China's Downturn Benefits Northwest Mills

As China's economy slows, lumber and plywood mills in the Northwest should have access to more timber at reasonable prices.

According to Wood Resource Quarterly, China reduced log imports from the U.S., New Zealand and Russia by about 157o in the first half of this year. "Reduced investments in public projects and a cooling residential property market," reported the journal, have caused a decline in

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sawlog imports.

In addition, mills have been able to charge more for finished lumber and plywood because building has picked up in the past three months. However, mill operators are still hesitant to add shifts and hire more workers, because they aren't sure if the improved log supply is a blip or a long-term trend.

Log exports from the U.S. are controversial because logs from public lands can't be legally exported. However, private timber firms increasingly shipped raw logs overseas when the U.S. housing market crashed and lumber demand decreased domestically.

Timberland Owner to Move

Pope Resources has sold its 10,000-sq. ft. headquarters building in Poulsbo, Wa., to a supermarket chain for $2.9 million.

The timberland manager will relocate into a nearby 30,000-sq. ft. office it acquired last year.

Jewett Cameron Buying Quarter of Remaining Stock

Jewett-Cameron Trading Co., North Plains, Or., plans to repurchase up to 400,000 common shares of its stock-representing about 267o of its 1.6 million outstanding shares.

Over the last two years, the LBM distributor has repurchased 823,006 shares under prior repurchase plans.

Ex-Worker Busted for Theft

A former employee of Rocky Mountain Lumber, Hamilton, Mt., has been arrested on suspicion of stealing nearly $43,000 worth of lumber from the company.

If convicted, James Jumper, 49, faces up to l0 years in jail and a fine of up to $50,000.

According to court documents, a purchasing manager discovered a large amount of building materials were unaccounted for and later reportedly overheard Jumper talking to a co-worker about a building project at his home.

A trip to Jumper's house revealed a large quantity of lumber wrapped with the company's name. Jumper allegedly asked the manager about returning the wood, and the manager agreed to give him one week to do so.

However, when a detective later went to Jumper's house, he allegedly said he had purchased the lumber from two other companies, although his receipts purportedly did not match up with the lumber.

UMPQUA MILL WEEK (continued from previous page): [1] John Murphy, Art Reid, Brian Jackson, Matt Kolar. [2] Brian Johnson, Petar Stoyanov, Valerie Johnson. [3] Jim Weber, Jerry Long, Bert McKee, Jim McMenamin. [4] Ron & Joni Hanson. [5] Brad Myers, Beth Hager. [6] Jim Frank, John Strader, Randy Wiles. [7] Danny Osborne, Fred Sutton. [8] Sal Camarda, Bill Young. [9] Terry Johnson, Tanya Joyner, Kevin

MORE UMPQUA Valley Lumber Assocaton Mill Week (continued f rom previous two pages) [1] David Franklln, John Bulllon, lvlatt

Fu lerton. [2] M ckey Brown, Mike McCollum.

[3] Kathy Lindsay, Chuck Casey [4] Joe

Rob nson Kurt Batey. Todd Lund, Ron Tiller

[5] Becky & Brian Jones. [6] J m & Peggy

Throne. [7] Don Hardwick, Rob Freres. John Rotticcr [8] Brad Hatley, Katie & Thor

Yarbrough, Leslie Southwick. [9] Keshia & Ryan Owens [10] Randy Johnson, Karen

Slaughter, Steve Snyder [11] Randy Gregory

Pat & Dave Wright

Natural Beauty and Exceptional Quality.

\,Vith [oscodio decking, lhe unsurpossed nol uro beouty of \,/estern Red [edor is mokhed ,lith Termirol Foresl Products' renovrned rnqnuf6lluri'rq qLulil lhil rrp0le) 0 0'0du I lhct is beoutiful, funclionol, ond eco frlendly [oscodio deck ng ls mode from o 1 00% renewoble ond susloinob e llorth Anrericon resource unlike PVC ond composile decklng, r,rhich is argely mode ftom non renewoble petroleum products Ihird por! life cyce onolysis cleorly shovn V/RI decking os Ihe besl environnrenlcl chorce for decking, WR[ significonl y oulperforms susfifule producls in every environmentol meosure.

Richard Rendell Coale Jr., 54, sales manager for Huff Lumber Co., Santa Fe Springs, Ca., died Aug. 5 after a year-long battle with melanoma cancer.

He started his industry career in the late 1970s with Rugg Lumber, Upland, Ca., moving to companies such as Mesa Forest Products, Costa Mesa, Ca., and Stock Building Supply, Los Angeles, Ca., before beginning a second stint with Huff in 2001.

Robert "Bob" Ransom, 91, retired co-owner of Ransom Brothers Hardware & Lumber, Ramona, Ca., died July 16 in Morro Bay, Ca.

