Business Trends

Hardwood lumber sales in the Lake States region are not booming. Nor are sales declining a lot. A sawmill representative in Michigan stated, “Our sales are pretty good. I hear some chatter about things slowing down, but our shipments have still been good. However, sales have leveled off; it’s not booming. “It’s pretty doggone hot,” […]

Transportation challenges were reported across the board for sawmills in the Northeast region of the country. Slower buying for Hardwoods was also a common theme. A Maine Hardwood lumber salesman said Hard Maple currently remains his big seller in his market. “Maples are slowing down,” he said. “We sell Hard and Soft Maple. Hard Maple […]

Reports of slow sales for Red Oak and increased fuel prices are indicators of slower business in the Southeast. In Georgia, a sawmill salesman made his prediction of a lumber shortage amid negative effects from fuel prices. “Fuel is having a negative effect, as I own my own trucks, but I think I’d make a […]

Out on the West Coast, some lumbermen report a slowing of sales, while one lumber provider said his sales have been strong and haven’t slowed down. “There’s definitely seasonal slowing to our sales, unlike last year when it didn’t slow down,” said a lumber provider in Washington. “The slowdown now is due to vacations, etc. […]

Secondary manufacturers noted demand for finished goods hasn’t been as strong as in past years, even though supply chains had improved this increased competition for products like furniture, Hardwood flooring, cabinets, moulding and millwork and other interior finished goods. Competition from imports is also having an effect, and some report affected cash flows. Domestically, competition […]