Hows your business now? Feel a difference w/ economy prob?

aksawyer · February 08, 2009, 06:21:17 PM

I work form a small outlet yard,here in Fairbanks,ak.,they have slowed alot.Have been with them for almost 30 years so not too worried about loy-off yet".I also have a small sawmill business that me and my two sons operate.We make a high quality product that comes off our mill.Not any mills here who care to compete.Our firewood business has us totally behind at the present time,we need a log skidder very bad.Poor skid steer working over time in woods and at sawmill,and snow plowing business.

old joe · February 08, 2009, 06:36:28 PM

I retired a year ago. The town I live in has two major employers, both internationally known.
County only has about 7000 people. In the past 4 or 5 mos. about 700 laid off. Times are pretty hard for a lot of good folks.

TinMan · February 08, 2009, 07:23:19 PM

As soon as gas prices went to 4 something seems when my work building aluminum fuel tanks took Learn a dump. No one wants to buy a custom Aluminum boat when the the cost of gas is that high. No gas is down, but business never came back. Me and a few of the other guys in the shop can do many different jobs. Its the only reason I still have a job right now. Learn all you can, while you can!!!! :P Im hoping when I get my mill built i can use it when times are slow to maybe make a little extra money... ???

backwoods sawyer · February 08, 2009, 10:10:41 PM

Milling jobs have been steady this year, seems no one wants to buy from the big guys and would rather keep there money local. I am still lined out for a couple more weeks steady with more jobs coming in almost daily. The back to basic life style is on a surge.

ErikC · February 08, 2009, 11:01:08 PM

Well things are slower around here, but I am still working pretty steady. It's not hard to keep up though, it seems like a couple days work comes along every few days. I ran the backhoe for a full day this week, sawed a few thousand bdft of fir, and shod horses anytime in between. The busiest week in a while. But I can't complain, it's winter and I have some decent size work this summer lined up. I agree the back to basic thing is a factor. Putting in road and pads for little cabins, then cutting the lumber are a couple of the jobs I have coming up.

jpgreen · February 11, 2009, 12:59:14 AM

I'm putting together a machine shop here at the house, and learning machining,. I've got some designs that I sell out of the state, but you gotta go with the flow these days and be creative. I don't see doom and gloom. Just when I read the news .. :D

Eric-

We autta get together for a cup of coffee here some day. Do you have a dozer? I need some work done., I just picked up 6 more acres up here.

Pat ... 8)