Proposed legislation that would keep Alaska’s lumber production more local has just passed the Alaskan House and Senate and is awaiting Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s signature, according to radio station KDLL. The bill which was first introduced in March quickly gained support.
News in lumber
Canfor’s Senior VP of Canadian Operations Discusses Houston Mill Closure and the Site’s Future
In an interview with Houston Today, Canfor’s senior vice president of Canadian operations said that Canfor would not be making a crucial decision on whether or not to replace its closed Houston sawmill until the end of July.
Fire Heavily Damages Hood Industries’ Bogalusa, Louisiana, Sawmill
4WWL TV reported Monday that a massive fire broke out on Sunday evening at Hood Industries’ sawmill facility located in Bogalusa, Louisiana. It took more than 15 different fire departments and over 100 firefighters to extinguish the blaze.
Hampton Lumber’s Fort St. James Forest Products Ships First Lumber From New Sawmill
According to Burns Lake Lakes District News, on April 10th, Hampton Lumber’s Fort St. James Forest Products shipped its first load of lumber from its newly built sawmill. In 2019, Hampton Lumber bought the original sawmill from Conifex.
Southern Forest Products Association Reports Another Record Year of SYP Lumber Shipments
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).
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.