National Hardwood Magazine - October 2020

U.S.A. TRENDS Supplier

U.S.A. TRENDS Supplier news about sales, labor, prices, trends, expansions and inventories LAKE STATES In the Lake States, some lumber producers recently reported their sales as “very good” or “pretty good,” while others termed their moving of lumber as “decent” or “fair.” In other words, none said their sales were below average, and some were going great guns. A lumber sales representative in Wisconsin termed his company’s sales as “overall, pretty good.” He quickly changed that assessment. “Actually,” he said, “I’d say very good.” Compared to six months earlier, he stated, “It’s a lot better now. My exports are going very strong. Domestic has really picked up in the last two months. Flooring has never quit; they’ve been purchasing all along.” His company carries Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Basswood, Cherry and Hickory. Best sellers are Red and White Oak. “Maples are selling just as fast,” he noted. “Cherry is spottier; Hickory is very strong; Basswood is the slowest.” Red Oak comes in 4/4 and 5/4, White Oak in 4/4, Cherry and Hickory in 4/4, the Maples in 4/4 and Basswood in 4/4 and 5/4. This Wisconsin company sells to both end users and distribution yards, “more to end users,” the lumber sales Please turn to page 50 6 OCTOBER 2020 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE • Industry Leading Kiln Controls • Installation Services & Turn-Key Packages www.nyle.com - kilnsales@nyle.com - (800) 777-6953

NORTHEAST If you had asked lumber producers in the Northeast recently how the market was for their products, mainly, they would have told you it was steady but with challenges. It wasn’t that way to a person, but that sentiment predominated, among companies we interviewed. A lumber representative in New York State said, “On a scale of 1 to 10, it’s about a 7. I’d say it’s pretty good. And it depends on if you’re talking about volume of lumber or profitability. Profitability is not good. But the volume of lumber is fine. “It was heading down in February,” he stated, “but then this COVID-19 hit, and it really headed down.” For the previous six months, he noted, “It’s been about the same for us.” This company produces Red and White Oak, FAS/1 face, some No. 2 and No. 1 Common in 4/4 through 8/4. Selling to both distributors and end users, they have gotten no comments on how the markets for their customers’ products were faring. “They just want cheaper, cheaper, cheaper,” the company spokesman said. “It’s very competitive out there.” He remarked that trucking was not a problem at the time. According to a lumber spokesman in Pennsylvania, “I’m going to say the market in our area is steady. We’re see- Please turn to page 52 Lawrence Lumber Company Inc. P.O. Box 750 Maiden, NC 28650 Tel: (828) 428-5601 Fax: (828) 428-5602 website: www.lawrencelumberinc.com For Appalachian Hardwood lumber sales, contact Steve Staryak: (828) 999-0198, email: stevestaryak@lawrencelumber.net, or Joe Gori: (704) 240-2167, email: gmgori86@gmail.com Green lumber vendors please contact Steve Leonard at (828) 446-0845, or email him at sgleonard7@gmail.com DELIVERING EXPECTATIONS WORLDWIDE Our Hardwood concentration yard in Maiden, NC is near Highway 321 and Interstate 40 where we process quality kiln dried Appalachian Hardwood lumber in these five species: Red Oak, White Oak, Poplar, Ash, and Hickory. We: . Sell kiln dried Red and White Oak in 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses; Poplar in 4/4 through 16/4 thicknesses; Ash in 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses; and Hickory in 4/4 and 7/4 thicknesses. The grades of lumber we sell are No. 2 Common and Better. . Have 800,000 board feet per charge of dry kiln capacity counting our new predryer/dry kiln and five dry kilns. We also have two fan sheds totaling 500 MBF capacity. . Have dedicated employees with many years of experience who are getting your orders prepared to your exact specifications. . Inspect our lumber after kiln drying. . Offer many services like export prep, mixed truckloads, container loading, dipping our lumber in ISK Biocides’ chemicals, S2S, SLR1E, and width sorting. . Process and sell 18 to 20 million board feet a year of the lumber species we deal in. . New in 2020—we will be able to surface, straight line rip and rip to width for our customers! OCTOBER 2020 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 7