+ All Categories
Home > Documents > BPD Sept 2014

BPD Sept 2014

Date post: 03-Apr-2016
Category:
Upload: cutler-publishing
View: 219 times
Download: 1 times
Share this document with a friend
Description:
September 2014 edition of Building Products Digest, monthly trade magazine for lumber and building material dealers & distributors.
Popular Tags:
56
THE YEAR IN OSB CEDAR & REDWOOD EASTERN WHITE PINE SPECIAL ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2014 INDUSTRY NEWS & MONEY-MAKING STRATEGIES FOR LUMBER & BUILDING MATERIAL DEALERS & DISTRIBUTORS BPD Building Products Digest
Transcript
Page 1: BPD Sept 2014

THE YEAR IN OSB CEDAR & REDWOOD EASTERN WHITE PINE SPECIAL ISSUE

SEPTEMBER 2014

INDUSTRY NEWS & MONEY-MAKING STRATEGIES FOR LUMBER & BUILDING MATERIAL DEALERS & DISTRIBUTORS

BPD BuildingProducts Digest

Page 2: BPD Sept 2014
Page 3: BPD Sept 2014
Page 4: BPD Sept 2014

4 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-

September 2014 Volume 33 Number 7

THE 4 REASONS YOU’LL NEVER

NEED ANOTHER EWP SUPPLIER:. - , +* ) ( - ' +&, . &. %$#$. " +! Ā

1. COMPLETE PRODUCT LINE

3. EFFECTIVE TOOLS & GUIDANCE

2. DEPENDABLE DISTRIBUTION

4. EASY TO DO BUSINESS WITH

WHY YOU’LL NEVER NEED

ANOTHER EWP SUPPLIER:

OUR VALUE PROPOSITION 2014

MORE ABOUT THESE LATER:

1. COMPLETE PRODUCT LINE

2. DEPENDABLE DISTRIBUTION

4. EASY TO DO BUSINESS WITH

3. USEFUL TOOLS & GUIDANCE

• SawTek™ automated processing systems to integrate, optimize and cut EWP.• Maximize profi tability from EWP with most effi cient job pack processing.• 117 performance points constantly monitored remotely. • 3 models size-matched to fi t any dealer model.• Modular, so you can add features as your business grows.

To learn more: www.bc.com/inst21

© 2014 Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C. BOISE CASCADE, the TREE-IN-A-CIRCLE symbol, SawTek and “Great products are only the beginning” are trademarks of Boise Cascade Company or its affi liates.

BPD DIGITAL VERSION, BREAKINGINDUSTRY NEWS & PHOTOS

BUILDING-PRODUCTS.COM

FOLLOW ON TWITTERTWITTER.COM/BLDGPRODUCTS

OnlineBPD DIGITAL VERSION

THIS MONTH’S EDITION AS WELL

AS BACK ISSUES OF BPD CAN

BE VIEWED DIGITALLY AT

BUILDING-PRODUCTS.COM

BPD BuildingProducts Digest

Special Features9 INDUSTRY TRENDS

BUYERS ADJUST TO HIGH MDF PRICES

10 FEATURE STORYOSB MAKERS KEEP PRODUCTION

HIGH DESPITE SLIPPING PRICES

12 MARGIN BUILDERSDEALERS HELP SHAPE WESTERN RED

CEDAR SALES TOOLS

14 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTREDWOOD FOR ANY PROJECT

20 NAWLA–THINKING AHEADNAVIGATING FREIGHT CHALLENGES

28 NELMA SPECIAL FOCUS: EASTERN WHITE PINE• PRIZED DESIGNS

• IN SEARCH OF WOOD GEEKS

• VIRTUAL TOUR

• ONLINE GRADER ACADEMY

In Every Issue6 TOTALLY RANDOM

16 COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE

18 OLSEN ON SALES

44 MOVERS & SHAKERS

45 APP WATCH

46 NEW PRODUCTS

50 FAMILY BUSINESS

51 ASSOCIATION UPDATE

52 IN MEMORIAM

52 CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE

53 DATE BOOK

54 IDEA FILE

54 ADVERTISERS INDEX

Page 5: BPD Sept 2014
Page 6: BPD Sept 2014

6 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

www.building-products.comA publication of Cutler Publishing

4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Publisher Alan [email protected]

Publisher Emeritus David CutlerDirector of Editorial & Production

David [email protected]

Contributing EditorsCarla Waldemar, James Olsen

Advertising Sales Manager Chuck [email protected]

Administration Director/SecretaryMarie Oakes: [email protected]

Circulation Manager Heather [email protected]

How to AdvertiseChuck Casey

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax [email protected]

Alan Oakeswww.building-products.com

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax [email protected].

CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACEDavid Koenig

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax [email protected]

How to SubscribeSUBSCRIPTIONS Heather Kelly

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax [email protected]

or send a check to 4500 Campus Dr., Ste.480, Newport Beach, CA 92660

U.S.A.: One year (12 issues), $24Two years, $39

Three years, $54FOREIGN (Per year, paid in advance in US funds):

Surface-Canada or Mexico, $49Other countries, $65

Air rates also available.SINGLE COPIES $4 + shippingBACK ISSUES $5 + shipping

BUILDING PRODUCTS DIGEST is published month-ly at 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca.92660-1872, (949) 852-1990, Fax 949-852-0231,www.buildingproducts.com, by Cutler Publishing,Inc. (a California Corporation). It is an indepen-dently owned publication for building productsretailers and wholesale distributors in 37 statesEast of the Rockies. Copyright®2014 by CutlerPublishing, Inc. Cover and entire contents are fullyprotected and must not be reproduced in any man-ner without written permission. All RightsReserved. BPD reserves the right to accept orreject any editorial or advertising matter, andassumes no liability for materials furnished to it.

BPDBuilding Products Digest

TOTALLY RandomBy Alan Oakes

Hey, I’m not dead yet!I HOPE MOST of you were able to get a break this summer and enjoy some time

off. I was fortunate to return to Europe to visit family. The EU economy stilldoes not feel quite right or strong. Coupled with the issues in Putinland and theMiddle East, I am concerned about an impact here in the short- and mid-term.Certainly, other nations look to a strong U.S. economy to pull them through.

Being back in the Old World provides a perhaps appropriate opportunity to geta few things off my aging chest. Yes, sometimes it is no fun getting old. Yes, mydoctor is my new best friend, my back aches, I nap after dinner, I forget things,the waist line gets bigger, and the elastic waist band is a relief, but I am still thebundle of joy I have always been. I may no longer love everything the young do,but I am pretty good with technology, still sing the latest hits on my way to work(badly), I still like to party (as some of you can attest), and I am often the last toleave at the end of the night!

So I recently read that there are 100 million of us over 50 in this country andthat we possess more than 70% of the disposable income. We buy two-thirds ofthe cars, over half of the computers, and we pay the stars’ exorbitant earnings bybuying over a third of all movie tickets. We love to travel (about 80% of premiumtravel) and we have found the likes of Amazon by buying $7 billion online.Indeed, if we were a country, our age group would represent the world’s thirdlargest economy.

In my household, we fit all of the above profiles. We like to go out and eat. Wecontinue to spend a small fortune remodeling the house. We also try to do our bestto support the local economy.

So why the column? Well, according to most marketers, we do not exist. Wedo not count. We have been written off! And I am not going to take it anymore!

Everyone markets to the young, which is fair enough, but why forget us? Manyof us will be living until our mid-80s (well, that is what I am planning for andhopefully longer) and there will be a lot of spending between then and now. Statsshow that despite being a third of the economy, our age group is targeted by just5% of market spending. What a mistake! Nielsen calls our generation “the mostvaluable generation in the history of marketing.”

With a projection that our 50+ age group will grow by 34% between now and2030, it appears that companies are missing out big time.

When the term “baby boomers” was coined back in the 1970s, we were theones viewed as spenders who shunned the frugal life of our parents. Guess what,that has not changed. We still spend, we still travel, we still eat out, we still haveour memberships to all types of organizations, we still use technology, we stillbuy cars, we still repair and improve our homes (I’m tiling two rooms now), westill read newspapers, we still watch television, and now you find us on the web,too (and since we often have more free time, we are easily marketed to).

There is no reason I do not want to buy the latestheadset or laptop. Have you ever seen our age groupin an ad for a sports car? We may have 50 shades ofgray, but in reality advertisers only have eyes for 18-to 30-year-olds.

Admittedly, what we may buy might be differentthan other generations, but we can make an awful lotof money for those who recognize our value.Again, the 50- and 60-year-olds of today arethe 40- and 50-year-olds of yesterday, withour improving longevity and longer activeyears. So enough, I argue, as I head off tophysical therapy.

Alan Oakes, [email protected]

Page 7: BPD Sept 2014
Page 8: BPD Sept 2014

8 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

Page 9: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 9

Buyers adjust torising MDF prices

ments—all of which have grownsharply over the last three years.

Rising prices are restraining buyerpower because buyers are less able todelay contractual decisions withprices increasing continuously.Instead, buyers must negotiate con-tracts to lock in lower prices. Pricesare forecast to grow substantially overthe three years to 2017, which willcontinue to reduce buyer power in thecoming years.

Price increases for inputs such aslumber also led to price growth forMDF, limiting negotiation flexibilityfor suppliers that struggled to main-tain profitability. Consequently, buy-

BUYERS ARE FINDING it trickier toprocure medium density fiber-

board, as resurgent demand causesprices to rise, according to a newIBISWorld report.

“Growing demand for MDF hasallowed suppliers to increase theirprices, lowering buyer negotiationpower,” explains IBISWorld procure-ment analyst Jesse Chiang.

She gives MDF a buyer powerscore of 2.9 out of 5, reflecting mod-erate negotiating conditions for buy-ers. MDF price movements dependlargely on residential and nonresiden-tial expenditure levels, as well as pri-vate spending on home improve-

INDUSTRY TrendsMedium Density Fiberboard

MDF PANEL buyers facing rising prices do have a few options, including finding substitute goods,switching suppliers, and improving inventory planning.

(Photo by Fordac)

ers are left with fewer opportunities toarrange favorable deals and negotiatelower prices. Additionally, moderatemarket share concentration and prod-uct specialization have created atougher purchasing environment forbuyers.

“Large, vertically integrated opera-tors have significant market power,while moderate product specializationreduces buyers’ ability to locate sup-pliers capable of satisfying their spe-cific product requirements,” saysChiang.

Nevertheless, buyers do have someconsiderable advantages. The highavailability of substitute goodsensures that buyers are not forced toaccept major concessions in their con-tracts because of their ability toswitch to other suppliers that distrib-ute alternative building materials.

Secondly, low switching costslimit suppliers’ ability to charge high-er prices. Lastly, despite high demanddriver volatility, volatility in pricesfor MDF products has been low. Thisfactor has benefited buyers by makinginventory planning and budget fore-casts easier.

MDF is an engineered wood prod-uct made of a mixture of wood fibers,resin and wax. It does not have knotsor grain patterns, making it easy towork with in many building applica-tions. Due to its strength and compar-atively low cost, furniture manufac-turers use MDF as a substitute forhardwood products.

The top four MDF vendors areLouisiana-Pacific, Weyerhaeuser,West Fraser Timber, and Plum CreekTimber.

Page 10: BPD Sept 2014

10 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

OSB makers keepoutput high despiteslipping pricesTHE PAST 12 months have seen

OSB manufacturers maintaininghigh production levels, gambling on aresurgent housing market.

According to Random Lengths, sofar this year, North American OSBproduction is up 8.4% compared to thefirst six months of 2013. Yet, withoutthe expected spike in demand, over thelast 18 months, the OSB Composite

FEATURE StoryThe Year in OSB

Price has fallen nearly in half—from$438 at the start of 2013 to $233 inearly August. (During the same peri-od, plywood prices rose.)

Industry leader LOUISIANA-PACIFIC, Nashville, Tn., operates 11OSB plants in the U.S. and Canada(plus one in Brazil and two in Chile),generating net OSB sales in 2013 of

$1.1 billion (representing over half thecompany’s overall sales). LP appearedpoised to grow even larger, with itsplanned acquistion of AinsworthEngineered’s four plants. The dealwould have given LP a 63% share ofthe OSB market in the PacificNorthwest and a 55% share in theUpper Midwest. But in May, aftereight months of wrangling with gov-ernmental antitrust concerns, LP aban-doned its takeover bid.

“We believe this transaction wouldhave led to positive outcomes for cus-tomers, employees and shareholders,and fundamentally disagree with theanalysis by antitrust agencies of thecompetitive dynamics of our agency,”said LP c.e.o. Curt Stevens.

In other OSB news, LP’s PeaceValley mill in Fort St. John, B.C.,hopes to gain approval by the end ofthis year to use a new type of woodresin—MDI (methylene diphenyldiisocynate) rather than formaldeyde.

NORBORD, Toronto, Ont., ownsnine OSB facilities in North America,plus one each in Belgium andScotland. In 2013, its OSB mills pro-duced at approximately 75% ofinstalled capacity, compared to 70% in2012. North Amerian OSB shipmentsrose 7%, with 2014 expected to beeven busier. Norbord restarted its OSBmill in Jefferson, Tx., in mid-2013 andramped up to full capacity by thefourth quarter.

