Conditions in the Redwood Industry

Bv Selwvn J. Shorp

California Redwood Association

Reports received by the California Redwood Association show that shipments for the first five months of 1933 were slightly less than 96 per cent of those for the same period of. 1932. However, no static figures give a picture of the first half of this year.

Activity for the first quarter of the year remained at approximately the low level of the end of. 1932, helped out somewhat by heavy shipments of highway timbers. During the last part of March there was an increase in inquiries, orders and shipments. Orders accepted in April increased to above the volume of a year ago. In May they were more than double a year ago, 60 per cent above May, 1931, and the largest month in three years. June has shown continued activity.

The volume of shipments during the second quarter have increased, but have lagged behind orders, resulting in the heaviest order file since 193O. Shipments approximated those of 1932 in April, were 15 per cent above a year ago in May, and in June will total far above a year ago and approximate the largest months of 1931.

Because of heavy cutting orders, production was slightly above that of last year during the first quarter. During

May And June Sales Better Than Last Year

"Our May and June sales this year are approximately 25 per cent ahead of last year's," said L. J. "Larue" Woodson, manag'er of Nicolai Door Sales Co., San Francisco, to a representative of this paper. "Sales in the first four months of the year were below those of 1932, so the upturn is very encouraging. Door and plywood plants in the Northwest have at least a 60-day order fiIe."

OAKLAND YARD HAS NE\,l/ MANAGER

Henry Meyer, well known San Francisco Bay district lumberman, has been appointed manager of the Oakland Lumber Company's yard in Oakland, succeeding W. E. Murlin, who resigned his position on account of ill health.

the second quarter production has been the lightest of any three months in recent years-which means that it set a low record for the modern Redwood industry. The volume will probably be increased after the middle of the year.

The peak stocks on hand at the begining of 1931 have been reduced by about ,CI million feet in each of the last two years. The redlrction during the first half of 1933 will be nearly as great as in each of these years. Total unsold stocks of Redwood for the whole industry are estimated at 315 million feet at the present time. This total volume is still large in comparison with consurnption of the past two years, but stocks are badly broken and many items are scarce and in strong demand.

The figures for the first five months are:

The mills reporting these totals shipped 87 per cent of the total Redwood shipments last year.

L. C. STEWART BACK FROM NORTHWEST

L. C. Stewart, vice-president o{ Sudden & Christenson, San Francisco, sailed from San Francisco June 1 for Victoria, B. C. on the Grace liner Santa Rosa, taking his car along, and drove back to San Francisco after spending some time in the Northwest, where he visited Seattle, Portland, Grays Harbor, Willapa Harbor and other points. Mr. Stewart found all the millmen he saw very busy and very cheerful.

HARDWOOD IMPORTER VISITS L. A.

George Cornitius of the Geo. C. Cornitius Hardwood Co., San Francisco, left June 16 for a week's business trip to I.os Angeles. Mr. Cornitius says hardwood demand is strong and prices firm, with some items of Philippine scarce.