Have you ever tried to explain to a 7 year old that "How are you?" is not a question but a form of greeting? I remember years ago being greeted by a customer with, "Good, and you?" Talk about cutting to the chase!
 
Lately I have noticed that everyone I meet greets me with a couple of questions: "How's business", and "How are fuel prices affecting you?"  I'm not sure if the answers I give are what they are looking to hear.  In America, we have developed a pretty negative news culture. We are barraged with a lot of bad news about fires, storms, murders and other crimes daily - to the point where I think Canada wonders what we're up to (at least the Canadians I talk to do). We almost seem to celebrate bad news in our media.
 
So, to answer the questions:
 
How's business?  My short answer is "Business is fine."  Most people react with shock.  How can business be fine when times are tough?  Because we have made some very conscious decisions to increase - rather than cut - service.  We have not laid anyone off.  Sure, times are challenging, but I believe that we are a better company for all the lessons that a challenging economy teaches.  We have a lot to celebrate.  We opened our Wellfleet branch a year ago, and it is flourishing.  We have increased our training, embraced "green" building, and have become an FSC certified chain of custody supplier as well as NAHB Green Building Standard certified.  We have a lot of good irons in the fire, and are excited and optimistic about the future.
 
How are fuel prices affecting us?  Fuel is just another cost of business that must be managed and contained as effectively as possible.  Actually, fuel is less scary than health insurance.  Our monthly health insurance cost is four times the cost of fuel, and the price is spiraling just as crazy as the price of fuel.  Both are costs we have to deal with and manage.  Make no mistake, we will manage them! 
 
Asking me these questions, and expecting to hear doom and gloom, is like asking a car salesman how his sales are and listening to him tell how the past year has been the worst he has ever seen.  What good does the conversation do?  I have talked in the past about attracting how we act.  Moping around in misery just brings more of the same.  We all know the saying "misery loves company," and it is true.  Recently at the gym, I ran into a veteran car salesman who had a different story to share.  He told me his company had just finished the best April in the history of the dealership.  He's been there for 35 years!  I felt like buying a car from him on the spot.  I like to support people who are determined to succeed, not destined to fail.  A challenging economy still contains many choices and opportunities; it is up to us to choose our destiny.
  
"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go, they merely determine where you start"

 

- Nido Qubein (author, educator, consultant, motivational speaker, businessman)

Many builders and architects today are looking into the benefits of using "green" products in both residential and commercial projects. There are many ways a product can be considered "green". Two important considerations are that it improves indoor air quality and it lowers pressure on the environment through the use of renewable and sustainable materials.
 
You already know Huber AdvanTech® Flooring is the best quality panel available today, but did you know AdvanTech is also considered a green product?
 
AdvanTech is manufactured from small, fast-growing tree species (sustainable and renewable) and Huber uses the process waste to fuel their facilities. Huber has implemented the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program throughout all their procurement operations, and Huber's products contain no added urea-formaldehyde (indoor air quality).
For those accumulating points for "green project" certification, such as the new NAHB National Green Building Program, AdvanTech may qualify, provided it is used as part of a smart building system. The NAHB recognizes AdvanTech as a product manufactured from renewable resources, as an SFI certified product from a sustainable source, and as a product that is low formaldehyde emitting. 

If you haven't tried Bodyguard Exterior Trim yet, you should! We've all struggled for years to find an economical exterior trim material that lasts and holds a coat of paint.Two years ago we began importing the Bodyguard product from New Zealand. Bodyguard is micro-finger jointed radiatta pine that is treated with a clear LOSP (Light Organic Solvent Preservative) coating - inhibiting termite attack, rot and fungal decay. It is then coated with an oil based primer and one oil based top coat. The final product has been excellent; with long lengths 16' and 20', straight and true boards, and with a finish that holds up to jobsite conditions, however, a final coat of paint is recommended.
 
The products are warranteed for 30 years against decay or insect attack. The paint finish is warranteed for 5 years.
 
Taking care of product on the job site will ensure your success. Inside storage which is dry and off the ground is important. Because the product is sealed on 6 sides, any end cuts and rips should be touched up with primer products we have available with different applicators. Hand nailing is ideal and nails should be set flush or sunk no more than 1/16" and filled with putty as soon as possible to inhibit moisture penetrating the board.
 
