W.L. West & Sons Ltd.
Timber Talks - August 2008

 REPORT ON THE 2008 ROTHER RAFT RACE

August Trading

Let’s get August out of the way as soon as possible!
The month was poor. Sales fell below expectations and people were away on holiday getting wet!

Wasp stings galore and  Horse Chestnut trees losing their leaves prematurely to a moth which has had wide spread effects on the Horse Chestnuts in the South of Britain. Just check the one nearest to where you live and work, fortunately this species has little value to any end user other than cord wood and pallet blocks.

The dramatic effects in the housing market have seen a very sharp drop in timber demand; Contractors have laid people off very quickly. The major house builders have shown very poor results in this last 6 months. There is still a need for more housing and a need for expansion of building areas, surely this is a call for more social housing and Government schemes to enable first time house owners to get on the ladder. Rent or shared equity schemes are required to keep the industry from stopping altogether. Interest rates are key but the balance for keeping the brakes on the economy is to ensure inflation does not get out of hand. Once you have a good team of people together it’s a major problem putting a team back together when times are better.

The next three months will be critical, in our trade usually Sept, Oct and November are the three best trading months of the year. Lets’ hope so.

People News

Karl Jennings has now joined us as part of the desk sales team and is getting to grips with the job. Karl comes from a background in kitchen fitting, building, second fix work and log conversion. He is mad on motorcross and likes a beer [don’t we all], not fussed on football though!!

Chris Harris joined us as External Sales rep for the East of our area on 1st September.  

He will be at GHQ for his induction and to work alongside Joyce in getting to grips with the area and needs of our customers. Chris will be getting into the area in due course, and is looking forward to meeting you, and perhaps renewing old acquaintances. Can we offer a thank you for your loyalty and the repeat business we have had in this last couple of months.

Trade News

Euro rates are still strong compared to Sterling and have been for some months now. However, the Dollar has changed recently from the 1.97/1.98 rates has fallen to 1.80/1.82. As a result, this will work through, making imported costs change by approx. 7/8%, this will probably take effect in late Sept/Oct as deliveries start to arrive.

The American T/T Cherry we have is still probably the best quality we have seen from the States unsteamed, and sap predictable. It is not over kilned and these ex-veneer logs are stunning, the stock is landed and so far unaffected by the above information. Maple sales are slow, Poplar is, as ever, busy. White Oak has made a bit of a come back by comparison too and in competition with Euro S/E Oak.

Black Walnut sales are firm for both the S/E and the stunning T/T Black Walnut. What is a bit of a surprise is the glimmer of increased sales in Ash. This is very good value and very underrated.

The Sapele forward contracts are firm, with no prices weakening; Idigbo has gone again into problematic supply in certain thicker sizes. Utile remains high and limited supplies ex-Cameroon but more widely based in the democratic Republic of Congo.
On the World Market we hear that some French sawmills are seeing a reduction in Oak sales to China, but this slack is being apparently taken up by Vietnam and other areas in Thailand. Some of China’s production seems to be going out to these areas where labour is cheaper! Some Government subsidies are being taken away in China now and it may start to see a gentle slowing of their economy,

Rother Raft Race

The annual Rother Raft Race took place on August Bank holiday Sunday, and what an event it was. With 68 rafts and in excess of £13,000 raised, we, with the organisers and competitors are overjoyed at this effort. If you
entered a raft, thank you. You can see a report under newsletters on our web site - see link at top of page. Or look on www.rotherraftrace.co.uk or www.timhudsonphotography.com

Fri 12, Sat 13 & Sun 14
September  Bentley Wood Fair, nr Lewes, East Sussex

W.L. WEST & SONS LTD
Selham, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0PJ
United Kingdom

Tel: 01798 861611   
Fax: 01798 861633   
E-mail: sales@wlwest.co.uk  

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