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
Arizona Sawmill To Reopen, Thanks To $10 Million Loan
An Arizona sawmill on the Fort Apache reservation in the eastern part of the state is reopening, thanks to a $10 million loan. U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick announced the funding Monday to the White Mountain…
Mississippi’s Kitchens Brothers Selling Shuttered Sawmills
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1548381510056-0’); }); Equity Partners CRB and Heritage Global Partners have been retained to sell three hardwood sawmills on behalf of Kitchens Brothers Manufacturing Company. Equity Partners is seeking bids for each mill in…
Florida Land Is Cleared, Sold To Klausner Group
The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners voted to deed a 155 acre property at Live Oak, Fla. for $1, with stipulations, to the Austrian company, Klausner, which plans to build a large southern pine…
Hawaii Lumber Industry Sees Strong Growth Ahead
Strong growth in the Hawaii lumber industry is predicted as construction activity is picking up locally and across the nation, said Ken Laughlin, president of the Hawaii Lumber Products Association. “The lumber industry is about…
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.