National Hardwood Magazine - March 2024

U.S.A. TRENDS Supplier

U.S.A. TRENDS Supplier news about sales, labor, prices, trends, expansions and inventories LAKE STATES NORTHEAST SOUTHEAST WEST COAST Among the factors for the recent slowdown in many lumber yards throughout the Lake States, a Michigan lumberman recently suggested that a “lack of vision” loomed as a primary culprit in the downturn. “It is kind of odd,” he noted. “Six months ago, customers had a little pep in their step. Usually we’d say that (the market) is ‘slow, but it will pick up in a couple weeks.’ Now, people have week-to-week or even day-to-day vision. “Instead of saying, ‘go ahead and bring (the lumber) in. Let’s go ahead and do this,’” he added. “Customers are now waiting. Our overall volume is similar to six months ago. However, it goes right back again to the customers.” The source, who specializes in Hard Maple, Red and White Oak and Hickory cut to 4/4 thickness, said that Throughout the Northeast region lumber contacts were varied in their response to whether or not the market was doing better than it was six months ago, but they all agreed that, at the time of this writing, their sales are depressed. In Maine, a lumber spokesperson said that while his sales are currently doing worse than they were six months ago he doesn’t believe that this is a static trend, noting that he is currently getting more for Ash and Hard Maple than he is able to saw. “Six months ago, I had more logs in the yard, now I’ve got enough to saw in about a day. The mud season started last March and it hasn’t stopped,” he continued. His company offers Hard and Soft Maple, White Ash and Red Oak, as well as Cherry, on occasion, in grades Across the Southeast region sources agreed that lumber prices have been better, while varying on their responses as to how much business they had, at the time of this writing. In Mississippi a lumber saleswoman said their markets are slow right now and that they are worse than they were six months ago, which she attributes to the economy and interest rates. Her company offers Red and White Oak, Sycamore, Ash, Hickory, Pecan and Cypress in grades Nos. 1 and 2 Common and in one- and two-inch thicknesses. She noted that Cypress is currently their best seller. In Tennessee a lumberman said that he has continued to stay busy while prices continue to become depressed. “We are probably doing about the same as we were six A California lumberman recently noted that business was “adequate” and that he would “take that any day” over the “chaos” that the pandemic created in the lumber market. “It was no fun during the pandemic,” he noted. “We all want to be profitable, but that was insane. Now we are moving along and still profitable.” The source said that a banker recently commented on an “uptick” of loan applications, meaning that interest rates are “coming down.” Selling nearly every Hardwood species from Alder to Zebrawood, he noted that most of his wood comes from the Appalachia region. He added that he hoped White Oak has “run its course.” Please turn to page 44 Please turn to page 45 Please turn to page 46 Please turn to page 47 The National Solution to Your Local Risk contund.com If you’re in the Forest Products Industry, get to know us. WE PROVIDE INSURANCE TO PROTECT THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS. Get the insurance coverage you need and the service you deserve. To learn how, call 804.643.7800 BINGAMANLUMBER.COM PO Box 247, Kreamer, PA 17833 ☎ 570.374.1108 | 570.374.5341 12 MARCH 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry www.RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry MARCH 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 13