Quebec Sawmill Uses AI and Automation in Modernization Push

The St-Elzéar sawmill, operated by the St-Elzéar Forestry Cooperative Association in Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula, has undertaken a major modernization effort since 2018 centered on artificial intelligence and automation, Journal Le Soir reported (1-3-26).

The cooperative has invested CA$32.7 million in new equipment, responding to persistent labor shortages that have made it harder to staff physically demanding roles, according to general manager Christian Bourdages. The sawmill employs about 100 people.

Developed with consultant Serge Constantineau, the modernization strategy is being implemented in four phases to limit operational disruptions.

The largest gains have come in planing, where staffing was cut from 16 to eight employees while productivity tripled and product quality improved by nearly 50%. Automated systems now handle operational decisions previously made by workers. In sawmilling, AI-based detection technology identifies wood species to create more uniform drying batches.

A second phase included a $2.7 million investment to upgrade the small-diameter wood processing line. Smart camera systems now manage feed speed, increasing throughput from 325 to as much as 600 feet (99.1 to 182.8 meters) per minute in certain configurations.

Modernization has also reshaped work organization. Employees are trained to cover multiple roles, with $700,000–800,000 invested in training to shift workers from machine operators to equipment supervisors.

The St-Elzéar sawmill produces about 60 million board feet annually and serves markets in Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritimes.