Throughout the West Coast region sources that were contacted noted that their sales continue to be slower than they were six months ago.
In Washington, a lumberman said that his sales are slower than they were six months ago and that he believes this is due to the lack of building activity in his area, as well as how high interest rates continue to be. “We are cutting about half the volume that we are used to, but the margins are better than they have been,” he added.
His company offers Alder, Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Walnut, Ash and Poplar in a variety of thicknesses and in grades No. 2 Common and Better. “Two months ago, White Oak was our best seller, but today we don’t really have one specie that is out selling the others,” he said.
He sells to millwork and cabinet manufacturers and distribution yards. “Some of our customers have told us that their business has been steady, while others have said that their business is still job to job,” he commented.
In Oregon a lumber supplier said that while his sales have slowed, likely due to the time of year, he is seeing signs that his sales may start to pick up. “Everyone is looking at the economy and the interest rates, waiting to see what happens before they stock up,” he noted.
His company offers a wide variety of species including Red and White Oak, Walnut, Maple, Ash and Hickory in thicknesses of 4/4-16/4 and in all upper grades. He mentioned that Poplar is their number one specie.
His company sells to cabinet, furniture and store fixture manufacturers. “My customers aren’t buying at the pace that they were. They have all told me that their sales are slower than they are used to,” he remarked, adding that if they aren’t trying to find new jobs, they are trying to finish the ones that they are currently working on.
He said that when it comes to transportation, he doesn’t have any issues domestically but has run into some issues when it comes to his imports.
“We are always looking for good people to work for us, but that is most small businesses today,” he said when asked if he was having issues with labor.
A lumber spokesperson in California said that his sales aren’t what they used to be. “We are doing just about as well as we were six months ago, but for over the past year it has been order to order with no real back log.”
His company offers White Oak, Hickory and Walnut in grades FAS and Nos. 1 and 2 Common and in 4/4 thickness. “White Oak has to still be my bestseller right now,” he mentioned.
His company sells to end use manufacturers, distribution yards and flooring manufacturers. “All of my customers are also order to order. I’ll talk to them early in the week and they won’t need anything, then at the end of the week they have an order, so I have an order,” he said.
