Hampton Lumber Discusses Potential Mass Timber Investment at Burns Lake, BC, Council Meeting

On Tuesday, representatives from Hampton Lumber met with the Burns Lake Council to provide an update about the sawmill industry in the town, the Burns Lake Lakes District News reported (3-12-24).

Hampton Lumber CEO Randy Schillinger said the company wants to explore new ideas and pathways that would benefit the lumber industry’s future. He noted that lumber companies in BC are losing money and having a tough time, which was why sawmills were shutting down. “We need to see a pathway for success,” he said, according to the Burns Lake Lakes District News.

Schillinger added that there was a market for mass timber products that had yet to be developed. His company was seeking assurance from the community that it would have a supportive future based on this product.

Schillinger told the council that the company recently invested with RedBuilt to ensure mass timber products have a market. RedBuilt is a company that creates and produces engineered structural wooden products for use in commercial and industrial settings.

At the end of the presentation, Schillinger explained that with changes coming in government policies, climate conditions, and the industry itself, Hampton should come up with a different product, but the company’s primary product will always be lumber.

According to the Burns Lake Lakes District News, Charlie Rensby, Village of Burns Lake councilor, suggested that including the chief forester in these discussions would have a positive impact.

Mayor Henry Wiebe said there had been previous discussions on mass timber products, but little was discussed. Following the presentation, Mayor Wiebe said that it’s in the best interest of this industry to support communities and neighbors for its sustainability, and council will look into it.