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Melodee Martinuk Chronicle Staff It‘s a long way from Mississipâ€" pi to Waterloo. _ â€" I If you want to know just how far, ask Brian Henshawâ€"â€"a Canaâ€" dian who has lived in the Ameriâ€" can South for much of the past two decades, he is only too aware of the differences between the two communities and the culturâ€" al distance that separates them. Henshaw is the president of Pine Tree Furniture, a fledgling Waterlooâ€"based company which imports, assembles and wholeâ€" sales Alabama pine furniture Ball Brothers Limited of Kitâ€" chener has been awarded the contract to construct Wilfrid Laurier University‘s Arts and Social Centre, which will provide facilities for the Faculty of Music and various other academic deâ€" partments of the university. Ball Brothers‘ tender of Relieve Back Discomfort & Fatigue with Ball Brothers receives WLU Centre contract The lightweight, go anywhere back support 696 Beilmont Ave W . Kitchener GUARDIAN PHARMACY (formerly Schier Pharmacy) 744â€"4458 HOEGLER & Helps maintain correct sitting posture e Minimizes back ftatigue e Helps hold lower spine in natural upright position « Provides more comfort during prolonged sitting or while driving on long trips ideal for travelling, at home or office He‘s open about his feelings. Henshaw has not moved to Waâ€" terloo because he loves the city or even Canada; he likes the United States, and will move back as soon as he is able; he feels the Canadian government places too many restrictions on business; he thinks Canadian workers have become too comâ€" placent and lost the ‘*work ethic;‘‘ he absolutely hates winter. Quite simply, Henshaw is in Waterloo because there‘s a business opportunity here. And, he stressed, it‘s an opportunity which will mean savings to $8,780,000 was the lowest reâ€" ceived, and when architects‘ fees and the cost of furniture and equipment, as well as renovaâ€" tions to the existing theatre auditorium are added, the total project will cost in the vicinity of $9,750,000. â€" Eighty per cent of the total value of all the contracts awardâ€" 751 King St W . Kitchener (formerty Cook s Pharmacy) (across from Central Meat) Positive reliet from back ache caused by soft seats in cars and turniture Does not allow lower spine to sagq in seat PHARMACY 576â€"9500 According to Henshaw, Alabaâ€" ma pine furniture is a big business in Canada; for examâ€" ple, more than 400 sets are being imported each week into Toronâ€" to. Until the opening of Pine Tree this summer, all Alabama pine furniture was brought into Canâ€" ada fully assembled, which meant high shipping costs and, ultimately, an inflated price tag. ed in relation to the project went to local firms, including Nelco Mechanical Ltd. for the electriâ€" cal work, with Groff Plumbing and Heating Ltd. completing the heating and ventilating systems. "What is being sold in Canada is so far overpriced because of Construction will begin Aug. 11 and the building is scheduled to be completed in early 1988. shipping costs and unfair taxaâ€" tion. By putting a plant up here we‘re able to put pine furniture in the market more reasonably priced," said Henshaw. "As a satellite business it‘s a natural; why it hasn‘t been done before I don‘t know."‘ Pine Tree is affiliated with one of the largest manufacturers in Alabama. Each wooden piece is cut and each cushion sewn in the US and shipped to Waterloo where Henshaw and his staff put them together. ‘"We cater mostly to smaller stores, which can‘t afford to buy by the truckload. By being here we can give better service, we can do repairs, we can back up our product," he said. â€" Henshaw offers four different styles of a sixâ€"piece grouping: sofa, rocker, chair, two end tables and either a coffee table or e 100% hardwood maple frame e Guaranteed for life ; §|;;téd for maximum air circulation â€" stays cooler e Converts from couch to bed e Disassembles for easy transportation Couches starting as low as Hours: 10â€"5 Fri. till 8 Sat. 10â€"5 55 Erb St. E., Waterloo 886â€"3430 * '29800 including futon ottoman. Eventually he will add a line of pine bunk beds and lamps. Nationalists may object to the use of Alabama pine rather than Canadian in furniture, however, Henshaw said, the U.S. wood is harder and has a more interestâ€" ing grain making it better for use in furnishings. He has experiâ€" mented with using Canadian pine, but found that it wouldn‘t hold the screws or take the stain as well. The Waterloo plant, which will produce 30 sets a day, serves stores in Listowel, Port Elgin, Woodstock, Tilsonburg, Kitchenâ€" er, Cambridge and Stratford. In the future Henshaw plans to franchise Pine Tree Furniture, and he envisages a network of 30 to 40 small plants operating in Canada and the western United States.