We Do Specialty Plywoodo.. McKenzie Forest Products is now Swanson Group Mfg. L.L.C.

The line of specialty panels that McKenzie produced iue an excellent compliment to the panel production of Swanson Group Mfg L.L.C. Glendale Plywood and Veneer operation. Between their two plywood mills, Swanson Croup can now produce and deliver to you the specialty panels you need from MDO and HDO overlays to oversized panels, Call Swanson Group Sales in Grants Pass at 541-956-4300 and ask for Kevin Daugherty, Nancy Daniels, or Andy Richardson.

Spe.claloty (spesh'el tE), n., ctdj. -n. 1. a spccial line of work, skill, or the like cln which one is dedicated, such as outstanding service in selling and delivering plywood. 2. an article or service particularly dealt in, manufactured, and rendered, such as manufacturing marine plywood. -adj, 3. producing or offering an unusual or specific product, such as concrete form panels.

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Shhhh.,r what's going on?

As I call around, the question I am asked all the time is "What are you hearing? What's going on?" In bad times, we all feel better when we hear about others sharing our own pain. as misery loves company.

In reply, I would like to say I am hearing only good things, but in truth I cannot. There is no doubt that, especially in certain parts of the country, times are about as tough as they can get (I hope). We have certainly heard of areas where business is down 50-70Vo, and in best case 20-25Vo down. News from the manufacturer down to the consumer is still negative, with the general press doing everything possible to scare off any recovery.

However, many companies have reorganized their businesses, are trading perfectly well, and are adapting to what they need to do. I hear over and over again of companies adjusting their product mix and looking less at their commodity business and more for new higher margin products to sell. I hear of companies sucking up others even though there is perhaps no immediate return on capital, preparing themselves for the turnaround. Unfortunately, we are also seeing some fall by the wayside, while others are being swallowed up. Sometimes, business needs a time of adjustment to do some clearing out. Painful, but it arguably leaves the industry sounder along the way.

I think mid-2006 was when we all realized the golden goose had flown the coop and that 2007 would be a tough year, but the general feeling was "let's get out of 2O07, and 2008 will be ber ter." About third quarter last year, I heard a top industry economist say that his company-one of the industry's largest-did not see a turnaround before 2010. I must admit I swallowed hard and thought that he was a year and a half out, and that by first or second quarter of 2008 we would start seeing an up arrow. However, I am not that confident at this moment in time.

I believe that before we can see an up-tick we need two things to happen. First, we need "quiet time" and then some definite drastic action by the Fed. It's not clear if the Fed will intervene, but for confidence levels to rise, we need a space of two to three months with no bad news, and that certainly has not happened yet. On the other hand, for those smart enough this is a time of great opportunity. The marketers of this industry are licking their chops at the opportunities to gain market share at the expense of others, and are not sitting still.

Yet here we are in October, and if you are in management, you have to start the annual budget process. I must admit, I too am scratching my head, but I have never managed just for the short term and I will not be planning for doom. The role of management is to manage not only for the short term, but also the long term. This is what we are hired to do, and every year you make it through, you go back in and wrestle rvith the paradox all over again. l'm just not sure about the color? ls that board crooked? Meow!

The easiest job a manager can do is manage for the short term. You just keep squeezing out costs, until you destroy the company. Or if you manage for the long-term, you can keep making the excuse: stay the course and everything will be rosy. The attributes of a leader are the ability to manage with strength, vision, and courage, and to do both.

Anything can be cut with instant gratification to the bottom line. But what happens six months to a year later? I am a great believer that when you do the right things, good things happen. You do nothing. you receive nothing in return.

This is certainly a time when your company needs strong leadership. It is not a time for the faint of heart. While managing and motivating your people to not only deliver immediate results, do spend the time and money to continue their development. Also encourage them to take shared risks. Do not stop spending on R&D -you do need to find and develop new products and services. Do not stop educational programs and your association affiliations. Knowledge is king in this environment. Do not cut your sales and marketing programs. This last comment might also suggest that some companies should have a marketing program to begin with (hint, hint).

Many decisions are required during a working day. None will be more important than achieving the fine balance of both long- and short-term requirements to make a business successful and attracting and keeping the human capital that this industry continues to struggle to attract. Good luck!

Can you do anything about the price?

You guys are making too much noise!

You ran over my dog!

I never agreed to that!

It doesn't look like the magazine.

Why doesn't it look like my neighbors?

,.igd ls it too late to change my mind?

3 weeks, what do you mean 3 weeks?

Be kind to my flowers. I can only pay in quarters.