TRP is currently researching cities for possible expansion in 2007. We have completed preliminary research on eight cities east of California and West of Indiana. These include Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Salt Lake City, St. Louis and Chicago. Of course we face the usual business challenges of establishing the TRP brand, financing startups, and finding and training new managers, but we also face the more subjective problem of allaying the fears of local, entrenched nonprofit and for-profit reuse organizations.

In each market to which TRP considers expanding, we research not only the competition for materials sourcing and sales, but the depth of market penetration competitors have achieved. Only when we are convinced that our presence will increase the market do we consider expanding to that region. TRP has refused to enter several excellent markets already well served by existing reuse businesses because we would be unable to contribute significantly to either the supply of materials being diverted from landfills or the sales of reusable building materials. In other words, our presence would not “expand the pie,” it would further divide one whose size is limited and relatively inflexible.

One way in which TRP differs from architectural salvage organizations and the typical deconstruction contractor is we salvage virtually everything--even common, utilitarian materials. Our mission and business model do not restrict us to materials with high resale values. While we certainly have many significant architectural pieces in our warehouses and yards, they are there because we take virtually everything that is reusable, not just the high-end stuff.

TRP’s regional warehouses, yards and broad geographic customer network enable us to, if necessary, distribute materials thousands of miles from where they originate. When I hear the complaint, typically from a small local salvage company, that TRP ships materials to other markets, I have to smile. First, many of the complainers think nothing of sending the trash they generate to landfills outside city limits, or to other cities, or even to other states. Second, TRP materials have helped hundreds of low income people in Baja California who cannot afford basic indoor amenities like plumbing and electricity. The materials sent to these markets could not have been sold in local U.S. markets because there is no demand for them. Solid panel garage doors, used in Mexico to build the exterior walls of homes; hollow core, slab doors; single-paned aluminum sliding windows -- these items are kept out of our landfills. Third, the precept, “Think globally but act locally,” began with the environmental movement of the 1970s. What is more in tune with this adage than harvesting materials destined for local landfills, for which there is no local market or building codes prohibit reuse, and distributing them in low-income markets where they will substantially increase the standard of living?

I understand the concern of local businesspeople when an outsider comes to town. These folks fear losing revenue and perhaps personnel, and being overshadowed by a more aggressive organization, but when directed at TRP, their trepidation is misplaced.

In my former life as an investment banker, I put together marketing, technology and manufacturing joint ventures between U.S. and Mexican clients with companies in Japan, England and Russia. That “flat world” mentality has stayed with me. TRP is by design a collaborator. We have collaborative agreements with over 15 contractors in three states. We have made single-project joint venture arrangements with demolition contractors for major deconstruction projects like the “Matrix Reloaded” and “Matrix Revolution” movie sets, and deconstruction, distribution and resale agreements with California Habitat for Humanity affiliates in San Diego, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, East Bay and Sonoma County. We collaborate with a reuse organization in Seattle, and in Colorado we are allied with the newly opened Habitat ReStore in Longmont.

So relax, everyone. If the potential for building material salvage and reuse is so hamstrung in your area that mutually beneficial coexistence and/or collaboration are impossible, we simply won’t come to town.

If you want an excuse to visit a truly Midwestern city in full spring bloom, attend the Building Materials Reuse Association Conference, May 14 to 16, 2007, in Madison, Wisconsin. Visit www.ubma.org for more information.

This month we will be receiving thousands of board feet of lumber, including pressure treated 4x4’s, redwood, old growth Douglas Fir and old barn siding. Check out our selection and prices for all your building and remodeling projects.

This month we are featuring our entire stock of cabinets. Receive 35% off on all cabinet purchases, except complete kitchens, through December 10, 2006, with a copy of this e-letter.

TRP is accepting donations of cars, trucks, SUV's, RV's, and motorcycles. Donating a vehicle is a simple process. You just pick up the phone and call. We do the rest. So if you'd like to get rid of an unwanted vehicle, phone now for a pickup. 800-574-0888. Or you can donate your vehicle online at www.vehiclesforcharity.com. Unfortunately, vehicle donations can only be made from the Bay Area counties plus Santa Cruz.

Go to our website www.thereusepeople.org, click on the tab "Opportunities" and look under the heading "Employment Opportunities"

In Northern California, the Oakland warehouse will receive:

• All materials from a 1930s barn and a 150 year old blacksmith shop at Vandenberg Air force Base
• All materials from a beautiful custom two-story Atherton home, including great cabinets and hardwood flooring
• Contents of a 2,000 sq-ft custom remodel in Lafayette, including doors, windows, cabinets and vanities
• All materials from the full deconstruction of a custom ranch home in Berkeley
• Additional materials from projects starting later in the month.

In Los Angeles, the Habitat for Humanity Home Improvement Store will receive:

• Fine cabinetry, raised-panel doors, French doors and more from a 4,000 sq-ft Mediterranean house and guesthouse in Pacific Palisades
• Cabinetry, lighting fixtures and more from a rustic home in Santa Monica
• A Santa Monica remodel will produce raised panel doors, dual-pane windows, great kitchen appliances and cabinets
• All materials from a 2,500 sq-ft ranch style home in Vista, including dual-pane windows, S-tile roofing, elegant bathroom cabinets and jet bathtub
• Dual-pane windows, beautiful kitchen, pantry and dining cabinets and nice appliances from a 2,400 sq-ft ranch home in Rancho Santa Fe
• Modular kitchen cabinets, dual-pane windows, vintage vanity sinks, and lots of nice furniture from a 2,800 sq-ft two-story Coronado beach front home
• Great marble flooring, granite counter tops, brand new appliances and considerable loose brick from a La Jolla ranch house
• Several sets of double French doors, dual-pane windows and modular kitchen cabinets from a 1960s ranch style home in Pasadena
• Great kitchen cabinets, premium appliances, light fixtures and hardwood flooring from a Manhattan Beach cottage
• Handsome kitchen cabinets, dual-pane windows and raised panel doors from a 1,600 sq-ft complete deconstruction in Torrance
• All materials from the complete deconstruction of an exquisitely appointed 3,000 sq-ft Corona Del Mar home with premium everything!
• Additional projects slated to begin in November include an 11,000 sq-ft 1930s Studio City apartment with lots and lots of hardwood flooring and homes in Santa Monica, Palos Verdes Estates, Huntington Beach and another decked-out Corona Del Mar residence.

Also in Los Angeles, Silver Lake Yards will receive:

• Great vintage elements, including hardwood flooring, fireplace mantle, raised panel doors and casement windows from a 1929 Spanish style bungalow in Toluca Lake

New Location and Contact Information

TRP ReUse Bazaar
9235 San Leandro Street
Oakland, CA 94603
(510) 383-1983; toll-free 888-588-9490
Hours: Mon through Fri 10:00 to 6:00; Sat and Sun 10:00 to 4:00

Please visit our partnering warehouses in the greater Los Angeles area:

Habitat Home Improvement Store
17700 S. Figueroa (corner of 182nd), Gardena/Carson CA 90248
(310)-323-5665
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6: 00 p.m.

Silver Lake Yards
1086 Manzanita Street
Silver Lake, CA 90029
(323) 667-2875
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Directions: Manzanita Street crosses Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake. Go south 1 short block and turn right just before Santa Monica Boulevard.