It is also rebuilding the press line atOSB PRICES surged last year, causing mills to ramp up production—and keep them running at highlevels, despite declines in 2014. (Photo by LP)

Page 11: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 11

its curtailed Huguley, Al., mill to pre-pare it for a possible restart in mid-2015, if demand increases. The com-pany is not planning to restart its millin Val-d’Or, P.Q., this year, but willcontinue to monitor market conditions.

“In North America, homebuildingactivity continues to improve,” saidpresident and c.e.o. Peter Wijnbergen.“But the pace has been held back bylabor availability and a lack of entry-level buyers, and OSB prices havebeen disappointing.”

WEYERHAEUSER, FederalWay, Wa., saw its six North AmericanOSB plants increase production by8.44% last year, from 2.511 billion sq.ft. in 2012 to 2.723 billion in 2013,reaching 90% of capacity. Sales rose10.5%, from $2.508 billion in 2012 to$2.772 billion in 2013.

Sales kicked off a notch behind in2014. “Severe winter weather damp-ened the start of the spring buildingseason,” said Doyle Simons, whobecame president and c.e.o. last year.

The year has marked one mile-stone—Weyerhaeuser’s OSB mill inEdson, Alb., is celebrating 30 years ofoperation, reportedly making it thefirst OSB plant in Canada to do so.

AINSWORTH ENGINEERED,Vancouver, B.C., is regrouping, fol-lowing the collapse of the proposedacquisition by LP.

In 2013, Ainsworth’s fourCanadian OSB plants generated salesof $488 million—19.2% higher than2012, thanks to significantly higherOSB prices. Production was, however,slightly down (0.7%) compared to theyear prior, due to maintenance down-time and transportation issues.

Late last year, the company restart-ed its OSB mill in High Level, Alb.,which had been indefinitely curtailedsix years ago.

The company also recently reintro-duced two popular OSB productsunder its new OSC XL brand: OSBXL 9 ft. and 10 ft. panels in multiplethicknesses and custom lengths.

GEORGIA-PACIFIC, Atlanta,Ga., has been operating six of its nineOSB plants. Its mill in Skippers, Va.,was mothballed three years ago, whileplants in Grenada, Ms., and Mt. Hope,W.V., were shut down three years ago.

TOLKO, Vernon, B.C., is back upto three operational OSB plants, withthe restart of its Athabasca mill in

Slave Lake, Alb. The huge facility,which opened in late 2008 before clos-ing months later due to poor marketconditions, restarted in December2013 and is expected to reach full pro-duction capacity by the first quarter ofnext year.

Late last year, Tolko also acquiredfull ownership of the Meadow LakeOSB mill in Meadow Lake, Sask., perthe terms of its original limited part-nership contract signed in 2001 withthe government of Saskatchewan andseveral aboriginal stakeholders.

HUBER ENGINEERED WOOD,Charlotte, N.C., owns five OSB mills.

ROYOMARTIN, Alexandria, La.,is moving into its seventh year ofoperation at its OSB facility inOakdale, La.

The company has been FSC-certi-fied by the Rainforest Alliance since2002, and has completed 2014 FSCchain-of-custody and forest manage-ment annual audits with the alliance.

ARBEC FOREST PRODUCTS,St.-Leonard, P.Q., operates an OSBmill in St. Georges de Champlain,P.Q., which was idled from Aug. 2-21.

Drive with Speed, Quality and ConfidenceTWICE AS FAST TO INSTALL - versus conventional lag bolts without any pre-drilling. Innovative washer head, with cutting teeth along with W-Cut thread design reduce torque and bite instantly for effortless fastening.

NO STRIPPING, NO SPLITTING, NO HEAD POPS - no wasted time on the job site. That’s what makes GRK screws ÜBERGRADE! High tensile, torque and shear strength alow for immense drawing power out performing most other competitive fasteners.

BUILDING CODE APPROVED - for structural use in treated lumber. RSS™ screws have been evaluated for structural and AC257 corrosion resistance to be in compliance -- #ESR-2442. That’s why all our fasteners come with a limited lifetime warranty, so you can rest assured your installations will withstand the test of time.

RSS™ RUGGED STRUCTURAL SCREWS TREATED LUM

BER APPROV

ED IBC/IRCCOMPLIANT

Visit our website for yourFREE SAMPLES of RSS™ Fasteners!

800.263.0463 www.grkfasteners.com

Page 12: BPD Sept 2014

12 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

Dealers help shapewestern red cedarsales tools

MARGIN BuildersWestern Red Cedar

Each member of the panel wasgiven four questions prior to the ses-sion that covered areas on how west-ern red cedar is faring relative to over-all sales; changes in the role betweenretailer, distributor and supplier;resources that would help their salesforce sell WRC, and steps needed toimprove returns on WRC sales andcapitalize on rising demand trends.

As would be expected given thebreadth of retail locations and types ofbusinesses, the answers covered a lotof ground, but the information thatcame from the discussion providedexcellent insights into improvingWRC sales, and created the founda-tion for an actionable plan—appropri-ately called the WRCLA RetailerResponse Plan—for the association tomove forward with.

There was unanimous agreementfrom the panel (and members of theaudience) that any plan to help sales atthe retail level needs to reach the cus-tomer prior to them walking into thestore.

As most of us in retail can attest,when a builder or d-i-y homeownerwalks into a retail location, the majori-ty will already have a shopping list ofmaterials in hand, and aren’t likely tochange their decision over what theyalready have in mind.

Knowing this, WRCLA developedonline surveys and research targetingthree audiences—d-i-yers, customhome builders, and architects—to bet-ter understand each group’s awareness

FOR ITS RECENT annual generalmeeting in Kelowna, B.C., the

Western Red Cedar Lumber Associa-tion invited six retailers with broadregional representation to an openpanel session and discussion on evolv-ing business trends. This group ofindustry experts responded to a list ofprepared questions designed toexplore the role of the retailer andidentify areas of opportunities toimpact western red cedar’s competi-tiveness and facilitate sales on the

retail floor.The panel consisted of Mike Dunn,

president of Dunn Lumber, Seattle,Wa.; Skip Dierdorff, Northwest areamanager for Alpine Lumber, Steam-boat Springs, Co.; Rob Myckatyn,inventory manager and purchaser atStandard Building Supplies, Burnaby,B.C.; Tim Priddle, president of TheWoodSource, Manotick, Ont.; SeanStevens, owner of M&M Lumber,Tulsa, Ok., and Shane Smith, presi-dent of Speonk Lumber, Speonk, N.Y.

RETAILERS and consumers can draw on a range of collateral material, installation guides, andspecifying guides to sell more western red cedar. (Photos courtesy WRCLA)

Page 13: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 13

of WRC’s range of uses and applications, the factors ofgreatest importance to them (e.g., natural beauty, afford-ability, etc.), and how to make it easier to specify and usein design and application.

The research results will be used to better develop mes-saging and programs “to put WRC on the shopping list”before the customer walks into the store.

As to the resources that directly engage the retailer, theWRCLA and its advertising agency, Bare Advertising &Communications, developed a host of tools that can be tai-lored to each retailer’s or distributor’s specific needs.Here’s an example of what’s available to service affiliatemembers:

Online Content IntegrationWRCLA’s website, RealCedar.com, has a wealth of

information to help consumers choose WRC over otherproducts and specify materials. This content is made avail-able for integration into the retailer’s website. It can bedesigned as a single page, added to existing materials, oreven become its own microsite.

Cedar 101 VideoA short, consumer-friendly “Everything You Wanted to

Know About Cedar” video is being developed for use onretailer sites to help specify WRC. It illustrates the differ-ence between clear and knotty, shows popular dimensionsand suggestions for decking and siding, provides a briefoverview of cedar’s green benefits, and can link the con-sumer to product-specific pages on the retailer’s site.

Real Cedar Retail AppWRCLA is releasing a pilot launch of its retail training

application that will help retailers and consumers specifyReal Cedar (WRCLA’s branded products).

Take 5 Training CurriculumShort, FAQ-style quick-tip mini cards are available to

retailers and staff for self-administered training and tests.

Real Green Promotion ProgramWith the growing consumer interest in environmentally

friendly products, WRCLA recently launched its RealGreen program to address common misconceptions aboutwestern red cedar’s green qualities against competitivecomposite products. Materials include educational handoutsand video content backed by Life Cycle Assessments andEnvironmental Product Declarations highlighting WRC’sposition as king of green building materials.

Increased Retailer Presence onRealCedar.com

Consumers can already use the retailer locator onRealCedar.com to find the member closest to them, but anumber of new tactics are being employed, such as onlineeditorial content with the retailer, case studies, and blogcontent to further connect the consumer with the retailer.

Online Video LibraryWRCLA has a growing collection of how-to, FAQ, and

informative videos on RealCedar.com and its YouTubechannel that can be linked to retailers’ sites.

Online Retail ResourcesDownloadable retail resources on RealCedar.com, such

as co-op ad mats, print-ready marketing materials, andtraining resources are available on demand.

It’s a program that should be worthwhile following asWRCLA takes proactive steps to grow WRC’s competi-tiveness and value position in an evolving market.

– To learn more about WRCLA’s Retailer Response Plan andprogress, attend the WRCLA-hosted session Nov. 14 at NAWLA’sTrader Market in Chicago or contact realcedar.com/contact.

HOW-TO VIDEOS on RealCedar.com’s YouTube Channel can be linkedto or hosted on retail sites.

CONTENT from RealCedar.com can be integrated onto retailers’ ownwebsites.

Page 14: BPD Sept 2014

14 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

Redwood enhancesthe beauty and lastingquality of any project

ronment. You can’t say thesame thing about compositelumber. Compare the energyconsumed to harvest and manu-facture redwood (a renewableresource) to the processrequired to produceplastic/composite decking (con-suming nonrenewable oilresources), and it’s pretty clearthat a natural product is farpreferable. Consider:

Redwood trees need soil, sunand water to grow. No oil wellsare drilled for raw materials thata plastic-composite deck needs.

As these trees grow, theycapture and store carbon, essen-tially cleaning the air around

them. That carbon is locked in; even after harvesting andmilling, a redwood deck retains that carbon. A plastic-com-posite deck consumes 15 times more energy than a red-wood deck—and 87% of that energy comes from non-renewable fossil fuels, a major source of carbon emissions.

Even when redwood lives out its usefulness, the lumberis biodegradable, returning to the earth to help make moretrees. Composite decking is not recycled; it is often sent tothe landfill.

Redwood can inspire great ideas, and then be the perfectmaterial to make that idea reality. The versatility and dura-bility of redwood is a quality that can’t be matched innature or a laboratory. For the project that may be just thebeginning for a customer, recommending redwood ensuresthe look and feel of the project will be consistently harmo-nious, start to finish.

– Charlie Jourdain is president of the California RedwoodAssociation. Reach him at [email protected] or (888)CAL-REDWOOD. To learn more about redwood, visitwww.calredwood.org.

HAVE YOU, or any of yourfriends in the business,

ever been approached by a cus-tomer who says, “That compos-ite deck is just beautiful! I can’twait to get some chairs or a gar-den bench made out of the samestuff.”

I didn’t think so.Compared to redwood,

which is naturally beautiful anddurable, with a structuralintegrity that can’t be replicat-ed, composite lumber suffers.It’s no wonder that redwood isused in a wide variety of homeprojects, while composite lum-ber just is not.

In fact, redwood is the idealwood product for just about any home project—indoors orout. With its natural resistance to shrinking, warping andchecking, using redwood lumber on your project meansyou built it to last a long, long time.

Whether the project is furniture, cabinetry, planters,fences, trellises, pergolas, buildings, and, of course, decks,there are a wide variety of redwood boards, siding and tim-bers for almost any application suitable for wood. Andsince redwood is naturally durable, it is the ideal choice foruse in garden beds, planter boxes and greenhouses fororganic gardens.

For professionals working with redwood, they’ll agreethat redwood as a product provides greater flexibility ofapplication than man-made products. It’s a material that’seasier to cut, won’t bend or warp, and can be left natural orstained to complement a customer’s chosen color palate.Over the years, redwood can be restored repeatedly withminimal effort and cost.

Not only is it beautiful to look at and beautiful to workwith, redwood is also a beautiful thing for helping the envi-

PRODUCT SpotlightBy Charlie Jourdain, California Redwood Association

Page 15: BPD Sept 2014

Working for you.

Engineered Wood Products | Softwood Plywood

Real Wood Siding | Lumber

www.Roseburg.com

800.245.1115

Randy SturgillCoquille Plywood Plant Manager31 years

Page 16: BPD Sept 2014

16 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

True to their roots

COMPETITIVE IntelligenceBy Carla Waldemar

IT’S A LUMBERMAN’S version of Backto the Future. In 1946, Benny

Friedman opened a building center inPetaluma, Ca. In 1971, he launched asecond Friedman’s Home Improve-ment in nearby Santa Rosa, shutteringthe Petaluma site when the building’sdilapidated state and insurance hasslesforced a decision upon him.

By 1993, his son Bill—next up atbat—had opened a store in Sonoma,then another in Ukiah in 1996. But asoft spot remained in everyone’s heartPetaluma, where it all began.

Well, as they say in the movies,they’re baaaack! After years of watch-ing, scouting and waiting, a suitablelocation at last arose when a proposedLowe’s failed to materialize. Backed

by strong support from the townfathers, Friedman’s in Petaluma’s newDeer Creek Valley Shopping Centeropened in May—in time to welcomeBill’s son, Barry, as the company’snew president-cum-c.e.o. (Bill retainshis seat on the board and post as pre-mier mentor.) So, full circle: Store #4re-blossoms in location #1.

