“We’re well-positioned but I suspect it’s going to become a problem as the winter progresses,” said Thomas Harbom, President and CEO of Champion Shavings Corporation.
Orangeville, Ontario – Champion Shavings, the North American leader in bagged shavings for equine and livestock use, is warning of potential upcoming shortages due to a downturn in the lumber market.
With several sawmills closing or limiting production, Champion Shavings is predicting an impending shavings shortage. While Champion Shavings currently has strong supply, market conditions may create a shortage in the coming months which, in turn, may lead to higher prices.
“We’re well-positioned but I suspect it’s going to become a problem as the winter progresses,” said Thomas Harbom, President and CEO of Champion Shavings Corporation. “Forecasts show that shortages are coming, and we advise customers to stock up now, if possible.”
Champion Shavings works with 12 different lumber operations throughout Canada and the U.S., and their suppliers are also echoing their concerns.
“It is always hard to forecast but we foresee a tough lumber market for the next four to six months,” said Steeve St-Gelais, President of Boisaco, a large sawmill located in Sacré-Coeur, QC, which supplies to Champion Shavings. On the west coast, several Champion Shavings contacts agree with the assessment.
“Recently, the forest sector has seen some of the toughest times in North American history,” said Geordie Munro of Riverside Forest Products in Surrey, BC. “Both provincial and federal governments have made it more difficult for mills to get cutting permits and access fibre economically. This and a combination of market challenges, including weaker lumber demand and higher U.S. softwood lumber duty rates, which could potentially double to 30% in 2025, have caused sawmills to react with drastic measures, including curtailing production significantly or even closing up shop permanently. This reduction in the solid wood market will have a massive correlation to the amount of shavings and residuals that will be available for the bedding markets well into the foreseeable future.”
Despite sawmills limiting production due to economic pressures, the need for shavings for horse and other livestock operations does not change.
“It doesn’t matter if you operate a small barn or a large barn, you still need shavings regardless of what is happening in the economy,” explained Harbom. “If sawmills are not cutting lumber, we’re not getting shavings. The same demand for shavings coupled with less product means the shavings industry is poised for a potential shortage that, in turn, could lead to higher prices.
“If people have the ability to stock up now, it’s a better time to buy than in January and February when we expect the market to be very, very tight,” advised Harbom.
Serving both the eastern and western coasts of North America and all points between, Champion Shavings can fulfill truckload orders of approximately 1,100 bags of shavings per delivery. To order from Champion Shavings, call toll-free at 1-800-838-8002 Monday to Friday; text 1-519-941-0334; or email info@championshavings.com.
Champion Shavings products endure a rigorous dust-screening process and are kiln-dried to ensure the highest-quality wood shavings for horse and livestock owners. Combined with a commitment to friendly and reliable customer service, Champion Shavings is the easy choice for purchasing bagged shavings throughout North America.
For more information on Champion Shavings, visit www.championshavings.com.
Source: Starting Gate Communications