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Volume 13, No. 1
January 13, 2014
Lumber Industry News Express
You're receiving this online newsletter because you've subscribed through the MLA website (www.TheMLA.com) or you're an Association member. We'll send a new issue every two weeks to let you know what's happening in the industry, at your MLA, and in the world that affects your business. We welcome your opinions and ideas. If you have information you'd like to share with other members, we'd be happy to include it in our next issue. We welcome both personal and industry-related news - members would love to hear your news and views - so don't hesitate to email us with information.
Winter Meetings Just Around the Corner 
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Kansas  - The annual Winter Meeting is set for January 23-24 in Wichita. This is always a great time with fellow dealers and Associate members. See more information and registration form here.   

 

Arkansas - Our own Alan Clark, Arkansas State Senator and MLA Board Member, will host members at the Capitol. Get an insider's view of the inner-workings at your State Capitol and find out what you need to know about your state legislature and your MLA. New date: February 6 - more information and registration form here

 

The Missouri meeting was just held - January 9-10 - in Columbia. Watch for information about that in the next quarterly News You Can Use.  We'll also have information about their upcoming Swing-into-Spring event, May 1-2, at Lake of the Ozarks. 

 

In another state? Don't let that keep you from the closest MLA meeting - registration is open to any and all MLA members. Get to know your fellow dealers and be better informed. We'll see you at a 2014 winter meeting!

FMCSA Delays CDL/Med Card Deadline 

FMCSA has just announced that, since some states do not have their CDL/Medical Card merger program fully implemented yet, drivers will be required to carry their medical cards with them for another year, until January 31, 2015. Read more.

Source: J.J. Keller, January 10, 2013

It's Reporting Season  
The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 requires, among other things, that hazardous material storage be reported annually. Many dealers use hazardous materials that EPA requires to be reported. For any chemicals stored above the threshold quantity, at any time during a calendar year, dealers must annually submit an Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory. Read more.

Source: Frank Bryant, SES Corp., December 31, 2013

NLBMDA Dealer Networking Breakfast   
NLBMDA Logo Join fellow LBM dealers from across the country for this first-ever networking event at the 2014 International Builders Show (IBS) in Las Vegas! The breakfast will be held Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at the LVH Hotel (next door to the Convention Center) from 7:00 to 8:45 a.m.

The Dealer Breakfast will be a terrific way to kick off your activities at IBS and learn the latest on issues impacting the lumber and building material industry. Plus, attendees will get the latest housing forecast from NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. For more information on the breakfast and to register, click here.
Member News   
Blish Mize Jonathan Mize to Lead Blish-Mize... Jonathan D. Mize became CEO of Atchison, Kan.-based distributor Blish-Mize Co., succeeding his father, John H. Mize, the company announced today. For the past few years, Jonathan has served as president and COO of the 143-year-old distributor and previously served in other officer capacities.  He represents the fifth generation of the Mize family to hold the title of CEO.  He also serves as president and COO of the company's Hardware House a subsidiary. Read moreSource: ProSales Magazine, December 30, 2013
Members Save 20% = MLA Credit Card Program
Credit_Card We guarantee your savings - plus you receive a true Transparent Statement at month-end for quick and easy reconciliation along with experienced personal service 24/7.
 

Call Sam or Robert for more information

800-747-6529

Powered by:  
 

TriSource Solutions LLC is a registered MSP/ISO for Merrick Bank Corp., Woodbury, NY 11797  

Other Articles of Interest 

NLBMDA Spring Meeting & Legislative Conference 

NLRB Abandons Poster Rule 

14 Inspirational Quotes for 2014 

NAHB Chief Economist Looks Back at 2013 &Makes 2014 Predictions 

According to Survey, Rising Rates Could Slow Housing Comeback 

IRS Issues 2014 Standard Mileage Rates

At Handy, A New Look for 2014   

 

NLBMDA_Leg_ConNLBMDA Spring Meeting & Legislative Conference...Registration is now open for NLBMDA's Spring Meeting and Legislative Conference, which will take place from March 31-April 2, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency in Arlington, Va. Join us in Washington to make your voice heard!  

 

NLRB_Abandons_Poster_RuleNLRB Abandons Poster Rule... The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) welcomes the decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to abandon a rule requiring nearly six million employers to post an 11-by-17 inch notice regarding employee rights to unionize. Read more.

Source: NLBMDA, January 6, 2014  

 

Inspirational_Quotes14 Inspirational Quotes for 2014... I used to hate inspirational quotes, maybe because my wrestling coach used to say, "If you're not puking or passing out... you're not trying hard enough." (Go ahead: bask in the warm glow of that little gem.) Now I think inspirational quotes can indeed be inspirational - but only if we actually apply and live those words. So instead of just grabbing famous quotes we've all heard before, I've picked things people told me that caused me to act differently. Read more.

