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
U.S. Lumber Coalition Applauds Objectives In NAFTA Talks
The U.S. Lumber Coalition recently commented on the Trump Administration’s objectives for the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), including the recommendation to preserve the ability of the United States to rigorously…
NAHB: Homebuilder Concerns About Lumber Shortage Rising
Homebuilders are quickly feeling the impact of the looming rise in Canadian lumber tariffs, as more homebuilders are concerned about the availability of building materials. According to the May 2017 survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo…
Roseburg Forest Products To Build New Engineered Wood Plant In South Carolina
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1548381510056-0’); }); Oregon-based Roseburg Forest Products will expand its operations in the southeastern United States with construction of a new engineered wood products plant in Chester, S.C. Roseburg publicly announced the project July…
After 5 Years, Still No Klausner Lumber Mill In South Carolina
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1548381510056-0’); }); German-based Klausner Holding USA announced five years ago it planned to build a lumber mill in Orangeburg County. Company officials at the time anticipated breaking ground in 2014. The summer of…
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.