Never mind that Barry is just 30-something. He’s been around theblock a time or two. Just as his dad didbefore him, he grew up sweeping saw-dust, bagging purchases, and cor-ralling carts. But, after earning a busi-ness degree in college, wild oats pre-vailed over white pine. “I spent threeyears on the NASCAR team in NorthCarolina, then with a whitewater raft-

WIDE OPEN layout makes the new store pleasant to shop in and easy to navigate.

ing outfit in Montana. But I alwaysknew I’d come back. When my folkscalled, in 2004, and said, ‘No pres-sure—but we’d love to have you,’ thatsealed it.

“I started from the ground up,cashiering, then spent time in eachdepartment, including the supportfunctions,” gaining more and moreresponsibilities, including assistingwith the remodeling of the Sonomastore, Barry says. He earned a man-agement position in 2008, thenadvanced to v.p. of operations the fol-lowing year. So when the time came,with the blessing of his dad, he tookthe helm of the whole enchilada. “I’dbeen mentored by so many here, andthey all believed in me, or I would notbe in this position.”

His management style is all hisown. “My grandfather was a peopleperson, loved the place. And Dad’s aproducts guy, an amazing merchant.”For Barry, it’s all about the staff, 600-strong by now. “I believe in the teamconcept (I was captain of my collegefootball team)—doing things together,seeing people grow. We’re in the rela-tionship business,” he denotes his lineof work. “We’ve built a strong reputa-tion in the community for honesty,treating the customer right, and peopleappreciate that. We do business like itused to be….”

That works, and works well, if thestaff has absorbed the message. AtFriedman’s, that critical criterion isachieved “through modeling—how tohandle situations. And,” Barry is quick

Page 17: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 17

to acknowledge, ensuring that the company’s ethos ispassed on and absorbed by its employees “gets harder andharder as you grow.” With the addition of the Petalumastore, staff surged from 400 to 600—“so it came down to,how do you translate that to the new hires? (We hired in allour locations.) We looked for attitude, rather than skills orexperience—the desire to be here! We decided to have onedesignated person screening all applicants before sendingthe best-qualified on to the managers, to find the right fitfor the culture.”

The new Petaluma complex has an 85,000-sq. ft. foot-print, which includes a dry shed and greenhouse. In design-ing it, what lessons were addressed that had been learned inthe three existing stores, a reporter queried. Says Barry,“We knew we wanted to go in with a full offering for ourcustomers, to build that expectation. Having an outdoorlumberyard was a critical factor for us, because we serve adual path—retail (60%) and pro (40%). We needed that[yard] for the contractors, to compete with the boxes:accessibility of product. But, we’d also learned, that veryfactor can be intimidating for retail consumers. So welocated the dry shed closer to the main store than in ourother locations. It’s reached by a short path—really, just an

extension. But”—a savvy “but”—“we still have a contrac-tor entrance, with special parking, for a quick in and out.

“SKUs were enhanced in some departments, but someare displayed differently,” including the new Express Yardon Display feature—a 68-ft. display corridor of productsactually out there waiting in the lumberyard, planned withthe aim creating a “less-intimidating feeling. The customeris inside, looking at it, before heading outside. Unique!”Barry exclaims.

Another innovation: a mezzanine level of 4,500 sq. ft.devoted to kitchen and bath. “In our other locations, theywere right on the retail floor. But we felt that, by changingthat environment, it would offer a different experience—nodistractions, more intimate, no shopping carts. Plus,” headds in a smart merchandising move, “we elevated the levelof products up there—another move to improve the cus-tomers’ experience”—and, ahem, profit.

Adding to that experience, the whole layout is moreopen. “It’s easy to clutter a store,” Barry knows. “You wantto sell product, fill the space. But we were very disciplined.So you walk in, look left, look right, look ahead, and it’s

not a maze. It’s easy to navigate. Plus there’s lots of brightsignage and super-graphics, like the ones depicting scenesof Sonoma County. Others sell the ‘dream,’ like in our out-door living section.”

And customers love it. But, let’s face it, what they’retalking about most is Friedman’s new Living Wall: four ofthem, actually, planted in greenery. They were planned tobreak up the building’s concrete facade, but—bonus—pulltheir weight as a marketing tool, too. “They’re beautiful,they’re dramatic, and they’ve turned into a destination.People drive over to see them.” And see what’s within, ofcourse. Plus, Petaluma is the poster town for uber-greenCalifornia, “so it shows what we, as an organization, repre-sent in environment-friendly products, too.”

The recent grand opening party sounded just asCalifornian: 900 guests—staff, vendors, key communitymembers—at the preview event. “Petaluma’s been anunder-served market, and we’d tried to come back to townfor years.” When that dream was finally realized, it repre-sented an emotional moment for all the Friedman’s clan.

So, what’s next? Or, is there a next? “Having a fourthlocation definitely changed the organi-zation to be more efficient in howwe handle things. But”—shortanswer—“yes, we’re always look-ing for opportunities to pursue far-ther out.”

And there’ll probably be anothergeneration of Friedmans beinggroomed to step in. Barry’sfourth child was born twoweeks before the fourth storeopened. I’m just sayin’….

Carla [email protected]

LIVING WALL of greenery at Friedman’s new location in Petaluma, Ca.,has quickly become the talk of the town.

C.E.O. Bill Friedman is transitioning leadership of the chain to son Barry.

Page 18: BPD Sept 2014

18 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

AS SALESPEOPLE, we need to be confident. Confidenceinspires confidence. If we are confident in what we

say, our customers will feel and believe it. This will helpthem relax enough to listen to us.

So many sellers can’t even get their (potential) cus-tomers to speak to them, much less listen, because theirapproach is too humble or nervous. The humble may inheritthe earth, but they are going to inherit it from a salespersonwho was bold enough to ask for it first. Humble salespeo-ple confuse being humble with being respectful and sufferfor it. Humble is easy to say no to.

Confidence alone is not enough. Great sellers are bold.They ask for things, even when they are told those thingsaren’t available:

The BuyerUs: “May I speak to the buyer please? Reception: “She is on the phone right now.”Us: “That’s fine, I can wait a little bit. How are you

today?” (Friendly banter ensues—the rare and subtle art ofthe master seller.)

Reception: “Oh, she’s free. Let me put you through.”

The OrderUs: “John, we just bought a block of 2x4 16’s out of Big

Timber. We’ve already sold five to market-savvy cus-tomers. How many can you use?”

Customer: “I can’t afford to pay the premium for 16’s,but what’s your price?” (This is where the Quotron givesthe price and then says, “Okay.”)

Us: “The price is the good part. If you think you can’tafford 16’s now, wait until they run another $50/MBF.Let’s put at least two of these on to protect you from thismarket and help you make money while we do it.”

Customer: “Alright, give me one of those.”

MoreCustomer: “Okay, I’ll take one of those at $450.”Quotron: “Thanks for the order.”Us: “John, I don’t think one is going to be enough. You

only buy great deals, so this must be one and since that istrue, we should put on at least five.”

Customer: “You’re right, but five is too many. Give mean extra two for a total of three.”

Persistent & ConsistentSalespeople who struggle are afraid of being pushy.

Master sellers don’t even think about it. There are salespeo-ple who are too pushy, but they are rare. Unless you are astatistical anomaly, you are not too pushy, probably theopposite.

We don’t need to be pushy. We need to be persistent andconsistent. We need to call on our customers and promoteproduct to them in a persistent and consistent way. Manysellers only call their customers with deals. This makesthem the deal supplier, not the main supplier. When we arein sync with our customers, we can sell into their need.When we call willy-nilly, all we can do is offer them deals.This is called chasing. Chasing orders/selling deals are partof what we do as market-driven sellers. But we also wantthe “relationship orders.” These orders go to the salesper-son who calls in a persistent and consistent way.

The Spirit of the PossibleIn many cases, “We have reached our conclusion” just

means “We have stopped thinking.” Too many sellers arehiding behind the truth. Master sellers find a way. They usecreativity and imagination to structure the deal so it worksfor everyone.

Sawmill/wholesaler/distribution organization has a car-load of 2x4 14’s that needs to be gone—today!

Quotron: “I talked to my guy. He can’t use 14’s.” (Thisis a truth, but a worthless one. This is like a Marine at warsaying his tummy hurts. It may be true, but it doesn’t helpus win.)

Us: “My guy couldn’t use 14’s, so I sold them to him ona 12’ count. It was a bit of a counter, but they’re sold.”

The fact (master sellers ignore theseannoying things sometimes) is thatboth customers above can’t use 14’s.It is also a fact that the second cus-tomer bought a load of 14’s! Manysellers think they are in the factbusiness, while master sellersrealize they are in the possiblebusiness.

It’s just talking, right? Wrong.Salesmanship takes a certain spir-it—the spirit of a salesman.

OLSEN On SalesBy James Olsen

James OlsenReality Sales Training

(503) 544-3572 [email protected]

The spiritof the salesman

Page 19: BPD Sept 2014

Real Cedar’s natural resistance to the elements make it the ideal choice for outdoor applications like siding, decks,

and pergolas. What’s more, Real Cedar’s versatility and deep, natural, rich lustre mean it will complement virtually

anything it’s surrounded by. Including the neighbors’ envious looks.

Real Cedar, available through WRCLA members and affiliates.

www.realcedar.com1 866 778 9096

Bakerview Forest Products Inc.

Canyon Lumber Co., Inc.

Cedarsource

Central Cedar Ltd

Fraserview Cedar Products

Gilbert Smith Forest Products Ltd.

Haida Forest Products Ltd.

Hy Mark Wood Products Inc

Idaho Forest Group

Interfor

Issaquah Cedar

Leslie Forest Products

Lignum Forest Products Llp

Mid Valley Lumber Specialties Ltd.

North Enderby Timber Ltd.

Orepac Building Products

Pacific Western Wood Works Ltd.

Power Wood Corp.

Precision Cedar Products

Quadra Wood Products

Rielly Lumber Inc.

Sawarne Lumber Company Ltd.

Shakertown 1992 Inc.

Skana Forest Products Ltd.

Vancouver Specialty Cedar Products

West Bay Forest Products Ltd

Western Forest Products, Inc.

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL STRUCTURES COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY ENVY.

REAL CEDAR

Page 20: BPD Sept 2014

20 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

IN 2013, TRUCKS MOVED 69.1% of all domestic freighttonnage, up from 68.5% the previous year. Over the

past decade, moving this freight has become increasinglydifficult. High driver turnover, a decrease in the numberof owner-operators in the trucking industry, and elevatedservice demand have amplified existing problems such asincreased government regulations, a current driver short-age, and increased costs of transportation.

The most significant changes in government regula-tions that went into effect July 2013 are adjustments inthe legal hours of operations. The new rules include a 34-hour restart period, which must include two periods from1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. home terminal time that may onlybe used once per week and are measured from the previ-ous restart period.

Additionally, a driver may only drive eight hours afterthe last off-duty time or sleeper berth period of at least 30minutes. If a driver is stopped at a delivery location andnot in his sleeper berth, it is now considered on-duty timeand will not count towards his 30-minute break. Long-haul drivers are typically paid by the mile, so the changein rules has meant that drivers are on the road longerwithout any extra pay. The regulations reduce the numberof hours a driver can work, increase the number ofrequired breaks, and add significant costs to the truckingindustry.

Today there is also a truck driver shortage. Accordingto the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of acommercial driver is 55. Many younger would-be driversare drawn to construction and other jobs that pay more.The Bureau of Labor Statistics list the median wage of a

THINKING AheadBy Carl Lamb, General Manager, Snavely International

tractor-trailer driver at $38,200, which is 11.8% lowerthan the average U.S. wage, and drivers’ wages areincreasing more slowly than other wages. Drivers are typ-ically away from home for long periods and are restrictedby new regulations. This limits the amount of income adriver paid by the mile can earn.

Additionally, American Trucking Association (ATA)chief economist Bob Costello states, “At the moment, wealready have 30,000 unfilled jobs for drivers in the truck-ing industry. As the industry starts to haul more, becausedemand goes up, we’ll need to add more drivers—nearly

Understandingand navigatingfreight challenges

Page 21: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 21

100,000 annually over the next decade—in order to keeppace.”

Because drivers are in such demand, the truckingindustry is experiencing an extremely high turnover rate.ATA reported that turnover at large carriers is at 91% andhas been there or above for the past eight quarters. Alarge carrier that has 200 drivers will replace 180 of thosedrivers in the next 12 months.

Further complicating the search for qualified driversare the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) regula-tions introduced in December 2010. Carriers that employdrivers with a history of safety violations or accidents aresubject to increased inspections and a lower score. Withfewer entrants into the trucking job market, the industrymust change.

Many independent carriers and smaller trucking com-panies have gone out of business due to the increasedcosts associated with trucking. Diesel fuel has risen from$1.81/gallon in 2004 to $3.92/gallon in 2013. During therecession, there was price pressure on all goods and carri-ers had a hard time implementing fuel surcharges for thefreight they haul.

The government is proposing that all trucks beequipped with electronic logs. On August 1, 2013, theObama Administration announced a proposal to eliminate“the burdensome daily paperwork required for profes-sional truck drivers.” Unfortunately for small or indepen-dent carriers, retrofitting equipment with electronic logswill be expensive and add annual per unit monitoringfees.

