Lake States Business Trends – Sources Navigate Uneven Markets And Anticipate Firm Footing To Close 2025
Hardwood suppliers across the Lake States region reported steady but uneven conditions as Fall approached. Activity was described as slower than earlier in the year, with certain species moving better than others. While flooring demand has softened, other markets remain stable, and transportation costs and availability have not posed major challenges. Export business continues to vary widely depending on country and tariff impacts, leaving many cautious about the months ahead.
In Ohio, a contact handling all domestic hardwoods from 4/4 through 12/4 described conditions as steady compared to the last 90 days. “If there is a slowdown, it’s just seasonal. Cabinet shops, millwork companies and distributors are all ordering steadily, though flooring sales are definitely softer,” he said.
“It’s just like this every year, slow,” he said, noting that while most flooring accounts have been sluggish, one of his customers in that segment is doing “fantastic.”
Source from wisconsin
His mix includes Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Walnut and Cherry, with some Hickory and Poplar in the blend.
He added that stronger Soft Maple pricing is more a reflection of tight supply than surging demand.
Roughly 10 to 15 percent of his sales go overseas, where he characterized exports as unpredictable. “It’s a coin toss right now, some countries are steady, but others, especially those with higher tariffs, are ordering a lot less.”
In Wisconsin, another source described market activity as fair, with conditions much like the prior quarter. His product mix includes Red and White Oak, Soft and Hard Maple, Aspen and Basswood in 4/4 and 5/4. “It’s just like this every year, slow,” he said, noting that while most flooring accounts have been sluggish, one of his customers in that segment is doing “fantastic.” Distributor and end-user business has been more uneven, with cabinet and furniture makers varying in order volume. Tariffs have added a layer of complication to exports, but trucking and logistics have not posed a problem. “Transportation costs aren’t an issue right now,” he explained, “and that has helped balance out the softer spots in demand.”
According to a source in Indiana, business has been stable through the past 90 days, with seasonal patterns driving activity. Handling 4/4 through 8/4 domestic hardwoods, primarily Red and White Oak, Walnut, and Maple, he said cabinet and millwork demand has stayed consistent even as flooring slowed. Distributor sales have held firm, he added, describing the lull as routine. “If there’s a slowdown, it’s because people are gearing up for winter, nothing out of the ordinary.” Labor and equipment remain ongoing concerns in the background, but not immediate obstacles.
“The fundamentals of the market are intact,” he said. “We’re just riding out the usual fall pause.”
Across the region, the prevailing sentiment is cautious but steady. While flooring continues to feel pressure, contacts in Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana alike expressed confidence that the seasonal lull will give way to stronger, more consistent orders as the year-end approaches. With transportation stable, domestic demand reliable, and a diverse mix of species moving into multiple markets, most believe the region is positioned to close the year on firmer footing.
