Which would you guess to be more efficient, a tractor trailer that gets 5 mpg or a fuel sipping car that gets 30 mpg? Sounds like an easy answer but in terms of moving material, the truck is 8.5 times more efficient despite the poorer fuel mileage because it moves over 50,000 pounds of cargo as compared to the car which can only carry 1000 pounds of people or goods. The difference is in the amount of weight each vehicle can carry per gallon of fuel consumed. The truck wins by a huge margin, as long as it is efficiently loaded to capacity. Lighten the load and the efficiency diminishes.

As fuel prices climb, fuel costs become an increasing part of product costs. We believe in working to manage costs rather than passing them along as fuel surcharges or delivery charges. We ask our manufacturers and trade partners to do the same.

Although we may not be able to control the price of fuel, we have plenty of control of how we use that fuel. Items that are in your/our contol are:

1.        Sensible batching of deliveries with other orders going to your job.

2.        Pre-planning deliveries with your Shepley sales person to make sensible sized loads and reduce after-thoughts.

3.        Asking your staff to think and plan ahead to reduce last minute small rush deliveries. Let's eliminate the ones that aren't necessary.

We're all creatures of habit, but $4.25 per gallon diesel fuel is something that should make us question our habits. Costs are something we can choose to manage. Look at the dollar amount of your average Shepley delivered invoice and you'll get an idea of how you're doing. If your average delivered invoice amount from us is under $1750, you are below the average and we'd like to help. Not only do small orders cost in fuel, they are also costing you in time.

Our best weapon in fighting high fuel costs is how we manage our consumption. We need your help to contain those costs and minimize their impact on the price of materials. Together, we can make a difference.

"One person can make a difference. In fact, it's not only possible for one person to make a difference, it's essential that one person makes a difference. And believe it or not, that person is you."

Both lumber and plywood markets firmed mid-way through April and prices crept up slightly, due mostly to the seasonal weather improvement and continued production cutbacks. Canfor announced in early April that they were reducing workweeks and cutting shifts, which will take 600 million board feet of annual lumber production off the market. There are rumors of more cutbacks as prices are still well below where the mills would like them. If this happens, and business picks up even slightly, we could see enough supply issues to cause further price increases.

The demand for treated lumber has been surprisingly strong and we've seen some serious price appreciation in the SYP market. The cost of oil continues to have an affect on prices as well as timely product delivery. Trucking is becoming an issue, as many truckers simply can't afford to operate. Roof shingle manufacturers have announced a series of price increases over the next several months, although, if for some reason oil prices drop (doubtful), the price increases will be rescinded.

As mentioned in previous editions we will be switching our treated lumber from ACQ to MicroPro (micronized copper) treatment. Please ask your salesperson for more info.

Another preventable combustible wood dust fire occurred in our nation's lumbering region in Pittsfield, Maine on March 7, 2008 at Hancock Lumber.  Luckily no one was injured, only economic property damage and disruption to mill operations resulted.

From the company's website, the business has a rich history which began operation in 1848 as a small logging operation in Casco, Maine. The first sawmill went into operation in the 1880s.

Today, Hancock Lumber operates three sawmills in Maine (Casco, Pittsfield and Bethel) and is the largest producer of Eastern White Pine in the United States. Hancock "Made in Maine" pine products are shipped nationwide.

"Crews from several towns used a ladder truck and other equipment to fight the fire, that appeared to be located in a system of pipes that moves byproducts of the milling process." Source: MaineToday.com

The United States Chemical Safety Board (an OSHA "think tank" agency) has determined that lumber and wood product industries account for 15 percent of combustible dust incidents. Additionally, wood material accounted for the largest percentage of combustible dust incidents.

"A planer striking a rock or piece of metal likely shot a spark into the wood shavings chute, a metal tube about 4 feet in diameter, while employees worked. A fan that draws the shavings up into the chute provided enough oxygen for the spark to ignite the shavings."  Source: Bangor News.com

After the conclusion of the 2006 CSB Combustible Dust Hazards study, the report was submitted to OSHA with a half dozen recommendations to prevent incidents like this Hancock fire, the recent Dixie Crystal sugar refinery fire (February 7, 2008 in Savannah, Georgia), and others. The primary recommendation was to implement a comprehensive combustible dust standard which also incorporated National Fire Protection Association combustible dust codes. So far, OSHA has failed to act.

Combustible dust related explosions and fires occur with alarming regularity and the tragic Dixie Crystal refinery explosion (fatalities and dozens critically injured) and the disrupting Hancock, ME explosions are not isolated incidents. Already 12 such incidents have occurred in the United States since the recent sugar refinery explosion.

