Hardwood Floors October/November 2024

IN 2024, PRICING FOR THE PRODUCTS I SELL HAS :

MANUFACTURERS

What are you most worried about in 2024?

Stayed about the same (-2 to +2%) Increased somewhat (3 to 7%) Decreased somewhat (-3 to -7%) Increased significantly (8%+) Significantly decreased (-8%+)

0

27

1. Economy 2. Political climate 3. Commodity-level pricing

50

23

0

5%

0%

15%

10%

35%

25%

55%

30%

45%

20%

50%

60%

40%

raw material costs come from demand for white oak, limited availability, market conditions, and poor weather conditions. Other responses included: • “Manufacturing inputs have increased across the board.” • “Supply and demand influence costs, availability, and the cost of shipping and handling in moving material.” • “Most materials are staying the same, but the white oak lumber market is very tight, and the price is skyrocketing.” • “Sawmills are extremely stressed due to wages, fixed costs, log prices, and government regulations.” Nearly 70 percent of manufacturers in the survey have adopted automation and other technology to stay competitive. Examples include: • CNC routers • Moulder and defecting equipment • Auto-nesting machine

IN 2025, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT YOUR PRICING WILL DO?

Stay about the same (-2 to +2%) Increase significantly (8%+) Increase somewhat (3 to 7%) Decrease somewhat (-3 to -7%) Significantly decrease (-8%+)

0

42

54

4

0

5%

0%

15%

10%

35%

25%

55%

30%

45%

20%

50%

60%

40%

IN 2024, RAW MATERIAL COSTS HAVE:

35

STAYED THE SAME

DECREASED

8

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• EBI scanners • OSI planner • Saw and conveyor automation • Robotics

INCREASED

IN 2025, DO YOU EXPECT RAW

STAY THE SAME

38

When asked if there was value in specifying NWFA Certified Professionals using products, many respondents said yes. “Our customers are making big investments, and we want those to be good investments,” said Buxton. “A big part of that is proper installation. Having certified installers helps our customers feel confident in their investments.”

MATERIAL COSTS TO:

DECREASE

12

50

INCREASE

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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