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NELA Continued from page 46 Pallets: Cant prices have been holding but there is some evidence of softening recently. Pallet manufacturers have been reluctant to slow down because of lessons learned during COVID, when many pallet makers missed orders when demand surged, and they couldn’t ramp up their production fast enough. One manufacturer said 2022 was a record year for them and could have been higher if not for labor shortages, however, 2023 has had a slower start. Summer has been better but not what they have predicted. Exports: There is a lot of availability of space in containers right now. Consequently, there has also been a significant decrease in overseas shipping rates. The first half was good for shippers, but carriers are hungry for cargo now as volume is slowing and profitability is down. Demand for Ash in China is still strong, for what little bit of lumber is available. Red Oak is continuing to pick up in Europe, with one exporter claiming that Italy and Spain have been bright spots for the species as a White Oak substitute. One exporter said the pendulum for their business seems to be swinging back toward being heavier to export while another exporter claimed they only have one Chinese customer left and that is a long-time customer, and that overall demand has not recovered from COVID. Additionally, the Chinese government has been tightening its grip on the economy making it harder for private individuals to prosper. n For further information about the New England Lumbermen’s Association, please contact Chris Castano at ccastano@mainewoods.net. Guy Dollinger, DZD Hardwood Inc., St-Jerome, QC; Colin Lindsay, Commonwealth Plywood Company Ltd., Sainte-Therese, QC; Sefi Dollinger, DZD Hardwood Inc.; Wally Klubek, Baillie Lumber Group, Hamburg, NY; and Clayton Miller, Aurora Timberland, Alexandria, ON Denis Dube, J.D. Irving Limited, Clair, NB; Sylvain Poirier, Stella-Jones Corp., Delson, QC; Jean Desilets, C.A. Spencer Inc., Laval, QC; and Hunter Dickinson, Stella-Jones Corp., Cortland, NY Cathy Ammann and Doug Settele, Keiver-Willard Lumber Corp., Newburyport, MA; Rob Hill, Holt & Bugbee Company, Tewksbury, MA; and Jason Smith, Westbury Lumber Company, Red Creek, NY Matt Lowry, Quanex Custom Components, Greenville, PA; Alain Thibeault, Preverco Inc., Daveluyville, QC; Chris Fehr, National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; and Doug Settele, Keiver-Willard Lumber Corporation, Newburyport, MA Overhead for Crossties, Timbers & Cants with Circle Saws Cooper cuts it! At Cooper, our services and equipment are never run-of-the-mill. Whether small or large logs, Cooper has solutions for your lumber needs. INCREASE YOUR CAPACITY WITH LESS LABOR WITH COOPER MACHINE. HOME OF THE SCRAGG 478-252-5885 | info@coopermachine.com | CooperMachine.com Overhead for Grade Hardwood with Twin Bands & Optimization Come Visit us at booth 1539! Music City Center | Nashville | August 23-25 REGISTER AT SFPAEXPO.COM BINGAMANLUMBER.COM PO Box 247, Kreamer, PA 17833 ☎ 570.374.1108 | 570.374.5341 48 AUGUST 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry AUGUST 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 49
