On Friday, January 27, 2023, the US Department of Commerce published in the Federal Register two notices concerning “Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada.”
News in lumber
Western Forest Products Says it Will Not Restart Alberni-Pacific Division in BC
Western Forest Products announced that it will not restart its Alberni-Pacific Division facility in its current configuration. The company has established a multi-party working group to explore potential viable industrial manufacturing solutions for the facility, which has been curtailed since fall 2022.
Canfor Announces Restructuring of Its BC Lumber Operations to Better Align With Long-Term Timber Supply
Canfor announced on Wednesday that it is restructuring its BC operations to better align manufacturing capacity in the province with available long-term timber fiber supply. As a result, Canfor said it was permanently closing its Chetwynd sawmill and pellet plant.
FEA’s Paul Jannke Provides His 2023 Lumber Markets Outlook
In a featured article appearing in the Canadian Forestry Newsletter on January 25, 2023, Forest Economic Advisors (FEA) lumber analyst and principal Paul Jannke has provided his expert insight and in-depth analysis of the lumber markets for 2023.
Fire Significantly Damages Control Room at Canfor’s Houston, BC, Sawmill Facility
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.
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.