A lack of available timber from the Black Hills National Forest has prompted South Dakota-based Neiman Enterprises to announce that it was eliminating a shift at its Devils Tower Forest Products sawmill facility, which is located in Hulett, and was reducing hours at its Spearfish sawmill as well.
Wood Markets News
LP Building Solutions Breaks Ground on a New LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Facility in Bath, New York
On Tuesday morning, LP Building Solutions (LP) broke ground on a new LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® facility on 75 acres in the town of Bath, New York. The facility is expected to be operational by Q3 of 2023.
World’s Tallest Mass Timber Structure, Ascent Tower, Officially Opens in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
A historic milestone in the use of mass timber as a construction material was passed on Friday, when Korb + Associates Architects’ Ascent Tower officially opened in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Ascent Tower is 25 stories, a total of 86.6 meters, or 284 feet, tall.
Number of Homes Available for Sale in June Increases by 2%, Redfin Says
Redfin is reporting that the number of homes for sale nationwide increased by 2% in June—the first annual increase since July of 2019. Year-over-year, home sales have declined nearly 16%—the largest decline since May of 2020.
Home Prices Increased at an Annualized Rate of 19.4% in Q2 of 2022, Fannie Mae Reports
Fannie Mae, in its latest Home Price Index (FNM-HPI), reported that single-family home prices in Q2 of 2022 increased at the annualized rate of 19.4%. This is down slightly from Q1’s upwardly revised rate of 20.5%. On a quarterly basis, home prices rose a seasonally adjusted 4.3% in Q2 of 2022.
University of Michigan Preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index Released for July 2022
The University of Michigan today released its Preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index for July. The Index of Consumer Sentiment increased to a reading of 51.0 in July, up from its 50.0 reading in June. This is a month-over-month increase of 2.2%.
Canadian Investment in Building Construction Slightly Lower in May
Statistics Canada reported today that investment in building construction edged 0.2% lower in May to $20.6 billion. The downward movement is the result of many of Ontario’s unionized construction workers being on strike during the month. Excluding Ontario, investment increased 1.1% at the national level.
Tolko Industries Joins Alberta Forest Products Association
On Tuesday, the Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) announced that Tolko Industries Ltd. has officially joined the AFPA. Tolko has operated in Alberta since 1994 when their OSB mill in High Prairie first came online.
Remodeler Sentiment Drops Year-Over-Year in Q2 of 2022
The National Association of Home Builders/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) was released today. The RMI posted a reading of 77 in Q2 of 2022, declining 10 points from Q2 of 2021. This is the largest year-over-year decrease since the survey was redesigned in Q1 of 2020.
Producer Price Index for Final Demand Climbs 1.1% Higher in June—Up 11.3% Year-Over-Year
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today (7-14-22) that the Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand, seasonally adjusted, increased 1.1% in June. On an unadjusted basis, final demand prices moved up 11.3% for the 12 months ending in June.