Southern Parallel Forest Products Plans Alabama Sawmill Operation

Canadian-based Southern Parallel Forest Products Corporation, a firm producing Southern Yellow Pine dimensional lumber, plans to open a sawmill later this year in Albertville, Alabama, employing 130 workers.

“We are pleased to be announcing the May opening of the new Southern Parallel Sawmill operation. We look forward to working and meeting vendors, customers and future employees in the weeks and months to come,” President Richard Glazier said.

The former Bowater Forest Products operation is expected to reopen with one shift and progress to a two-shift operation, according to the Marshall County Economic Development Council. When the sawmill is running at full capacity it is expected to produce more than 100 million board feet of Southern Yellow Pine annually for the domestic market. It will also convert the former Bowater facilities wood pellet boilers to natural gas.

“Obviously we are very excited about this announcement and welcome Southern Parallel to the City of Albertville,” Mayor Tracy Honea said. “This development is a great win for the community as it will certainly spur the local economy by creating new jobs for our citizens and revitalizing a facility that was a thriving part of our community for many years.” Information on incentives offered the firm or the cost of its investment was not immediately available.