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– German manufacturers of window scantlings have continued to enjoy a high level of order receipts in recent weeks. The positive run of business seen so far this year has therefore continued in the summer months. Although demand between mid July and mid August quietened down slightly on account of the main holiday season, that decline was rated by various window-scantling suppliers as lower than in preceding years. In addition, producers report relatively high order books which are sufficient to safeguard production at least until mid September, following which German suppliers expect a further increase in sales in the approaching autumn business. First signs of brisk autumn business have evidently already emerged. At the same time, market participants estimate that the branch continues to profit from the promotion of energy-related renovation and the uncertain situation on financial markets, as a result of which end users are again increasingly investing in property and renovation work.
Current supplies of window scantlings in Germany mostly appear to be sufficient, although there are some reports of bottlenecks or delays for individual ranges. For example, scarce supplies of meranti scantlings have led to excess demand. Several importers are even reporting delivery times of three to four months for the procurement of high-quality meranti scantlings in Indonesia and Malaysia. There are also recurring delays in deliveries of window scantlings made from Siberian larch on account of scarce supplies. Overall, the supply situation for scantlings made from indigenous wood species such as spruce and pine is described as broadly unproblematic.
Selling prices to the wholesale trade have remained steady on the German window-scantling market in recent weeks. Only in the case of meranti scantlings have scarcity of supply and consequent rising buying prices also resulted in roughly 7%-higher selling prices. Importers’ asking prices for triple-bonded meranti scantlings in standard qualities have therefore reached at least €6.0/linear metre ex warehouse and for higher-quality goods at least €7.0/linear metre ex warehouse. Suppliers state that earlier market asking prices of €5.6/linear metre for more ordinary or €6.5/linear metre for better qualities are no longer negotiable. At the same time, part of the increase in procurement prices invoiced in US dollars has been compensated for by the currency-exchange trend between the US dollar and the euro. Following a brief stabilisation in June, purchase prices for triple-bonded meranti scantlings (72x86mm) with a bulk density of at least 450 kg/m³ increased most recently to an average of between US$7.50 and US$8.0/linear metre c+f North Sea ports. The price level in June was still at between US$6.80 and US$7.50/linear metre c+f. At the same time, the rise in buying prices for Siberian larch scantlings seen in recent weeks was fully compensated for by favourable currency-exchange developments, so that selling prices remained broadly stable according to importers. A slight increase in selling prices of 5 to 10 ct/linear metre for spruce scantlings was introduced in July by some suppliers, who claimed to have thereby brought forward the price hikes pending for autumn business.
31.08.2011
Roundwood/Sawnwood
- Prices for eastern Siberian larch lumber remain largely stable in August despite holiday season
- 10 % reduction registered in Russian lumber exports
- Felling in Russia in July 2011 lower than in June
- Northwest Russian spruce lumber continues to lose market shares within Central Europe
- Latvian roundwood exports increased by as much as 26.1%
- Felling practically no longer hampered by forest fires
- Finland: Growth recorded in softwood lumber output until June
- United Business Media takes over Ecobuild
- Finland: Log deliveries still below last year‘s level
- Softwood lumber shipments down in North America in the second quarter
- Further growth in softwood lumber output until March
- Brisk demand for logs keeping price situation largely stable in Austria
- Hardwood lumber markets in UNECE revived slightly in 2010
- Lumber exports recovered in second quarter 2011
- Structural panels production declined again in Q2
Wood products
Wood-based panels
- Latvian plywood exports still higher than this time in 2010
- Demand for radiata pine plywood bounces back slightly after summer holidays end
- FFIF: Finnish plywood output grew again
- North American OSB manufacturers enjoy significant increase in exports
- North American composite panels producers‘ capacity utilisation rates stay low
- Slowdown in deliveries continued in second quarter
- GreCon wood-based panels seminar in Hanover
- Demand for MDF/HDF has undergone slight post-holiday revival since mid-August
- IHD Dresden holding ninth wood-based panels colloquium
- Summer reductions push OSB prices below last year‘s level again
- Slump in German particleboard exports persists
Furniture
- Demand for bathroom furniture remained brisk in July/August
- Fittings manufacturers anticipate possible renewed downturn in export markets
- VdDK members‘ order value up 5% in first half-year 2011
- Kitchen furniture industry sales 6% up on last year until June
Building products
Construction
- Housing construction again shows satisfactory trend
- Japan: Residential building increases by 5.8 % in June
Trade
Companies
- Lammhults: Office furniture segment improves turnover
- Slovenian furniture producer Javor Pohištvo bankrupt
- Javor Group: Another subsidiary files for bankruptcy
- Alno granted initial loan of €3m by Müller‘s Comco
- Forte enjoys strong growth in Q1 revenues and profits
- Eggerath: Business operations continue with work force of 60
- Kinnarps Deutschland bundles production in Worms
- Looser: Results forecast for 2011 corrected downwards
- Klostermann Küchen still up and running for time being
- Lowe’s: Turnover and result stabilising again
- Home Depot recovers again in the second quarter
- BlueLinx: Downward trend continues in Q2
- Temple-Inland: Timber business continues to operate at a loss
- IP: Take-over offer now extended until September
- Metsäliitto: Paper activities impose a strain on result
- Start-up in Braviken imposes strain on Holmen result
- Kurekss new sawing line starts up in fourth quarter
- Södra: Fire causes stop in production at Mönsterås
- Lafarge divests itself of gypsum operations in Asia
- Delignit: Results back in the black in first half of 2011
- Rougier books slowdown in revenue growth
- Pfleiderer Grajewo improves result again
- Gascogne records increased turnover in the first half year
- Uzin Utz shows further growth in turnover and result
- Roseburg to close two plants in South Carolina
- Resopal improves turnover by 17% in first six months
- Raute back in the black in the second quarter