West Coast Business Trends
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 continue to order strictly for immediate needs.
A Washington hardwood supplier that handles White Oak and Walnut, primarily in 4/4 thickness, said overall activity in the region has been sporadic and slightly off compared to the previous quarter. “Things are a little uneven right now and definitely off from where we were last quarter,” he said.
He attributed the slower pace to a combination of financial uncertainty, declining population in some urban areas, and reduced commercial activity, noting that market conditions can vary between metro areas such as Seattle and Portland. “It really depends on the market,” he said. “Seattle and Portland aren’t seeing the same level of activity everywhere.” Rather than being booked out weeks in advance, customers are responding reactively as projects arise. “Customers aren’t booking out very far,” he said. “They’re ordering as projects come up.”
Despite uneven activity, the Washington source said White Oak and Walnut continue to move better than other species. “White Oak and Walnut are still the better movers for us,” he said. Most shipments remain centered on 4/4 material, though additional products tied to finished applications are also part of the mix. While overall volumes are restrained, demand for these core species has helped provide some stability in an otherwise cautious market.
Transportation conditions have remained stable, according to the supplier. “Transportation hasn’t been an issue for us,” he said. With access to company-owned trucks and established carrier partnerships, availability has not posed a significant challenge, though higher transportation costs remain a factor. “Costs are still up, but availability hasn’t been a problem,” he said.
Looking ahead, the supplier expressed cautious optimism for the next six months. “We’re hopeful the next six months will bring more stability,” he said. “Improved confidence is going to be key.”
In California, a distributor handling a mix of domestic hardwood species primarily in 4/4 thickness described current market activity as slow, estimating volumes to be down roughly 10 to 20 percent. “We’re probably down about 10 to 20 percent right now,” he said. Species handled include Hard and Soft Maple, White Oak and Walnut.
He said inventories at the user level are generally in good shape, which has reduced urgency and kept purchasing deliberate. “Customers are pretty well stocked, so there’s not a lot of urgency,” he said.
While no species is seeing a significant surge in demand, the distributor said Hard and Soft Maple have remained the most consistent movers.
“Hard and Soft Maple have been the most consistent for us,” he said. White Oak and Walnut continue to ship, though at a slower pace, as customers focus on maintaining lean inventories rather than building forward coverage.
A lack of urgency and a lot of caution has caused a stagnant market.
Seasonal factors were acknowledged, but the distributor indicated that current conditions extend beyond a typical year-end slowdown. “This feels like more than just seasonality,” he said.
Freight availability has not been an issue for the California distributor. Increased outreach from freight companies has highlighted softer demand conditions, with excess capacity remaining in the market. “There’s plenty of freight availability right now,” he said. “We’re hoping to see things improve as we get closer to spring.” Mortgage rates and broader economic conditions were cited as key factors influencing the timing and strength of any recovery.
Elsewhere in California, a supplier focused primarily on White Oak in thicknesses ranging from 4/4 through 8/4 reported similarly restrained conditions. He described activity as stagnant, noting that the pace is typical for this time of year. “It’s pretty stagnant, but that’s typical for this time of year,” he said. Customers remain cautious, ordering only what is needed for immediate jobs, with large order files largely absent from the market.
“Customers are buying what they need for their current jobs,” he said. “There aren’t many large order files out there.”
Transportation has remained reliable for this supplier, also supported by an in-house trucking fleet. “Transportation hasn’t been an issue for us,” he said. However, customer markets remain flat, and he does not expect a meaningful pickup in activity until spring. “I don’t expect to see much change until spring,” he said.
Across the West Coast, suppliers describe a market defined by discipline. Predominant species continue to move, transportation remains stable and most contacts expect clearer direction to emerge when spring approaches.
