Lake States Business Trends September 2026 – From Source To Source, The Market Varies
Hardwood suppliers in the Lake States region described market conditions as mixed, with some reporting steady activity while others continue to see softer demand. While certain end-use markets remain healthy, particularly residential flooring in some areas, uncertainty surrounding the economy and higher operating costs continue to influence purchasing activity. Transportation has generally remained stable despite elevated fuel prices, and most sources expect little change over the next several months.
In Michigan, a hardwood supplier reported that business has remained about the same compared to 30 days ago. The company sources hardwoods from Michigan and carries Hard and Soft Maple, Red and White Oak, Hickory, Walnut and Cherry in 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses, primarily in No. 2 Common and No. 3 Common grades.
Customer feedback has been mixed, particularly in the flooring sector, where some manufacturers reported slower conditions while others remain busy. Outside of flooring, most customers continue to report healthy demand. “It seems like everything’s pretty good,” the supplier said. “I don’t think anything is crazy. I don’t think anything is real slow. All species are pretty good.”
Transportation has not been an issue, with truck availability remaining adequate despite higher fuel costs. Although hot weather has made logging more challenging, log supplies have remained sufficient. “It seems like a lot of things are just fair to pretty good right now,” the supplier said.
Looking ahead, the source expects current market conditions to continue over the next 30 to 60 days. “I think it’s going to stay pretty good,” he said.
In Wisconsin, a hardwood distributor said that business has remained steady over the past month. The contact said his operation handles mostly 4/4 and 8/4 thicknesses in Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Basswood, Ash, Aspen, Birch, Cherry, Hickory and Walnut.
Serving both domestic and export markets, he said Red Oak and Hard Maple continue to be the strongest-moving species while Basswood remains the slowest.
Residential flooring demand has remained strong for the company, although feedback from other flooring customers has been mixed. “My residential flooring market has been strong for years,” the supplier said. “I talk to other flooring people and they say it’s not so good. I’m moving my product. It’s going well.”
The supplier also noted export markets have become more diversified in recent years.
“We’re exporting to a lot more countries now than we used to,” he said. “I’ve done very little with China, and it used to be that’s just about where everything went that wasn’t domestic. I think that’s good.”
Transportation has not presented significant challenges, though higher fuel prices continue to increase freight costs. Looking ahead, the supplier expects the normal seasonal slowdown in exports during July and August before activity improves in September and October. “September and October they’ll start looking for more,” he said.
In Ohio, a hardwood supplier said market activity has slowed considerably compared to 30 to 60 days ago. The company handles 4/4, 5/4 and 8/4 Red and White Oak, Cherry and Poplar, with White Oak currently performing the best. However, the contact noted that demand has softened across nearly all species.
He attributed the slowdown primarily to economic conditions and said customers have reported weaker housing-related markets. “It’s hard to say right now. They’re all slow,” he said when asked about species demand.
Congruent with other sources, transportation has remained stable despite higher fuel costs. “Fuel rates have gone up, but we are still holding steady,” the supplier said.
Looking ahead, he said the market remains difficult to predict. “Hard to say at this point,” he said. “Anything can happen.”
