Across the West Coast, sources that were contacted agreed that their sales continued to stay on trend for what they have been over the course of the past year. While a source from California noted that he’s pleased to see an upward trend in his sales over the last three years, a source in Washington stated that he has noticed that his sales are not what they were three years ago.
A lumberman in California said that his sales have continued to remain steady. “We continue to do about as well as we always have. Our customers continue to place orders as they are in need of our products and they come to us because they know that we are going to have what they need.”
He mentioned that while his sales are what they typically are for the winter season, he has noticed that his sales are starting to trend up from where they were three years ago.
His company offers White Oak, Hickory and Walnut in grades FAS, Nos. 1 and 2 Common and in 4/4 thickness. He noted that at the time of this writing, there wasn’t one specie that was selling better for him than the others.
He sells to end use manufacturers, distribution yards and flooring companies. “My customers haven’t let on that they are dissatisfied with their sales but I can tell that they are experiencing a slight downturn, which is likely due to the time of year,” he said.
He noted that continuing to have a positive outlook at the market has helped his business and he is very hopeful that 2025 will continue to be a better year.
In Washington, a lumber spokesperson said that his sales have continued on the same trajectory over the past year. “We have seen some changes and have experienced some challenges, but they are marginal compared to past years.”
While he noted that his sales are about what they were several months ago, he also remarked that they are not what they were three years ago. “I think that the economy has continued to play a large role in why our sales aren’t what we would like for them to be,” he added.
His company offers Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Walnut, Beech and Poplar in all grades and thicknesses. “We don’t really have one specie that is selling better than the others, but I have noticed that our upper grades have sold the best for us over the course of the past year,” he noted.
He sells to millwork manufacturers and distribution yards. “Our customers have said that their sales are sporadic. They tell me that they are busy for a few weeks and then their sales die down,” he said. “The largest problem they are experiencing is stability and consistency in the marketplace.”
Another source in California remarked that his sales are soft and have remained that way over the past six months. “Part of the reason that sales aren’t what we want them to be is due to the time of the year and weather,” he said, adding that this was also the case several months ago, as the area in which his company is located was fighting heat and the threat of wildfires in the middle of the summer.
His company offers Red and White Oak, Maple, Cherry, Walnut, Alder, Birch, Poplar and Mahogany in FAS and in thicknesses of 4/4 through 8/4. “White Oak has continued to be one of our best sellers as it is still one of the most desired species, but we have noticed that some of our customers are switching over to Red Oak from the White Oak,” he said. “We have also started to sell more Poplar.”
He sells to cabinet shops and other end use manufacturers and retail lumber yards. “Some of our customers are really looking forward to what 2025 has to bring and they believe that it will be good,” he said. “We do have some customers that are always worried about the economy but we are optimistic for this year.”
He noted that while he hasn’t had issues finding transportation that the cost of freight has continued to be something that his company watches.
