Blazer (West Oregon Wood) closed their doors this week

Unfortunately, this might be one of a few. A call to their corporate office confirmed the closing.

 

that sucks,never seen or tried them but hate to see a mill get closed.

 

OMG, just bought a ton of the blazer 2 weeks ago, and haven't burned any yet. Surprised one of the BEST pellets made is closing its doors.

 

Shocked and feeling a bit sad. I would like to think that the best products survive the market.

 

This is awful. It was always a very popular product around here, and I will miss them.

 

WOW...no pun intended. I really liked these this year and thought I found the "go-to" pellet.

 

That stinks. Glad to have had the chance to burn some of their pellets in the final year of production.
Just goes to show how fragile business can be sometimes. Takes more than a good product.

 

Steve, where did you hear this? I'm surprised Artc didn't know about it. I just checked their website, there's nothing on there.

 

No, website is still up but call the number on the website and listen to the recording.

 

I'm assuming you did so I'm not going to. I was just hoping it was a rumor started by a certain salesman.

 

There have been hints here for a while....

Agreed... no one wants to see any business close.
It usually means a lot of people will be negatively affected..

Dan

 

The recording said with deep sadness the had to close and they thanked their many customers over the years. It really was sad listening to that, it somewhat reminded me when we had to close our family owned circular kitting mill some time ago.

 

Could be...

Let's think positive....

Dan

 

Pellets as a home heating fuel are an alternative heating method for most people who use them. The majority of burners burn pellets to save dollars. If those same people have another fuel available that saves money over pellets that is what they will burn. Most competent people will consider all costs including the value of their time when making their determination.

As long as HHO hovers around 2 bucks a gallon the same factors that drove people to pellets will drive them to oil. As for the industry -- It will need to find ways to compete at these lower price points or it will shrink to the point where a smaller production capacity meets a smaller demand.

This is likely one first cracks (there have been some others) in the supply chain as it adopts to a new reality.

The long term answer is probably for the stove makers to develop more forgiving equipment so that cheaper grades of pellets can be efficiently burned. Even so, with cheaper Dino fuel the market seems destined to step back for a while.

The unintended consequence of the coming contraction is that the market will likely tighten and pricing will likely rise. This has the potential of becoming a spiral that relegates the industry to becoming a bit player in the heating market for the foreseeable future with all the implications that implies.

 

Understood JT.

A lot of folks will feel the same. Each of decide what is in our best interest.

If I was younger I would be using wood (still). However, that was then.

In our case it is time to prepare this place for eventual sale if one of the kids does not want it (and at this time there is little interest on their part). A modern central system is necessary to that end so that weighs on our decision.

Even so, I have also considered heat a necessity that needs to be dealt with at the lowest possible cost. For many years it was wood (and still is actually). For a couple, pellets. Now it appears oil will fill that bill. I do not mind having options and hopefully some future owner of this barn will feel the same.