Western Forest Products Says it Will Not Restart Alberni-Pacific Division in BC

Western Forest Products Inc. announced Thursday (1-26-23) that it will not restart its Alberni-Pacific Division (APD) facility in Canada’s westernmost province of British Columbia in its current configuration. The company has established a multi-party working group to explore potential viable industrial manufacturing solutions for the facility, which has been curtailed since fall 2022.

In 2022, Western Forest Products, Tsawak-qin Forestry Limited Partnership, and Huu-ay-aht First Nations commissioned a review of long-term economically viable primary manufacturing options for APD. The report concluded the options for APD are very limited.

Over the next 90 days, the working group—which includes representatives from Western, the United Steelworkers union, Indigenous partners, and contractually-aligned business—will explore potential viable industrial manufacturing solutions for the site.

In a press release, Western’s CEO Steven Hofer said:

“We believe the coastal forest sector has a strong future and we have and plan to continue to invest in partnerships, people and facilities to achieve a long-term sustainable business model in BC that evolves with the changing fiber supply, forest policies and global markets. We are committed to exploring options with partners to advance potential solutions for the APD facility and appreciate the support of the working group members who have stepped up and joined us in this important work.”