Lumber Industry News Express

Vol. 3, No. 23– November 8, 2004

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Mid-America Lumbermens Association congratulates the members chosen to serve on the Board of Directors in recent regional elections:

Dave Hendrix, CHIC Lumber & Hardware, St. Peters, Mo., has been elected to serve as Second Vice President during the next year.

Elected to three-year terms as Directors were:

Brad Isdell, Town & Country Lumber, Higginsville, Mo. – Missouri/Arkansas

John Duncan, Schmidt Builders Supply, Inc., Topeka, Kan. – Kansas/Oklahoma

Plan to attend the MLA Fall Fling in Branson, Mo., Nov. 18-19, to meet and visit with our newest Association leaders!

MLA 2004 Educational Symposium

For Retail Dealers and Associates

December 8-9, 2004

Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisc. - Founded in 1910 by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service, the Forest Products Lab (FPL) serves the public as the nation’s leading wood research institute. On site, more than 250 scientists and support staff conduct research on expanded and diverse aspects of wood use. Some of their research includes pulp and paper products, housing and structural uses of wood, wood preservation, wood and fungi identification, and finishing and restoration of wood products. What an outstanding opportunity not only for you, but also for one or more of your best customers! This is the preeminent location in the country for the study of mold in the construction process.

The staff of the Forest Products Lab studies recycling, develops environmentally friendly technology, and understands ecosystem-based forest management. These are all huge issues that are confronting our industry. All participants will receive the publication Profile 2003: Softwood Sawmills in the United States and Canada. This book has listings for all softwood lumber mills in the United States and Canada: their capacity of production; the species they process; what they process (dimension, studs, etc.) and their locations. For a lumber buyer, it is an incredible resource; and it is yours for participating in the tour. We will end the day with a fabulous meal in Madison, and return to Chicago that evening.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange - The Chicago Mercantile Exchange will conduct a six-hour workshop that provides the “nuts and bolts” of the world of commodity trading and, specifically, how lumber futures are traded. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME or “Merc”) is the nerve center for all commodities and futures trading. Items as diverse as butter, foreign currencies, cotton, cattle, and of course, lumber are all traded at the CME. A trip to the floor of the CME is included to give you a firsthand look at the way transactions are handled. One-on-one visits with lumber traders will be a popular highlight of this seminar. At the conclusion of the event, you will have a grasp of the skills necessary to utilize this most valuable tool in your own business.

Hotel - The headquarters hotel for this event is the Hilton Garden Inn located at 10 East Grand Avenue in Downtown Chicago. Located a short distance from the “Magnificent Mile,” Chicago’s ESPN zone, DisneyQuest, the Hard Rock Café and a short cab ride (or complimentary shuttle from the front of the hotel) to the famous Navy Pier. The rate is $119 per night for single or double occupancy if you register by November 17. You must mention MLA when you make your reservation to obtain this special rate!

For reservations, call 1-877-865-5298. You can learn more about the hotel by going to their web site: http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=CHIDNGI

The Agenda - This is a “mix or match” event. You can participate in both programs, or pick and choose between either one. Additional activities you may want to take advantage of include:

Dinner – Wednesday, December 7: On December 7, we have an 8:00 p.m. reservation at the world famous Lawry’s The Prime Rib in Chicago (www.lawrysonline.com). If you would like to be a part of the group dining at this world famous restaurant, indicate on the registration form. (The Hilton Garden Inn has a new Weber Grill restaurant located in the lobby area if you prefer.)

Shopping – A short walk from the Magnificent Mile in December… no explanation required.

December 8: We must leave the hotel no later than 6:45 a.m. for the trip to the FPL in Madison. It is approximately a two-hour trip. Bus transportation and lunch will be provided. After the tour, we will eat dinner in Madison and return to Chicago. We should be back in Chicago by approximately 10:00 p.m.

December 9: You are on your own to get to the CME. It is a short cab ride to 30 S. Wacker Dr. We need to be there by no later than 8:30 a.m. An on-site luncheon will be provided, and the seminar will conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m. After that, you’re on your own.

Travel Arrangements – All transportation arrangements to/from Chicago are the participants’ responsibility. Bus transportation will be provided to/from the Forest Products Lab on December 8. Unless otherwise indicated, all meals and incidentals are at your expense. Tours are provided at no charge.

For more information or a registration form, please reply to this newsletter or call the Association office at 1-800-747-6529.

MLA FALL FLING – NOV. 18-19, 2004

Presented by Federated Insurance

There’s still time to sign up for this outstanding annual event. Here’s the schedule:

Thursday, November 18

10:00 a.m. – MLA Board Meeting, Chateau on the Lake, Branson, Mo.

4:30 – 6:00 p.m. – Member meet-and-greet reception

6:00 p.m. – Dinner or Show (on your own) – Order tickets in advance at www.bransonshows.com

Friday, November 19

7:30 a.m. – Breakfast and Annual Meeting

9:00 a.m. – On the Bottom Line with Bill Sharp

Noon – Meeting adjourns

Registration Information

To attend, all you need to do is register. This meeting is sponsored by Federated Insurance, your suppliers and your Association. This will be a fun get-together and a way to thank you for your support and membership. The cost to you is your time and your travel expense. We’ll cover all the meeting expenses.

Cost: No charge for the meeting.

