WEST COAST Continued
WEST COAST Continued grades. We really do FAS and Better.” On the other side of the coin, an Oregon source noted that a global approach to lumber distribution can also work. “We sell across the world,” he said. “You name it, we ship it.” He also noted that he had a “diverse” customer base. “We sell to distribution and manufacturing,” he added. “We make sure that we have a very broad customer base.” Specializing almost exclusively in Alder cut in 4/4-to- 12/4 thicknesses, the lumberman said that business is “moving along just fine.” “As interest rates fall,” he said, “people are starting to be more confident and buy. But customers are still buying cautiously.” He added that businesses were closely monitoring inventory levels during the end of the year. “(Companies) weren’t trying to bring in too much during the end of the year,” he said. “Then, at the beginning of the year, there is a mad scramble to play catchup again.” Despite finding success domestically and overseas, the source said that the export market is “tough right now.” “It is really China,” he noted. “China is still trying to get out of a hole, and they are interested in buying, but they are very bulimic. They will buy a bunch of volume and then will pull off the market for three months. Then they will come back and say, ‘We want to buy another block of wood, but we want it to be half price.’ We just chose not to take that business and wait for prices to come back up. Throughout the industry, that’s what everyone is seeing.” With the exception of the “COVID years,” the Oregon lumberman said that the second quarter usually sees a significant increase in profits. “During COVID,” he added, “the fourth quarter was the best. That was because of the way that the market shaped up.” Another California lumber distributor, who predicted a strong January after a slow fourth quarter in 2023, noted that things have been “very steady” this year. “Last December was the typical holiday thing,” he said. “No one was getting orders unless they absolutely needed it.” The lumberman said he doesn’t downplay the uptick in sales so far this year. “Much to the surprise of some other guys, who say that they are just doing ‘OK,’” he added. “I’m happy with how steady we are.” Specializing in White Oak and Walnut for flooring, the lumberman said his team of workers “really got the orders going” in January. n ONTARIO Continued from page 14 Depending on area contacted Ash business was good, while others’ activity had slowed. The large volume of Ash processed in the last few months of 2023 was now available for sale. Prices are mixed for kiln-dried stocks for this species. Suppliers who process Aspen said that demand for this species is subdued. Many primary manufacturers reduced the volume of Aspen produced, but production remained high relative to market needs. In some areas kiln-dried inventories are elevated compared to demand, and competition for orders is noted as intense. Basswood demand is seeing competition from other species, imported finished goods and other products that secondary manufacturers are using instead of this species which has negatively impacted its demand. Supplies are outpacing buyers’ needs for most grades and thicknesses, and prices are down. Kiln-dried inventories have increased. Markets are reported as weak for Basswood, and concentration yards and sawmills have ample inventories to meet buyers’ needs. Birch demand is steady noted contacts, even though it has lost market share in non-traditional applications. Competition from non-wood raw materials, MDF and plywood have taken a share of this species’ market. Kilndried markets are controlled and suppliers have ample inventory on hand. Green lumber supplies are low relative to the market’s needs for some grades and thicknesses. Kiln-dried inventories were edging down, pushing prices higher for several items of this species. Soft Maple production has been reported as low with steady demand cutting into supplies. Sap and Better grades are preferred, but end users are buying all the better quality Unselected material they can. Contacts noted that kiln-dried business is better now than a few months ago. Good color material for Soft Maple is readily moving, stated contacts. Red Oak demand on international markets is better, Please turn the page We Provide The Herringbone... You Provide The “Wow Factor” Available in multiple widths, lengths and species. Purposely designed and built to perform, Nicholson ring debarkers can be found in wood processing facilities around the world. Nicholson ring debarkers reliably provide optimal debarking with minimal fiber loss. A variety of options provides solutions to all types of log diet and debarking conditions. Upgrade packages allow older models to take advantage of improvements introduced on newer designs. FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1992 190 Wilson Mill Road, Monticello, Arkansas 71655 | maxwellhardwoodflooring.com NWFA/NOFMA WOOD FLOORING Providing value for our customers is at the core of Nicholson’s business principles. When you purchase a Nicholson debarker you get more than a machine – you get the resources of the entire Nicholson organization. +1 250 656 3131 debarking.com forestsales@nicholsonmfg.com 48 MARCH 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry www.RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry MARCH 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 49
