Mill Companies Making Moves

• Columbia FP Acquires Pro Pallet In Pennsylvania

After entering the pallet and packaging market in 2022, Columbia Forest Products has continued expanding into the market with the purchase of Pro Pallet, a pallet recycler and manufacturer with operations in Dover, York and Harrisburg, Pa. Columbia first entered the market four years ago with acquisition of JC Pallet with operations in Virginia and North Carolina. According to company officials, the Pro Pallet acquisition represents a “strategic expansion” of Columbia’s presence in industrial wood products and supply chain solutions.

• JD Irving Forest Doubling Lumber Output At Ashland Sawmill

Investing in its U.S. subsidiary, JD Irving Ltd. is expanding production at its Irving Forest Products sawmill in Ashland, Maine. The investment will roughly double production there from 130MMBF to 250MMBF. The expansion will also mean the addition of 80 new jobs at the mill, raising the total to 220. The expansion has been assisted by Maine’s New Markets Capital Investment Program that seeks to boost economic development and growth in economically depressed areas. The expansion also ensures the mill remains one of Aroostook County’s largest employers. JD Irving Ltd. is based in Saint John, New Brunswick, with Maine headquarters in Fort Kent. JD Irving has sawmill and woodland operations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Maine.

• Davis Timber Expands Pole Mill In Louisiana

Longtime pole and timbers manufacturer Davis Timber is doubling its work force at the company’s facility in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana and adding kiln-drying capacity. The expansion will add 12 employees to Davis Timber’s current 11-person staff. State economic development officials estimate the expansion will also add nine new indirect jobs in the area. Construction on the improvements is already under way, and company officials expect to be complete by January 2027.