The Terrace Standard, a local newspaper in Terrace, BC, is reporting that an early morning fire on Sunday at Canfor’s Houston Sawmill facility has severely damaged an interior control room. As a result, the full reopening of the mill, which has been closed during the prior five weeks, will be further delayed.
News in lumber
Sinclar Group Forest Products Announces Temporary Curtailments in BC
Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd. announced on Monday that, effective January 30th, it will curtail lumber production at three locations in BC for two weeks: Apollo Forest Products in Fort St. James, the Lakeland Mills in Prince George, and Nechako Lumber Co. in Vanderhoof.
Mirax Group Agrees to Acquire Lyle Forest Products
The Mirax Group, headquartered in Abbotsford, BC, announced today that it had reached an agreement to acquire Lyle Forest Products, located in Chilliwack, BC. In business since 1972, Lyle Forest Products is a premier value-added lumber facility dealing in Pacific Hemlock and Western Red Cedar.
Tolko Extends Curtailments at Two BC Facilities
On Monday, Tolko Industries announced that downtime at its Soda Creek and Armstrong Lumber divisions in BC will continue through the month of February. The extended curtailments will reduce production by approximately 35 million board feet of stud lumber.
BC Government Announces New Manufacturing Jobs Fund to Support Employment and Resilient Economies
The British Columbia provincial government announced on Tuesday that it will be investing $90 million (CAD) over three years through the new BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund. The fund will focus on areas experiencing economic impacts from changes in the forestry sector.
Interfor Announces Plan to Reduce Lumber Production in Q1
Interfor Corporation on Wednesday announced it plans to reduce its lumber production output in Q1 of 2023 by at least 100 million board feet, or 8% of quarterly capacity. A press release said the move was the result of economic conditions and market uncertainty continuing to impact lumber demand.
West Fraser Announces Indefinite Curtailment of Its Perry Sawmill in Florida
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. announced today that it will indefinitely curtail its Perry Sawmill in Florida later this month. The company says the move is due to high fiber costs and softening lumber markets. The curtailment will reduce its US lumber production by 100 million board feet.
Skeena Sawmill Terrace, BC, Facility Announces 3-Week Log Intake Embargo
Citing the high cost of logs and other factors impacting its business, Skeena Sawmills announced in a press release that it had stopped receiving logs at its Terrace, BC, sawmill facility starting on Friday, January 6, 2023. The log intake embargo is scheduled to last three weeks.
USDA Announces Appointment of Four Members to Serve on the Softwood Lumber Board
The US Department of Agriculture announced on Monday the appointment of four members to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board. Each appointee will serve a three-year term, effective immediately, through December 31, 2025. The Softwood Lumber Board is comprised of 14 members.
Anthony Timberlands to Pause Production at Its Malvern Sawmill Facility for a Month
Steven Anthony, President of Anthony Timberlands, announced that effective Saturday, its sawmill operation located in Malvern, Arkansas, will pause for one month. Lumber inventory levels will be drawn down at the facility’s planner mill, at which point it too will pause operations.