A closer look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics December nationwide total nonfarm payroll report, with a focus on state-by-state construction jobs, reveals that across the 48 states which reported construction job data, 28 states reported a month-over-month increase in December.
Wood Markets News
Mortgage Applications Increase for Third Consecutive Week
According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Application Survey, for the week ending January 20, 2023, the Market Composite Index (a measure of mortgage loan application volume) increased 7.0% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
Fire Significantly Damages Control Room at Canfor’s Houston, BC, Sawmill Facility
The Terrace Standard, a local newspaper in Terrace, BC, is reporting that an early morning fire on Sunday at Canfor’s Houston Sawmill facility has severely damaged an interior control room. As a result, the full reopening of the mill, which has been closed during the prior five weeks, will be further delayed.
Sinclar Group Forest Products Announces Temporary Curtailments in BC
Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd. announced on Monday that, effective January 30th, it will curtail lumber production at three locations in BC for two weeks: Apollo Forest Products in Fort St. James, the Lakeland Mills in Prince George, and Nechako Lumber Co. in Vanderhoof.
Mirax Group Agrees to Acquire Lyle Forest Products
The Mirax Group, headquartered in Abbotsford, BC, announced today that it had reached an agreement to acquire Lyle Forest Products, located in Chilliwack, BC. In business since 1972, Lyle Forest Products is a premier value-added lumber facility dealing in Pacific Hemlock and Western Red Cedar.
US LBM Announces Sale of Three Divisions to L&W Supply
US LBM announced on Monday that it had reached a definitive agreement to sell three of the company’s operating divisions to L&W Supply, an operating unit of ABC Supply. US LBM is a leading distributor of specialty building materials with over 400 locations throughout the US.
Omaha, Nebraska, Gaining New 4-Story Mixed Commercial Mass Timber Building
NBC affiliate WOWT in Omaha, Nebraska, is reporting that construction is underway on the city’s first known mass timber commercial building. The building is being touted as more environmentally friendly than most newer commercial building in the downtown area.
Shares of Mortgage Loans in Forbearance Remained Unchanged in December
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) new Loan Monitoring Survey (LMS), the total number of loans now in forbearance was unchanged from November’s reading of 0.70%, as of December 31, 2022. This marks the third consecutive month of the LMS being unchanged.
Tolko Extends Curtailments at Two BC Facilities
On Monday, Tolko Industries announced that downtime at its Soda Creek and Armstrong Lumber divisions in BC will continue through the month of February. The extended curtailments will reduce production by approximately 35 million board feet of stud lumber.
BC Provincial and Canadian Federal Government Offer Financial Support to Paper Excellence for Retooling Its Crofton Mill Facility
The Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada announced that they are contributing a combined $18.8 million (CAD) to join with Paper Excellence’s investment in retooling their Crofton Mill facility to manufacture new pulp products.