According to a press release issued on Monday by the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA), shipments of Southern Pine lumber recorded a year-over-year increase in 2022, marking thirteen consecutive years of growth. Shipments in 2022 totaled 22.16 billion board feet (Bbf).
News in lumber
Tolko Announces Permanent Elimination of Second Shift at Its Soda Creek Sawmill Facility
Sixty-five employees at Tolko’s Soda Creek Sawmill will be without work, as the company announces its plans to permanently eliminate the second work shift, according to a local report by “CFJC Today.” Tolko says it will work with its employees to determine a date for the change.
Tolko Announces It Will Temporarily Eliminate One Shift at Its Armstrong, BC, Sawmill
“Castanet” is reporting that Tolko will temporarily eliminate one shift at its Armstrong, BC, sawmill. Approximately 65 employees will be off the job for the foreseeable future. The company’s plywood and co-generating facilities will not be impacted.
Binderholz Holds Grand Opening at Its Enfield, NC, Sawmill Facility
Last Thursday, Binderholz Enfield LLC held a ceremony to commemorate the official opening of its lumber production facility located near Enfield, North Carolina, according to The Daily Herald.
Proposed Bonfield, Ontario, Sawmill Loses License Bid
Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has announced that it will not be issuing an operating license to International Wood Industries for its proposed sawmill in Bonfield, Ontario. The original proposal dates back to 2017.
Canadian Lumber Production Up 17.4% Month-Over-Month in January
Statistics Canada reported Tuesday that lumber production in January increased 17.4% month-over-month to 3,811.5 thousand cubic meters. Sawmills shipped 3,682.6 thousand cubic meters of lumber, up 9.0% from December but down 4.5% from January 2022.
Fire Destroys Pierson Lumber Sawmill in Clay County, West Virginia
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.
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.