National Hardwood Magazine - April 2017

WEST COAST Continued

WEST COAST Continued expected to carry business through the spring and sustain prospects into the summer for one California Hardwood lumber contact. “There was some fear that December’s (2016) activity was just a post-election bump, but I think it’s going to sustain through summer,” the source commented. This California Hardwood lumber For decades, Northland Corporation has offered the best Value in High Quality Hardwoods for our customers. From our Menu we can promptly ship virtually any Domestic, Imported, and Exotic species. Whether your take out order is gently kiln dried or carefully air dried...rough or planed...standard or custom lengths, widths, thicknesses...We are here to serve you. When your just-in-timeorder arrives, you will company handles Ash, Alder, Hard and Soft Maple, Red and White Oak and exotics. “White Oak is the fastest moving specie right now, both rift/quarter and plainsawn,” he noted. “Upper grade Alder has also been tight lately.” companies, woodworking retailers and custom millwork manufacturers. be pleased to see that the lumber is flat & straight because our Hardwood is measured and graded after kiln drying...sorted in five separate lengths...accompanied by a printed manifest detailing package numbers, footage, thickness, grade, length, average width, and number of pieces - all to make it easy for you to keep track of inventory...turning it, problem free, into product and profit. ALL OF THIS AND WE DELIVER! CALL OR FAX TODAY The Best Value in High Quality Hardwoods 1-800-873-1441 P.O. BOX 265, 2600 HIGHWAY 146 EAST LAGRANGE, KY 40031, USA FAX: 502-222-5355 Web: www.northlandcorp.com E-mail: tagirardi@gmail.com “The ones involved in new residential construction are the most optimistic,” the California lumberman commented. “Manufacturers with a customer base outside the U.S. are still reeling from the strength of the U.S. dollar, which has decreased their customer’s buying power.” With the stock market picking buoyed. “It has helped move projects forward--sooner rather than later,” the source noted. He spent the last quarter of 2016 reducing inventory for the year end and reported that he’s in good shape “to bring in what we need in a reasonable timeframe.” For a Hardwood lumber source in Washington state, low housing inventory is driving the markets in a positive way. “That’s just going to continue to have a perpetual motion for ongoing business,” the Washington Hardwood contact explained. “It may not spike real high–and everybody is still going to be careful about that—but the fact that houses are selling and selling very quickly because of the low inventory bodes well throughout the year.” This lumber representative sells to cabinet and furniture manufacturers and reported that “their business is picking up.” The company handles Alder, Birch, Cherry, Hickory, Knotty Alder, Pecan, Poplar, Red Birch, Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Walnut, African Mahogany, Honduras Mahogany, cedar and pine in 4/4 to 8/4. “Maple and Alder are the two hottest ones for us right now,” the source commented. “Walnut has also been pretty good. Oak is still Oak. I think Oak has fallen out of favor quite a bit.” The region experienced a couple of winter blasts that negatively affected the market, but inventories and lead times are now good. 74 APRIL 2017 NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

SOUTHEAST Continued from page 6 swer. “We’re running low on a lot of materials,” he commented. This source handles mainly Red and White Oak, Poplar and Hickory to a variety of customers who supply to domestic, European and Chinese markets. “What I’m hearing is that there’s a lot of No. 1-Face White Oak on the market and the prices are down,” the lumber representative said. Despite the prices being down, however, “I haven’t had a problem selling my material at the prices I have been asking for the past couple of months. I’ve had people tell me that the prices should be lower, but they’re still paying the prices that I quote, even though they’re telling me there’s supposedly a lot on the market.” Face and No. 1 Common Poplar have been slow for several months. “I can move the No. 2 Common, but it’s very cheap,” the Hardwood contact commented. The high grade Hardwood lumber seems to be more in demand, this source pointed out. “We’re completely sold out of No. 1 and No. 2 Common ers,” the sales representative said. “The market appears to be strong. In fact, there must be more demand than what we’ve been having. I don’t know how to read the lumber not being readily available because we’ve had a mild winter.” For a Hardwood lumber producer in Virginia, the market is looking good. International sales make up a majority of this lumber contact’s sales. “The international markets are doing that 2017 is going to be a good year.” The sawmill source produces kilndried and green lumber in Red and White Oak, Ash, Poplar, Black Walnut and Cherry and produces 5 to 6 million board feet annually. “The weather has been a challenge, which has adversely impacted prices,” she added. “I really haven’t We were honored to supply the lumber for the National September 11th Memorial & Museum in New York City, and we would be honored to service your needs. Ask for our FSC® Certified Products heard of any big price increases lately.” The Virginia Hardwood salesperson sees both positive and negative forces at play in the market presently. “The wood prices are good … but if we don’t have any wood to sell it’s not very good,” she said. The Hardwood contact reported good log inventory and fair lumber inventory. “We’re moving everything we get and everything is selling good.” Keep up with the latest industry news nationalhardwoodmag.com Contact: Ray Wheeland, Sales E-mail: ray@wheelandlumber.com Derek Wheeland, Sales E-mail: derek@wheelandlumber.com Bill Baker, Sales E-mail: bill@wheelandlumber.com Damen Wheeland, Log Sales E-mail: damen@wheelandlumber.com Chris Kemp, West Coast Sales E-mail: chris.s.kemp@gmail.com Wheeland Lumber Company, Inc. 3558 WILLIAMSON TRAIL • LIBERTY, PA 16930-9065 USA PHONE: 570-324-6042 • FAX: 570-324-2127 • WWW.WHEELANDLUMBER.COM 16WLC-5Generations-ProgramAd APRIL 2017 NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 75