West Coast Business Trends
Optimism Rises Despite West Coast Wildfires
Across the West Coast sources that were contacted agreed that their sales have slowed down since they were last contacted. While a source from Southern California noted that with the shock of the recent wildfires his sales are understandably a bit slower. A source in Washington noted that even though his sales seem to be spotty, it comes with the territory this time of year.
A lumberman in Southern California said, “We aren’t as busy as we usually are, but it’s understandable given the wildfires that we just experienced. Our area looks like a war zone, so everyone is still reeling from the shock of it all.”
He noted that despite the fires his sales aren’t necessarily worse than they were six months ago. “The fires are top of mind for everyone right now, but my customers are still placing orders,” he said.
His company offers White Oak, Hickory and Walnut in grades FAS, Nos. 1 and 2 Common and in 4/4 thickness. He noted that there isn’t currently one specie that is selling better for him than another.
He sells to end-use manufacturers, distribution yards and flooring companies. “Some of my customers had product in some of the homes that burnt down. So, of course they are expecting to see an uptick in their sales as the region begins to rebuild, but we are uncertain of how long that will take,” he said.
Despite the natural disaster that wreaked havoc across Southern California, he said, “I am still optimistic for what this year has to offer. I think that this is a feeling that I am seeing throughout the entire industry.”
In Washington, a lumber spokesperson said his market is spotty this time of year. “Our sales are always hit or miss during the first quarter of the year,” he said, adding that it’s still too early into the new year to see exactly how their sales will play out overall.
When asked if his sales were better or worse than they were six months ago, he said, “We are probably doing worse than we were six months ago.”
His company offers Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Walnut, Beech and Poplar in all grades and thicknesses. “The Maples are selling the best for us right now” he noted, adding that he has seen Poplar start to sell better as well.
He sells to millwork manufacturers and distribution yards. “My customers have told me that they aren’t running at full capacity,” he said. “They aren’t seeing the order volume that they need to see in order to really feel comfortable.”
A source in Northern California remarked that while his sales are soft, they do seem to be off from where they were just six months ago. “There are a lot of factors as to why our sales are down, but I think that right now the biggest one has to be the time of year,” he stated.
His company offers Red and White Oak, Maple, Cherry, Walnut, Alder, Birch, Poplar and Mahogany in FAS and in thicknesses of 4/4 through 8/4. “White Oak is still a popular choice for many of our customers,” he said when asked which of the species his company offers is selling the best. “Sapele has seemed to gain some popularity though and so has Red Oak.” He noted that he believed Red Oak’s growing popularity is due to the lower price point, as well as its availability.
He sells to cabinet shops and other end-use manufacturers and retail lumber yards. “A lot of my customers have a lot of hope for a good year throughout 2025,” he said. “While their sales do seem to be off, it isn’t by much and the market is showing signs that sales will pick up soon.”
When asked if the fires that happened in Southern California will affect his business, he said, “It might not be for a while, but they will impact us. It is going to take a lot of lumber to rebuild that area and all of those houses that were lost. With all of the product that will go into the rebuilding of that area, it will make the availability on certain items more difficult. This is something our company has seen before, since we had wildfires here in our area just a year ago.”
He did note however that 2025 continues to look like it will be a good year and that there will be plenty of jobs.
