Redwood

By Kelth Lannlng Exec. vice president Calif. Redwood Assn

lTt he redwood I industrv expects 1975 io be a healthy year despite the dramatic drop- off in housing starts from the record levels of 1972 and 1973.

Home improvements, of course, have been a big plus of the past year and will continue to create an especially strong market in 1975. The California Redwood Assn. will again focus the majority of its promotion efforts on the garden grades of redwood (commons) and their advantages for decks, fences, trellises, benches and other outdoor home improvement projects. This year we will also promote redwood commons to specifiers in Iight of an increasing interest in adding outdoor redwood amenities on a large scale to multi-unit and light commercial projects.

Prospects for an upturn in the housing market are good in 1975, but we probably cannot expect that recovery to begin until the middle or end of the third quarter. Interestingly enough, the higher priced homes and multi-unit projectswhich make up most of redwood's residential marketare still selling at a reasonably strong pace. As a result, redwood sales have not slowed markedly, and we expect this trend to continue through the coming year.

The redwood supply picture improved in 1974 to the point where dealers can now expect prompt delivery of most orders.

Mill inventories, especially of redwood commons in demand for home improvements, are in good shape so the favorable supply picture should continue in 1975.

Story at a Glance

more promotion of redwood commons .... supply picture to continue favorable in '75 no further drop in redwood sales anticipated.