The Lumber Word

Alex Mead from StoneX joins Gregg, Matt, Ashley, and Charles for a milestone Episode 150 packed with market insight. The group breaks down current lumber conditions, why the new CME SYP lumber contract is positioned to grow in the coming years, and what the Commitment of Traders Report is signaling about the next move. They discuss the wide spread between CME and spot lumber, how buyers across the supply chain are reacting, and whether being short into Q1 could be risky. Stick around to the end for early 2026 forecasts and a strong close from Matt, highlighting gratitude for the industry and why this market still matters. Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Guest: Alex Mead Risk Management Consultant StoneX Alex.mead@stonex.com

Industry veteran Sig Thoma joins Gregg, Matt, and Ashley to break down a lumber market searching for direction. The crew digs into mill fixed costs, why curtailments are so tough, and where early green shoots may appear heading into 2026. They debate contracts vs. VMI for next year, highlight what sellers are doing, and share the items they’re buying—plus the risk strategies they’re using right now. A fast, insightful episode to help you trade smarter. Guest: Sig Thoma / Industry veteran Sig@xmico.com Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com  

In Episode #148 of The Lumber Word, Matt, Gregg, Charles and Ashley sit down with Kyle Little, COO of Sherwood Lumber and current NAWLA Chairman, to talk about staying grateful in one of the toughest markets we've seen in years. Kyle gives an inside look at what NAWLA is working on to improve meetings and member engagement, while the crew runs through a quick market round robin — how short is multi-family, where inventory is hiding, 2x4 #2 R/L Chicago trading around $485–$495, and whether the three-year streak of $30 CME rolls can keep going. Who are the Long CME traders? They hit SYP futures, new potential deliverables in the legacy lumber contract, whether big buyers are stepping in, and if demand is starting to feel a little 2008-ish. The episode wraps with thoughts on growing customers in a slow market and what the industry can learn from this moment. Guest: Kyle Little COO of Sherwood Lumber and Current NAWLA Chairman klittle@sherwoodlumber.com NAWLA Contact Information Matt Bruno MBruno@nawla.org https://nawla.org/ Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

This week we welcome back one of our favorite guests — and sponsor — Matt Layman. The crew breaks down the strange mood gripping the industry: no curtailments, exhausted traders, Repair & Remodel softening, and customers disappearing into the weeds. We run through every major species, what’s cheap, what’s expensive, and how November expiration and January futures could shape the next move. Matt shares what his members are seeing across retail, multifamily, and manufacturing, while the team debates whether mills get bank lifelines or if cuts finally hit. We look at Home Depot’s outlook, immigration’s impact on the economy, and how much wood needs to come off for any kind of Q1 rally. If you’re trying to navigate this market or plan for H1 2026 business, this episode is loaded with takeaways. Come for the insight — leave smarter.   Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com  

Gregg, Matt, and Ashley dive right in this week after a jam-packed NAWLA Traders event in Kansas City. The trio breaks down the mood coming out of the show — who was optimistic, who wasn’t, and what that means for the lumber market heading into year-end. They take a hard look at the November CME lumber expiration, asking whether open interest is too high or if most of it will roll into EFPs as the year winds down. The conversation heats up around curtailments, demand signals, and what kind of event or news could realistically turn the market around — or if things are really that bad. The guys wrap things up by sharing what they’re buying, selling, and watching, plus a few ideas for what others in the industry should be considering right now. Come for the post-NAWLA insights, stay for the trading talk — and as always, walk away smarter and better looking.   Fastmarkets/CME SYP Futures webinar, November 18, 2025, link: www.fastmarkets.com/lumbertalk   Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

This week on The Lumber Word, the crew welcomes Patrick Teoli, IT specialist and owner of BluCirrus, to tackle all those tech questions that “just unplug it and plug it back in” won’t solve. From system crashes to smarter setups, Patrick keeps it real about how tech meets the lumber world. Then, things heat up fast in the lumber market discussion — and it’s a wild one. After a sharp CME selloff, fear is rippling through the supply chain. So where’s the opportunity hiding? Gregg, Matt, Charles, and Ashley break it down with their takes on Hem-Fir convergence, mills that might pull the plug, and why if you’re EFP’ing and sleeving through five people, you’re probably missing the real play. Come for the information, stay for the laughs — and leave a little smarter (and maybe better looking).   Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com   Guest: Patrick Teoli BLUCIRRUS pteoli@blucirrus.com   Show Contacts Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com  

Matt, Gregg, Charles, and Ashley are back on track this week talking about what might be the calm before the next lumber storm. The crew breaks down the quiet market tone and asks the question everyone’s thinking — are we moving from seasonal weakness into a period of strength? Charles thinks many dealers have been “good-dealed to death” over the past 60 days and simply don’t need to buy, while Gregg takes the other side of that trade. Matt shares why he’s feeling better heading into year-end, and the group circles around how the bug basis is quietly helping hedgers manage risk. They also highlight Hem-Fir’s return as a deliverable species, adding another twist to the 2025 outlook. Plenty to unpack, lots of laughs, and as always — you’ll come out smarter and better looking.     Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com   Show Contacts Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

Gregg, Charles, and Ashley kick things off with a deep dive into Southern Pine curtailments — and why they still haven’t kicked in. The crew then runs through different scenarios for when Canadian mills might finally shut down more production. Gregg predicts we could see a 7-handle on lumber in Q1 of ’26, while Charles brings up multi-family projects and who’s short that business heading into 2026. Gregg also sparks a conversation about 2026 lumber contracts and some surprising insights that follow. The team rounds things out by highlighting undervalued items and how your inventory strategy might adapt to take advantage. Join the fun — and leave a little smarter.   Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com   Show Contacts Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com  

We jump right in by challenging each other on the ultimate lumber question — what would hurt the most people the most: prices going up or down? From there, it’s a full-on debate about seasonality, market psychology, and whether this “underbought” market is actually overproduced… or maybe it’s the other way around. As usual, we dropped plenty of gems on how each of us navigates the chaos to make money in today’s market. Then the spotlight turned to SYP — is it really the species of choice when it comes to switching and optionality? This one’s fast, fun, and a little confusing — in the best way possible. You’ll have to listen to make it all make sense.   Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com   Show Contacts Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

Russ Taylor joins Matt, Gregg, and Ashley to unpack tariffs, production costs, and the week’s price moves. Could lumber really hit $800 MBF in Q1? Tune in for sharp insights and insider tips every trader and builder will want to hear. Guest: Russ Taylor Russtaylor@russtaylorglobal.com www.russtaylorglobal.com Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com   Show Contacts Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com