Beyond fuel and regulation costs, truck operation costsare affected by regular repairs to damaged equipmentcaused by deteriorating roads; taxes and tolls to pay for

repair of infrastructure; and the insurance and equipmentrequired to meet security, safety and environmentalrequirements. The additional costs associated with truck-ing are resulting in fewer independent and small carriersthat are a viable source for moving freight.

Snavely International has responded to these chal-lenges in recent years by increasing its driver fleet. Wehave found that by paying more than the median wage,turnover decreases and we have greater control.

In the past year, we also registered with the FederalMotor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) andobtained a United States Department of Transportation(USDOT) number. This allows us to pick up and be paidfor return freight. While it opens us up to increased regu-lations, we anticipate the benefits will outweigh the costs.

However, it is clear that the only foreseeable outcometo the increased government regulations, driver shortage,and increased cost of operations will be an increase in thecost of freight. Increased costs to carriers are reflectedeventually in increased prices for freight paid for trans-portation.

If you would like to hear how other companies areresponding to these freight challenges, please join me andother NAWLA members at the Leadership Summit,March 24-26, 2015, at the The Westin Kierland inScottsdale, Az. In addition to numerous opportunities toconnect with peers from across North America and heartheir perspectives on transportation challenges, the pro-gram will include educational sessions on this topic.Additional details are available at www.nawla.org.

– Carl Lamb is general manager of NAWLA member SnavelyForest Products, Westminster, Md.

A Special Series fromNorth AmericanWholesale Lumber Association

Next Month:Traders Market Preview

Next month’s October issue of BuildingProducts Digest will feature an in-depth TradersMarket Preview promoting the NAWLA TradersMarket Nov. 12-14 in Chicago.

The Traders Market is North America’s premierlumber tradeshow, delivering access to the entiresupply chain under one roof. Whether you want tosell your product, find new suppliers, or expandyour network, you’ll find the opportunities and visi-bility you need at the Traders Market.

The site is the newly renovated Hyatt RegencyChicago. Registration is now open. NAWLA mem-bers can receive discounted access to the event.

Page 22: BPD Sept 2014

22 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

Self Serve Lumber will open location #19 at the for-mer Moore & Carter Lumber yard in Croswell, Mi.

Trio Lumber, Taylor, Mi., is operating from a temporarylocation and hopes to complete renovations and return to itslongtime home this month.

Much of the company’s equipment and inventory were liq-uidated in June at an online auctioned ordered by a court-appointed receiver.

McCoy’s Building Supply held a July 24 grandopening at its new location in Dayton, Tx. (Martin L. FlukingerIII, store mgr.).

84 Lumber closed its 44-year-old store in SpringettsburyTownship (York), Pa., July 26.

Carter Lumber has converted its plumbing store inCorunna, In., into a door and millwork manufacturing facility.

Ready Decks has opened its 8th location in Houston,Tx. (David Ackerman, franchise operator).

ACO Hardware has reopened its two stores in Redford,Mi., after remaking them as Great Lakes AceHardware. In time, all 50+ units will be converted.

ABC Supply opened its first North Dakota location Aug.18 in Fargo (Ben Dahl, mgr.).

Francis Brothers Hardware Store, Marion, Va.,closed July 26 after 77 years, with the retirement of ownerRobert Francis.

Menards received final approval to build a a two-storystore and garden center totaling 286,986 sq. ft. on nearly 18acres in Vernon Hills, Il.

It submitted plans to build a 209,630-sq. ft. store with72,596-sq. ft. lumberyard in Williston, N.D.

Next spring, the chain will open a 242,000-sq. ft. store withdrive-thru lumberyard in Scio, Mi., and a 160,000-sq. ft. homecenter in Jeffersonville, In.

Home Depot held a July 10 grand opening for its 6,000-sq. ft. satellite store in Williston, N.D.

Habitat for Humanity relocated its ReStore dis-count LBM outlet in Wooster, Oh., to new quarters.

Anniversaries: Legg Lumber, Coldwater, Mi., 130th …Mathew Hall Lumber, St. Cloud, Mn., 125th … RedBud Hardware, Battle Creek, Ne., 50th …

DEALER Briefs

Canfor Buys Balfour/Beadles MillsCanfor Corp., Vancouver, B.C., is purchasing the oper-

ating assets of Balfour Lumber Co., Thomasville, Ga., andBeadles Lumber Co., Moultrie, Ga.

The mills produce southern yellow pine lumber, with acombined capacity of 210 million bd. ft. The purchase isstructured with 55% being acquired Jan. 2, 2015, and thebalance after a two-year period.

“The Balfour and Beadles sawmills are strong high per-forming assets in a supply area of sustainable and qualityfibre,” said Canfor president and c.e.o. Don Kayne. “Thesemills and the management team in Georgia will contributeto the strength of Canfor.”

Victor Beadles and Bryant Beadles will continue to helpmanage the facilities, with Bryant Beadles serving as presi-dent. The Beadles family currently owns all stock inBeadles Lumber and Balfour Lumber.

Not included in the sale are Balfour Timber Co., BalfourLand Co., and Beadles Lumber’s 7,000 acres of timberlandand its hunting lodge.

US LBM Adds New ork DealerUS LBM Holdings has acquired four-unit Samuel

Feldman Lumber Co., Brooklyn, N.Y., from Robert andKenneth Feldman. Kenny Feldman will become presidentof Feldman Lumber, and Bob will remain with the compa-ny, as well.

Founded in 1912 by Samuel Feldman, Feldman Lumberis a leading full-service provider of wallboard, steel stud,insulation, wood products, and specialty building suppliesto the New York City metropolitan market.

Natural endurance.Limitless innovation.

The warmth and feel of exotic hardwood. The durability and sustainability of

TruGrain™ made with Resysta®

1.800.464.8614 • tru-grain.com

Ply Gem Buying Simonton WindowsPly Gem, Cary, N.C., agreed to buy Simonton Windows

from Fortune Brands Home & Security for $130 million. Expected to close in October, the deal includes window

plants in Pennsboro, Harrisville and Ellenboro, W.V.; Paris,Il.; and Vacaville, Ca., and the SimEx extrusion plant inWest Virginia.

Simonton will operate as a stand-alone business unit.

Page 23: BPD Sept 2014

Stay Out of the Dog House!

future and that don’t even meet industry recommendations.Don’t start your home improvement projects with materials that are going to cause you all sorts of problems in the

Use the Right Nails for the Job!Stay

future and that don’t even meet industry recommendations.Don’t start your home improvement projects with materials that are going to cause you all sorts of problems in the

Use the Right Nails for the Job!y Out of

future and that don’t even meet industry recommendations.Don’t start your home improvement projects with materials that are going to cause you all sorts of problems in the

Use the Right Nails for the Job!f the D

Don’t start your home improvement projects with materials that are going to cause you all sorts of problems in the

Use the Right Nails for the Job!Dog Hou

Don’t start your home improvement projects with materials that are going to cause you all sorts of problems in the

Use the Right Nails for the Job!use!

Maze Nails drive well, hold tight and resist rust. That’s a doggone good deal!

Maze Nails are available in ring and spiral shank, providing ultimate holding power!•Maze Nails are 100% Made in the USA and meet the ASTM A-153 specification for Hot-Dip Galvanizing.•

(Pressure Treated Lumber) Nails are recommended by the manufacturers of preservative-treated wood.®Maze P.T.L.•

Maze Nails drive well, hold tight and resist rust. That’s a doggone good deal!

Maze Nails are available in ring and spiral shank, providing ultimate holding power!Maze Nails are 100% Made in the USA and meet the ASTM A-153 specification for Hot-Dip Galvanizing.

(Pressure Treated Lumber) Nails are recommended by the manufacturers of preservative-treated wood.

Maze Nails drive well, hold tight and resist rust. That’s a doggone good deal!

Maze Nails are available in ring and spiral shank, providing ultimate holding power!Maze Nails are 100% Made in the USA and meet the ASTM A-153 specification for Hot-Dip Galvanizing.

(Pressure Treated Lumber) Nails are recommended by the manufacturers of preservative-treated wood.

Maze Nails drive well, hold tight and resist rust. That’s a doggone good deal!

Maze Nails are available in ring and spiral shank, providing ultimate holding power!Maze Nails are 100% Made in the USA and meet the ASTM A-153 specification for Hot-Dip Galvanizing.

(Pressure Treated Lumber) Nails are recommended by the manufacturers of preservative-treated wood.

Maze Nails are 100% Made in the USA and meet the ASTM A-153 specification for Hot-Dip Galvanizing. (Pressure Treated Lumber) Nails are recommended by the manufacturers of preservative-treated wood.

Division of W.H. Maze Company • Helping to build America since 1848

vision of W.H. Maze Company • Helpin

mmazenails11.800.435

Division of W.H. Maze Company • Helping to build America since 1848

mazenails.com1.800.435.5949

Page 24: BPD Sept 2014

24 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

SUPPLIER BriefsSchroth Industries , White

Township, Pa., was up and running twodays after a July 26 fire destroyed itswarehouse, but spared its main facility.Damage estimate: $350,000.

Kodiak Building Partners,Denver, Co., has purchased fabrica-tors/distributors AO, Inc., Dallas, Tx.,and Barnsco Inc., Dallas.

Wagner Lumber has begunrebuilding its Owego, N.Y., sawmill,which was destroyed in a Feb. 16 fire.Construction should take a year.

Quality Hardwood Sales,Nappanee, In., will move all productionin-house by adding 50,000 sq. ft. to its78,000-sq. ft. operations by April.

Independence Lumber willinvest over $5 million to rebuild andexpand its Independence, Va., sawmill,which was destroyed by fire in 2012.

Cedar Siding Inc., Rochelle, Il.,has become the first prefinisher tostock LP SmartSide lap siding in thefull standard 12-color palette.

Forest Products Supply isnow distributing Boral TruExterior trimfrom its Newton and Kansas City, Ks.,locations. The Kansas City warehousewill join Newton and Indianapolis, In.,DCs in carrying Boral Versetta Stone.

Custom Windows Systems,Ocala, Fl., has been sold by HighlanderPartners, Dallas, Tx., to another privateinvestment f irm, Nautic Partners,Providence, R.I.

Feeney Inc. , Oakland, Ca.,added an 87,000-sq. ft. DC inCranbury, N.J., to service dealers eastof the Mississippi River.

CalStar Products has startedup a new 100,000-sq. ft. masonry prod-ucts plant in Columbus, Ms.

Weaber Lumber Co., Lebanon,Pa., is protecting its new line of FinishCoat interior trim products with PPGIndustries’ AQUALINK baked-on coat-ing.

Robert Bowden Inc., Marietta,Ga., is switching to Epicor BisTrackbusiness management software.

oppers Buys Osmose UnitsKoppers Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., has

completed the acquisition of theWood Preservation and RailroadServices businesses of OsmoseHoldings for $494.1 million.

The Wood Preservation businesshas been renamed Koppers Perform-ance Chemicals. The Railroad Ser-vices business is now KoppersRailroad Structures.

Builders FirstSource Adds 3ards in Sout

Builders FirstSource, Dallas, Tx.,has opened a larger facility in WestKnoxville, Tn., and purchased lum-beryard/truss plants in Groveland, Fl.,and Sherman, Tx.

In Florida, BFS bought WestOrange Lumber Co. from Neil Britt.West Orange’s sales were approxi-mately $15 million in 2013. John

Your source for LARGE TIMBERS,SPECIALTY PRODUCTS,& REMANUFACTURING

• Redwood

• Western Red Cedar

• Southern Cypress

• Douglas Fir

• Ipé

• Abaco

877.533.7695

Redwood

Western Red Cedar

Southern Cypress

Douglas Fir

Ipé

Abaco

Arellano, v.p. of West OrangeLumber, will remain as general man-ager of the operation.

In Texas, BFS acquired Truss Rite.Randy Rice remains general manager.

The new 14-acre West Knox facili-ty features a 50,000-sq. ft. warehouseand a paved, 8-acre lumber shed,overseen by general manager GregBirtsch. It replaces an older yard,which will be reopened once the loca-tion reaches capacity.

Anot er Canadian ProducerWants Lumber Mills in U.S.

Newsprint giant Resolute ForestProducts, Montreal, P.Q., is lookingto expand its Canadian lumber busi-ness into the U.S.

In particular, Resolute is eyeingthe South and Southeast—where italready operates pulp and papermills—to buy or build sawmills.

Page 25: BPD Sept 2014
Page 26: BPD Sept 2014

PRO250 S

ubfl oor System

PRO300S

Decking S

ystem

PROSD150 S

teel-Decking S

ystem

Part of the Complete Line of Simpson Strong-Tie® Fastening Solutions

Page 27: BPD Sept 2014

Doing the job right doesn’t have to take more time: Quik Drive® auto-feed screw driving systems are the fastest on the market, ensuring you’ll save maximum time during repetitive fastening applications. Rather than installing individual screws, or other more complicated fastening options, Quik Drive operators can work faster, in most cases from an ergonomic standing position.

When time is money, the Quik Drive system is the faster fastener tool. Visit our website at www.strongtie.com/fasteners or call us at (800) 999-5099.