Following these simple guidelines (which are acceptable procedures for all exterior trim products) will make your life easier and make your exterior trim products trouble free and beautiful for years.
 
Bodyguard products are FSC certified using responsible forest management and are environmentally friendly. Complete literature and documentation is available at Shepley and on line at www.bodyguard.com.
 
Happy trimming!!!!

 

Only companies that demonstrate a high commitment to environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable forest management receive FSC forest management certification.
 
In these environmentally conscious times, demand for FSC certified products is growing around the world. It is recognized as the highest global standard. When you choose Bodyguard over untreated wood, PVC, aluminum and fiber cement you are choosing a natural, durable alternative.
By buying products with an FSC label you are helping to promote responsible forest management worldwide. Ask your Shepley rep for supply availability of FSC certified products.
 
Go to www.fsc.org to understand more about the benefits of buying FSC certified products.
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2008
Release #08-259
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: DEWALT DW744 Jobsite Table Saws
Units: About 13,000
Manufacturer: DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., of Towson, Md.
Hazard: The pivot bracket on the saw can separate which can misalign the blade and the fence and cause kick back. This poses a laceration hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: DEWALT has received one reported incident of the table saw's blade misaligning. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves the 10 inch DEWALT jobsite table saw model number DW744. Date codes included in the recall are 200715 through 200740. The table saws are yellow and black. The model number and date code are located on the name plate on the front of the saw. Table saws with an "X" stamped on the name plate by the date code are not included in this recall.
Sold at: Major home centers and hardware stores nationwide from April 2007 through January 2008 for about $500.
Manufactured in: Mexico
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled table saws and contact DEWALT for the location of a service center to obtain a free replacement table saw.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact DEWALT toll-free at (888) 742-9178 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.dewalt.com
 
 

When: Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Time: 12:00-1:30 p.m. (complimentary lunch provided)
Where: Shepley Marvin Classroom, 75 Ben Franklin Way, Hyannis
RSVP: Deb MacPhee 508-862-6200 dmacphee@shepleywood.com
Who should attend: Architects, Designers and Builders
Program: Fundamentals of Architectural Acoustics & Noise Control
 
Learning Objectives:
Upon completing this course, you will have a better understanding of:
· The occupant/user needs for sound insulation in buildings.
· The basics of noise control (including frequency, level, modes of transmission).
· Good versus poor building designs for noise control. 

When:Thursday, June 5 and 12
Time: 2:00 to 7:00 PM.
Where: Shepley Marvin Classroom, 75 Ben Franklin Way, Hyannis
RSVP: Deb MacPhee 508-862-6200 dmacphee@shepleywood.com
 
As of July 1, 2006, this is required for any person working on a public jobsite costing more than $10,000. We will host it in two - 5 hour sessions.
 
This course is designed for construction workers, foremen, job supervisors, and anyone involved in the construction industry. OSHA recommends Outreach Training Program courses as an orientation to occupational safety and health for workers covered by OSHA 29 CFR 1926. Workers must receive additional training, when required by OSHA standards, on the specific hazards of the job.

Local officials across the state are expressing concerns that new state regulations governing the safety of excavations place an undue burden on municipalities - to the extent that they may be considered an unfunded mandate.

The regulations (520 CMR 14.00 et seq.), designed to prevent unauthorized access to unattended trenches, were promulgated last November by the Department of Public Safety and the Division of Occupational Safety, as required by "Jackie's Law" (Ch. 82A).

The regulations require municipalities to establish a permitting authority responsible for the issuance of required permits for all trenches and the enforcement of the state regulations, such as trench inspections and the requirement that the public works department or local police detail backfill, barricade, or cover any unattended or unsafe trench.

Any trench excavated greater than three feet in depth, with 15 feet or less between soil walls as measured from the bottom, is subject to the new regulations.

The MMA was not contacted prior to the promulgation of the regulations, and the Department of Public Safety and Division of Occupational Safety have declined invitations to attend a meeting of the MMA's Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities to discuss local concerns.

The MMA is seeking a redraft of the regulations to accommodate local concerns.

Though the regulations are currently in effect, the Department of Public Safety reports that enforcement is being delayed until Jan. 1, 2009, to give municipalities and excavators an opportunity to become familiar with the regulations and take the necessary steps to implement them.