Inland West Business Trends
Seasonal Slowdowns Accompanied By Selective Purchasing
By Terry Miller
President
Softwood contacts across the Inland West described a market marked by seasonal slowdown, economic hesitation and selective purchasing. While each supplier noted steady inquiry levels, none reported meaningful momentum. Across the region, the tone was consistent: cautious buyers, slower movement and a wait-and-see approach.
An Idaho supplier handling Hem-Fir and Douglas Fir in 2×4 through 2×12, 8- to 20-foot material in No. 2, Stud and No. 3 grades, described current activity bluntly. “We need to burn it to the ground,” the source said with a laugh, adding, “It’s a grind. That’s the only way to describe it.” Even so, he emphasized that conditions have been worse in the past. Hem-Fir remains attractive when buyers focus on low pricing, while Douglas Fir still carries a structural premium. “If somebody is just looking for flat-out cheap fiber, Hem-Fir is king,” he explained. “But Douglas Fir still holds value because of its strength.”
His division handles 2×4 through 2×12, along with Hem-Fir studs. Market performance is mixed across major cities.
“Boise has been okay. Salt Lake has been quiet. Denver has been okay,” they said.
Multifamily business remains the weakest segment. “It’s been terrible, but it’s trying to gain some traction,” he noted.
Transportation has not been an issue for this supplier. “A lot of trucks,” he said. Looking ahead, he admitted uncertainty. “It could be six months or two years before we see the fruits of all this money flowing into the economy. I just don’t know.”
One source commented on their uncertainty regarding the market conditions over the next six months.
From Wyoming, a producer of common boards, moulding, paneling, Select & Better items, and products in Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine and White Fir, described the market as flat. “We are seeing stagnant conditions right now,” the contact said. “It’s seasonal to a degree, but there is also a great deal of uncertainty in the market that is keeping activity minimal.”
Buyers remain conservative, with most purchasing only what they immediately need. “Most of our customers are just ordering on a just-in-time basis,” he reported. Transportation remains smooth for them, but pricing sensitivity is high. “Pricing needs to match demand,” he said. Grades in their Ponderosa Pine line include knotty, clear and premium, and their product mix also includes pattern studs and pellets.
Looking ahead, he sees improvement coming, but not right away. “I believe a pickup will happen, but it will be spring before much activity is promising,” he said. The mill continues to move product steadily but is watching both economic indicators and weather closely, acknowledging that any meaningful uptick will likely follow a stronger construction season.
Elsewhere in Idaho, a supplier, handling Ponderosa Pine in 1×4 through 1×12 in No. 2 Common & Better and Standard & Better grades, reported similar conditions. When asked how the market compared to the previous quarter, the source said, “Probably worse.” Market uncertainty and seasonal slowdown are key factors. “This is always a challenging time of year for us,” they added. Their customer base, primarily distributors, is also pulling back. “Overall, I think they’re slow,” the supplier said. “It’s very common for them to want to get inventories down this time of year, but it’s probably exacerbated by economic uncertainty.”
Transportation is smooth for them as well.
Looking ahead, he was cautious. “It’s tough to tell what’s seasonal and what’s overall economic conditions,” he said. “I don’t know what the next six months is going to bring us.”
Across the region, sentiment remains cautious. Inventories are lean, buyers are selective, and price sensitivity is high. While most sources expect improvement eventually, they also anticipate that any meaningful uptick will likely be tied to spring building activity.
