BMA Acquiring TruServ's LBM Business

TruServ Corp. has agreed to sell its Iumber and building materials division to Builder Marts of America. Inc.. which acquired Ace Hardware's LBM business one year ago.

8,500 members are LBM dealers. Its LBM division contributed $1.3 billion or nearly 3OVo of the co-op's overall revenue in 1999.

The deal, expected to be completed by the end of the year, reportedly would make Greenville, S.C.-based BMA the largest lumber, building materials and millwork commodities buying group in the nation, with 4,500 customers and annual wholesale sales of $2.3 billion.

Approximately 2,400 of TruServ's

"Our commodity business in the lumber/building material area represents a significant part of our members' business," says TruServ president and ceo Don Hoye. "By combining our business in this segment with BMA, members will have more buying power, better product availability and the continuity of service through the current LBM trading group." &

BMA will take over TruServ's main LBM office, which employs 68, at former ServiStar headquarters in Butler, Pa., as well as a five-person satellite office in Springfield, Or. One of BMA's seven offices is in Portland, Or. Nonetheless, BMA anticipates offering jobs to virtually all TruServ LBM associates. "What they're buying," explains TruServ's Mary Viola, "is the relationships."

BMA is an affiliate of Guardian Industries, which earlier in the year acquired distributor Cameron Ashley Buildine Products.

"l think highly ofthe people at Progressive Solutions,"states Mr. Kusar."They have a professi0nal approach, they understand the lumber business, and they meet their commitments."

For over 10 years Progressive Solutions has won the business and respect of some ofthe top names in the wood products industry. Give us a call today to find out why.

Listings are often submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with sponsor before making plans to attend'

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Lumber Association of California & Nevada - Nov. 9-12, 4th annual convention, Marriott Resort Hotel, Monterey, Ca.; (80u266-4344.

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association - Nov. 9-11, board meeting & fall conference, Hotel Loretto, Santa Fe, N.M.; Nov. 16, yard foreman seminar, Radisson Hotel-Stapleton, Denver, Co.; (800) 365-0919.

American Lumber Standard Committee - Nov. L0, annual meeting, Savannah Marriott Riverfront, Savannah, Ga.; (301) 972-1700.

Laminating 2fiX) - Nov. 13-15, Chicago, Il.; (888) 903-9663.

Building Industry Show - Nov. 16-17, Anaheim Convention Center. Anaheim, Ca.; (909) 396-9993.

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Sacramento Area Wholesalers - Dec. 1, holiday lunch, Arden Hills Country Club, Carmichael, Ca.; (916)736-3353.

National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association - Dec. 2'3, annual meeting, Peabody Hotel, Memphis, Tn.; (901) 5265016.

Western Forestry & Conservation Association - Dec.3-5, conference. Coeur d'Alene Resort, Coeur d'Alene, ld.; (503) 2264562.

Lumber Association of California & Nevada - Dec. 7, 2nd growth holiday party, Sheraton Hotel, Cerritos, Ca.; (800) 266-4344.

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association - Dec. 7, year end party, Mile High Stadium Club, Denver, Co.; (800) 365-0919.

Portland Wholesale Lumber Association - Dec. 8, Christmas lunch. Doubletree Hotel, Portland, Or.; (503) 648-4156.

Los Angeles Hardwood Lumberman's Club - Dec. 15, Christmas party, Embassy Suites, Downey,Ca.;(114) 538-2250.

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TruServ Corp. - Jan. 8-10, lumber market, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Fl.; (773) 695-5000.

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association - Jan. 8-12, Bill Darling estimating courses. Albuquerque, N.M.; Jan. 15-19, Denver, Co.; (800) 3650919.

Do it Best Corp. - Jan. 12-13, winter market, Civic Plaza Hotel, Phoenix, Az.: (219) 748-5300.

National Housewares Manufacturers Association - Jan. 1417, international housewares show, McCormick Place, Chicago, Il.; (847) 292-4200.

National Retail Federation - Jan. 14-17, annual convention, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, N.Y.; (202) 783'7971.

Black Bart Hoo-Hoo Club - Jan. 17, industry nite, Ukiah, Ca.; (707) 462-3700.

Humboldt Hoo-Hoo Club - Jan. 18, crab feed, Eureka Inn, Eureka, Ca.; (707) 462-3700.

Budma 2001 - Jan. 23-26, trade fair, Exhibition Fairgrounds, Poznan, Poland; (3 l7 ) 293-0406.

0ur software powers theh business. Maybe it should powet youts.

1.877 .7 46.477 4. www.proglessive-solutions.com

DIY & Home Improvement Show - Jan. 28-30, Olympia 2, London, England; (01 1) 44-181-462-0721.

Solid Surface 2001 - Jan. 30-Feb. 1, sponsored by International Solid Surface Fabricators Association, Las Vegas, Nv.; (702) 567-8 I 50.