West Fraser Puts Leola Sawmill On Hold
West Fraser announced that it will indefinitely curtail its Huguley oriented strandboard (OSB) mill in Lanett, Ala. and sawmill in Leola, Ark. These curtailments are expected to take effect in the fourth quarter following orderly wind-downs.
These decisions are the result of continued weakness in demand for wood products used in new home construction and repair and renovation applications, according to the company. These actions are expected to reduce West Fraser’s OSB capacity by 500MMSF and southern yellow pine lumber capacity by 225MMBF on an annual basis.
“Over the last quarter, housing affordability continued to be a key constraint for wood products demand, which remains soft,” says Sean McLaren, West Fraser President and CEO. “We were also impacted by higher energy-related input costs. Our teams responded by running mills to demand, reducing inventory and controlling costs.
“Decisions like this are never easy because of the impact they have on our employees, their families and the communities where we operate. We are grateful for their hard work and contributions, and we are committed to supporting them through this transition.”
Latest News
North American Softwood Lumber Production Up 0.6 Percent
North American softwood lumber production was up 0.6 percent in the third quarter of 2017 over 2016. The increase leveled off after increases of 1.8 percent in the first quarter and 1.7 percent in the…
Oregon’s Lever Architects Elevates Lumber Construction To An Art Form
There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about building with wood, much of it infused with a certain back-to-the-land, eco-idealism. Not without reason: Wood can be sustainably harvested and easily recycled, and it…
Canada Won’t Back Down, Vows To Resist U.S. Softwood Duties
Canada is in the appeals stage of its softwood lumber dispute after the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed final duties earlier this month. “The Government of Canada will continue to vigorously defend our industry and…
Simonds International, Burton Saw Merge To Form Wood Fiber Holdings
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1548381510056-0’); }); The 186-year-old Fitchburg, Massachusetts-based Simonds International and 115-year-old Eugene, Oregon-based Burton Saw merged into Wood Fiber Holdings, in a transaction that the companies report will create the leading producer and marketer…
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.