As the OP, I have zero knowledge of the health or future of this company, aside from the fact that any company, including Apple Computer, is currently facing an unpredictable and tumultuous time. Tariffs. I know from an article in my local newspaper that it's a struggle for Woodstock right now, and they are facing laying off people. Current issue with EPA is a headwind for Woodstock, and they also have tariffs on imported steel, castings, and soapstone. Woodstock is a bit in worse shape regarding EPA at the moment, no idea why. Assuming the EPA continues to exist through the next few years, it seems these issues may eventually resolve. Issues with tariffs etc are shared by other stove manufacturers as well. Some may go under. I don't know the details of steel or iron sourcing, but I think it's more expensive for everyone now?
On the plus side, Woodstock makes fantastic stoves and has just the best reputation imaginable among stove makers, and they don't have to give a cut to a middleman, which may cut both ways as many people don't understand how to buy one or see one, or learn of the good reputation. I think they've done well so far?
Besides the tariffs, the current US president claims he wants to make oil very cheap, though that would be an action at odds with his obvious alliance with the oil companies. Cheap oil is bad for oil companies' bottom lines. Cheap oil would be bad for the woodstove market in general, a disincentive for wood burning, another headwind for wood stove companies, but we haven't really seen cheap oil. Expensive oil has been good for the wood stove market. As near as I can tell the price for fuel oil has been pretty flat over the last months, sometimes surprisingly stable considering some global shocks we've had recently, destabilizing events in the middle east. Right now I'd call fuel oil expensive. I'd be more surprised if it got cheap than if it got more expensive.
I'm betting that Woodstock survives. Of course it's a struggle for them right now.
