Business Trends

A Slow And Steady Northeast Concerns about the future, weather, labor and an increase in log buying from customers in Asia are popular in the Northeast. The market is “steady right now,” reported a lumber source in New York, who isn’t certain what the cause for this stability is. “I’m not 100 percent sure. I […]

Economic Improvement Could Thaw A Steady Yet Cautious Market Lumber representatives across the Lake States described a hardwood market that remains steady, with early signs of improvement depending on end users. While activity is still cautious overall, sources said order flow has held consistent, and several contacts said demand could strengthen through the first quarter […]

NWFA Expo 2026 And The Hardwood Trends Shaping The Year Ahead As the wood flooring industry looks ahead to a new year, professionals are preparing for steady demand, evolving design preferences, and continued innovation across products and installation methods. One of the best opportunities to see these forces converge will be at NWFA Expo 2026, […]

Who’s Who In Hardwoods – February 2026 3.75 Million Board Feet Purchased By Pennsylvania Company Edgar Pry is the procurement and project manager at Lewis Lumber Products in Picture Rocks, PA.  Lewis Lumber Products manufactures custom architectural mouldings, S2S, rip blanks, cut to length parts, flitches, paneling and flooring in addition to distributing hardwood lumber. […]

Quebec Business Trends February 2026 – Cautious Steps Into 2026 The hardwood sector continues to face challenging business conditions and uncertainty. As the country focuses on eliminating barriers between provinces and trying to negotiate a trade deal with the U.S. to ease imposed tariffs, businesses continue dealing with the shortage of qualified workers, supply chain […]

Ontario Business Trends February 2026 – New Markets May Provide Canadian Solutions As we move into 2026, and with continued tariffs, hardwood businesses pursue their plans to seek new markets for their products. The Government of Canada has provided some assistance to businesses to ease the imposed U.S. tariff burdens. At the time of this […]

West Coast Business Trends February 2026 – West Coast Commitment Issues Hardwood market activity in the West Coast remains cautious, with suppliers in Washington and California reporting tepid buying behavior, steady transportation conditions and limited forward commitments. Across the region, activity is being shaped less by supply constraints and more by uncertainty among customers who […]

Southeast Business Trends February 2026 – Will Hopes Or Fears For 2026 Be Fulfilled? Lumber sources share concerns about the younger generation’s lack of interest in the lumber industry and state their lack of knowledge can’t supplant the generation aging out of the workforce.  Overall, they said the market is down but somewhat stable for […]

Northeast Business Trends February 2026 – A New Year With Old Challenges Northeastern hardwood lumber representatives reported that tariffs, high inventory, low demand and labor struggles are causing challenges. Despite difficulties, they hope for improvement. The market, according to one Maryland lumber source, is average. “We’re trying to get some business out here on our […]

Lake States Business Trends February 2026 – Wintertime Woes Coupled With Springtime Expectations Hardwood markets across the Lake States remain steady but restrained, with suppliers describing seasonal softness, cautious customer behavior and repeat business. While activity has not fallen off sharply, most buyers are limiting exposure and ordering only what is needed for current production. […]