A proposed timber mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada that is expected to create 700 new jobs in the area moved one step closer to becoming a reality when One Sky Forest Products OSB received its timber allocation from the province. The province did not say how much it was allocating but said the majority of the timber would be from the province…
News in mill capacity changes
Idaho Forest Group Announces Plans to “Indefinitely” Suspend Operations at their St. Regis, Montana Sawmill
Idaho Forest Group (IFG), a private company based in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, announced on Monday, August 30, 2021 that it intends to indefinitely suspend operations at its St. Regis, Montana operation by late November. The St. Regis mill employs 99 people and has contracts with loggers and haulers, some of whom may continue delivering logs to other IFG mills in Northern Idaho.
San Group Opens New State-of-the-Art Small Diameter Log Sawmill in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island
The San Group, the Langley, B.C.-based company, is putting the finishing touches on the first new sawmill to be built on the B.C. coast in 15 years. The greenfield sawmill/reman operation is located in Port Alberni, on Vancouver Island. Unlike most mill operations on the B.C. coast, the new Port Alberni sawmill is specifically set up to handle smaller, second growth timber.
Resolute Forest Products Announces Additional Funding for the Expansion of the Fort William First Nation Sawmill
On Wednesday (8-25-21), Resolute Forest Products, which owns or operates 40 facilities in Canada and the U.S., as well as power generation assets, announced that it was increasing their investment in its sawmill on Fort William First Nation site, from the previously announced $13 million (CAD) to $17 million.
Canfor Corporation Announces Production Cuts at B.C. Sawmills Starting Week of August 30, 2021
Canfor Corporation announced on Tuesday (8-24-21) that it will be implementing operation reductions at its BC sawmills, with the exception WynnWood, commencing the week of August 30, 2021. As a result, Canfor’s BC mills are expected to operate at approximately 80% of production capacity and operating schedules may continue to vary as economic conditions warrant.
Woodgrain Inc. to Expand Operations in Southwest Virginia
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced on Friday (8-20-21) that Woodgrain Inc., a family-owned business based in Idaho and one of the largest millwork companies in the world, will be investing $9 million to expand its operation in Smyth County and investing more than $8 million to purchase and expand the former Independence Lumber sawmill in Grayson.
Conifex Timber Inc. Announces 2-Week Curtailment at Mackenzie, B.C. Sawmill Starting Monday, August 23, 2021
Conifex Timber Inc. announced on Friday (8-20-21) that it will be temporarily curtailing production at their Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada sawmill for two weeks, starting on Monday, August 23, 2021. The bioenergy operations will remain uninterrupted.
Western Forest Products Completes Sale of Properties, Including Somass Sawmill, to City of Port Alberni
Western Forest Products (WFP) announced Thursday (8-12-21) that it has completed the sale of certain properties, including the Somass Sawmill site to the City of Port Alberni for $5.3 million.
Interfor Corporation Announces $30 Million Expansion Plan at Summerville, S.C. Sawmill
Interfor Corporation has announced that it plans to expand its sawmill operations in Summerville, South Carolina. Interfor plans on investing $30 million (USD) to increase production capacity needed to “meet growing demand for its products, improve manufacturing productivity, and enhance product mix.”
Canfor Reopens Houston B.C. Sawmill as Rail Congestion and Wildfire Concerns Ease
The Houston B.C. Today Newspaper is reporting that Canfor reopened their Houston Mill facility on Monday, August 9, 2021. This follows a two-week shutdown caused by rail system bottlenecks and other problems in southern B.C. resulting from wildfire outbreaks in the area.