Inflation trouble spots exist for hardwood logs, stumpage costs

The 19 industries in our Construction Materials and Supplies index make a diverse mix of products, so blanket statements about inflation trends are a tough sell. One thing we can say: industries that have managed to raise their prices in excess of the underlying rate manufacturing costs are few and far between.

By Staff February 10, 2004

The 19 industries in our Construction Materials and Supplies index make a diverse mix of products, so blanket statements about inflation trends are a tough sell. One thing we can say: industries that have managed to raise their prices in excess of the underlying rate manufacturing costs are few and far between. These few are good negotiation targets now.

The commercial lighting fixtures (SIC 3646) industry represents a great opportunity for plant engineers who are managing their costs. Per-unit manufacturing costs in SIC 3646 gained just 1% over the last three months. Not only did light producers pass along the entire cost hike to buyers, they also used aggressive pricing tactics to expand average industry margins by $1.30 for each $100 of output sold. To restore average manufacturing margins to levels held last November 2002, average prices for lighting fixtures would have to fall 2.1%.

The sawmills (SIC 2421) industry also has nurtured a healthy relationship between overall costs and output prices. Per-unit spending on manufacturing-related activities plus overhead increased just 2.3% from November, 02 to November, 03. During the same time span, industry output prices rose 8%. Mill operators easily shifted their added cost structure burdens on to the backs of customers and now have room to cut average prices by as much as 5.6%.

Per-unit spending on raw materials in SIC 2421 is up only 1.7% from a year ago. That’s primarily the result of falling prices for softwood bolts and logs, which is the industry’s No. 1 input. Delving deeper, we see that prices for many other key materials have actually recorded sharp gains over the last 12 months. Inflation trouble spots include hardwood logs, stumpage costs, and logging services.

Price/cost/demand roundup

Average Product Prices

Direct Mfg. Costs

Growth in U.S. End Markets

Industry
SIC
Aug 03
Nov 03
Costs are…
Grade
Aug 03
Nov 03

NC means data could not be computed.

the average producer in an industry. Grades of A to A+ mean plant engineers may be able to strike a better bargain with suppliers and better control plant costs.

All data prepared and presented by Thinking Cap Solutions, Inc., Port Angeles, WA (telephone: 360-452-6159; e-mail: ebaatz@ice-alert.com).

General Sawmills and Planing Mills
2421
-0.87
0.99
stable
C
-1.60
-1.60

Millwork
2431
0.36
0.36
stable
D
-0.92
-0.83

Hardwood Veneer and Plywood
2435
-2.18
-2.64
stable
D
-0.63
-0.55

Softwood Veneer and Plywood
2436
-0.60
15.65
stable
A+
-0.63
-0.55

Metal Partitions and Fixtures
2542
0.11
0.41
stable
F
-2.12
-1.48

Paints and Allied Products
2851
2.02
2.24
stable
C
0.58
0.11

Flat Glass
3211
0.20
0.44
stable
F
12.34
14.19

Other Structural Clay Products
3259
5.55
4.59
stable
B
-0.94
-0.83

Gypsum Products
3275
2.69
1.63
stable
D
-2.49
-2.07

Mineral Wool
3296
0.09
0.04
stable
D
0.84
0.38

Steel Pipe and Tubes
3317
9.17
7.97
rising
A
0.56
0.11

Plumbing Fittings and Brass Goods
3432
0.81
0.84
rising
F-
-1.24
-1.07

Metal Doors, Sash and Trim
3442
1.07
1.19
stable
C
-1.97
-1.68

Sheet Metal Work
3444
1.69
1.28
rising
F
8.83
10.37

Refrigeration and Heating Equipment
3585
0.38
0.29
stable
F-
0.21
0.00

Current-Carrying Wiring Devices
3643
0.08
-0.34
rising
F-
6.49
7.98

Noncurrent-Carrying Wiring Devices
3644
-0.62
-1.18
rising
D
6.49
7.98

Commercial Lighting Fixtures
3646
1.39
2.15
stable
C
-1.19
-0.98

Environmental Controls
3822
0.11
0.01
stable
F-
-1.77
-1.28