Time Saving by Design

©2014 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. QD14

Page 28: BPD Sept 2014

28 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

Prized designNeLMA announces winner of 2014

Sustainable Versatility Design AwardJUAN GUO, a recent master’s of

architecture graduate from theIllinois Institute of Technology, is therecipient of the 2014 Rich QuitadamoSustainable Versatility Design Awardfrom NELMA for her project entitled“Shelter House in Chicago Park.”

The Rich Quitadamo SustainableVersatility Design Award, sponsoredby NELMA, is a design contest forarchitecture, engineering, and designstudents currently enrolled in an

EasternWhitePineSpecial Issue

accredited architecture program todesign a modern sustainable structurefeaturing eastern white pine. Judgesbase their decisions on dialogue-inspiring, future-predicting, forward-thinking designs.

“NELMA developed the SVDAaward program in 2010 as a vehicle toreintroduce wood, particularly north-eastern softwoods, to the next genera-tion of architects and designers,” saidJeff Easterling, president of NELMA.

“We envisioned the competition as anactivity to engage the creativity oftoday’s students, while providing astimulus to see the value of usingwood as a contemporary and sustain-able building material.”

Design parameters for the 2014competition challenged students tocreate a light urban public structureincorporating eastern white pine.

Guo received a $750 cash awardand was invited to attend the NELMA

WINNING PROPOSAL used eastern white pine as the primary component of shelter houses throughout Chicago Park, to protect visitors from snow-storms in winter and rainstorms and extreme heat in summer.

Page 29: BPD Sept 2014
Page 30: BPD Sept 2014

30 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

annual meeting in April 2014 toreceive her award. A schedule conflictkept her from the meeting, so shebecame the first-ever NELMA recipi-ent to accept the award and presentthe winning project via FaceTime.During her brief remarks, Guo sharedthe inspiration behind her project anddiscussed specific elements of theplan.

Shelter House inChicago Park

Guo chose Chicago Park alongsideLake Michigan as the setting for herproject because the inherent naturalbeauty of the large, open site providedthe perfect backdrop to a building fea-turing eastern white pine. The archi-tecturally striking exterior of thebuilding design is the perfect mix ofform and function: the shelter house

EASTERN WHITE PINE was chosen as the primary design element (beam, outside frame, furniture) and for its green advantages (sustainable, lightersolar gain compared with concrete).

provides a welcoming idea of publicspace in the form of a relief station forpark users, incorporating a snack barand restrooms. Eastern white pinebeams integrated into the buildingexterior are highlighted by lights atnight to provide a light, soothing, nat-ural visual impact.

Wanting to make the structure self-supporting and sustainable, the exteri-or concrete walls are used to pull heatinto the interior during the winter,while the transparent, fiberglass roofwill provide needed shelter and helpin the cooling process in the warmermonths. By using elements of thebuilding to naturally heat and cool theshelter, it can be used almost year-round. Solar gain is the key to makingthe outdoor space usable throughoutmost of the winter months. The sitingof the structure will provide a respite

from rainstorms in the summer andsnowstorms in the winter.

Using eastern WhitePine

Not having used wood in designsbefore, this was a whole new worldfor Guo. She reports loving the natur-al beauty, look and feel of the materi-al and the seamless way it can be inte-grated with a natural building site.She researched the NELMA onlinephoto gallery to learn about the prod-uct uses and for a little bit of inspira-tion. Taken by the beauty of thewood, Guo thinks of the wood asbeing very human-centered.

In her words, “The lighter colorand warm beauty of eastern whitepine makes it the perfect product forthe shading elements of the parkstructure. Compared with the high

Page 31: BPD Sept 2014
Page 32: BPD Sept 2014

32 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

STRUCTURES are framed with eastern white pine around several concrete chimneys, which were designed to funnel out hot air.

solar heat gain from the concretewalls, the eastern white pine pulls inless solar gain, creating a naturalshadow to cool the inside space. Tocomplete structure integration withthe park environment, the easternwhite pine used as flooring and furni-ture brings the outside and within thestructure into perfect harmony andcreates a beauty of rhythm andnature.”

Having used eastern white pine forthis project, Guo intends to use itagain, as she sees the design possibili-ties as endless.

SustainabilityA long-time believer in the use of

sustainable products and the creationof sustainable structures, Guo likedthe fact that wood is a naturally sus-tainable building product. As shelearned more about eastern whitepine, she began to see the depth ofsustainability achieved with a mar-riage of her building design and themake-up of the wood.

Guo plans a career as an architectand designer focusing on sustainablestrategies and design ideas.

The Rich Quitadamo SustainableVersatility Design Award was recent-ly named after Rich Quitadamo, a vet-eran member of the NELMA market-ing committee who was instrumentalin the creation of the SVDA program.Following his untimely passing in2013, the committee voted to honorhis unselfish work and participation inNELMA by naming the annual stu-dent competition award in his honor.

To see a PDF of Guo’s winningentry, please visit www.sustain-ableversatility.org. This same pagewill soon hold contest and entry infor-mation for the 2015 competition.

For more information on NELMA,visit www.easternwhitepine.org andwww.nelma.org.

Page 33: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 33

EasternWhite

PineSpecial Issue

Wood geeksshare their stories

ARE YOU A Wood Geek? If you love the touch, the feel,the smell of wood, then chances are high that you’re a

Wood Geek. “We are big fans of these hard-core woodworkers, car-

penters, and contractors,” said Jeff Easterling, president ofNELMA. “It’s amazing to see the different ways in whichwood has made an impact on each of these people. Theirstories are fantastic—we learn something from each ofthem.”

How it works: Five similar questions about a person’shistory with wood are sent to each “Geek.” Within theiranswers they are encouraged to share wisdom, stories andexperiences from their careers.

The goal: to showcase the depth of knowledge and pas-sion for wood felt by many members of the building com-munity.

If you think you’re a Wood Geek, NELMA would like

to talk with you. To set up an interview, email Kim Drewat [email protected]. NELMA looks forward tomeeting you!

Page 34: BPD Sept 2014

34 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

expore eastern white pine with the

NeLMA virtual tourIF A PICTURE is worth a thousand

words, then an online 360˚ tourmust surely be worth a million more!

NELMA opens the door to con-sumers with a unique, first-of-its-kindvirtual home tour. Taking the familiarrealtor 360˚ home view and making itbetter with product specifications, thevirtual tour showcases eastern whitepine in beautiful interior applicationsdesigned to spark and ignite home-owner inspiration and imagination.High-resolution, 360˚ digital photog-raphy technology, coupled with easyself-navigation in all directions, resultsin a fun, creative, beautiful tourthrough several rooms completely

EasternWhitePineSpecial Issue

ONLINE 360˚ virtual tour marks NELMA’s first outreach to consumers.

Page 35: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 35

VIRTUAL TOUR shows consumers how various eastern white pine product will look in the home.

controlled by the user. Green product icons scattered

throughout each room inform theviewer of actual grade, pattern and fin-ish used in each focus area.

“The virtual tour is a distinctivetool we’ve added to the NELMA mar-keting arsenal,” said president JeffEasterling. “This unique, engagingtour represents our first real outreachtoward consumers. It brings every-thing we do to life, by showing home-owners how each product can actuallylook within the home—and then giv-ing them the exact specs they need toencourage purchase.”

The tour is currently available inthe Seaside Cottage model, with moreto be added over time. Find it atwww.easternwhitepine.org underVirtual Tour in the right-hand column.

Page 36: BPD Sept 2014

36 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

interested in learning moreabout lumber grading.”

Located at www.grader-academy.org, the NELMAGrader Academy is non-sub-scription, with no pay-to-useelements. Instead, users canfind simple, easy-to-under-stand grading backgroundinformation, rules, and more,available 24/7/365.

The Grader Academy pro-gram parallels the two most important softwood lumberspecies and species grouping in the Northeastern and GreatLakes regions: eastern white pine and Spruce-Pine-Fir.Courseware, designed to offer a natural learning approach,uses visual images to reinforce all elements of the gradingprocess. Four series are planned: Level 100 – LumberCharacteristics (currently available); Level 200 – ApplyingCharacteristics to Lumber Grades (currently available);Level 300 – Grading Rule Exceptions and ApplyingInterpretations (Fall 2014); and Level 400 – AdvancedLearning: Making the Grade (early 2015).

Series 200, most recently added to the Academy, rampsup the information-sharing with short, 60-second videoclips of senior inspectors discussing how to apply learnedinformation to actual lumber grading.

“There are several goals behind the development of theGrader Academy,” continued Easterling. “Key to the lum-

Grader AcademyNeLMA offers new educational tools

BECOMING A CERTIFIED lum-ber grader can be a daunt-

ing task. The educationprocess typically begins withlearning and comprehending avoluminous amount of infor-mation. NELMA’s StandardGrading Rules book itself ismore than 200 pages of pre-scriptive text.

Laboring over hundreds ofboards to learn the dozens ofdefect combinations that make a grade is the next step inthe certification process. Individual instruction at the millwith NELMA’s expert lumber inspector over severalmonths reinforces the learned information which leads totaking a final quiz and practical test for official grader certi-fication. An arduous task at best, but with the introductionof the Grader Academy, NELMA is turning this laboriousprocess on its ear with a first of its kind, multi-faceted,online educational program.

“NELMA works closely with our members to ensurethey have the information they need to educate theiremployees,” said Jeff Easterling, president of NELMA.“From in-mill training classes to regional grading work-shops, to the annual Grader Competition, it’s all about edu-cation. The Grader Academy takes it to another level byproviding necessary information in a visual, easy-to-followformat accessible to mill employees, dealers, and anyone

EasternWhitePineSpecial Issue

Page 37: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 37

ABOVE BOARD interactive game on the Grader Academy site simulatesreal-time lumber grading in a mill setting.

DEALERS, WHOLESALERS and mill workers can learn more aboutlumber grading in a visual, easy-to-follow format at NELMA’s onlineGrader Academy.

ber industry is satisfied customers. Are the end users get-ting the grade of material they expect? As a byproduct ofthe Academy, we hope to raise the level of understandingof the various grades of lumber available from NELMA’smills by the buyers, which include lumber wholesalers andlumber retailers.”

Adding an element of fun and extending the reach of thebody of knowledge: Above Board, an interactive gamecomponent of the Grader Academy that simulates real-timelumber grading in a mill setting. Offering variable lugspeeds from beginner level to more advanced settings, fol-lowing a simple, free log-in, the three-level game is avail-able for use by anyone interested in lumber grading.Tournaments are encouraged, and are easy to set upthrough NELMA.

Audience reach for the Grader Academy is endless, withfuture graders being the primary target, of course. Beyond

them, the information can be used to enrich knowledgebases among existing mill employees, wholesaler or dealeremployees, those looking to move into lumber sales posi-tions, and builders or other tradespeople. The Above Boardgame opens up the world of grading to consumers, as well.

The Grader Academy and Above Board game are foundat www.graderacademy.org.

Founded in 1933, Northeastern Lumber ManufacturersAssociation is the not-for-profit rules writing agency foreastern white pine lumber and the steward of the lumberindustry in the Northeast. NELMA is also the gradingauthority for eastern spruce, balsam fir, the Spruce-Pine-Fir(SPFs) grouping, and other commercially important easternsoftwood lumber species.

For more information, visit www.easternwhitepine.organd www.nelma.org. Find NELMA on Facebook atNELMA and on Twitter @nelma.

Page 38: BPD Sept 2014

38 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

EasternWhitePineSpecial Issue

Updated NeLMA.orgoffers more selling tools than everARECENT UPGRADE to NELMA.org has resulted in an

interactive, easy-to-use site filled with more northeast-ern softwood lumber selling tools than ever before.

“Our goal with this new and improved site is to provideretailers and wholesalers the most extensive, informative,and usable information and selling tools they need to dotheir jobs,” said Jeff Easterling, president of NELMA.

A quick overview of the new elements: Within the Library, visitors can order NELMA publica-

tions; review standard grading rules, design values, andspan tables; share information on how to read a grade-stamp; review the library of White Pine Monographs; andlearn more about sustainability as it relates to forest and

GRADING RULES

Page 39: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 39

MILL FINDER

VIDEO LIBRARY

Manufacturers of Quality Eastern White Pine• Producing 16 million bd. ft. annually• Weinig Waco maxi planer specializes in pattern stock• Nine Irvington Moore dry kilns –

total capacity 360,000 bd. ft.• All shipments via truck or van are paper wrapped• Marketing throughout the U.S. and Canada via

Wholesale & Wholesale Distributors

Sales: Win Smith, [email protected]

(207) 625-3286 • Fax (207) 625-7399www.limingtonlumber.com

THINKWOODThink Warren Trask for

the most comprehensiveEastern Pine inventory!

Since 1924, Warren Traskhas been committed to

being the number one source forEastern White Pine.

Think Warren Trask for all yourEastern White Pine needs.

1•800•752•0121 www.wtrask.com

wood products. “The Library is a mega-resource of information,” con-

tinued Easterling. “There’s something there for everyone.” A new Mill Locator offers a complete listing of

NELMA mills in both address and map formats. Users canengage with a sidebar and choose their species and specificproduct needed to narrow their search results.

Looking for educational and cool videos? They’re here!The two most recent White Pine Monographs, “Lumberand Sons” and “Making their Mark: Women in the LumberMill Industry,” both offer a short video overview of theirrespective information. Take a look; you’ll want to go readthe full monograph next!

Additionally, newer videos include a factual andhumorous comparison between eastern white pine andPVC, a few glimpses into gorgeous projects featuring east-ern white pine, and how-to overviews.

