INDUSTRY NEWS

LMA members join CPA/CWC

The Composite Panel Association (CPA) Board of Directors has voted to integrate the Laminating Materials Assn. members and services into CPA/Composite Wood Council (CWC) effective February 1. This follows several months of discussions and a decision by the LMA in December to bring its members into the CPA/CWC.

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Pembroke Consulting & MDM offer $5,000 Scholarship

Pembroke Consulting President Adam J. Fein, Ph.D. and Modern Distribution Management Editor and Publisher Thomas P. Gale announced a $5,000 scholarship designed to foster thought leadership in the wholesale distribution industry.

"Throughout the last decade, my colleagues and I have worked with senior distribution executives on strategic issues while advancing management knowledge about wholesale distribution through our many books, research projects, and articles," said Pembroke Consulting President Adam J. Fein. "We want to give something back and help create future thought leaders for the industry."

Full-time college students at accredited U.S. or Canada universities are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. Deadline for application is Aug. 1, 2004.

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PCBC Named One of the 50 Fastest-Growing Tradeshows in Nation

PCBC The Premier Building Show was named one of the 50 fastest-growing tradeshows in North America by the authoritative publication Tradeshow Week. The magazine based its rankings on growth in exhibit square footage from 2000 to 2002.

Linda Baysari, PCBC Vice President, said the Show's fast growth is due to PCBC's unique ability to provide cutting-edge information and networking opportunities for building industry professionals.

"During the past decade, PCBC has grown from a small regional building industry show into the must-attend experience for the Western U.S. and even the Pacific Rim," Baysari said. "And since the exhibit floor for PCBC 2004 is already almost sold out, we believe the Show will continue to grow and become even better in the years to come."

Baysari added that PCBC 2003 attracted a record 25,000 homebuilders, developers, architects, and other professionals. PCBC 2004 will be held June 15-18 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Registration for the Show will open in February. For more information, visit www.pcbc.com.

Class Action Lawsuit Settled with UCC

Many distribution companies paid the Uniform Code Council (UCC) for membership and an identification number years ago and don't understand why they were asked to pay again.

The situation resulted in a lawsuit and the terms of the settlement can be found at http://www.uccsettlement.com/.

This Settlement provides that companies who became members of UCC before August 28, 2002, are not obligated to pay membership renewal fees to UCC to maintain membership as a condition for their use of Company Prefixes issued to them by UCC, or as a condition for Basic Membership Benefits as defined in the Class Settlement Agreement. Class members who have paid a renewal fee to UCC are entitled to compensation from a $3,895,000 settlement fund. The settlement also provides that the "licensing agreement," which accompanied UCC renewal fee invoices, is null and void as to those who became members in UCC before August 28, 2002.

GEORGIA PACIFIC TO SELL BUILDING PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTION UNIT

ATLANTA, GA -- Georgia-Pacific Corp. announced it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its building products distribution business to a new company owned by Cerberus Capital Management L.P., a private, New York-based investment firm, and members of the distribution business' management team. The overall transaction is valued at approximately $810 million, which assumes $630 million of working capital at closing and includes the separate sale of the business' real estate assets for $100 million.

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Rising OSB and Steel Prices Raise Concerns as Peak Building Season Nears

As the peak season for home building rapidly approaches, analysts at NAHB are monitoring the building materials situation on several fronts and in a few areas they don't like what they see.

The source of the greatest concern has been the most recent run-up in the price of oriented strand board, but the rising cost of steel around the globe is also being watched closely because it could trigger delays in delivery of construction materials.

The price of OSB was running at almost $16 for a four-by-eight-foot sheet earlier this month, according to Random Lengths, an indication that demand was exceeding capacity even during a slow season for construction activity.

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HPVA Publishes the 2004 Where to Buy Hardwood Plywood, Veneer, and Engineered Hardwood Flooring Buyers' Guide and Membership Directory

The Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association, Reston, VA, has published the 2004 edition of its Where to Buy Hardwood Plywood, Veneer, and Engineered Hardwood Flooring Buyers' Guide and Membership Directory. One of the industry's most professional marketing publications, this 196 page directory is the best single source of information available in the industry.

Complimentary copies of the industry's most extensive, award-winning product guide are available for $5.00 (U.S.) and $14.00 (international orders) for postage and handling. Mail request and check to HPVA, P.O. Box 2789, Reston, VA 20195-0789. Sorry, no telephone orders please. You may also order a single directory on HPVA's Web Site at www.hpva.org.

When it Comes to Making Decisions that Impact Sales Performance and Profitability, Manufacturers and Distributors Are Not on The Same Page.

New research reveals that differences in how manufacturers and distributors think and make decisions have a significant impact on sales performance and profitability.

This conclusion is drawn from a one year study of 115 manufacturers and 132 distributors from various industry segments conducted by The Industrial Performance Group (IPG), a Northfield, Illinois firm that specializes in supply chain and distribution channel management.

For the complete news release click here.

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