Washington Paper Processor Plans New Building

Asian American Fibers & Equipment Sales, Vancouver, Wash., wants to build its own quarters. But the plan doesn't stop there. In addition to a 40,000-square-foot warehouse for its operations, the company wants to build a 12,000-square-foot building on speculation.

The preliminary concept will be discussed at a pre-application conference Oct. 24.

Richard Southard, president of Asian American, said the smaller of the two proposed buildings would house an unrelated tenant, possibly along the line of a tool and supply business. Envisioned is "more of a storefront, as opposed to just warehousing, to serve a wider range of tenants," he said.

Asked about the rationale in moving ahead now, Southard said, "It will cost less to build it now as opposed to building it at a later date."

Both would be on a 3.97-acre site. While the larger building would be a bit larger than the space Asian American currently leases, Southard said employment would probably expand to about 26 employees at the new location, from about 20 at present. On-site parking for about 40 vehicles would be provided.

The firm's plans come at a time when many companies are retrenched, as volatile forces continue to batter domestic and global economies. But he said his firm has fared well so far this year.

"We have been very, very fortunate, and it is a niche business and very diverse, so it has been a very good year," Southard said.

Business includes such trade as cutting down blank rolls of newsprint and reselling it to moving companies for packing material. The company makes paper dividers used in produce markets to separate fruit and vegetables.

Also, the company buys wastepaper and ships it to the Far East, along with domestic markets, for recycling into new paper.

Southard said that while the company's trade once was 95 percent export to Asia, it is now nearly reversed, with 85 percent domestic trade and the balance export. He noted that because the products are not generally time-sensitive, they are sent by cargo ships.

Southard said the complex is planned on property owned by Mike Coppedge of Vancouver, a residential developer and a friend of his, who would join as an investor in the venture. Construction cost of the development is estimated at $1.5 million to $1.7 million. Planned are concrete tilt-up buildings that would provide some 22-foot interior clear heights. The buildings would be equipped with loading docks.

Southard said the company would spend the next several months solidifying its plans with the idea of opening the new location around next August. The Columbian (Washington)