Jerry's PlansExpansion In Oregon

Jerry's Home Improvement Center, Springfield, Or., plans to stay competitive by adding more than 70,000 sq. ft. of sales and warehouse space.

"The better we can be, the better to protect our position with customers when new competition comes into the market," said president Dennis Orem.

The city has already approved plans to build a 42,OO0sq. ft. covered, drive-through warehouse and sales building, and remodel 29,000 sq. ft. of a former Kmart store for a receiving and warehousing facility. The remodeling is expected to be complete before the end of the year, while the new building could be complete by next spring.

Orem said the expansion would ease congestion for customers and improve storage and product selection.

BMC West Parent Keeps Cutting

BMC West parent Building Materials Holding Corp., San Francisco, Ca., is continuing its efforts to offset losses and preserve liquidity.

In addition to negotiating a permanent amendment to its credit facility, BMHC has already sold $4.2 million in excess vehicles, equipment, and properties, according to chairman and c.e.o. Robert Mellor.

Closings and consolidations in several California cities will also help to trim costs. A concrete services facility in Dixon is closing, and BMHC is negotiating to sell another in Colton. If the sale falls through, the operation will close. A reload center in Mira Loma will close and be put up for sale.

In Colorado, a door shop and millwork facility in Fort Collins and a wall panel plant in Greeley will be moved to other BMHC facilities. A Puget Sound, Wa., distribution center is being relocated.

The sale of these and other surplus properties is expected to generate $45 million in the next 24 months, said Mellor. Some of these closings represent restructuring of two former divisions, SelectBuild and BMC West, into one organization.

Blue Book FillsCredit Check Void

Blue Book Services plans to offer its credit-rating services to the LBM industry-filling a void left by the demise last year of Lumbermens Credit Association and its venerable Red Book.

Blue Book has been providing credit and marketing services to the wholesale fresh produce industry since 1901. The new LBM program will based near Chicago, I1., and should be operational by the first half of next year via a web interface: www.lumberbluebook.com. A printed edition is also in the works.

Initial offerings will include company contact information and pay history, along with licensed credit information. As participation by member companies rises, the company plans to add more details about companies' ownership, background, and finances.

Alaska Hardware Landmark Moving

Samson Hardware, which has been doing business in Fairbanks, Ak., since 1903, will close Dec. 15.

Owned by the Janovich family, the business was informed last October that it would have to move by midJanuary to make way for an upcoming bridge project. The family hopes to open in another location next spring.

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Parr SupportsChildren's Charity

Helping kids is the aim of Parr Lumber's annual holiday charity program. This year, the Hillsboro, Or.-based chain will sell products labeled with the Ronald McDonald House logo and donate a portion of the proceeds.

"I am very proud of the holiday spirit shown each year by our customers," said c.e.o. David Hamill. "Their purchases and continued support of Parr Lumber make this program possible."

Green Building Continues To Grow

The U.S. green building market continues to grow at an increasing rate, according to a new report by McGraw-Hill Construction.

Green Outlook 2009 estimates that the value of the U.S. green building market could reach $96 to $140 billion by 20 I 3 Over the past three years, green building construction starts have risen from $10 billion to between $36 and $49 billion due to growing public awareness, an increase in government regulations, and recognition of bottom-line advantages.

"Green growth is phenomenal across the globe," said Harvey Bernstein, v.p.- industry analytics, alliances and strategic initiatives at McGraw-Hill Construction. "The business opportunities afforded by green building, even in the midst of a global economic crisis, are real and recognized by industry players. Furthermore, green building has great potential to help tackle unemployment through green jobs, and can address other societal issues, such as creating healthier places where we live and work."

U.S. Green Building Council members report green building to be less affected by the down market compared to non-green building, and homebuyers are willing to pay more for a green home. Perceived economic benefits are driving green building, including higher revenues, lower lifecycle costs, and lower operating costs, but builders and buyers are also motivated by health benefits, new govemment regulation, and pressure from global competition.

"Green building creates green jobs that save energy and money," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, c.e.o., and founding chairman of the USGBC. "Our community can help solve climate change and the economic crisis, while building a new energy economy by putting the greening of existing buildings at the top of our agenda."