During World War II, Mr. Ransom repaired fighter planes in the Carrier Aircraft Service Unit.

Afterwards, he returned to work in the family business, which was started by his father and uncle, Robert and Stanley Ransom. He retired in 1985.

James E. "Jim" Duckworth, 69, purchasing manager for Forest Products Sales, Murray, Ut., and sister company Utah Wood Preserving, Woods Cross, Ut., died JuIy 26.

He joined Forest Products Sales in 1974 after l0 years with the U.S. Marine Corps. that included two active tours of duty in Vietnam.

Charles Maitland "Chuck"

Simpson, 88, retired owner of Big Sandy Lumber & Supply, Big Sandy, Mt., died Aug. l3 in Big Sandy.

During World War II, he served as a signalman in the Navy. Afterwards, he earned a bachelors degree in the forestry program at the University of Montana.

Mr. Simpson worked as a forester in the redwood forests of California

Quolity Western Cedor Products

before returning to Montana to work for the Forest Service. He then went to work at Big Sandy Lumber, which he later purchased.

Mildred Mary Crooks Holmes, 93, retired co-founder of Holmes Lumber, Scotts Valley, Ca., died Aug. 9 in Lahaina. Maui. Hi.

In 1947, she and her husband, Lester, started a logging business in Arcata, Ca. They later launched Holmes Lumber, which her son, Larry, now operates.

Richard Douglas Willhite, 66, retired plant manager at Bennett Lumber, Elk City,Id., died July 3l in Grangeville, Id.

During the Vietnam War, he served as a radio technician with the Air Force. ln 1973, he graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in forest management science.

He then worked six years as a fore s ter for S outh we st Fore s t Industries, Cortez, Co. In l976,he joined Bennett Lumber as a forester in Clarkston, Wa. In 2001, he became plant manager of the Elk City mill, until it was sold in20O6. Before retiring in Sept. 2006, he served as plant manager of the new mill in Grangeville.

Everette L. Vanskike, 95, retired owner of Vanskike Hardware, Buckeye, Az., died June 29 in Tuscon, Az.

He and his wife, Erma Dell, started the store in the late 1950s.

William "Jay" Hamilton, 87, retired 35-year employee at Lumber Products, Tualatin, Or., died Aug. 5 in Portland, Or.

Lumber Association of California & Nevada has adopted a new name, the West Coast Lumber & Building Material Association.

Although the change has been finalized, some materials and events may take several months to reflect the new name. Phone numbers. email. website and physical addresses remain the same.

The association's board noted the title LACN was too limiting both geographically and product-wise.

The new name will be in effect at the group's annual convention Oct. I 8- l9 at Monterey Marriott, Monterey, Ca.

Convention speakers include lumber industry consultant Ruth KellickGrubbs, sharing how lumber dealers and suppliers are innovating and capturing new sales; Building Supply Channel's Greg Brooks, discussing who's winning and who's not in the world of LBM, and Builderlink president Greg Stine, leading the Technology Boot Camp, a presentation of evolving technology.

Social events will include solf at

Del Monte Golf Course, a cocktail reception, and a president's dinner.

Western Building Material Association is sponsoring webinars on "Gaining & Retaining Profitable Customers" Sept. 18 and a two-parter on "Yard Foreman Excellence" Nov. l3 and 15.

National Hardwood Lumber Association is partnering with Los Angeles Hardwood Lumberman's Club to offer a bilingual lumber grading short course Sept. 25-27 at Ganahl Lumber. Anaheim. Ca. Instructor is Tommy Dunson.

Western Wood Preservers Institute will host its annual meeting Nov. 4-7 at Grand Wailea Resort. Wailea. Maui. Hi.

North American Wholesale Lumber Association will convene its annual Traders Market Nov. 7-9 at Hyatt Regency, Chicago, Il.

Keynote speaker will be comedian Greg Schwem. Bill Benjamin will pre- sent a lunchtime program on "Emotional Intelligence and Being Your Best When It Matters Most."

Russ Taylor will lead the Magellan Network breakfast program.

Association of Millwork Distributors will hold its annual convention and tradeshow Oct. 8-12 at the Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, Ky.

Former NFL quarterback Tom Flick will keynote. A business roundtable will foster discussions on "What's Keeping You Up at Night?"

North American Deck & Railing Association holds its annual meeting and national deck awards dinner Oct. 10 at American Visionary Art Museum. Baltimore. Md.

The event coincides with the start of DeckExpo Oct. 10-12 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

APA-The Engineered Wood Association will host its annual meeting Nov. 9-13 at the Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island, Fl.

During our 63 years in the redwood business, Big Creek has developed a reputation for being a reliable supplier of high quality lumber. We produce a wide range of grades and dimensions, custom cut Umbers, pattern stock and fencing. Order full, mixed or partial truckloads.