ORNL Research Starts

Being put in the "hot box" for six months sounds like the type of savage punishment dished out in Cool Hand Luke. In this instance, it's a historic opportunity to prove the energy efficiency of log homes.

In December, the Log Homes Council (LHC) teamed with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and began experiments on an 8'x8' log wall section manufactured by Kuhns Bros Log Homes and erected by a crew from Jim Barna Log Systems.

The log wall is being subjected to a series of experiments in a hot box testing facility. This will be one of five log wall tests performed over the next six months. After the data is gathered, a detailed analysis will provide companies with performance data specific to their building system. More than 40 LHC members are involved in the effort. For details, call 800-368-5242 ext. 8576.

Hilltop's Aggressive New Strategies
How does one outgrow regional player status and step onto the national stage? Follow the example of Hilltop Log & Timber Homes (Bowdoinham, ME) and adopt an aggressive, multifaceted marketing strategy.

"Rather than reacting to the market, we're being proactive," says Vicki DiPrete, director of marketing and growth development. Recent initiatives include:

Finalizing a log grading program.
Creating a new energy efficient line of designs, called the TIMBER series, which includes SIPs.
Launching a nationwide drive for builder/dealers.
Recently completing a three-home model village at its corporate headquarters.
Partnering with developers to create six log home communities.
Revamping the company's Web site with new videos on their process.
Producing a new company logo, as well new marketing materials for its builder network.


"The people that work here really love this company and the home's we produce. It's not just a ploy for job security," says DiPrete.

Coleman Joins Caribou Creek
Max Coleman was recently named national sales manager for Caribou Creek Log Homes (Bonners Ferry, ID), which designs and builds handcrafted log homes. Coleman is based in Hamilton, MT, and responsible for sales throughout the United States.

Coleman has 10 years of experience in the log home industry. Jim Hassi, Caribou's director of sales and marketing, says "Max is a strong addition to our sales force. His knowledge of handcrafted log homes, partnerships in the real estate market and personable way with people are huge benefits for our customers."

Ward Expands Reps' Roles
Ward Cedar Log Homes (Houlton, ME), the nation's first log home kit manufacturer, has tapped one new builder/dealer and expanded the role of another.

Clifton Gross, a log home industry veteran and founder of LC Associates Custom Homes (Bradford, VT), has been named Ward Cedar Log Homes Representative in the upper valley region of Vermont and parts of New Hampshire.

Gross, who works with his two sons Michael and Daniel, has built more than 100 homes in the region, including many systems-built log homes. Jim and Sandy Smyth, who have represented Ward in Lincoln County, Maine, for 10 years, have expanded their operation to include selling and building Ward Cedar Log Homes in Kennebec County, as well as Cumberland, York and Lincoln counties.