Source: Jeff Haden, Inc., December 30, 2013

 

NAHB_Chief_EconomistNAHB Chief Economist Looks Back at 2013 and Makes 2014 Predictions... Chief Economist David Crowe recaps how well housing did in 2013 and what we should expect in 2014. See video here. Source: NAHB Eye on Housing, December 19, 2013

Rising_Rates_Could_Slow_Housing_ComebackAccording to Survey, Rising Rates Could Slow Housing Comeback... Despite the gradual shift in power, Redfin agents maintain that the housing market is still challenging for homebuyers. Buyers regularly have to compete aggressively for a limited number of homes available for sale. Moreover, agents foresee that some buyers will be priced out of the market as mortgage rates rise in 2014. See survey results.  

Source: Redfin Research Center, January 3, 2014

 

IRS_Issues_2014_Mileage_RatesIRS Issues 2014 Standard Mileage Rates... The Internal Revenue Service set the 2014 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.  Beginning on Jan. 1, 2014, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 56 cents per mile for business miles driven; 23.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations. Read more. Source: IRS, December 10, 2013

 

At_Handy_New_Look_for_2014At Handy, A New Look for 2014... After a volatile 2013, Handy Hardware is entering the new year with new ownership, new structure and a new emphasis on customer profits. The Houston-based hardware distributor launched an initiative called "Profit Plus, the New Face of Handy," which encompasses business improvements and dealer programs. Read more.

Source: Home Channel News, January 8, 2014

A Good Employment Policy Involves More Than Just Hiring 

Business owners frequently ask, "What can I do to avoid a wrongful termination charge by an employee?" The easy answer: "Don't hire the wrong person for the job." The reality is, one day every business owner will face the unpleasant task of having to terminate an employee for one reason or another.

 

How can a business retain good employees and avoid terminations?  Read more.

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

 

Federated_Logo_Horiz  

The Last Word

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

 

~Walt Disney   

In This Issue
MLA Winter Meetings
FMCSA Delays Med Card Deadline
It's Reporting Season
NLBMDA Dealer Networking Breakfast
Member News
MLA Credit Card Program
Other Articles of Interest
A Good Employment Policy
Our Sponsors
Save the Date!
Job Opportunity 
Major Lumber Co. in Smithville, Mo. is seeking to fill a position of Sales Person/Estimator/ Customer Service Rep.  Contact Ryan Helm, General Manager, at 816-215-7464 with inquiries.
Is OSHA a Mystery to You?
Take the mystery out of OSHA compliance. Call Robert Uhler, MLA Regional Manager, for a safety tune-up in 2013 - 800-747-6529.
Quick Links

Our Sponsors
Blish Mize

Westfall GMC
GSWP-Yellawood
 
Save the Date!
Jan. 23-24
Kansas Winter Meeting - Wichita

Feb. 5
NLBMDA Networking Breakfast - Las Vegas

Feb. 6 - Arkansas Winter Meeting - Little Rock

March 31-April 2
NLBMDA Legislative Conference
Go to the MLA Web Site
for more information.
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These Suppliers Support Your Industry Association!   
Please support them!

All Season Bldg. Supply
Allied Building Stores, Inc.
American Wholesale Corp.
Basys Processing
Blish-Mize Company
Bluelinx Corporation
BlueTarp Financial
Boise Cascade
BuilderLink, LLC
Builders Material Company
Cargotec USA - St. Louis
CCM Countertop & Cabinet Mfg.
Cedar Creek Wholesale, Inc.
Central States Insulation Wholesale, Inc.  
Central States Mfg., Inc.
Continental Divide Fence
Delden Mfg. Co., Inc.
Denver Southwest
DMSi
Do it Best Corporation - New member!
East Side Lumberyard Supply
Federated Insurance
Forest Products Supply Co.
Frontier Forest Products, Inc.
Great Southern Wood Preserving
Hardman Wholesale Company
Hixson Lumber Sales - New member!
Huttig Building Products
iLevel
Jack Morgan Construction
Lee Wayne
Lumberyard Supply
McCray Lumber Millwork
Mid-Am Building Supply
Midwest Low-E Insulation
Modern Equip. Co., Inc. (MECO)
Monarch Cement Company
Moulding & Millwork Inc.- Midwest
Neff Packaging Systems

Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual
PrimeSource Building Products
PWD, Inc.
Roberts & Dybdahl, Inc.
Rollex Corp
Schutte Lumber Company

Service Partners dba Denver SouthWest

Shelter Distribution
Tamko Building Products
Tax Favored Benefits
Tennison Brothers, Inc.
Thomas Nielsen Wholesale
Timber Products, Inc.
Treeline Forest Products
USP Structural Connectors
Valspar - New member!
Warrior Building Products

Westfall GMC Truck Center
Weyerhaeuser Co.

About Us

Mid-America Lumbermens Association (MLA) serves independent lumber and building material retailers in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. We offer a variety of services and products to our members, as well as events throughout the year to provide educational and networking opportunities. 

  

We're proud to be affiliated with the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA), which gives us a connection to the industry at large and provides representation in Washington, D.C. on federal legislation and regulatory issues.
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