INDUSTRY UPDATES FROM MINER'S

Late February 2012:

What a winter we have had!!  We actually haven't been hit with massive snow and cold weather.  Miner's has worked hard to stay well stocked with product for these unexpected jobs that may start ahead of time simply due to the weather.

The market is annoying.  After years of excess supply, the mills have reduced production and now small demand is relativly equal to small supply.  Mills are cutting product when it is ordered.  They don't have any reason to make deals to move product.  Any demand will raise prices. 

Plywood has traction mostly due to short supply and the total burning of Arauco's largest plywood mill.  Many domestic mills have switched some production to underlayment thus puting constant upward pressure on CDX.

Fuel is going to be the big question this year.  What little momentum our industry has will be hampered by any increase in the cost of fuel.  Those out there that say inflation is minimal haven't had to buy anything recently, especially food.  The single largest concern we have is what will the cost of oil do this year. 

Opportunities will exist this year, it should be a good year.  However, we will all need to continue working hard.  The recession may be over (by statistics) but we have a long way to go. 

August 2011:

The weather has not been on our side recently.  The hurricane did cause an uptick in prices but with our inventory, we have been able to weather that storm and keep prices steady. 

Shingle increases have been put on hold for two weeks, who knows what they will do. 

As more develops we will post more.

July 2011:

• Trucking has become a major issue. There are now a significantly less number of trucking businesses. Freight rates have been rising due to the lack of truckers and the price of diesel. Orders that could be expected in days now may take a week or more to receive. Miner's will work to maintain our large inventory to avoid potential outages.

• The dimensional lumber market is trending higher due to mill curtailments and a slight upward tick is expected for most of the summer.

• Plywood price is staying flat.

• Pressure treated pricing remains flat.

• Roofing shingles and sheetrock are increasing monthly at a rate of 10% or higher. We are unsure when this increase will end.

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