“Through A Knothole,” the first three pages of Random Lengths, provides comprehensive coverage of industry news in subjects such as: market analysis, changes in production, timber issues, housing market developments, price trends and comparisons, interest rate and financial market news, new products, transportation, labor negotiations, and trade issues.

“TAK” is a collection of news and analyses covering a variety of topics related to the industry. Over the course of the year, it provides you with a combination of market information and analyses that cannot be found in any other single source. Subjects covered are wide-ranging, but always related to the wood products industry. This “feature story” section of Random Lengths includes both current news and background stories. Charts and graphs often accompany the articles.

Graphs and charts of industry trends and data are frequently published in "Through a Knothole." Regular features include: Monthly Averages of key lumber and panel items; Quarterly Price Patterns of key commodities; Industry Financial Results for publicly-held companies; Housing Indicators; Trader’s Notebook, with upcoming market events; and StatLine, a weekly “at-a-glance” chart of key trends.

Industry news

One of the most widely read sections in Random Lengths, “Yardnotes” gives you the latest information on new companies, changes within existing companies, personnel changes, and news of meetings, conventions, seminars, and recent publications.

Market surveys

Valuable surveys of the industry cover production and other market trends, and provide specific industry-wide data.

Random Lengths frequently conducts surveys, the results of which are published in “Through a Knothole.” An annual survey of retailers develops information for an “Outlook” series at the turn of the year. Surveys of producers cover trends in stud production and OSB production in North America.

Retail Market Indicators track retailers’ sales expectations and inventory levels by region, taken from a monthly nationwide survey.

An annual compensation survey develops information about salaries and other forms of compensation at the manufacturing, wholesale/distribution, and retail levels of the industry. Other surveys cover opinions and attitudes of those in the industry on a variety of subjects.

Random Lengths conducts periodic surveys of its readers. This helps our editorial staff determine the topics covered in “Through A Knothole” and the space to devote to each topic.

Outlook series

Beginning in December, Random Lengths publishes a six-part series of reports designed to help you prepare for the coming year, including information on housing, repair & remodeling, international issues, timber supply, and retail markets.