and treatments applied during fabrication, such as scratch-resistant coatings on vinyl or wood flooring, all present substantial market opportunities. Nanomaterials are well suited to coatings because of their transparency, photoreactivity, UV blocking, and stain and odor resistance.

A number of other applications are also notably promising. Silica and other materials are finding use in highperformance concrete. Materials such as nanoscale silver incorporated into adhesives can impart conductive properties, increase strength, or protect them from microbial attack. Composites with oxides and clay reinforcements are being developed for use in insulation, roofing materials, vinyl siding and flooring.

Teal Jones, Premier Team Up

The Teal Jones Group. Surrcy, B.C., has joined forces rvith Premier Forest Products Inc.. Cosmopolis, Wa.. in a new venture.

"The Teal Jones Group rvill assume responsibility fbr raw mziterial supply. along rvith sailes support and the dcvclopment of new and expernded product lines ivhich are currently undcrrvay betrvccn the two companics." said Dick Jclncs. "Teal Jones is plcased to participate in sourcing the raw materials as rvell as helping tcr promote. rnarkct. and distribute Prcmier's oroducts."

For more than 60 years, Teal Jones has provided rvood products to customers all around tl.re world. Thc company operates the lar-eest privately orvned sarvmill company on the B.C. coast and is thc largest producer of western red cedar shakes and shingles in North America. lt orvns and opcrates its own tree forcst licenses throughout British Columbia. providing direct access to tirnber.

"With u reliable rrnd ctrnsistcnt rarr rnaterial supply from Teal Jones, r've rvill norv be in a position to manufacture the Premier Panel in larger volumcs to meet our demand," said Jim

Carlson. Premier's president. "This new venture allorvs us to better selve our current markets, as ',vell as provide the opportunity to open new markets and distribution across North Amcrica and Europe."

Sincc 1967. Premier has manuf'actured a wide range of cedar products. Its Premier Panel reportedly is the only tlvo-ply cedar shingle panel on thc market. A completc linc of custont accessories. including fascia, trim. and shingle corners, is also available.

"I have been tl'iends with Dick and Tom Jones for a long time." said Carlson. "We look forr.vard to a successful and prosperous venture together. This is -great nervs for our current and tuturc customers."

Columbia Vista Gets Certified

Columbia Vista's operution' in Vancouver, B.C.. have carned certification frclm the Forest Stervardship Council.

Included in the certification arc its mill and Dis-Tran Wood Products. a sister company and secondary manufacturer of crossarm and transmission arms for the electric utility industry. Mrlre than 100 employees rvork at the trvo sitcs.

Bosed in Annopolis, MD, Fletcher Wood Solutions is the lorgest monufccturer of defect-free, oppeoronce grode rodioto pine products in New Zeolond. Distributing our cleor boords, mouldings, LIFESPAN treoted wood, ond lumber to the North Americon morket through our proven ond completely integroted supply choin, Fletcher Wood Solutions mointcins direct occess to one of the lorgest FSC certified pine plontction forests in the world.

Colurnbia Vista has made a rvide ran-9e of investrnents to reduce its environmental irnpact: producin-r solar cncrgy through thc EPA's Gree n Power Partnership, purchasing nearly 33c/c <'tf its porver from sustainable sources! developing rvith Lervis Contmls a regenerative carriage drive that saves about J5o/t: of the energy previously uscd. and installing low voltage lighting at both plants.

OSB Warranty Upgraded

Ainslvorth has improved its rvarranty on its Durastrand Flooring Sturd-I-Floor to guarantee the installer rvill not have to rvorry about sanding thc edge-enhanced subfloor during installation. The 90-day no-sand rvarranly also includes a guarantce ur:ainst delamination fbr 50 years.

"What makes this no-sand warranty better is its intended audience: the builder." said Terry Stone, general manager of marketing. "The no-sand guarantee is effective for 90 days from date of delivery to the jobsite. Industry rvarranties typically take effect upon purchase date or delivery to a retailer's yard. rvhere product can be stored fbr sorne time. thus reducing the effbctiveness rvhere it's really needed-at the iobsite."