To get a registration form, just contact the MLA Office at 800-747-6529. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

FREE RESOURCES ON THE WEB

OSHA has a new web page highlighting measures that employers and other organizations have implemented to improve workplace safety and health: http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/success_stories.html

OSHA posters for worker safety and required Department of Labor poster packages are accessible at http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/posters.html

A new OSHA General Industry Quick Start page is now available to provide industry with a quick reference to identify the major general industry requirements and guidance materials: http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/quickstarts/general_industry/index_gi.html

Source: NLBMDA Regulatory News, November 2004

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Note these important dates and events on your calendar and make plans to attend. Details will be forthcoming:

Educational Symposium – Plan to participate in the special trip to the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin and the Mercantile Exchange in Chicago. Our thanks to BlueLinx for their commitment to sponsor the bus for the trip to Madison. Special hotel arrangements have been made. It’s set for December 8-9, 2004. Contact Art Brown at 800-747-6529 with questions or simply reply to this newsletter and request a registration form.

2005 Education Programs – Dates are set for MLA’s most popular education programs. Mark your calendar and start planning for these sessions. Registration forms will be available this fall.

Feb. 14-15 – Basic Estimating, Wichita, Kan.

Feb. 16-17 – Basic Estimating, Kansas City, Mo.

Feb. 17 – Yard Foreman School, Columbia, Mo.

Feb. 18 – Advanced Estimating, Kansas City, Mo.

Feb. 24 – Yard Foreman School, Oklahoma City, Okla.

March 10-11 – Basic Estimating, Tulsa, Okla.

If you need this training and none of these dates or locations is convenient, please notify Olivia at MLA to discuss the possibility of scheduling another session. We appreciate your input.

NLBMDA Training without Travel – Call 800-634-8645 for more information or a registration form. As a member of MLA, you attend at member prices, without leaving your office.

November 17- Lockout/Tagout for Lumberyards
December 15- Forklift Training and Triennial Review

CELL PHONES – BLESSING OR CURSE?

Americans love the convenience and the sense of security cell phones give us. But, a growing number of people believe this useful device has become a curse in the hands of inconsiderate users and distracted drivers.

Nearly every state has debated or is currently considering laws regulating the use of cell phones while driving. So far, only New Jersey, New York and the District of Columbia have actually enacted legislation “partially” limiting cell phone use to allow headsets or other hands-free devices only.

Critics say the “heads” not “hands” are the problem. The mental process of carrying on a conversation is more distracting than the physical use of the phone. Safety experts fear the partial bans such as these may give drivers the green light to use hands-free devices and actually encourage more use. Research conducted in Norway and Sweden showed that drivers using headsets tended to make more calls and drive faster. A recent study indicates that headset voice dialing is almost twice as slow as finger dialing, prolonging time on the phone.

Some large corporations have established bans on use of cell phones while driving on company business, both as a safety precaution for their employees and to possibly avoid liability. We urge you to consider this or other safety measures to encourage sensible use of cell phones in vehicles.

Safety tips for cell phone use in vehicles

· Don’t “hunt” for a ringing phone that’s out of reach.

· If you must talk, keep it short.

· Pull over and stop to carry on a conversation.

· Have a passenger take the call and relay the highpoints.

· Don’t address emotional or distressing issues while driving.

· Use voice-mail instead of answering calls.

Source: The Shield newsletter, published by Federated Insurance, Fall 2004.

LUMBER NEWS – QUICK GLIMPSES

Liability Protection for Lumber Dealers… During the September Government Affairs Committee meeting in Florida, the attendees were updated on legislation that hit a stalemate during the election year, including asbestos reform, bankruptcy, estate taxes and tort reform. The committee’s primary focus turned to spearheading an all-out effort to create a bill in the 109^th Congress that protects retailers from product liability lawsuits. When the Committee meets on January 13, 2005, a major focus of the discussion will be to create this initiative and the means for the entire industry to support it.

Source: NLBMDA Association Update, November 2004

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin Responds to George Bush's Reelection with Request to Settle Softwood Issue… Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin is among the first world leaders to respond to U.S. President George Bush's reelection. Among other things, Prime Minister Martin has indicated that the U.S. and Canada must settle the issue of U.S. duties on Canadian softwood imports.

Softwood has been a major point of contention this year between the two countries, with NAFTA ruling on three occasions that the United States has failed to prove that Canadian imports injure the domestic softwood industry.

Prime Minister Martin phoned Bush on Wednesday to congratulate him on his reelection.

Source: LBM Daily, November 4, 2004

North American Housing Market May be Slowing… The North American housing market continues to hint that it may be cooling somewhat from its recent red-hot pace. Today, Miami-based Lennar Corporation, a major U.S. homebuilder, warned that slowing demand in Las Vegas and Southern California would delay up to 600 house closings until 2005. The warning echoes Pulte's earnings adjustment in early October. Because of the news, Lennar Corporation's shares fell slightly on Wall Street today, along with those of most homebuilders.

At the same time, the purchase of building permits in Canada declined for the third straight month, for the first time since 1997. Analysts were surprised by the trend; most expected a rise in the purchase of building permits in Canada this month. However, despite the drop in purchases, permit values are currently 7.8% higher than at this time last year.

Source: LBM Daily, November 5, 2004

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.” – Mary Pickford

Mid-America Lumbermens Association

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