Vol. 5, No. 7 – March 27, 2006 

GOLF! GOLF! GOLF! 

The calendar still says March, but at MLA we’re in full swing planning the golf tournaments coming up this spring. Before your calendar fills up, block these dates and plan to participate in the golf event nearest you. Everyone is welcome, regardless of ability. The only requirement is that you come out and have fun. Here are the dates and locations: 

Missouri – Swing-into-Spring Event – May 4-5 at Lake Ozark, Mo. Activities include the annual bass fishing tournament on the 4^th and golf on the 5^th at Bear Creek Valley Golf Club. 

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Masters Tournament – First annual golf tournament will be held May 12 at Cherokee Hills Golf Club, Catoosa (Tulsa), Okla. 

Kansas – Sunflower Shoot-out – The 17^th annual event is being held at a new location, Tex Consolver Golf Course, Wichita, Kan. on June 9. 

These events are open to all dealers and sponsoring associates. For more information, contact Art Brown at MLA, 800-747-6529. We hope to see you at one of these member get-togethers.

National News

As April approaches NLBMDA’s staff is in full swing, gearing up for our 2006 Legislative Conference, April 3-5 in Washington, DC. This year, more than 200 dealers and their family members will be attending this important industry event. We are pleased to announce that Housing Secretary Alphonso Jackson will give the keynote address during the Tuesday morning Washington Briefing Breakfast.  Additionally, North Carolina Senator Richard Burr will speak at the Tuesday evening LuDPAC Dinner. Senator Burr was a priority candidate for LuDPAC support during his 2004 election.

Dealers from across the country along with executives from the state associations are converging on the nation’s capital seeking congressional support for NLBMDA’s #1 priority - Retailer Liability Relief legislation. This legislation will provide protection for our members from product liability lawsuits for products they did not manufacture, design or alter. There is much to gain from this effort. This May, the Senate will vote on two additional NLBMDA priorities, small business health plans and permanent repeal of the death tax. It is not too late to register to join us to lobby for these critical industry issues! Visit www.dealer.org to register today.

For our efforts to be successful, NLBMDA will need all members to contact their representatives asking for their support of Retailer Liability Relief legislation. If you would like to help or simply learn more, please call NLBMDA at 800.634.8645 or visit www.buildthevote.org.

Shawn Conrad

NLBMDA President

 

LUMBER NEWS – QUICK GLIMPSES

 

Mr. Wilson Goes to Washington… New Canadian Ambassador to the United States Michael Wilson met with U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday. Although the two had a “friendly” conversation, which Wilson described as “a good start,” there was no mention of a speedy resolution to the softwood lumber dispute.

 

Source: LBM Daily, March 14, 2006

 

Poll: Most Americans Not Worried About Home Prices… Americans remain confident that housing values will continue to flourish and that the high-flying market will come in for a smooth, soft landing instead of a crash.

 

Fewer than 15 percent of Americans surveyed in a Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll expect home prices in their neighborhood to fall during the next six months. More than twice that, 36 percent, see prices rising during that time.

 

Source: Builder Online Business Update, quoting Rich Miller, Bloomberg News, March 14, 2006

 

NAFTA Once More Rules in Canada’s Favor… NAFTA’s panel, consisting of three Americans and two Canadians, announced again that the U.S. government should abolish an 8.7 percent countervailing duty, which it imposes on Canadian softwood timber. The Bush Administration has not yet announced whether it will be challenging the ruling.

 

“It is absolutely illogical for the U.S. to retain the cash deposits when it has been conclusively determined that Canadian lumber is not subsidized and does not threaten injury to the U.S. industry,” said John Allan, head of the BC Lumber Trade Council.

 

Source: LBM Daily, March 20, 2006

 

NAHB Urges Bush to Rescind Canadian Softwood Lumber Tariffs… On Monday, the National Association of Home Builders urged the Bush Administration to rescind the tariffs on Canadian lumber imports. The announcement comes three days after a NAFTA panel reaffirmed previous rulings that stated that, under U.S. law, the imports are not subject to duties.

