Citing “acute transportation challenges,” Conifex Timber Inc. announced on Monday that it was reducing its operating schedule at its Mackenzie, British Columbia, sawmill facility to a one-shift basis for up to six weeks.
News in lumber
Tahoe Forest Products Ready to Start Construction on New Sawmill
Tahoe Forest Products, in a partnership with Washoe Development Corp., an affiliate of Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, announced on Tuesday that they have officially leased 40 acres and plan to build the first major sawmill in the region in decades.
Lumber Production Increases in Canada in May; Remains Down Year-Over-Year
Statistics Canada reported on Friday that lumber production in Canada increased 7.2% month-over-month (April 2022 to May 2022) to 4,649.5 thousand cubic meters. However, year-over-year production (May 2021 to May 2022) was down 5.3%.
West Fraser Announces Permanent Production Curtailments at Fraser Lake and Williams Lake Sawmills and Quesnel Plywood Mill
West Fraser Timber announced on Tuesday that it is permanently curtailing approximately 170 million board of combined production at its Fraser Lake and Williams Lake sawmill facilities and approximately 85 million square feet of plywood production at its Quesnel Plywood mill.
Canada to Challenge US Softwood Lumber Duties Under USMCA
On Thursday, the US Department of Commerce issued the final determination on its third administrative review (AR3) of US imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada. In response, Canada said that it intends to challenge the final determination, including through launching a dispute settlement process under the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA).
US DOC Issues Final Determination in the Third Administrative Review of US Lumber Imports from Canada
On Thursday, August 4th, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) issued the final determination on its third Administrative Review (AR3) of US imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada.
BID Group Completes Purchase of Smith Sawmill Service
The BID Group announced on Tuesday that it has successfully completed the purchase of Smith Sawmill Service, which was announced in June. Smith is one of the largest suppliers and service providers of saws, cutting tools, filing room equipment, and critical consumable products to the wood processing industry.
Jasper Lumber Co. Receives Supplemental Funding to Support Mill Expansion and Production Growth
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey recently announced supplemental funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission has been made available to augment the $300,000 Community Development Block Grant, awarded in March 2022, to assist Jasper Lumber Company to boost its production and create 60 new jobs.
USNR Acquires Timber Automation Company
USNR, a division of Wood Technologies International, announced on Thursday that it had acquired Timber Automation Company, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. According to USNR’s press release, the combination will add more than 250 employees and 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
Western Forest Products Inc. Selects Steven Hofer as Next President & CEO
Western Forest Products Inc. on Thursday announced that effective September 7, Steven Hofer will assume the role of its President and CEO, as well as a member of the company’s board of directors. Mr. Hofer succeeds Don Demens, who will remain at Western in an advisory capacity until March 31, 2023.