January 13, 2016 Freres Lumber Company operates within federally held forests and, as such, is affected by federal rules and regulations regarding timber harvesting. It’s a complicated issue with many facets that affect our business and the communities where we live. Recently the debate has been...
January 7, 2016 Happy New Year from Freres Lumber Company! Overall Market The month of December ended with stronger than expected plywood shipments to job sites in the field in most areas of the country. The Northeast enjoyed unseasonable December weather, which allowed yards to ship wood at...
December 28, 2015 Industry Overview As predicted, November saw a downturn for almost all Freres Lumber Company products due to seasonal factors. From the beginning of November to the start of December ½” 4-plywood, our primary product at the plywood plant, has slipped from $361 to $340...
December 21, 2015 When Norm Persons first clocked in at Freres Lumber Company on March 27, 1969 he brought with him a dedication that would carry him through forty-six years of steady growth within our company. Nearly half a century later, Norm is the go-to man...
November 23, 2015 Current Wood Products Market Market Outlook The western plywood market continues to be difficult for all participants. Customers continue to buy conservatively—only filling their needs—and mills continue to fight the slow grind down of prices that have characterized the marketplace over the past couple...
October 3, 2015 The 2015 forest fire season in Oregon has been a very busy one for the many firefighters who’ve risked their lives to quell the 43,000 fires that ravaged the Pacific Northwest. The Santiam region fell victim to a fire in the Niagara forest...
September 20, 2015 Wood Products Outlook There are varied opportunities and threats in the wood products markets as we enter winter. Economic weakness in China and a soon-to-be expiring Softwood Lumber Agreement with Canada has pummeled the lumber market, bringing prices to multi-year lows. There is broad...
August 13, 2015 Freres Lumber Company will soon be celebrating 100 years of doing business in the Pacific Northwest, and with that exciting benchmark comes changes that will pave the way for our company to continue its role as a timber industry leader worldwide! Beginning as a...