Buying baltic birch direct?

[ryanjg117]

As much as the movie Training Day has made me apprehensive to do direct business with the Russians, I have heard rumors that baltic birch can be source "direct" at substantial savings over what a local plywood supply or lumber yard would charge. Knowing that we have a fair share of pro woodworkers frequenting the FOG, I'm curious if that's actually the case, and what kind of minimum order quantities would be required?

 

[WillAdams]

At a guess it would be one shipping container full --- do you have a local specialty supplier?

e.g., Industrial Plywood here in Pennsylvania --- their fuel charge for delivery is pretty reasonable, and their prices quite good.

 

[blaszcsj]

Russia is not a bad country to work in provided you have decent contacts and you have written documentation. Do you have a supplier in mind? I have contacts in moscow or sverdlovsk region (western siberia) that may help you out.

Biggest issue after making contact, would be to find a local exporter to handle shipping out of russia. I think it would come down to that you really need to order an entire 20-40 ft container to make the venture worth while. Trasco and Major Expediters are some of the companies I have worked with in the past.