Latest Articles
An Opportunity for Distributors, Cabinet and Door Manufacturers
An article published last week titled “Aging Housing Stock Bodes Well for Remodeling: National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)” highlights how the nation’s aging housing stock, combined with insufficient new-home inventory, signals that the remodeling market “is poised for future growth.” With mortgage rates remaining high but high home values fostering…
Planer / Rip Line Countdown
Last month was an exciting month for the machinists and electricians at Cascade Hardwood. After excavating and pouring a huge concrete slab, installation has been progressing on the state-of-the-art planing and rip line at our main facility. While the first few months included a ton of prep work, work has…
Nature-Inspired Wood Finishes
Nature-Inspired Wood Finishes Transform Homes and Boost Value The trend of incorporating earth-friendly wood finishes into home design, particularly in cabinetry, is gaining momentum in 2025, merging sustainability with sophisticated aesthetics. According to Zillow’s April 2025 research, homes featuring organic modernism—characterized by natural elements like wood—command up to 3.5% higher…
Impact of Trade Deals on New Housing Starts and Remodeling
Impact of Trade Deals on New Housing Starts and Remodeling Avoiding a Recession Could Keep Mortgage Rates Elevated With recent progress in the trade war between China and the U.S., including a 90-day period of lower tariffs, stocks and bond yields have risen. This raises the question: Is the de-escalation…
Sales in the Future AI Driven World
In a world filled with all things AI, what do we do in the sales business to ensure we keep the human touch? With automation and artificial intelligence playing an increasingly significant role in sales, it’s easy to see why many salespeople and business owners worry that widespread AI adoption…
Archive
The Next Big Trend In Kitchen Cabinets
Natural Materials, Uniqueness, Led By Small Shops Will Define Coming StylesOne of the key markets for distribution in North America has been the smaller 1-25 employee custom cabinet shop. These manufacturers, often self-taught or using skills handed down generation to...
12 Days Into Tariffs
Lack of China Markets Could Change The Landscape for Domestic Hardwood Supply Now that we are 12+ days into the announced tariffs, several things have become apparent. First, many Eastern sawmills have depended on Red Oak log markets in China, which are no longer...
Tariffs Create Great Confusion in Lumber Markets
Heads Spin as “Experts” Warn Of Recession or Find A Silver Lining Six days into the tariff announcement, no viewpoint has emerged on the likely impact of the tariffs. Without question, those reliant on lumber or log exports have reacted swiftly, as export orders...
Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association Wrap-Up
After attending the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association (IHLA) meeting last week in Indianapolis, I realized why I have never left the hardwood lumber industry. Despite many industry members facing unprecedented challenges, tariffs, log shortages, outright bans...
Introducing the Alder Advantage Brochure from Cascade
Your Guide to unlocking Alder's advantage over other options The Cascade Alder Advantage brochure has arrived! We recognize distribution salespeople are the lynchpin of our domestic Alder sales efforts. Creating an easy to understand, effective resource to help...
4.3% – A Key Number To Watch In The Jobs Market
Friday’s U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report showed that the labor market is getting softer, but it’s not breaking. This gives us a glimpse of what may happen over the next 10 months for mortgage rates, especially since Jan. 14, when we’ve seen them move...
KBIS and IBS Observations – Alder Has A Solid Presence
Attendance at the recently completed 2025 IBS Show in Las Vegas was high, reflecting some optimism of improved homebuilding markets to come. Thousands of people from different countries walked through the halls of the Convention Center on February 25-27. Vendors...
Poplar Prices Up/Availability Down, Making Alder a Solid Option
Since the start of 2025, Eastern Yellow Poplar prices have been increasing. Since the 1st of 2025, the #1 Common Poplar KD prices have risen by 5%. The price increases, primarily due to lower production, come as overseas furniture manufacturers return to work...
Do Record Low Hardwood Production Levels Foretell Upcoming Shortages?
This week’s Hardwood Market Report highlights record low production levels for Eastern hardwoods In today’s global economy, supply chain security for critical raw materials like lumber is under unprecedented strain. Historically, consumers and businesses...
Solid Wood Furniture Making A Comeback?
Lately, my wife has been pouring through design magazines, looking at ideas for our house. Looking through several recent House Beautiful and Architectural Design issues she had, the comeback of wood furniture was noticeable. This is excellent news for Alder as a...
Cascade Offers Band and Circle-Sawn Face Width Sorts
With many of our distribution and millwork customers focused on custom offerings, we now offer a cool solution to the growing demand for nickel-gap, shiplap, and v-joint paneling with an old-time circle-sawn or band-sawn face. More and more houses use feature walls...
The Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471) Passes the House – Heads to the Senate
Forest management has become a topic of interest for many Americans in the aftermath of the tragic fires that have plagued Southern California. Introduced in the last Congress in 2024 by Rep. Bruce Westerman, [R-AR-4], the House has passed this bipartisan,...