 

Source: LBM Daily, March 21, 2006

 

Data Security Bill Passes In House… On the heels of reports of high-profile breaches of individual data information, the House Financial Services Committee approved a bill last week aimed at protecting consumers from identity theft and credit-card fraud. The bill, H.R. 3997, stipulates requirements for companies to investigate breaches and notify law enforcement and consumers. With respect to one of the more controversial provisions of the bill, it would also set a national standard for data security that preempts state laws—a position strongly promoted by the financial industry.

The bill could be sent to the floor for consideration by the entire House but other committees have competing bills that will require House leadership to determine a logical way to interweave these related measures. Under current law, there is a prohibition against merchants and credit card processors from storing most sensitive financial data about individuals. This prohibition generally includes personal identification numbers (PINs), used to withdraw cash, the three-digit code on the signature panel, and data on the magnetic stripe on the back of credit cards. However, most credit card companies still report that the inappropriate storage of card data is a major source of illegal activity.

 

Source: NACM eNews Weekly Update, March 21, 2006

 

Activant Announces Agreement To Be Acquired By Hellman & Friedman and Thoma Cressey… Activant Solutions Inc., a leading provider of vertical business management solutions, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by funds affiliated with private equity investment firm Hellman & Friedman LLC and private equity investment firm Thoma Cressey Equity Partners. The firms will acquire Activant Solutions Holdings Inc and all its subsidiaries from investment funds affiliated with HM Capital Partners LLC, which have approved the transaction.

 

Source: Activant, March 13, 2006

 

2006 Cost of Doing Business (CODB) Survey Now Open for Participation: Deadline May 4… How does your company compare with the competition? See firsthand by participating in NLBMDA’s 2006 CODB Survey. The CODB will provide you with forecasted financial statements and cash flow analysis for key profit variables such as projected sales change, gross margin, inventory turns, salary and other expense changes based on your last year’s performance. Participate in the survey and receive your individualized report and industry analysis for only $150.

 

Complete the survey electronically, go to www.dealer.org/docs/CODB2006_form.xls. For more information or to receive a copy of the survey contact Anna Gilbert at anna@dealer.org.

February Was a Slow Month for Housing… The U.S. Commerce Department reported that sales of new single-family homes fell by approximately 10.5 percent in the month of February, reports the U.S. Commerce Department, with a sharp decline especially in the West.

 

Source: LBM Daily, March 27, 2006

 

Benefits Spending Grows Faster than Wages… The Government Accountability Office has issued Employee Compensation: Employer Spending on Benefits Has Grown Faster than Wages, Due Largely to Rising Costs of Health Insurance and Retirement Benefits (GAO-06-285). The study found that private employers’ average real cost of total compensation for current workers grew by 12 percent between 1991 and 2005, with real benefits costs growing by nearly 18 percent and real wages growing by 10 percent. Increases in benefit costs outpaced wages in the most recent years. Go to www.gao.gov/

Source: Milliman Monthly Benefit News and Developments, February 2006

 

 

 

Uncover a New Profit Center

Examine losses to find savings

• Do you know the types of losses and the number of each type at each location?

• Do you realize the impact of those losses on your bottom line?

• Is someone responsible to monitor losses ... possibly a designated risk manager?

• Are losses analyzed at least annually, or better yet, quarterly?

A loss analysis provides a systematic method of categorizing loss data to identify accident trends and pinpoint work activities, locations, employees, equipment, materials and environmental conditions commonly associated with accidents. Your loss analysis should show both the frequency (number) and severity (cost) of losses. Many times the frequency does not correspond with severity. Using a chart or graph will make it easier to watch trends.

 

Your loss history can be ordered from your business insurance provider. Enter the data into a spreadsheet and sort the loss information into specific categories meaningful to your operation. The results should help you develop an action plan to reduce the possibilities of future losses. You can also compare your organization’s losses with others in your industry. 

 

Each year, Federated analyzes losses to show frequency and severity of losses for various industries. Compare your company’s loss analysis with these results and take advantage of risk management resources specifically designed to help eliminate specific types of losses. You just may uncover a new profit center opportunity through risk management. 

This article provided courtesy of Federated Mutual Insurance Company, your association’s recommended insurer.

MLA is proud to endorse….

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 

“Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you.”– Denis Waitley