Import/Export Wood Purchasing News - February/March
IMPORT/EXPORT www.woodpurchasingnews.com Vol.49 No.4 Serving Forest Products Buyers Worldwide FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023 Lumber Shippers View Their Work Realistically And Optimistically The waters are choppy for lumber shipping companies, but they continue doing their due-diligence and seeing positive results. One shipper stated: “Our lumber shipments are lagging now, but we remain hopeful they will continue to increase as we move into the first quarter of 2023.” Another shipper mentioned difficulties, adding: “Our team was able to adapt within the confines of shipping, to not only make it work but to do so By Matthew Fite successfully. The amount of effort input on a daily basis to accomplish what we were able to in 2022 was remarkable.” He also said that in 2023, “I believe the U.S. economy will head for a mini- (soft) recession before slowly making its way back.” If optimism is one part of success and hard work is another, then these shippers have put themselves in a position to do well in 2023. Michael Snow Stephen Zambo, Ally Global Logistics Weymouth, MA We, at AGL view 2022 as an erratic, yet successful year. The last two and a half years have posed very difficult challenges from a logistics perspective. Our team was able to adapt within the confines of shipping, to not only make it work but to do so successfully. The amount of effort input on a daily basis to accomplish what we were able to in 2022 was remarkable. In addition, 2022 was a success, as it opened our eyes in regards to areas of the supply chain that we previously had taken for granted, specifically the ports and By Michael Snow, Executive Director American Hardwood Export Council Sterling, VA 703-435-2900 www.ahec.org their receiving dates. Towards the end of 2022, we saw vessel schedules and receiving dates start to normalize, which was the exact opposite of what we saw at the beginning of 2022. I anticipate this will continue to be a challenge on certain lanes, specifically for inland rail shippers. Another challenge I expect to continue to deal with in 2023 is trucking capacity. There are only so many trucks, and so many moves drivers can do in a day. If more drivers aren’t added in the marketplace, I expect this to be a continued hot button issue. In 2022, we shipped over 34,000 loads, added 28 team members, moved into a new office space in our Jacksonville location and opened up a 52,000 square foot warehouse in Blakeslee, PA. I do not see any rate increases coming from steamship lines as of January 1st. We may see certain routings be increased, but as a market, we were at all-time highs for the last year. As the market normalizes, so will freight rates. In addition, Continued on page 14 2023 AHEC Events And Pavilions Are Opportunities To Connect With Customers And Find New Buyers Webinars and Zoom calls have let us meet virtually with anyone in the world from the comfort of our home office, but as any sales rep will tell you, there’s just no substitute for meeting with potential customers in person. After a much more normal year of travel in 2022, The American Hardwood Export Council is looking forward to a busy schedule of events and opportunities for your company to meet directly with interested global buyers in 2023. In addition to what we expect to be a full slate of design, marketing, educational and networking events, AHEC has also planned pavilions at eight of the largest wood trade and furniture trade shows in the world in 2023, as well as an AHEC Convention in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These pavilions will make premier representation available to American companies at the busiest events of the year for just 0 per booth. In 2023 we plan to host a U.S. Hardwood Pavilion at these events: DelhiWood, New Delhi, India (Mar. 2-5) Dubai Woodshow, Dubai, UAE (Mar. 7-9) Interzum Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China (Mar. 28-31) (Possibly open to Chinese staff only) Interzum Cologne, Cologne, Germany (May 9-12) AHEC Convention, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (June) TechnoMueble, Guadalajara, Mexico (Aug. 16-19) FMC Shanghai, Shanghai, China (Sept. 9-11) (US Participation TBD) VietnamWood 2022, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Sept. 20-23) INTERMOB, Istanbul, Turkey (Sept. 30-Oct 3) PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID JEFFERSON CITY, MO PERMIT NO. 303 Change Service Requested Import/Export Wood Purchasing News P.O. Box 34908 Memphis, TN 38184-0908 Each year AHEC attends over 40 trade shows globally to promote American Hardwoods, research market potential and drive local purchasing behavior. In our experience these shows we have selected provide the best opportunity this year for an American company to connect with local buyers and build strong relationships. Of course, our participation in all of these events is subject to travel restrictions and health guidelines, and event dates are subject to change. Continued on page 16
