A fire on Tuesday destroyed the historic Pierson Lumber Sawmill in Clay County, West Virginia, according to local reporting by West Virginia MetroNews. The sawmill, which predominately produced hardwood lumber products, was built in 1943 by the current owner’s grandfather.
News in lumber
Canfor’s Closure of Prince George Paper & Pulp Mill to Impact Fewer Employees Than Originally Estimated
CKPGToday in Prince George, BC, is reporting that the number of predicted job losses due to Canfor’s announced closure of its Prince George Pulp and Paper mill appear to be far fewer that originally estimated. The number has been adjusted down to 90.
Canadian Natural Resources Real GDP Declined in 2022Q4
Statistics Canada reported on Thursday that real gross domestic product (GDP) of the natural resources sector declined 1.9% in 2022Q4, after increasing 1.5% in 2022Q3. In contrast, the economy-wide real GDP was unchanged in 2022Q4.
Canfor Announces Final Log Processing, Kiln, and Planer Shutdown Schedule for Its Houston, BC, Sawmill
British Columbia’s Houston Today newspaper reported Wednesday that layoff notices have gone out and the last log is set to be processed at Canfor’s Houston, BC, sawmill on March 31st. The move sets into motion the phasing out of the Houston sawmill facility originally announced by Canfor in late January.
Twin Rivers Paper Company Finalizes Sale of Its Plaster Rock Lumber Mill to Groupe Lebel
Twin Rivers Paper Company on Monday announced it has finalized the sale of its Plaster Rock Lumber Corporation, its softwood lumber mill in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, to eastern Canadian lumber manufacturer and North American forest products leader Groupe Lebel.
FEA’s Paul Jannke Expects a Decline in Lumber Consumption in 2023, but Anticipates Prices to Largely Hold
According to reporting by Lancaster Farming, in a webinar presented by Farm Credit East, Paul Jannke, a Principal at FEA, said, “In 2023 we’re looking at a 7% decline lumber consumption in North America, which equates to about 4 billion board feet.”
US Department of Commerce Announces Fifth Administrative Review of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada
On Tuesday, the US Department of Commerce published a notice in the Federal Register stating that it has initiated the Fifth Administrative Review (AR5) of the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders for certain softwood lumber products from Canada.
Alaska Legislature Looks to Move Lumber Evaluation Into Local Sawmill Operators’ Hands
A bill has been introduced into the Alaska State Senate that would allow local lumber to be used more readily in building projects in the state, reporting from KBBI shows. According to a press release from the Alaska Senate Majority, the state is struggling to meet an ongoing housing shortage.
Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau Releases New Grading Rule Book
The Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau has published a new grading rule book, titled WCLB Standard Grading Rules for West Coast & Imported Softwood lumber, No. 18, 2022, according to reporting by The Construction Specifier. The new book replaced WCLB Standard No. 17, the bureau’s previous version of the grading rules.
Resolute Forest Products to Temporarily Suspend Operations at Its Saint-Thomas-Didyme, Quebec, Facility
As reported in Le Nouvelles Hebdo, Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced Monday that it has temporarily suspended operations at its Saint-Thomas-Didyme, Quebec, facility until June 11th due to a lack of fiber.