For all of this and much more, visit www.nelma.org.

◊ NAWLA Traders Market Preview ◊ Hardwoods◊ Computers & Technology ◊ Stairs & Millwork

Coming Next Month in BPD

Page 40: BPD Sept 2014

40 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

YOU COULD SPEND A LOT TO GET THE LOOK

OF REAL CEDAR, OR YOU COULD JUST USE

Plastic, vinyl and cement composite materials often try to mimic the look of real western red

cedar, but never pull off the rich, natural depth and lustre of the real thing. And not only can

Real Cedar be far more affordable than man-made building materials, it’s also lighter and easier

to work with, durable, naturally rot and pest resistant, and available in a wide range of grades,

profiles and sizes to give you the exact look and style you want.

For the look of the real thing, there’s still only one real choice: Real Cedar.

REAL CEDAR

www.realcedar.com1 866 778 9096

westernforest.comFor your local distributor contact: 604 648 4500

QUALITY | SUSTAINABLE | CERTIFIED

Woodbrowser Inc., Grantham,N.H., has officially launched thebuilding industry’s only transparentpurchasing platform for lumber andpanel products. Woodbrowser current-ly provides truckload quantity pur-chasers with direct access to lumber atover 145 mills and growing in NorthAmerica via phone, email and online,as well as products from traditionalwholesalers and distribution channels.

“Woodbrowser’s platform andsales process provide buyers and sell-ers of lumber products with a muchmore efficient method of price discov-

ery on the open market, really as easyas sending an email,” said presidentChuck Gaede. “Our True Price Finderplatform replicates the current salescycle that can take hours when con-ducted traditionally via phone andemail. We’ve transferred that processto an easy-to-use web platform thatallows buyers to view bids from multi-ple mills and sellers simultaneously,negotiate, and then purchase all in thesame place, which saves an enormousamount of time.”

In May 2013, its beta site was test-ed with select customers and mills,

and the newly updated platform wentlive this past June.

Unlike past trading platforms,Woodbrowser recreates the currentsales process, allowing a buyer to sim-ply choose the products they are look-ing to purchase, and instantly send thatquote request to multiple mills andbrokers. The user interface allows forboth sides of the transaction to offer,receive, and negotiate pricing all onone screen, with the buyer seeing theactual cost from the mill or seller plusa flat fee based on the per-1000-bd.-ft.cost of the lumber.

The platform also provides valu-able feedback including current mar-ket data, the rank of the offer, andaverage offer price, which is informa-tion that has never been offered toeither party in the current marketplace.Purchasers and sellers can also find allof their purchase orders and pastquotes all in the same place.

“Our team also understands that theindustry thrives on information aboutmovements within the market, whichis why we share real-time updates onthe market via our website, throughcustomer emails, and by multiple dailyconversations with producers and pur-chasers,” Gaede added. “More impor-tantly, we work with all of our cus-tomers the way they want to do busi-ness. While some purchasers are inter-ested in sourcing their lumber online,others are not which is why we willcontinue to trade traditionally viaphone and email for as long as ourcustomers request.”

G-P Banking on PlywoodGeorgia-Pacific, Atlanta, Ga., is

investing $65 million to improve itsMadison, Ga., plywood operations.

The figure includes $26 million toupgrade the mill’s veneer dryers bythird quarter 2015, increasing dryingcapacity by 35%; $19 million toreplace the wood yard, completed inJune; and $20 million to modernizeother equipment, such as a new latheand expanded glue line and pressingoperations.

G-P is also evaluating the possiblerestart of an idled plywood mill, eitherin Alabama, Arkansas, Florida orNorth Carolina. The decision will bedetermined by market conditions,access to wood supply, an engineeringanalysis for required permitting,installation of equipment, and facilityupgrades. Following review and siteselection, a restart could occur in thefourth quarter of 2015.

Uni ue Lumber Buying Platform Launc es

Page 41: BPD Sept 2014
Page 42: BPD Sept 2014

42 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

GMS Buying West Te as DistributorGypsum Management & Supply, Tucker, Ga., has

agreed to acquire Contractors Choice Supply, Lubbock, Tx.“We are pleased to bring Contractors Choice Supply

into the GMS family,” said GMS president Mike Callahan.“Their commitment to delivering exceptional quality of ser-vice, personnel, products, and safety fits well with the val-ues and culture of GMS. This relationship provides GMSwith an excellent opportunity to expand our service net-work in the fast growing region of West Texas.”

Founded in 2000, Contractors Choice Supply distrib-utres drywall, metal framing, acoustical, insulation andother specialty building products in West Texas. It willoperate as a wholly owned subsidiary of GMS, which hasmore than 140 distribution centers nationwide.

Distributor S erwood Lumbericks Off Anni ersary CelebrationSherwood Lumber, Islandia, N.Y., has begun commem-

orating its 60th anniversary with celebrations taking placeat all of its offices, as well as at industry events such asNAWLA’s Traders Market this fall in Chicago and theNRLA LBM Expo in February 2015 in Boston.

The festivities will recognize customers, partners andemployees who have stood by Sherwood throughout theyears and have contributed to the company’s many achieve-ments.

“Sherwood Lumber would not be where it is today with-out our outstanding employees, so we wanted to make surethat everyone is 100% included,” said president/c.e.o. AndyGoodman. “We’re also taking this time to recognize our

most loyal customers by going coast-to-coast and meetingwith the people who trust us with their lumber needs.”

Sherwood has added its 60th anniversary seal to allmaterials and will be launching a redesigned website toserve as the hub for all events and news on the celebration.It will also contain microsites for some of Sherwood’s mostpopular products, starting with panels and EWP.

“With the challenges the industry has faced over the pastdecade, the anniversary came at the perfect time to cele-brate our successes and gave us the chance to provide ourcustomers with even more,” noted David Gaudreau, seniorv.p. of sales.

Each Sherwood Lumber location will be hosting its ownanniversary party.

OSB Design Modified for StabilityAn inventor from Show Low, Az., is pitching a new

sheet design he says will allow OSB, plywood and drywallto be installed more securely during construction.

He says The Wave Joint provides a wider surface toanchor the sheets to a rafter or stud and allows use of thefull width of the rafter or stud for mounting, improving theproject’s structural integrity.

In addition, improved placement of nails and screwsreportedly results in a safer connection, despite accommo-dating standard fasteners. Because of its ease of installa-tion, it also saves time and effort on the job..

The inventor retained InventHelp, Pittsburgh, Pa., inhopes of finding manufacturers or marketers who willlicense or purchase the design. “I feel this new style ofpanel will be beneficial to anyone in the construction indus-try,” he said.

Page 43: BPD Sept 2014
Page 44: BPD Sept 2014

44 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

Chris Pace, ex-United Lumber &Reman, has joined Great SouthernWood Preserving, Abbeville, Al.,as a buyer.

Joe Kusar, general mgr. of southernpine sales & marketing at Interfor,will retire in November after 24years with recently purchasedTolleson Lumber, Perry, Ga.

Megan Burch is the new marketingmgr. of Durgin & Crowell, NewLondon, N.H.

Eric Smith has been named branchmgr at Home Acres BuildingSupply, Lafayette, In.

Brad Hodgins, ex-Consolidated Cos.,has joined Wholesale Millwork,Reading, Pa., in outside sales tonorthern New Jersey.

Jay Moore has been promoted topresident of Timber ProductsInspection, Conyers, Ga., succeed-ing Ronnie Williams, who contin-ues as c.e.o.

Morris Neeb is new to Bay WoodProducts, Robertsdale, Al., as chiefoperating officer. Walker Wilsonis now softwood lumber buyer andbroker.

MOVERS & Shakers

Michael Drutis, ex-Brown WoodProducts, has been named generalmgr. of Acme Lumber & BuildingMaterial, Chicago, Il.

Jennifer Eide, ex-BlueLinx, is new tooutside sales at US Lumber,Jacksonville, Fl.

Jack Cox is now Rochester, N.Y.-based Northeast territory sales mgr.for Plycem USA/Allura fibercement siding.

Tom Lowrie has been promoted tobusiness development mgr. atCarter Lumber, Charlotte, N.C.

Frank Trippi, ex-Williams Lumber &Home Centers, is a new N.Y.-basedbusiness consultant for EpicorSoftware.

Michael Walters, mgr., 84 Lumber,Hickory, N.C., has transferred tooutside sales in Chattanooga, Tn.

Mary Rita Dominic has beenappointed quality mgr. forDeceuninck North America,Monroe, Oh. Pat Dixon is a newtechnical services specialist.

Steven Solis, ex-West End Roofing, isnow branch mgr. at SRSDistribution, Houston, Tx.

Jeff Cornell is new to sales at WeekesForest Products, St. Paul, Mn.

Don Hayes has been promoted to v.p.-business development for SunbeltForest Products, Bartow, Fl. StokesWallace is now sales coordinator.

Sean Higgins and Troy Norkus haveopened a Naperville, Il., office forAgMotion Forest Products,Minneapolis, Mn.

Craig Menear will become c.e.o. ofHome Depot, Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 1,succeeding Frank Blake, who willremain chairman. Ted Decker hasbeen promoted to executive v.p.-merchandising.

Mike Stoll, ex-Allied Building Pro-ducts, is a new territory mgr. withWilloughby Supply, Maumee, Oh.

Josh Arrowood is now single-familysales mgr. at American BuildersSupply, Tampa, Fl.

Quent Ondricek, v.p. of lumber &building materials, Do it BestCorp., Fort Wayne, In., is retiringOct. 24, to be succeeded by GaryNackers. Nick Talarico has beenpromoted to divisional mgr., over-seeing the hand tools, plumbing,cleaning, housewares and InComdepartments. Betsy Hartman suc-ceeds him as mgr. of internal audit.

Page 45: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 45

Richardson Timbers is a leader in custom millwork &manufacturing of customized timbers, with capabilities ofdelivering products throughout the U.S.

Serving the construction industry for over 60 years, bytaking the spirit of the old & combining it with the leadingtechnology of today, Richardson Timbers is able to offerwholesale products with unparallelled service & quality.

Douglas Fir up to 20” x 20” x up to 40’Cedar 16” x 16” x up to 32’

toll free (877) 318-5261 phone (214) 358-2314 fax (214) 358-2383www.richardsontimbers.com

Richardson Timbers

Size does matter.Douglas Fir up to 20” x 20” x up to 40’

Cedar 16” x 16” x up to 32’

Brad Presley, ex-Gulfeagle Supply, isnow market development mgr. forLP Building Products, Rochester,Mn.

Paul Drobnitch is now director ofcorporate development at ABCSupply, Beloit, Wi.

Kalvin Eden has been promoted tonational sales mgr. for the U.S. atBW Creative Railings Systems,Maple Ridge, B.C. James Webb isnow national sales mgr. forCanada., and Scott Rolufs, region-al sales mgr.

Joe Kemph, Allied Building Pro-ducts, W. Chicago, Il., has trans-ferred to Wauconda, Il., as mgr.

Benjamin Gromatzky is now salesmgr. at C-CAP, Lewisville, Tx.

Ralph Bruno has been named presi-dent of Novik Sales Corp., the U.S.sales branch of Novik Inc., QuebecCity, P.Q.

Chris Schield, ex-Kohler, has joinedWeather Shield Windows & Doors,Medford, Wi., as brand director.

Rob Brown, c.f.o., HardwoodsDistribution, Langley, B.C., hasbeen appointed acting c.e.o. whilepresident/c.e.o. Lance Blancorecuperates after a cycling accident.

Rick Brening, Glenn’s True Value

Hardware, Lincoln, Ne., has trans-ferred to manage the store at 70thand Van Dorn.

Noel Gayle has joined EuramaxInternational, Norcross, Ga., as itsv.p./chief information officer.

Wendy Canchola is new to WeatherShield Windows & Doors,Medford, Wi., as regional salesmgr. for the western U.S.

James Pultorak has joined KleinTools, Lincolnshire, Il., as Mans-field, Tx.-based v.p. of manufactur-ing. He replaces Chris Hargan,who is retiring at the end of theyear.

An Di Nguyen, ex-American Hard-wood Export Council, has beennamed president of the SoftwoodExport Council, effective Sept. 15.

Stephen H. Meima has been appoint-ed executive director of the Gyp-sum Association, Hyattsville, Md.

Barbara Brandes, c.e.o., LumberOne, Avon, Mn., has been namedto the College of Saint Benedictboard of trustees.

Chris P. Bacon now heads theemployee cafeteria at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax,Nv., report co-owners HughMungus and Freddy Fungus.

APP Watch

App: SIMPSON STRONG-TIEProduced by: JOIST HANGER SELECTORPrice: FreePlatform: Web

Users can quickly and easilyselect the most appropriate and cost-effective joist hanger for their projectsbased on the type of installation, andtype and size of lumber and loadsusing a new web app from SimpsonStrong-Tie.

Accessible from any web browser,the easy-to-use interface enablesusers to quickly select the membersand configuration for their desiredconnection, and print the results.

Use at www.strongtie.com/jhs

Page 46: BPD Sept 2014

46 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

NEW Products

Insulation BlanketDow Corning’s HPI-1000 building insulation blan-

ket is designed to offer more thermal resistance thanconventional insulation products.

The product’s thin profile and flexibility allow it tobe easily cut and conformed to complex shapes andtight curvatures, making it ideal for hard-to-insulatespaces.

