Northwest Dealer Bucks Economic Slump

Despite a soft economy, familyowned Ziegler Lumber has enjoyed record sales volumes this summer.

"As a whole, our company is doing pretty well right now," said Reid Ziegler, co-owner of the 43-year-old chain. "A lot of that is due to the fact that we have good people who do a good job of serving our customers. The bigger your knowledge pool, the smarter you get as a company."

Based in Spokane, Wa., the chain has seven retail locations in Washins- ton and Idaho.

Ziegler believes the company has weathered the housing downturn because contractors make up just 10% of its business and homeowners are remodeling rather than buying new homes.

But if anyone does wants to buy a home or alot,Ziegler Lumber has that covered, too. The family has been buying home lots in eastern Washington and northern Idaho for some time. Last year, they launched a home-development division named Ziggy's C&D LLC that builds on some of the lots. Others are sold to homebuilders or nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity.

"My dad started out in the business building homes, and we decided we wanted to get back into that in a more formal way," said Reid Ziegler. "It creates activity and another revenue stream."

Ziegler said the company "is always looking for opportunities, either in new retail stores or in different aspects of the business." For example, a cabinet-assembly plant is currently being considered, although nothing is definite now.

Buying products far ahead of time and effective inventory management are other tactics that enable success in a difficult market. The company bought a year's supply of steel roofing in January, and the price has since gone up 40Vo.

"The key is in understanding commodity markets. We do a good job of purchasing materials at the right price and time," he said. "Nine times out of l0 we're on the right side of the page. In this business, you better get more right than wrong."

Treater Adds Marine Coating

Thunderbolt Wood Treating, Riverbank, Ca., is adding a coating service for treated wood intended for marine applications.

Using a high pressure spray process, the plant will apply a marinegrade polyurea coating to creosote or Chemonite ACZA pressure-treated piling, poles, timbers and lumber.

Polyurea provides abrasion protection and encapsulates treated wood products, preventing exposure to sensitive aquatic environments.

The new coating services will come on line in early November.

Worker Crushed At ldaho Mill

An employee at Riley Creek's mill in Laclede. Id.. was crushed to death after becoming caught in a piece of mill equipment.

Emergency personnel were summoned to the facility at about 7 a.m. Sept.9, but 54 year-old Scott Reed died at the scene.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration's area office in Boise, Id., is investigating the accident and declined comment.