West Coast Business Trends – April 2025
Optimism Holds Strong Throughout West Coast As Sales Remain Steady
Throughout the West Coast region sources that were contacted at press time agreed that while their markets were overall on the slower side, it was due in part to the time of year. A source in Washington stated that while his sales were lackluster, he was still doing about as well as he was six months ago with the time of year taken into account. In California a source noted that it is harder to gauge the first few months of the year to the latter half, but that overall, their business is normal.
In Oregon a lumberman said that his sales into the marketplace were normal for this time of year. “Taking into account the time of year, we are doing about the same as we were six months ago,” he added.
His company offers 60 different hardwood species, including Poplar, Red and White Oak, Walnut, Maple and Cherry. They offer all species that they carry in upper grades, Select and Better and FAS and in thicknesses of 4/4 through 16/4. When asked if there was one species that was selling better than the others, he said, “Poplar and White Oak would have to be our best sellers right now.”
He sells to end-use manufacturers such as cabinet makers and fixture manufacturers. “Their business is very similar to ours. It isn’t great but it isn’t bad for the time of year. Everyone is optimistic for this time of year,” he stated.
He mentioned that his company continues to have issues with labor, as they always have positions open.
He noted that he has already seen tariffs affect his business. “Pricing on some products that we offer have already had tariffs factored into the price for if and when they come into place,” he said. “We know that everyone in the industry is in the same boat, so we aren’t going to worry over it too much.”
A lumber spokesperson in California said that sales have remained decent. “It is tough to gauge how we are currently doing compared to six months ago. Once we get into the latter part of the year our business picks up, and that isn’t really the case for the start of year,” he said. He did note that his company is projected to be up overall this year, so he is expecting for his sales to pick up in the second and third quarters of the year.
His company offers Red and White Oak, Ash, Poplar, Birch, Walnut, Maple, Alder, Cherry, Hickory, Red Balau, Ipe, Apitong and the Mahoganies in FAS, Select and Nos. 1 and 2 Common and in 4/4 thickness. “For us Poplar, White Oak and Walnut have been very strong. Red Oak continues to be slow. Maple is stronger now, but it is one of those species that is up and down,” he stated.
He sells to custom home builders, contractors, cabinet shops, industrial manufacturers and retail lumber yards. He noted that while he hasn’t spoken to any of his customers directly about how their sales were, that he expects them to be doing well as his company’s sales are projected to be up for the year.
He said that while struggling to retain a full staff that he has had luck in attracting good outside sales representatives, and that he hopes to continue to attract good employees and to promote from within.
Far Reaching Fire Consequences
“One of our lumber yards was affected by the fires that happened in Pasadena,” he said. “We had some jobs, remodels and rebuilds, that we were getting ready to ship out that ended up being canceled because the homes were burnt down.” He noted that he expects that the destruction that the fires brought will likely increase his sales, but that this is not the way that he wants to gain business.
When asked how the tariffs will impact his business, he said, “We will have to raise our prices and that will cause people to look for cheaper alternatives like plastic, concrete and steel. I am also worried that people will be looking towards these products as they are more flame resistant than wood.”
In Washington a lumber sales representative said that his sales were lackluster and that they seem to be doing about as well as they were six months ago.
His company offers Red and White Oak, Poplar, Hard and Soft Maple, Walnut, as well as cedar and fir in all grades and thicknesses. “Poplar seems to be our best seller,” he stated.
He sells to distribution yards and millwork shops. “We have gotten a lot of comments from people saying that they are hopeful, but at the end of the day that doesn’t change how many orders have actually come in,” he said.
He noted that while his company does some imports and exports that it is a very small part of their business. “It depends on how high the tariffs are and what sectors they are imposed on as to whether or not they will impact our business directly. If they do impact us, this side of our business will likely come to a screeching halt, but it still remains an unknown entity at this point,” he said.
