West Fraser to Close Mills in Georgia and British Columbia

On Thursday, West Fraser announced plans to permanently close its lumber mills in Augusta, Georgia, and 100 Mile House, British Columbia, by the end of 2025 following an orderly wind-down. The company said the decision reflects ongoing timber supply challenges and soft lumber markets.

At 100 Mile House, West Fraser said the mill can no longer reliably access an adequate supply of economically viable timber. Weak softwood lumber demand, higher duties, and additional tariffs have compounded the situation. The closure will affect about 165 employees and reduce capacity by 160 million board feet.

The Augusta mill closure, the company said, results from challenging lumber demand and the loss of economically viable residual outlets, compromising the facility’s long-term viability. The shutdown will impact approximately 130 employees and cut capacity by 140 million board feet.

West Fraser also announced that the 2024 indefinite curtailments at its lumber mills in Huttig, Arkansas, and Lake Butler, Florida, are now permanent. Both sites will be dismantled and sold. The company noted that its replacement mill in Henderson, Texas, has begun startup operations, while the adjacent facility has ceased production.

West Fraser said the closures will better position it to compete amid current market conditions and expects to record restructuring and impairment charges in Q4 associated with the announcement.