The blanket is also fire-resistant, hydrophobic, andwill not settle over time.

DOWCORNING.COM(800) 248-2481

Modified Porch FlooringSnavely Forest Products and Accsys Technolgies

have teamed to produce Covered Porch Accoya, madefrom acetylated southern yellow pine.

Acetylation creates an attractive, non-toxic woodproduct with improved durability and stability. Theproduct’s refined finish and code approval for 16”joist spacing make it ideal for porch applications.

It can be coated on-site and carries a limited war-ranty against rot and decay of up to 25 years. It is dis-tributed by Snavely’s network of locations.

SNAVELYFOREST.COM(410) 386-0654

Decorative Vinyl SidingVytec Siding now offers vinyl board and batten

siding in eight colors, semi-beaded panels in sevencolors, and a beaded porch panel in four colors.

The 6-1/8” board and batten siding has a naturalwoodgrain, with a square-edged overlap for a rusticlook. Semi-beaded panels combine old-style charmwith a modern U-groove design and a brushed finishthat resembles hand-painted wood.

The triple 2-2/3” beaded porch panels can be usedon porch ceilings for the look of wainscoting. Roundmoulding at the edge of the soffit provides a cus-tomized, hand-painted look.

VYTEC.COM(800) 265-2230

Premium Pine BoardsReserve Pine—Interfor’s entry into the niche 1”

premium board and specialty market—is made fromsome of the finest pine forests in Oregon.

The boards are said to feature an impeccable lookand feel, with a superb quality finish on both the facesand edges, a distinct grain pattern, tight knots, andappealing golden color.

Boards come in dimensions from 1x4 to 1x12, andhave a moulded micro-eased 1/16” radius edge. Theyare ideal for fascia, interior trim, general building con-struction and pattern blanks.

The line also includes complementary top-of-the-line paneling and decking products.

[email protected]

Page 47: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 47

New Eagle Takes FlightEpicor Software Corp. has released Epicor Eagle N

Series, its next-generation retail management softwarefor independent retail businesses, combining a richfeature set and advanced business intelligence toolswith a completely redesigned and simplified userinterface.

The new software offers embedded business intelli-gence, simplified workflows, an integrated support barwith context sensitive access to online training, cus-tomer support and online user community, and anupdated user interface. Analytics are embedded withinthe solution and readily available, making it easier tochart customers’ shopping habits, behaviors and buy-ing patterns.

Built on Microsoft .NET technology architecture, itis easy to install, maintain and extend.

EPICOR.COM(888) 463-4700

Wider French DoorsThe four-panel sliding French door from Integrity

Windows & Doors is available in sizes up to 16’ wideby 8’ tall.

Other options include a bare wood or prefinishedwhite interior, six exterior color options, divided lites,energy-efficient glass, and two handle styles.

INTEGRITYWINDOWS.COM(888) 419-0076

Page 48: BPD Sept 2014

48 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

Portable WorkshopDeWalt’s multi-level workshop can transport and

store large tools and other jobsite necessities.Four levels deliver 90 lbs. of load capacity and

22.2 gallons of storage space. Large power tools canbe stored in the oversized bottom bin, while handtools and smaller items can be stored in the middle ortop bins. The middle section includes eight compart-ments with removable dividers, for customization ofstorage.

Other benefits include a single pull-up latch foreasy opening, heavy-duty 8” rubber wheels, and ball-bearing slides for smooth opening of the cantileversystem.

DEWALT.COM(800) 433-9258

Motion-Activated LightingNew motion-activated LED light strings from

Denmark provide soft, instant light where needed.Each kits includes either one 10-ft. or two 5-ft.

self-adhesive lighting strips, a motion sensor, and 8 ft.of electrical cord for connection to an outlet.

MYLIGHT.ME

Shaker-Style DoorsThe three-panel Shaker-style door from Masonite

has flat panels and crisp definition.ADA-compliant, the molded doors come in 6’8”

and 7’ door heights—in regular and bi-fold styles—and have 1-3/8” and 1-3/4” hollow core options.

MASONITE.COM(800) 663-3667

Natural Gas TruckingPeterbuilt Motors now offers a new powertrain

option for several of its natural gas vehicles.The new option provides an automated transmis-

sion with intelligent shift-selection software and a100% natural gas engine powered by either CNG orLNG.

PETERBUILT.COM(800) 473-8372

Coated Steel StudsClarkDietrich now offers ProStud steel studs with a

DiamondPlus corrosion-inhibiting coating, which pen-etrates into the zinc-coated substrate to form a perma-nent bond and fill voids, cracks and pores.

CLARKDIETRICH.COM(800) 543-7140

Page 49: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 49

Premium CasementWindows

Weather Shield’s PremiumSeries of aluminum-clad woodwindows and doors now includesa push-out casement unit.

The two side-by-sash unitdoes not have a center frame orrail to obstruct views when it isopen. Standard sizes as large as3’6”x7’ are available, as well assingles, multi-wides, and Frenchconfigurations.

WEATHERSHIELD.COM(877) 452-5535

Pro Deck InstallationCAMO Edge Pro from Nat-

ional Nail Corp. is an auto-feedscrew system that secures deckboards through the board edge.

Powered by a Milwaukeedrill, the tool uses 2-2/8” CAMOcollated hidden fasteners (avail-able in ProTech coated or 316stainless steel), which can beused with any decking material.

CAMOFASTENERS.COM(800) 968-6245

Porch SupportsA porch post base from

Simpson Strong-Tie eliminatesthe need for temporary verticalsupport of a porch roof, whileproviding safe access forinstallers and inspectors.

Stiffened, embedded side stir-rups add temporary support, anda 1” stand-off reduces the poten-tial for decay at post or columnends. Sizes are for both 4” and 6”slab thicknesses.

STRONGTIE.COM(800) 999-5099

LuxuryUnderlayment

LuxWalk underlayment fromMP Global Products is designedfor use under luxury vinyl floor-ing in residential and commercialprojects.

Made with 31% post-con-sumer recycled content, the prod-uct limits sound transmission andis LEED-compliant.

QUIETWALK.COM(888) 379-9695

Distributed in the Northeast by:

Feldman Wood Products, Garden City Park, NY

800-645-6010 • www.feldmanwoodproducts.com

Page 50: BPD Sept 2014

50 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

FAMILY BusinessBy Wayne Rivers

process in the human physiology to recognize and copewith stress. However, the sheer frequency and intensity ofstress episodes among family business owners doesn’tallow the parasympathetic nervous system to fully flushstress from the body and return to a more normal state ofrelaxation. Therefore, stress accumulates over time andleads to mental and physical illnesses.

Since everyone seems to be in agreement that rigorousexercise has so many physical and mental benefits, whydon’t all family business owners engage in regular exer-cise? The reality of small business life is that businessschedules and constant demands from other people on anentrepreneur’s time and the challenge of simply maintain-ing a consistent fitness program cause most people to failto enter exercise programs in the first place—or to abandonthem shortly after initiation. The researchers hypothesizedthat if family business owners were to “grant their physicalhealth the same respect they do to their financial and pro-fessional well-being, most would be in incredible physicalcondition. Concomitantly, good physical condition shouldcontribute to entrepreneurs’ success in reaching their per-sonal and financial goals.”

What are the benefits of exercise? There’s a direct rela-tionship between fitness and mental performance. Peoplewho are physically fit:

• Process data faster; • Experience a slower decline in information processing

as they age;• Are less likely to be obese;• Possess higher levels of energy;• Enjoy enhanced feelings of well being;• Enjoy reduced anxiety, depression, tension and stress,

and• Live longer.Exercise and activity can play a positive role in helping

family business owners achieve their goals, have moreenergy, experience less sickness, and to enjoy the self-con-fidence that comes with being fit. As one entrepreneursaid, “Exercise may not give me an extra day of life. Itwill, however, give extra life to every day.”

Are sales at a plateau or even declining? Does the stressseem to mount every day with no end in sight? A way toexplode through both of these challenges may be to under-take rigorous exercise on a regular basis.

– Wayne Rivers is president of the Family Business Institute,Raleigh, N.C. Reach him at [email protected] or (877) 326-2493.

Reprinted with permission of the Family Business Institute. No portion of thisarticle may be reproduced without its permission.

THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM is that we should all exer-cise regularly as a part of living a healthy lifestyle.

However, family business owners report the number oneproblem they have is too little time in the day to do all thethings they need to do. Given the typical family businessowner’s time crunch, is exercise worth it in terms of goalachievement (personal and business) and higher sales?

The short answer is yes. A recent study investigated 366small business owners to determine if the trade off betweenexercise and time devoted to managing their companies

Get in shape!

was worth it. Entrepreneurs who regularly engaged in rig-orous exercise were better at attaining personal satisfac-tion, independence and autonomy. Their companies alsoshowed significant improvement in sales over companiesthat were managed by non-exercisers.

There’s a dark side of entrepreneurship and businesssuccess. Business pressures cause stress levels to increase,and mental and physical health problems can arise. Manyentrepreneurs suffer from back problems, indigestion,insomnia and headaches. These symptoms are oftenbyproducts of long term, unbroken stress. Many peoplethink that events outside their control cause stress, butthat’s only partially true. Stress is actually a constant phe-nomenon that combines external problems with internalresponses unique to individuals. There’s a three-step

Page 51: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 51

Your Eastern & Midwest Redwood SpecialistREDWOOD DECKING

THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVEFull Range & Large Inventory

Reman to Specific Patterns

CHICAGO SUBURBAN LUMBER SALES800-341-6485

7459 Franklin St., Forest Park, IL 60130Fax: 708-771-7391 • Email: [email protected]

www.chicagosuburbanlumber.com

• Clear All Heart• Clear Mixed Grain• Construction Heart

• DeckingPattern Stock • Bevel Siding • Beaded Ceiling

We Ship by the Unit or by the PieceFamily Owned & Operated for Over 60 Years

ASSOCIATION UpdateMid-America Lumbermens

Association will host its annual FallFling Nov. 6-7 at Hilton Promenadeat the Landing, Branson, Mo.

Lumberman’s Association ofTexas is preparing for its fall commit-tee and board meetings September 23-24 at the AT&T Executive Center &Hotel, Austin, Tx.

During the event, political strate-gist Dana Chiodo will present a 2014Texas campaign report.

New Jersey Building MaterialDealers Association plans its annualmeeting for Oct. 8 at Fiddler’s ElbowCountry Club, Bedminster, N.J.

North America Deck & RailingAssociation will hold its annual meet-ing Oct. 22-24 at BaltimoreConvention Center, Baltimore, Md.

Southern Forest ProductsAssociation has announced thatRichard Kleiner has left its staff after16 years as a marketing specialist.

Mr. Kleiner joined SFPA in 1998as marketing manager, conductingseminars and staffing trade shows. Heassumed duties for international mar-kets in 2010, directing promotionsaimed at increasing the specificationand application of southern pine prod-ucts around the world.

The association recently hosted aseven-member delegation fromPakistan for a weeklong tour of south-ern lumber production facilities.Product quality, grading standards,

SFPA hosted a delegation from Pakistan, which included a stops at (top photo) Charles IngramLumber, Effingham, S.C., where Geno Avant explained grading characteristics, and at (lower photo)Fortress Wood Products’ treating plant in High Point, N.C., where Jim Dudley discussed quality-con-trol steps and various preservatives used.

and measurement systems used inAmerican operations were among thedelegation’s key interests.

The association’s Oct. 5-7 annualmeeting will be held at FrancisMarion Hotel, Charleston, S.C.

SUPPLIER BriefsGAF’s Myerstown, Pa., facility has

become the first asphalt shingle plantin North America to achieve the WasteDiversion from Landfill certification.

Pennsylvania and IndianaLumbermens Mutual Insur-ance Companies have launched anew website at www.plmilm.com, com-bining information from the two previ-ous company sites in a new format thatenhances previous features andimproves user experience.

National Frame BuildingAssociation has revamped its web-site at www.postframeadvantage.com.

Page 52: BPD Sept 2014

52 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

WE BUY AND SELL PANEL STRIPSPlywood, OSB, particleboard and MDF by

the truckloads. Lumber Source, Phone (800)874-1953, Fax 888-576-8723, [email protected].

Rates: $1.20 per word (25 word min.). Phone number counts as 1 word, address as 6. Centered copy/head-line, $9 per line. Border, $9. Private box, $15. Column inch rate: $55 if art furnished “camera-ready” (advertisersets type), $65 if we set type. Questions? Call (949) 852-1990.

Send ad to Fax 949-852-0231 or [email protected]. Checks payable to Cutler Publishing. Deadline: 18th of previous month.

WANTED TO BU

CLASSIFIED Marketplace

TRI-STATE LUMBER CO.Your Southern Yellow Pine

Timber ConnectionSpecializing in 6x6, 6x8, 8x8, 10x10

Tel. (662) 862-2125 • Fax 662-862-4900email [email protected]

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

JOIN OUR WINNING TEAM!CEDAR CREEK is looking for a few good men and women. We believe that our great

people are the key to our company’s success. Aggressive growth has created Sales, Operationsand General Management opportunities across Cedar Creek’s expanding footprint.Consequently, we’re looking for the very best people in our industry to help staff and grow ournew and existing distribution centers across the country. Please contact us if you:

• Have a successful track record • Can relocate for the right opportunity • Desire earnings and responsibility commensurate with your ambition • Are experienced in lumber and/or building products sales or operations For more information about Cedar Creek, please go to www.cedarcreek.com. If you’re

interested in learning more about how you may become a key player on our winning team, pleaseemail your resume to [email protected] for a confidential review of your qualifications.