Watch sawdust buildup closely.  Routinely remove accumulations from potentially hot running motors of wood cutting equipment and keep dust levels as low as possible. Often, the initial dust explosion literally shakes out the heavy dust that has been building up for years on walls, piping, and equipment into a secondary dust cloud explosion even more powerful than the initial blast.  Don't let this kind of destruction occur at your workplace. Good housekeeping pays off in many, many ways!

At Marvin, we believe that a great entry door should evoke a feeling of inspiration and recognition that one can have an appreciation for the finer things in life.  A carefully designed entrance can thereby set the right tone for a luxury residence. Marvin Entry Doors bring together old world craftsmanship and modern millwork manufacturing - enabling you to customize your entryway to match your home and lifestyle. 

Marvin Entry Doors are intricately handcrafted by skilled craftsmen in Honduras who execute designs based on your imagination or from an extensive offering of vintage and popular designs.  The grain and color of the wood is carefully matched for a furniture-grade appearance.

Available in Honduran Mahogany, Honduran Cedar, White Oak, Walnut and Cherry, Marvin Entry Doors come in the following seven architectural styles:

ARTISTIC: Hand-carved appliqués, embossing and engraving showcase logos, family crests and other unique details.

TRADITIONAL:  Simply elegant. Clean, uncluttered lines are blended with the warmth of solid wood.

CLASSIC:  Soft curves and elaborate glass designs create a timeless entry that can be enhanced with hand-beveled leaded art glass with patina, zinc or brass caming.

CRAFTSMAN:  Inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement, these doors feature unique moldings, lines and glass inserts.

OLD WORLD:  Hand-forged solid iron grilles and accessories convey the essence of the Italian countryside.

LUMINARY:  A variety of clear, opaque and beveled glass options provide an endless array of styles.

RUSTIC:  Crafted to complement the rugged allure of a home in a natural setting, various options are available including speakeasy doors and distressing.

Please contact your Marvin consultants at the Shepley Marvin Showcase for more information and to request literature on the entire Marvin Entry Door product line.

Marvin is dedicated to producing enduring, energy-efficient products in ways that will ensure a greener future.

At Marvin Windows and Doors, they believe in constructing buildings in ways that protect the environment and safeguard the health of those that use them. It's not just good business sense, it's common sense.

That's why Shepley and Marvin are happy to see the green building sector flourishing. Every day, more and more architects, contractors, owners and investors are specifying environmentally friendly building products and practices. They know that building green impacts more than the environment and public health; it means lower operating costs, greater marketability and increased productivity.

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED^® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System^™ is an important factor in this emerging environmental awareness. Whether pertaining to new construction (LEED-NC), existing buildings (LEED-EB) or homes (LEED-H), LEED certification recognizes projects that meet stringent standards of environmental and public health excellence. While individual building components themselves are not certified, they can contribute to the points awarded to a project as a whole.

With flexible designs and thousands of customization options, Marvin's long-lasting and energy-efficient windows and doors can be an integral part of your project's LEED certification.

If you visit http://www.marvin.com/?page=LEED_Certification, you'll find details regarding the LEED-NC credits Marvin products can help you earn in the categories of: Energy & Atmosphere; Materials & Resources; and Indoor Environmental Air Quality. 

WHEN: Tuesday, May 13th

TIME: 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Shepley Marvin Classroom

75 Ben Franklin Way, Hyannis MA

RSVP: Deb MacPhee at 508-862-6200

Or dmacphee@shepleywood.com

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Architects (receive 1 AIA credit), designers and builders.

Complimentary lunch included.

Description:  A comprehensive, educational program to communicate how daylight can enhance a home's design and its occupants' well being. 

Learning Objectives:  The primary message is that daylight solutions can be found through a number of fenestration sources, such as windows, doors, clerestories, and, of course, skylights.  In fact, the main focus is on design issues specifically related to skylights in residential and commercial applications.  The program addresses designers' needs for continuing education to meet and maintain state licensing requirements and professional accreditation. 

The daughter of a Shepley employee (Sharon Parkka, Credit Manager), and her friends, are raising funds for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life by babysitting!  They are "Babysitters for a Cause" and they hosted their first babysitting event last Friday night.  Upcoming dates will be Friday, May 2, and Friday, May 16.  The evenings are hosted at the Shepley Marvin Showcase, and are chaperoned by at least one of the mothers.  Times are 6 to 10 p.m., and the kids need to be 3 years old or older (reservations need to be made in advance).  The nights include games, crafts, movies, popcorn, and lots of fun.  The girls are not accepting any payment for their services, but are asking for a donation to the American Cancer Society instead.