Friedman's Uncovers Theft Rings

An intcrnal investigation at Friedman's Home Irnprovement store in Sonoma. Ca.. and its warehouse in Petaluma. Ca.. uncovered two theft rings that nettcd more than $100,000. Five cmployees have been arlestcd and authorities are seeking a sixth.

"In retail. internal theft is a significant issue. When pattcrns dcvelop you have to investigate," said chief financial officcr David Proctor. "Wc bcgan to notice that Sonoma losses were much higher than the other stores."

He said that the store's hired investigator discovered two parallel groups operating, onc in the store and one in the warehouse. Thc thefts included power tools, building materials. barbecues. cement, windows, and othcr materials.

One of the rings involved a drivcr fiom Friedman's Petaluma warehouse and an cmployee at the Sonoma storc where mcrchandise was diverled. The

GEO. M. HUFF LUMBER COMPANY;

o premier distributor of wholesole building products; hos teomed with Roseburg Engineered Wood Products in the Southern Colifornio morket. Huff Lumber offers the complele line of Roseburg EWP coupled wilh full lechnicol copobilities including toke-off, conversion, plocement drowings ond engineering services. EWP moteriols ore ovoiloble in mill direct bulk shipments, locol units ond cul piece job pockoges.

ROSEBURG FRAMING SYSTEM@

The Roseburg Froming Syslem@ consisis of: RFPI@ Joisls used in floor ond roof consiruction; RigidLom@ LVL which is used for heoders, beoms, studs ond columns; ond RigidRimo Rimboord. All of the components ore engineered to the induslry's highest siondords io help controctors build solid, duroble, ond befter performing froming systems compored to ordinory dimension lumoer.

RFPI@*Joist

Rigid[om@ LVI

Rigidlom@ LVI Sfuds

RigidLom@ LVL Columns

RigidRim@ Rimboord

HUFF LUMBER COMPANY

Santa Fe Springs, California 800-347-4833 second ring involvecl a yard workcr and threc cashicrs who conspirecl to load up trucks fbr fricnds and family and then pay thc cashicrs tcl look the other way.

Proctor added that while the discovery "challen-tcs us. wc have a very strong belicf in our employees. This was apparently six people out of 3-50. We still believe in our staff."

Among those arrested and char-ccd uith gr;.utd thell arrd conspirael werc driver Vinccnte Valencia. 2l ; yar.cl worker Carlos Gonzalez, 31, ancl cashiers Adricnne Garrison, 26; Kisha Waiolama. 3l and Matritza Barayas Barrera. 2l

The yardman allegedly paid the cashiers to look thc other way as he loaded up trucks fbr friends and l'amily. Authorities arc looking for Michael A. Fernandez.44, whom they suspect has fled thc state. He and Valcncia were reportedly workin-r together. lt is not clear how long the two ring: h:rtl bccn operlting.

Montana Mill Adds Retail Unit

Dcspite the slow economy. RBM Lumbcr hlr: ope rtcd l new store in Missoula, Mt., and will improve its mill in Colurnbia Falls. Mt.

"It's tough, but you just huve to think a little harder. work a little halder," said co-owncr Roy Thompson. "We're tryin-u to look at ways wc can take advantage of this."

The family-owncd company does its own logging in fbrests in northwest Montana and produces rnostly specialty wood products. such as bcams, mouldings and flooring.

"There's a lot of variety, and peop1e like that, so they can get what really fits their nceds," he said.

"We've becn wanting t0 open a store here for a long time and this just kind oi gavc us thL' opp()rtunity lo ge I that done." said Robinson.

Wood Free From Lead Rules

The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission has decided to cxempt untreated wood, paper, paperboard and corrugated packaging fronr costly new lead-testing requirements on the grounds that the materials mect even the most stringent CPSC lead standards.

"Thc commission's action provides a direct bcnefit to consumers because it cnsurcs that renewable and recyclable paper. packaging and wood products will continue to bc available at a reasonable cost." said Donna

Harman, president and c.e.o. of the American Forest & Paper Association, which lobbied for the exemption. Manufacturers of untreated wood are relieved from testing requirements of Secrion 102 of the CPSIA, although finished products made from the materials still must meet the act's lead limits.

Trex Settles California Suit

Trex Company has entered into a settlement agreement that will resolve a class action suit filed in California by a group alleging certain product