West Fraser To Idle Mills In Georgia, British Columbia
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. announced in early November it will permanently close both its Augusta, Ga. and 100 Mile House, British Columbia sawmills by the end of 2025 following an orderly wind-down. The decision is the result of timber supply challenges and soft lumber markets, according to the company.
The 100 Mile House lumber mill is no longer able to reliably access an adequate volume of economically viable timber, the company states, adding that challenging softwood lumber demand, higher duties and additional tariffs have compounded the situation. The mill closure will impact 165 employees at the site and reduce West Fraser’s capacity by 160MMBF.
The closure of the Augusta sawmill is a result of challenging lumber demand, and the loss of economically viable residual outlets, which combined has compromised the mill’s long-term viability, the company explains. The closure will impact 130 employees at the site and reduce West Fraser’s capacity by 140MMBF.
West Fraser also announced that the 2024 indefinite curtailment of its sawmills in Huttig, Ark. and Lake Butler, Fla. will now be permanent, and the mills will be dismantled and the sites sold. The company also confirmed its replacement Henderson, Tex. mill has commenced startup and the adjacent mill has ceased operations.
Latest News
Hasslacher Enters North America
Austria-based Hasslacher group is acquiring a stake in Element5, a mass timber producer specializing in the design, manufacture and assembly of modern engineered timber buildings. Based near Toronto, Can., Element5 employs more than 100 and produces cross-laminated timber and glued laminated timber for the North American market.
Hampton Lumber Purchases Rebuilt
Atlas Holdings has entered into an agreement to sell RedBuilt, LLC to Hampton Lumber Mills, Inc. Atlas formed RedBuilt with the acquisition of the commercial division of Trus Joist from Weyerhaeuser Co. in 2009. Over the next 14 years, the company became an industry leader in the engineering, design and manufacturing of proprietary wood-based structural solutions serving the low-rise commercial construction market. The transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2024.
Peak NA, Fehr Purchase RPM
Registration is now available for the 2024 Western Wood Producers Assn. (WWPA) Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Hotel Indigo in Vancouver, Wash., April 14-16. To register for the event visit, https://www.wwpa.org/about-wwpa/annual-meeting. To take advantage of the group rate, visit the Hotel Indigo website, and use group code WWP. The deadline for the group rate is March 14, or until the room block is sold out…
WWPA Opens Annual Meeting Registration
Registration is now available for the 2024 Western Wood Producers Assn. (WWPA) Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Hotel Indigo in Vancouver, Wash., April 14-16. To register for the event visit, https://www.wwpa.org/about-wwpa/annual-meeting. To take advantage of the group rate, visit the Hotel Indigo website, and use group code WWP. The deadline for the group rate is March 14, or until the room block is sold out…
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.