PotlatchDeltic Announces Project At Waldo Sawmill
PotlatchDeltic Corp. is investing $131 million to expand and modernize its sawmill located in Waldo, Ark. The project will increase the mill’s annual production capacity from 190MMBF of southern yellow pine dimension lumber to 275MMBF. The company states that the investment will reduce the mill’s operating costs significantly.
“The Waldo investment is an exciting strategic growth opportunity and it will position the mill among the lowest cost producers in the U.S. South,” comments Eric Cremers, President and CEO. “The project reflects our belief that housing fundamentals will remain strong.”
The Waldo investment includes upgrades to the log yard and planer, a new saw line and a new continuous dry kiln.
PotlatchDeltic has contracted with BID Group to design, build and equip the expansion and modernization, including BID’s equipment, software, automation systems, Artificial intelligence-enabled optimization, and OPER8, a purpose-built IIoT solution for the wood processing industry. BID’s Integrated Solutions Team will provide the design, engineering, planning, fabrication and installation services for the turnkey project.
“We are excited to partner with the BID team to execute on our growth and operational excellence plan to deliver increased value for our customers, shareholders, and communities,” says Ashlee Cribb, PotlatchDeltic Vice President, Wood Products. “Working with an industry leader like BID provides the confidence that this major project will be done right and delivered on time.”
The existing mill will continue to operate during the project. Work on site will begin in the third quarter of 2023 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
PotlatchDeltic owns three sawmills and nearly 950,000 acres of timberland in Arkansas.
Latest News
Lumber Futures Climb To 8-Year High
Lumber futures have climbed to their highest level since 2005 and they have gained around 9% this year, with most of that gain seen just this month as the outlook for U.S. housing improves. “Lumber, like other raw commodity goods, is a good indication of economic...
Bat-Killing Fungal Disease Has U.S. Lumber Firms Fighting States
Greg Turner hoisted himself up with a rope from an unlighted 20-foot pit in an abandoned mine in Durham, Pennsylvania. His task of counting bats didn’t take long -- just seven where five years ago there were 4,000. “There’s nobody home, basically, at this point,” said...
Looming Lumber Shortage Expected To Bring Record Prices, European Imports
There’s no way North American stud lumber sawmills will be able to keep up with the recovering U.S. housing market, new research being compiled by the International Wood Markets Group shows. The shortage of studs — boards used to frame walls in residential houses — is...
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.
Subscribe/Renew
Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.