You see, we love solid wood products!   But we also know the outside environment here in Southern California   ( usually thought of as one of the kindest on the planet ) can be tough on wood.  Lots of moist air along the coast and at night, blazing hot sun during the day,  sprinklers spraying everywhere, dark colors and little overhang protection on the homes.  It all can add up to trouble for wood being placed in these demanding exterior situations, with the possibility of excessive shrinking and swelling, coating failures and rot and decay.

Along comes Accoya wood,  100% solid  but modified to the core using a non-toxic acetylation process.  This world leading high technology wood is produced from sustainably sourced, fast growing softwood using a non-toxic modification process.  The result is a durable, sustainable and beautiful material with performance characteristics of the most durable tropical hardwoods.  Accoya Wood is indigestible by a wide range of pests and insects ( including termites ).  The exceptional durability and stability helps keep windows and doors from swelling sticking or swelling shut and coatings to last up to 3 times longer.

All of this has led to a much better awareness of Accoya and where it can be a great choice for projects from widows to doors to siding and beyond.  It is not the cheapest alternative, but it can be the lowest cost alternative in the long run.  Please go to our website at atlaslumber.com and to our special section on Accoya wood to find out all the specifics of this exciting wood which proves there IS “something new in the wood business!”

But there is still no substitute for picking up the phone or making a personal sales call to nourish the relationship between buyer and seller.  That is the fun of doing business with other people and still trumps all else.  We buy from people we like.  There is so much competition in every type of business that rarely are we “forced” to do business with someone we don’t like.  In order to like someone or have them like us and choose to do business with us over another company still requires a personal connection.

And of course this is when things are going well!  When we hit a speedbump in the road, a problem, an unmet expectation or outright mess that we have created, the electronic communication can be more of a hazard than a help.  We all have seen it lead to just further problems, misunderstandings, and mayhem.  My father used to tell me, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”.   That is a good line, but maybe what I will pass on to my own kids for this new century  is “When the going gets tough, the tough pick up the phone”!

Randy

Now we are well into April and once again what we need most is a steady flow of orders.  Without that steady flow we return to the fits and starts of the past several years.  I read an article in the WSJ a few months ago that focused on small business and talked about the need of these businesses for ORDERS.  They weren’t focused on borrowing money and expanding or much of anything other than just getting a better flow of orders to process.  That is the fuel for our engines and without it there is not much else to think or talk about.

Open from 7am to 5pm Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 8am to noon.

Our prices are the best around we always have lots of specials at blowout discounts. If you haven’t experienced The Outlet or it’s been a few months since your last visit, you need to come by and see what you’re missing!