Hardboard, Particleboard, and Fiberboard Products against the softwood lumber price index, both set to 100 in the first month they share
Sep 2026WPU0922 120Softwood lumber price index 142
Sources: WPU0922 (Hardboard, Particleboard, and Fiberboard Products); BLS WPU0811.
Since 2017, this index has followed the softwood lumber price index about one month later and moved about as far as it over a year.
Over the 12 months to Sep 2026, the softwood lumber price index rose 14.2% and this index rose 7.8%.
Key figures
Since Jan 2017
+20.0%
199.3 to 239.1
12-month volatility
±3.5%
std. dev. of monthly change
Largest monthly rise
+21.9%
Aug 2020
10% cap would bind
22 of 36
months, annual base reset
From Jan 2017 to Sep 2026 the index went from 199.3 to 239.1, a change of +20.0%.
Highest reading in that period: 554.5 in Mar 2022. Lowest: 181.7 in Oct 2019.
Largest one-month rise: +21.9% in Aug 2020. Largest one-month fall: -30.5% in Aug 2021.
For a clause that resets its base every year, a 10% cap or floor would have limited the adjustment in 22 of the last 36 months.
Use it in a contract
Draft clause citing this series
A starting point citing this series by name and code. Replace the bracketed terms with your contract's actual scope before use.
The [affected portion] of the Contract Price shall be adjusted using US PPI — Hardboard, Particleboard, and Fiberboard Products (BLS series WPU0922), published by BLS.
Base Period: the index value published for September 2026 (or the month of contract signing, if different) is the Base Value.
Adjustment: at each Adjustment Date, the Current Value is the most recently published three-month average of the index (the Averaging Window). The Escalation Factor equals Current Value divided by Base Value.
Cap: the Escalation Factor applied under this clause shall not exceed 1.10 or fall below 0.90 (a 10% cap and floor) in any single Adjustment Date, regardless of the index's actual movement.
[Replace bracketed terms with your contract's actual affected-portion definition and adjustment-date schedule before use. This is a drafting starting point, not legal advice.]
The standard series for engineered wood panel products, used in cabinetry, subflooring, and similar applications distinct from solid dimensional lumber.
Divide the current value of BLS series WPU083 (Plywood) by its value at contract signing, then apply that ratio to the plywood part of the price. A usable clause also names an averaging window, a rule for revised values and missing months, and a cap.
Let Escalake run this clause for you
Escalake tracks US PPI — Hardboard, Particleboard, and Fiberboard Products, applies your formula, and gives both sides a number they can confirm, no spreadsheet required.