PRODUCTS FOR SALE

SHAVER WOOD PRODUCTSSouthern Yellow Pine Timber Production

6x6, 6x8, 8x8, 10x10, 12x12Reload Services & Storage AvailableNorfolk Southern Mainline Served

Easy Access to I-40 & I-77Company-Owned Truck Fleet

(704) 278-9291 • Fax (704) 278-9304Cleveland, N.C.

email [email protected] [email protected]

Paul F. Reichenbach, 86, retiredowner of Reichenbach Lumber,

Bluffton, Oh., died July 3.A U.S. Army veteran, he worked

for Steinman Bros. Lumber, Bluffton,and Tuttle Lumber, Lima, Oh., beforelaunching his own business in 1964.

IN Memoriam Sonny Bryant, 67, retired paneltrader for ENAP Inc., New Windsor,N.Y., died Aug. 6 in Ruston, La.

He spent 49 years in the industrybefore retiring this spring.

Paula Siewert, 55, president of theNorthwestern Lumber Association,Minneapolis, Mn., died May 24 after along battle with cancer.

She spent 30+ years at NLA.

Richard K. “Dick” Thompson,76, former owner of Farmers LumberCo., Traer and Clutier, Ia., died July27. He retired in 2008.

Troy Edward Chandler, 89,owner of Mountain State Lumber Co.,Spencer, W.V., died July 30.

Richard “Dick” Wormhoudt, 92,retired Iowa LBM salesman, died July17 in Effingham, Il.

He worked at Wormhoudt Lumber,Ottumwa, Ia., before joining the Navyat the outbreak of World War II. Helater worked in sales for Pella Corp.and Replacement Window Systems.

Gregory Steven Shepard, 63,owner of Shepard Lumber, Chapman,Ks., died in late July.

He started at Sanborn Lumber,Chapman, in the late 1960s, thenworked for Hyder Lumber, Chapman,until buying and renaming it in 1983.He also operated Shepard Roofing Co.

Joseph Patrick Collins Jr., 65,New Hampshire lumberman, diedAug. 17 after a battle with cancer.

He worked for Sunbeam Lumberand then Steenbeke & Sons BuildingSupplies, Manchester, N.H., beforegoing into business for himself.

Larry Milton Corbin, 74, long-time East Coast lumberyard manager,died Aug. 16.

He began his career as a lumberinspector with American Lumber,Union City, Pa., before managingInterforest Lumber, Shade Gap, Pa.,and Augusta Lumber, Staunton, Va.

Arthur K. Brown, 82, owner ofP.K. Brown & Sons, Claremont, N.H.,died July 25 in Hanover, N.H.

Kenneth Robert Reckart, 80, ofReckart Lumber, Oakland, Md., diedAug. 16.

George W. Nordeng, 87, retiredowner of Ace Hardware, Evansville,Wi., died July 25 in Janesville, Wi.

He managed Ace Hardware, Janes-ville, before operating his own store.

Page 53: BPD Sept 2014

Building-Products.com September 2014 Building Products Digest 53

DATE BookListings are often submitted months in advance. Always verify

dates and locations with sponsor before making plans to attend.

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association – Sept. 4, CedarSummit, Whistler Conference Center, Whistler, B.C.; (866) 778-9096; www.realcedar.com.

BC Wood – Sept. 4-6, Global Buyers Mission, Whistler ConferenceCenter, Whistler, B.C.; (877) 422-9663; www.bcwood.com.

Retail Lumber Dealers Association of Maine – Sept. 5-7, jointannual meeting with New Hampshire Retail Lumber Association,Portsmouth, N.H.; (800) 292-6752; www.nrla.org.

New Jersey Home Show – Sept. 5-7, Garden State Exhibit Center,Somerset, N.J.; (888) 433-3976; www.acshomeshow.com.

Raleigh Home Show – Sept. 5-7, Raleigh Convention Center,Raleigh, N.C.; (888) 433-3976; www.acshomeshow.com.

Moulding & Millwork Producers Association – Sept. 8-11, EastCoast mill tours, Marriott at Penn Square, Lancaster, Pa.; (530)661-9591; www.wmmpa.com.

Lumbermens Merchandising Corp. – Sept. 10-11, dealerexchange, Marriott Downtown, Providence, R.I.; (610) 293-7121;www.lmc.net.

Construction Suppliers Association – Sept. 11-12, annual meet-ing, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Ga.; (678) 674-1860;www.gocsa.com.

New York & Suburban Lumber Association – Sept. 12, joint annu-al meeting with Long Island Lumber Association, Villa Lombardi’sRestaurant, Holbrook, N.Y.; (800) 292-6752; www.nrla.org.

Hoo-Hoo International – Sept. 13-16, annual convention, FlamingoHotel, Santa Rosa, Ca.; www.hoohoo.org.

Composite Panel Assn. – Sept. 14-16, fall meeting, RooseveltHotel, New Orleans, La.; (301) 670-0604; compositepanel.org.

American Wood Protection Assn. – Sept. 14-18, fall meeting,Westin Harborview, Portland, Me.; (205) 733-4077; awpa.com.

Ace Hardware Corp. – Sept. 17-19, fall market, O.C. ConventionCenter, Orlando, Fl.; (630) 990-7662; www.acehardware.com.

Builders Supply Association of West Virginia – Sept. 18, golftournament, Lakeview Golf Resort, Morgantown, W.V.; (304)342-2450; www.bsa-wv.com.

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Assn. – Sept. 18-19, golf,Red Jacket Inn, North Conway, N.H.; (207) 829-6901; nelma.org.

Blish-Mize Co. – Sept. 19-20, fall market, Overland Park Conven-tion Center, Overland Park, Ks.; (800) 995-0525; blishmize.com.

Lumberman’s Association of Texas – Sept. 23-24, fall meetings,Austin, Tx.; www.lat.org.

Kentucky Building Materials Association – Sept. 25, CongletonCup golf tournament, Quail Chase Golf Club, Louisville, Ky.;(800) 844-1774; www.kbma.net.

Northwestern Lumber Assn. – Sept. 25, sporting clay, CrookedCreek Gun Club, Aurora, Ne.; (763) 595-4053; www.nlassn.org.

North American Rail Shippers Association – Oct. 2-3, regionalmeeting, Hyatt Regency, Phoenix, Az.; (972) 690-4740; www.rail-shippers.com.

Southern Forest Products Association – Oct. 5-7, annual meet-ing, Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston, S.C.; (504)443-4464;www.sfpa.org.

Material Handling Industry of America – Oct. 5-8, annual meeting,Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, Ca.; (704) 676-1190;www.mhi.org.

New Jersey Building Material Dealers Association – Oct. 8,annual meeting, Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club, Bedminster, N.J.;www.dealer.org.

Building Component Manufacturers Conference – Oct. 8-10,annual conference, Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, N.C.;(608) 274-4849; www.bcmcshow.com.

True Value Co. – Oct. 10-12, fall market, Colorado ConventionCenter, Denver, Co.; (773) 695-5000; truevaluecompany.com.

Do it Best Corp. – Oct. 18-20, fall market, Indianapolis ConventionCenter, Indianapolis, In.; (260) 748-5300; www.doitbestcorp.com.

Association of Millwork Distributors – Oct. 19-23, annual conven-tion, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Fl.; (727) 372-3665;www.amdweb.com.

Construction Suppliers Association – Oct. 21, insight meetings,Hilton Garden Inn, Jackson Pearl, Ms.; Oct. 22, Doubletree byHilton, Baton Rouge, La.; (678) 674-1860; www.gocsa.com.

DeckExpo – Oct 22-24, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore,Md.; Oct. 22-24, North American Deck & Railing Associationannual meeting; (866) 475-6495; www.deckexpo.com.

Green Industry & Equipment Expo – Oct. 22-24, Kentucky Fair &Expo Center, Louisville, Ky.; (800) 558-8767; www.gie-expo.com.

Remodeling Show – Oct. 22-24, Baltimore Convention Center,Baltimore, Md.; (866) 475-6495; www.remodelingshow.com.

Page 54: BPD Sept 2014

54 Building Products Digest September 2014 Building-Products.com

ADVERTISERS IndexFor more on advertisers, call them directly or

visit their websites [in brackets].

Anthony Forest Products [www.anthonyforest.com] .................41

Boise Cascade [www.bcewp.com]..................................................4

Boral [www.boraltruexterior.com] ........................................Cover I

Chicago Suburban Lumber [chicagosurburbanlumber.com] ....51

Crumpler Plastic Pipe [www.cpp-pipe.com] ................................44

Durgin & Crowell [www.durginandcrowell.com] .........................31

Everwood Treatment Co. [www.everwoodtreatment.com].........43

Fasco America [www.fascoamerica.com]....................................47

Feldman Wood Products [www.feldmanwoodproducts.com]....49

Great Southern Wood Preserving [www.yellawood.com]....13A-B

GRK Fasteners [www.grkfasteners.com].....................................11

Hancock Lumber [www.hancocklumber.com].............................32

J.D. Irving [www.jdirving.com] ......................................................35

Kop-Coat [www.kop-coat.com] .......................................................7

Lee Roy Jordan Lumber Co. [www.jordanredwood.com]...........24

Limington Lumber [www.limingtonlumber.com].........................39

Matthews Marking Products [www.matthewsmarking.com] ......53

Maze Nails [www.mazenails.com].................................................23

North American Wholesale Lumber Assn. [www.nawla.org] .......3

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Assn. [www.nelma.org]...29

NyloBoard [www.nyloboard.com]...................................................5

Pleasant River Pine [www.pleasantriverlumber.com].................34

PrimeSource Building Products [www.primesourcebp.com] ....44

Richardson Timbers [www.richardsontimbers.com] ..................45

Robbins Lumber [www.rlco.com] .................................................38

Roseburg Forest Products [www.roseburg.com] .......................15

RoyOMartin [www.royomartin.com] .............................................25

Sandy Neck Traders [www.sntraders.com] .................................37

Screw Products [www.screw-products.com] ..............................42

Seaboard International Forest Products [www.sifp.com]...........36

Simpson Strong-Tie [www.strongtie.com]..............................26-27

Snavely Forest Products [www.snavelyforest.com]..........Cover II

Swanson Group Sales Co. [www.swansongroupinc.com]...........8

TruGrain [tru-grain.com]................................................................22

Viance [treatedwood.com] ..................................................Cover IV

Warren Trask Co. [www.wtrask.com] ...........................................39

Westech Building Products [tru-grain.com] ................................22

Western Forest Products [www.westernforest.com] ..................40

Western Red Cedar Lumber Assn. [www.wrcla.org].............19, 40

Woodbrowser [www.woodbrowser.com] .....................................33

IDEA FileLocal Focus

Helping people shop local and payingemployees a living wage—both of these tactics broughtsuccess to a hardware dealer in the nation’s capital.

“I think it’s important to bring customer-friendly,home-maintenance shops back to Main Street,” saysGina Schaefer, co-owner of A Few Cool HardwareStores. “I am a firm believer in the concept of the momand pop shop.”

Back in 2003, Schaefer and her husband, MarcFriedman, purchased a fixer-upper apartment in theLogan Circle area of Washington, D.C., but there wereno hardware stores in the neighborhood. After someresearch, they signed up with Ace Hardware andopened a store in the neighborhood. Today, they ownnine stores in D.C. and nearby Baltimore, Md. And onAug. 15, the original Logan Circle location moved to alarger, 10,000-sq. ft. space down the street.

“We really love owning these stores and are sopleased that from the first month, local peopleembraced us,” she says. “It is clear that people want toshop locally, and we are more than happy to fill thatneed.”

However, she freely admits that success wouldn’thave been possible without the help of dedicatedemployees who are well trained, treated with respect,and paid more than minimum wage.

“Paying fair wages helped our business grow fast tonine stores and nearly 200 employees—even as oureconomy suffered a terrible economic downturn,” shesays. “Paying better wages helps us attract and retaingood employees, increase sales, expand our business,and hire more employees.”

Schaefer also believes in supporting the local econo-my and encouraging creative entrepreneurship. That’swhy she launched a Made in D.C. program two yearsago and a Made in Maryland program last year.

“We love the idea of sourcing products locally, andwe know our customers do, too,” she says. “It is ourresponsibility as a local business to provide theseopportunities for vendors and promote economicgrowth in the community.”

Schaeffer also works closely with Jubilee Jobs, aD.C. organization that offers counseling, retraining, andjob placement, to give people what she calls secondchances. “The result is that we help people—whetherthat means selling them a wrench to fix the toilet orfinding a job so they can get off welfare or drugs. I fig-ure if I don’t do it, who will? It seems like a good wayto run a company.”

STORE OWNERGINA SCHAEFER

Page 55: BPD Sept 2014

VisitThe ALL-NEW

Building-Products.com

• More news • User-friendlier layout• Frequent updates throughout each day

• Smartphone & tablet accessible• Improved search features

• Event photos • Videos • Surveys• Building products stock ticker

Page 56: BPD Sept 2014

BPDBuilding Products Digest

4500 Campus Dr. No. 480Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872

Change Service Requested


Recommended