Resolute Forest Products announced on Thursday (2-4-21) that they are going to reopen the Ignace sawmill, starting with one shift next week, and that is going to increase the on-site employment to about 25 people. Seth Kursman, Resolute spokesperson added they idled the sawmill in 2019 but kept a skeleton staff on hand, spending about $125,000 a month to maintain the mill.
News in lumber
Delays in Reopening of Kenora Sawmill Clarified by Unifor
When Itasca Capital purchased the Kenora Sawmill back in October of 2020, the company made it clear that before they could reopen the facility, they needed a steady and reliable source of logs. The Province of Ontario continues to work with the company on finding a source of wood, with the potential for the First Nations in the area as partners in the project.
Western Forest Products Cowichan Bay Sawmill Workers Ratify New 8-year Agreement
Members of Local 8 of the Public and Private Workers of Canada Union working at the Western Forest Products Cowichan Bay Sawmill have ratified and eight-year collective bargaining agreement with the company. Assuring seventy workers and their families job security through 2028.
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd Completes Norbord Inc. Transaction
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd and Norbord Inc., today (2-1-21) jointly announced that they have successfully completed the previously announced transaction, whereby West Fraser has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Norbord. Under the terms of the Transaction, holders of Norbord Shares received 0.675 of a common share of West Fraser for each Norbord Share held.
Rising Lumber Prices and Home Building Surge have Buyers in a Purchase or Do Without Predicament
With lumber prices once again on the rise, construction companies, along with pro dealer lumber yards have reverted back to purchasing hand to mouth – just enough to get by and little more.
Vinkovci, Croatia, based DI Spačva Timber Company Announces Prospective Buyers Have Started Due Diligence on the Company
DI Spačva, a timber company, based in Vinkovci, Croatia, has announced that prospective buyers have started conducting their due diligence on the company. DI Spačva consists of five factories: a sawmill, a parquet production plant, a final products factory, a veneer factor, and a bio-fuels factory.
U.S. International Trade Commission Determines Wood Mouldings and Millwork from China are Being Sold at Less Than Fair Value
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) on Friday 22nd January 2021 determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of wood mouldings and millwork products from China, that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Milan Lumber Company Announces Modernization Plans to Start in April
Milan Lumber Company, LLC, located in Milan, New Hampshire, has announced a $10 – $12 million dollar modernization plan that will make the plant safer, more efficient and hopefully more profitable. The company plans on commencing work in April, and that work will include the revamping of the planning mill and getting an additional drying kiln in operation by the fall.
Biewer Lumber Announces Plans for Second Sawmill in Mississippi
Biewer Lumber Company, with corporate headquarters in St. Clair Michigan, has announced they are in the process of developing and building a new state-of-the-art sawmill to be located in Winona Mississippi. The new sawmill is expected to be completed and operational by January 2022.
Resolute Announces the Restart of the Ignace Ontario Sawmill
Resolute Forest Products has announced that it plans to restart sawmill operations at their Ignace Ontario sawmill on February 8th, 2021. The plant was closed two years ago due to poor market conditions. However, in anticipation of improved market conditions, Resolute has kept a handful of employees working at the facility keeping it maintained and ready to restart.