GIVING YOU AN EDGE.

When it comes to premium profile products, give your customers an edge-with UFP-Edge.

UFP-Edge is made from the highest-grade lumber available, iree of wane and with only small, tight knots that highlight the warm characteristics of natural wood. Hand-selected. Carefully cut with blades we sharpen and maintain ourselves. Manufactured near customer locations to eliminate the damage associated with storage and multrple transports. W;th UFP-Edge, you can offer the finest pattern, fascia and trim products on the market today. 0

UFPEdge.com

By Alan Oakes

Two-by-four-ish

[rnsr, rHE ovERALL NBws for the year still sounds on a good, upwards path, .1] while trailing most economic forecasts for new building starts. Telephone calls have shown reasonable support for the year to end on a good note, although I still hear that "we are busy three days a week, but the other two are dead."

Economic issues remain that suggest there will still be the occasional bump in the road, and that is why I sometimes shake my head at what I see happening on a state govemment or local judicial level. There are states that have created a real pro-business atmosphere. Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska and Virginia are high on my list, for example. Among large states, there's Texas.

On the other hand, my attention is more on California, where I reside-the world's eighth largest economy and a state with one of the highest poverty levels (about23Vo).It is often appears so anti-business it can make you want to pack your tent and move out-as, of course, many have. I saw that first-hand with a company I bought about 15 years ago, as prior ownership on a tax change bailed to Nevada overnight.

This week, I could not help note the Tesla company deciding on Nevada over California for its new battery plant, which would bring about 6,500 jobs. I cannot argue on whether or not it was worth it to California, considering the incentives that needed to be given, but as I have seen this decision before, I would expect that there were other concerns about how our State government operates and how to get things done after the initial agreements are signed. Tesla stated that Nevada was a "get things done state." Our govefnor stated that it would have cost the state's taxpayers too much. Of course, there are a lot fewer of us than there used to be.

I also note that in a state where government pensions are highly underfunded, the board of CaIPERS arbitrarily decided that 99 special bonuses that are paid to public employees can now be allowed for pension calculation. Understand that many of these bonuses are paid for jobs they should be doing anyway. This type of decision is absolutely crazy, but commonplace.

I feared we had reached a tipping point, upon learning that several California counties, including Marin (surprise, surprise), had gone after Lowe's for allegedly selling dimension lumber that didn't quite measure 2x4.1'm sure I wasn't the only one imagining all the new store signs advertising "1.55x3.62."

Fortunately, that seems unlikely (see story, page 13), but the fallout from relentless regulation is real. Our wonderful state (and I mean that) continues to crumble. Our infrastructure is falling apart. We were a leader creating energy and water systems, dredging harbors, building freeways. But today, instead of investing 20Vo of our budget in infrastructure, we are now down to about 5Vo.It is estimated we should invest about $500 billion over the next 20 years-fat chance! Consequently, coupled with high taxation, we have become a target for other states to poach our companies, entrepreneurs, tech base, and skilled employees.

I am sure California is not alone, but each and every state needs to create a business environment that allows companies to grow and invest and provides less incentive to flee.

On the other hand. I could not but notice while there a few weeks back, the EEC in Europe has now banned high-powered domestic vacuum cleaners. Perhaps they can be shipped here, to help clean up some of this mess - starting in Sacramento.

Alan Oakes. Publisher ajoakes@aol.com www.building-products.com

A publication of Cutler Publishing 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Publisher Alan 0akes ajoakes@aol.com

Publisher Emeritus David Cutler

Director of Editorial & Production David Koenig dkoenig@building-products.com

Contributing Editors

Dwight Cunan

James Olsen

Carla Waldemar

Advertising Sales Manager Chuck Casey ccasey@building-products.com

Adminishation Director/Secretary Marie 0akes mfpoakes@aol.com

Circulation Manager Heather Kelly hkelly@building-products.com

How to Advertise

Chuck Casey

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 ccasey@building-products.com

Alan Oakes www. bu ldin g-products.com

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 ajoakes@aol.com

CLASSIFIED David Koenig

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 dkoenig@building-products.com

How to Subscribe

SUBSCRIPTIONS Heather Kelly

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 hkelly@building-products.com or send a check to 4500 CamPus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, CA 92660

U.S.A,: One year (12 issues), $22 Two years, $36 Three years, $50

FOREIGN (Per year, paid in advance in US funds): Surface-Canada or Mexico, $48 Other countries, $60 Ak rates also available.

SINGLE CoPIES $4 + shipping

BACK ISSUES $5 + shipping

WE'RE READYTO MAKE A BIG COMMITMENT TO AN EVEN BETTER 20.15.

ARE YOU?

Humboldt Redwood Committed Partners know a good thing when they see it. With double digit redwood industry growth the past two years; strong, beautiful, FSC@ Certified Humboldt Redwood is more than a good thing, it's worth committing to.

Here's 5 reasons why:

O Pr"t"rr"d availability of Humboldt Redwood Dimensional Lumber and Timbers throughout 2015. That's a promise backed up by a state-of-the-art distribution network, frequent deliveries, and access to nearly 1,000,000 acres of sustainably managed redwood forestlands.

@ Str"t"gic Marketing Support. This is collaborative "we're in this together" marketing support that can include promotional campaign development, TV spots, radio and print ads, direct mail, online ads, website support and development'

@ Single-source convenience. Our Allweather Wood pressure treated lumber covers a wide range of above ground, ground contact, marine, fire-resistant, and structural framing applications. lt's the perfect complement to Humboldt Redwood. Allfrom one source, what could be easier?

@ Consistency. Our quality, tallies, service, and pricing are the most consistent in the industry.

@ Sawmill investments. Our redwood sawmill improvements enable us to cut higher grades, increase quality, and produce more volume.